A massage is no longer just a luxury for the uber-rich to enjoy at an exclusive spa. Massage is now becoming a common way of dealing with stress, enhancing health, and living a good life. As a massage therapist, you have the opportunity to really help people improve their lives. Massage is part of a new and more compassionate trend in health care. It really is health care with a heart. If you are not satisfied with your current job and are looking for a more fulfilling career, then massage therapy might be for you.
A New Kind of Health Care
One could say that most traditional medicine treats diseases and not people. You go to the doctor’s office because you are sick. Doctors and nurses are trained to deal with medical problems. That is not to say that there are not a lot of caring and compassionate doctors and nurses. It is simply to say that the goal of medical treatment seems to be curing a disease.
There is an alternative to this approach to medicine. Some doctors are trying to take a more holistic approach to medicine that deals with the overall wellness of the person. Rather than just treating diseases, medical practitioners try to help their patients lead better, healthier lives. The focus is on creating health and preventing disease rather than waiting until a disease happens and curing it.
This new way of health care opens the door for many different kinds of health care practitioners. Acupuncture, yoga, nutrition, herbalism are all field that promote the overall health and wellness of the person. Another possible field to look at is massage therapy.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Massage involves applying pressure to a person’s skin, muscles, ligaments and tendons. This can be in the form of light stroking or deep pressure. Massage offers many benefits:
- The most commonly documented beneficial aspect of massage is stress relief. Massage reduces muscle tension, pain and stress.
- It can improve a person’s range of motion and reduce back pain. Enhancing overall muscle flexibility as well.
- Massage reduces anxiety and increases energy. It helps people feel more confident about themselves.
- It enhances the quality of sleep and improves concentration.
- It can also help to reduce or control the symptoms of many diseases.
As a massage therapist, your work will help patients improve their overall sense of health and well-being. They will improve the quality of their lives because of your treatments.
How to Become a Massage Therapist
Standards and requirements vary by state, so be sure you check out the requirements where you live. Training to become a licensed massage therapist often involves 500 or more hours of instruction and practice. You can research local training programs and find the one that is right for you. You want to make sure that the program offers the kind of massage you want to specialize in and has options that meet your schedule and financial budget.
A Compassionate Career
Massage is a way to form deep connections with people. As a massage therapist, you will be in a trusted position to care for your clients bodies and souls. Your empathy and compassion will help people to be healthier, more in touch with their bodies and to enhance their quality of life. If you are looking for a career that helps and serves other people, massage therapy is a great choice.
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