What is Massage Therapy?
With mentions in medical texts dating back more than 4,000 years ago, massage therapy is one of the oldest holistic methods of healing. Involving the manual manipulation of soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments), massage therapy induces a state of healing and enhances a person’s overall well-being. There are many different areas of study within massage therapy and if you have a strong desire to help people, you will flourish in this career
Benefits for Clients Receiving Massage Therapy
While there are many concentrations within the study of massage therapy, your clients will receive many common benefits:
• Relax the muscle tissues and therefore may lead to decreased nerve compression and better range of motion
• Increased ability for their body to heal itself
• Faster recovery from injury or illness
• Improve circulation and enhance oxygen delivery to muscle cells
• Provide relaxation to the point of lowering heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and stress levels
Good News for Massage Therapists after Graduation
According to the U.S. Department of Labor , employment prospects for massage therapists are increasing 23% faster than the average for all occupations. Wages vary depending on where you find employment but the average wage was 43.00 per hour including tips. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) states that nearly 96% of massage therapists believe that massage therapy should be considered part of the health care field, so further opportunities may arise in time.
Very few areas of study allow so much flexibility since you can work for others or you can be your own boss. Either way, your chances of success are great. Your knowledge and abilities will allow you to seek employment practically anywhere you wish. You might have to meet differing licensing requirements if you choose to work outside of Washington, however your curriculum and practical knowledge gained during your studies at Northwest Academy for the Healing Arts will follow and sustain you.
Career Opportunities Massage Therapists May Entertain
Not only does a career in massage therapy allow you to help others, it is a field with stable employment and plenty of flexibility. Your toughest decision may be where to focus to begin your new career!
A small sampling of some of the people you might want to help include:
• Women in pregnancy
• Injured workers and athletes
• Patients will disabilities or debilitating illnesses
• Corporate employees
• Spa lovers
Just as there are countless types of people you may choose to work with, there many different types of workplaces to choose from:
• Spas or fitness facilities
• Hospices
• Medical and healthcare facilities
• Corporate offices
• From your own home or rented space
• In clients’ homes
Now is a Great Time to Start!
Massage therapy is a holistic means of achieving optimal health and people are recognizing its value. As more people move away from potentially harmful drugs and seek natural alternatives, the field of massage will continue to grow. Now is a great time to begin your studies at Northwest Academy for the Healing Arts to become a massage therapist so you can join one of the fastest-growing careers in America.
To learn more about a career in massage therapy click here!
8 Tips to Ensure a Successful Massage Career
A massage career is rewarding if you enjoy helping people. As a massage therapist you work closely with patients to relieve stress and pain in muscles, bones and joints. You will work with clients of all sizes, shapes and in different physical conditions. Your knowledge, technical skills and ultimately your touch can help them heal.
A massage therapist is also a healthcare provider working with patients who have different needs. Your patients may be referred by doctors or through other connections.
Here are a few suggestions for a successful massage career practice
- You are doing this physically intensive job because you want to make a difference in the lives of your clients. Adjust your expectations when you start out and concentrate on learning as much as you can even after receiving your certifications and license. Continue to study anatomy and physiology as it relates to your work.
- Get to know your clients personally and show that you care about them. Concentrate on what the client has to say. You should know everything about their current health and medical history to determine what type of massage will be most beneficial for them.
- Understand how your patients will respond to your touch. Ask questions as you work and explain to your clients what you are doing during the massage. You may make suggestions for special exercises for them to do at home to relieve pain and aches.
- Developing a good professional relationship with your clients will bring in repeat business. They will also recommend your services to friends.
- Consider specializing in a type of massage. You may want to work at a spa that offers stress relief therapy. You may prefer to work at a health club or exclusively with athletes. Experience different environments early in your massage career to determine what you like best.
- Expand your massage career if you can by offering different styles of bodywork therapy. This can include hot stones, Ayurvedic, holistic and other therapies.
- Remember to be patient. It takes time to build a personal practice with a massage career.
- Don’t let yourself burn out physically or mentally. This is a very physically demanding profession and you have to keep yourself in good shape while helping others.
The Northwest Academy for the Healing Arts offers several massage therapy programs for a massage career including continuing education.
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A Compassionate Career | Massage Therapy is Heath-Centered Health Care
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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