ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Massage Therapist
To be a successful Massage Therapist you should...
understand massage is both an art and a science of healing; be skillful in the use of hands to apply pressure; possess the ability to stand for long periods of time; have a sincere desire to improve the health and well-being of humanity; recognize the need for ongoing education to be a competent practitioner.
What will my job be like?
"Massage is generally defined as the application of soft tissue manipulation through various means and methods.” — American Massage Therapy Association definition of
massage
therapy. Practitioners' specialization may include type of application, clientele, and technique. Massage therapy has a broad number of applications. Its range includes relaxation, stress reduction, health promotion, pain management, and injury recovery. Practitioners may choose to focus on one of these areas. The majority of massage therapists use several techniques in their work and may place the emphasis of their practice on something other than technique.
Specialties
Swedish - a gentle, relaxing massage; Pressure point therapy; Sport massage - focus on muscle groups and injury recovery; Medical and hospital-based massage; Corporate and on-site chair massage; Relaxation and stress reduction massage; Massage for personal growth and wellness; Neuromuscular; Holistic and Population-specific such as prenatal and geriatric.
Where could I work?
Massage therapists may work as self-employed practitioners, as salaried or commissioned employees, or as independent contractors. Many massage therapists have portable equipment and can visit a person’s home/office.
Other workplace settings:
- Chiropractors Offices
- Corporations
- Hair Salons
- Health Clubs and Fitness Centers
- Holistic Health Centers Hospitals
- Medical Clinics
- Nursing Homes
- Hotels, Cruise Ships, Spas, and Resorts;
- On-site (chair massage in offices, airports, public events, etc.)
- Sports teams and events (amateur and professional)
Average Annual Salary
$55,310 per year
What is the future of this career?
Employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 18 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 22,800 openings for massage therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Type of Education/Training
The training program curriculum should cover such subjects as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, theory and practice of massage therapy, hands-on practice under faculty supervision, ethics, and business practices. Many schools offer a supervised student clinic that is open to the public and gives students the opportunity to work with a variety of people. Training programs may tend to emphasize certain styles of massage, so it is useful to find out if a school teaches a style with which you feel comfortable. Connecticut requires 500 hours at a school approved by COMTA (Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation) or U.S. Department of Education.
Where could I get the education/training?
- American Institute
Licensing/Certification
Connecticut requires 750 hours at a school approved by COMTA (Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation) or U.S. Department of Education.
More Information
American Massage Therapy Association
500 Davis Street, Suite 900
Evanston, IL 60201
877-905-2700
www.amtamassage.org
Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation
900 Commonwealth Place, Suite 200-331
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
202-888-6790
www.comta.org
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
1333 Burr Ridge Parkway, Suite 200
Burr Ridge, IL 60527
800-296-0664
https://www.ncbtmb.org/
