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Prospective students who are contemplating enrollment into a massage school should seriously consider several things before they make the commitment. Here are 8 things that a prospective massage school student should do before they sign the registration papers:

1) Get a Professional Massage  – It would be wise to take a trip to a local spa or massage therapy clinic and spend the $60 – $80 investment to actually get a massage. This way, the potential massage student can get a feel for the job.

2) Visit a nearby massage school – If there are a few massage schools nearby, check them all out to ensure that the final choice is suitable.

3) Consider personality traits – It takes a real people-person who likes to cater to people to make a great massage therapist. It’s not all glory and stardom.

4) Understand licensing requirements – Massage therapists must be licensed. Knowing the requirements will reduce any speed bumps prior to entering the working world.

5) Think about learning similar therapies – Massage therapists can work in variety of different fields or specialties. Some will focus their practice around aromatherapy or sports massage, while others will continue their education at a medical school to learn modalities like acupuncture or naturopathic medicine. Learning different techniques of therapy will make an individual more versatile in the career world.

6) Scope out possible employment options – Before heading off to school, prospective students should make sure that there will be possible employment options. Larger cities may offer higher paying, prestigious jobs.

7) Learn about pain management – One vital aspect of massage therapy is pain management, so it is imperative to learn about how massage therapy correlates with the reduction of pain.

8) Assess their inner self –  Essentially, the love for any career comes from within. If an individual has a pure love for helping others through healing touch they will surely succeed in this career.

Some massage therapists are still of the view that websites are for the big corporations. A few years back, such an argument would have been true, but not anymore. A website is the heart of any massage school or business, irrespective of the size, or business dealings. Depending on the budget that you have for a website, you might choose either a small 3-4 page website, or a complex portal with all the cool stuff such as picture gallery, blog, online store, and forum, among other features.

Some of the reasons that make a website necessary for a massage school and massage therapists include:

Online Presence: Nowadays, it is necessary for any serious business to have an online presence. With the advancement of technology, most people turn to the internet first, when they are in need of a massage therapy, or yoga training.

Showcase Products/Services: A website enable the business to showcase the products and services that they offer. For instance, a massage school may use their website to highlight the courses on offer. On the other hand, a massage therapist may put photos on their website, displaying some of the facilities, techniques, and products that they use in their practice.

Online Booking: A website is an effective communication tool, since it provides a platform that clients can use to make online appointments.

Information: A website is a great tool that massage therapists can use to give information to their clients. For instance, important information concerning the existing and new services, as well as promotions, offers, and training events taking place in the massage school can be put on the website.

Extra Income: A savvy massage therapist can use their website to create additional income streams. This can be achieved through online marketing and advertising, or the sale of products.

The idea of massage school sounded fun and easy. But, the reality of massage school is it is difficult and exhausting. So how do you keep from hitting burn out and maintain positive scores on your exams? Here are eight exam study tips to help when it comes to test time.

1. Plenty of Rest – Massage work is very strenuous making it important to be rested for your mind and body to function properly.
2. Proper Nutrition – Your brain and muscles need the proper fuel to work correctly, just as a car needs the proper kind of gas. You can’t put Diesel in an unleaded tank and expect it to run. Neither can you live on fast food and coffee and expect to excel.
3. Get Massages – In the beginning of massage school there are lots of massage trades, but as you get closer to your internship and the classes become less hands on and more instruction, it is important to make sure you are getting enough work done on yourself.
4. Study Partner – Having someone to quiz you and make you explain the material to is a wonderful way to lock in on the material while keeping your mind engaged.
5. Study Guides – Using study aids such as, anatomy coloring books, charts, or whatever works best for you.
6. Consistency – Having specific study hours helps your brain kick into study mode more quickly.
7. Notes – Take good notes in class, and re-write them at home to review the material.
8. Review – A comprehensive review of all the material covered will keep it fresh in your mind for the test.

For information about attending a Seattle massage therapy school <= click here.

Anyone entitled to benefits from the GI bill can apply those benefits to attend massage school. Using the GI Bill to pay for massage school is an excellent way to prepare for a career as a massage therapist, particularly for those who like to help others. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for a massage therapist in 2011 was close to $40,000. The BLS also expects a 2 percent annual job growth rate for massage therapists from 2010 to 2018.

Massage therapists need to meet the requirements of the state in which they work, pass an examination and background check. Many schools offer programs that last less than a year, so using the GI Bill to pay for massage school is a good investment for a personally rewarding career. The environment in which many therapists work is also pleasant, since private hotels, spas and gyms have therapists either on staff or as contractors.

The medical community has started to recognize the benefits of massage therapy for management of soft tissue injuries and as supplemental therapy for other kinds of injuries. Besides working in the leisure and hospitality field, some medical offices, physical therapy providers and hospitals use massage therapists to help patients. With a rosy job outlook, reasonably short training period and good wages, it makes sense to pursue massage therapy, using the GI Bill to pay for massage school.

Here are 8 marketing tips for massage therapists after graduating massage school:

Social Media

Make use of social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter and networking groups to promote yourself and your business.

Printed Materials

Print well-designed business cards, flyers and brochures with contact information and rates; place flyers in local businesses, especially where people might know you or your work.

Websites and Internet Marketing

Create a website complete with contact information, photographs and even customer reviews;  in the massage business, referrals are one of the most important marketing tips for massage therapists.

Secondly, there are many free online marketing options that every business should take advantage of. All major search engines offer free local business listings. Check out Google, Yahoo, Bing and Yelp for more information about their free marketing opportunities .

Gyms and Health Clubs

Visit a gym or health club where people might be looking for massage services and inquire about a job or passing contact information along to their customers.

Wellness Stores

Contact wellness stores that sell health food or offer classes where customers might be interested in receiving a massage as one of 8 marketing tips for massage therapists after graduating school.

Community Workshops and Seminars

Host complimentary community workshops and seminars at your massage office to education the general public about the benefits of massage therapy and how you might be able to help them reach their wellness goals.

Word of Mouth

Talk to friends, family and colleagues; often the best referrals will come from the people you already know.

Specials / Coupons

Offer massage services in the form of a ‘gift certificate,’ coupons or Groupons to first time clients or as part of a marketing campaign. Other marketing options might include charitable donations for nonprofit organizations or

Click here for more information regarding our Seattle Massage School.

Following Seattle Massage Schools 8 tips to becoming a great massage therapist can take you from being a mediocre massage therapist to a great one.

1 – Determine the reason for the massage. Is this just a massage to relax or does the client need you to target a specific issue such as lower back pain?

2 – Create a relaxing and clean environment. Create the right lighting and sound effects to inspire relaxation. Ensure the client’s privacy to make them feel safe.

3 – Foster communication. Explain up front that the client is welcome to talk to you, ask questions and to let you know if anything is uncomfortable.

4 – Be sure you have fresh breath. The client does not want to smell your last meal. Minty fresh breath is much less distracting.

5 – If you have a client with body issues that may not feel comfortable with their clothes off, explain the massages that can be done with clothes on such as Shiatsu.

6 – Wear clean, closed toed shoes or have neat feet. Your feet are what the client will be looking at so be sure they are covered or well groomed.

7 – Stay on schedule. Clients appreciate being seen in a timely manner and not having to wait for their appointment.

8 – Use relaxing smells such as lavender in your room, but be sure to ask if your client has any allergies to scents prior to the session.

Follow these 8 Tips to becoming a Great Massage Therapist to become every client’s favorite.

Click here for information about attending Northwest Academy’s School of Massage

So, you have decided on becoming a massage therapist in Washington State, but now aren?t sure where to start.  Here is a quick and simple guide to the requirements to practice massage:

First, you must graduate from an approved program for massage.  A long list of approved schools can be found here.  Once you?ve graduated, you will have to pass an examination to receive your license.  There are two different exams to choose from: the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, or the exam offered by The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.

There are certain minimum training requirements each applicant must meet before becoming a massage therapist in Washington State.  The minimum 500 hours of training is divided between: 130 hours of anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology, with a minimum 40 of those hours specifically devoted to kinesiology; 50 hours of pathology; 265 hours of massage theory and practice of massage; and 55 hours of business practice, including things like proper hygiene, human behavior, proper ethics, and record keeping.

These 500 hours of training must take place within a six-month period, and most can be completed through local community colleges.  In addition to training, you must be certified in American Red Cross first aid, American Heart Association cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and have taken a four-hour HIV/AIDS education class.

Training and certification can be achieved through both approved schools and special apprenticeship trainers, people who have spent at least five years as licensed massage practitioners.

For more information about massage therapy programs – click here

Introduction:

One of the most promising aspects concerning the growth of the massage therapy growing acceptance among traditional healthcare industry practitioners industry can be found in the U.S. Department of Labor?s (DOL)job expansion predictions.  The DOL has estimated that by 2014 massage therapy as a healthcare practice is expected to expand tremendously due in large part to healthcare providers and medical insurance companies recognizing the viability of massage therapy?s legitimacy.  In addition, state colleges have expanded degree programs in massage therapy.

Healthcare Massage Therapy Growing

Where massage therapy and much of the holistic medicine field was large ignored by the traditional healthcare system and regarded the practice quackery, the outlook has now changed. Medical practitioners are increasingly working hand in hand with massage therapists to help treat patients who have encountered injuries, and chronic pain issues. Many hospitals have developed special sports injury clinics and with sports team physical trainers who use massage therapists as part of their treatment modality.

Healthcare Providers and Insurance Companies

There is certainly a substantive breakthrough in the acceptance of massage therapy among traditional healthcare practitioners.  There has been a growing and wide ranging acceptance of massage therapy as part of an integrated healthcare delivery program by hospitals and primary care health clinics. Finally, as proof that massage therapy is realizing growing acceptance among traditional healthcare practitioners medical schools like Georgetown University have begun to discuss embracing the use of conventional alternative medicine (CAM), like massage therapy as part of their medical school curricula.

For more information about the growth of the massage profession download our school catalog today!

Massage school can be a life changing experience that provides you with a rewarding career that benefits you as well as the people you are helping. Massage therapy helps people to feel their best both inside and out. The schedule is also extremely flexible and you can use massage therapy as a full time career or on an appointment by appointment basis. The average massage therapist makes approximately $35,000 per year when done on a full time basis (approx. 25 hours per week), so it is a rather lucrative business.

Working as a massage therapist can be a very low-stress job. Massage school can be life changing as it takes you out of the typical fast paced office setting and puts you in a calm and peaceful setting. The stage you set for your customers can be beneficial to you as well. Low lighting, low music and a perfect temperature makes massage therapy are great career to pursue through massage school.

Going to massage school can open up a lot of opportunities through work in physicians offices, spas and massage clinics.  You can also choose to open your own location and be your own boss. Attending massage school can be a life changing experience and can also provide you with a rewarding career.

Congratulations!  You are now a massage therapist, trained to practice this wonderful healing art!  And of course, you know there’s way more to success than your talent, energy, and skill.

You are going to require some structure and function for a successful practice.  Your practice will have anatomy and physiology of its own, just like you!

Here are 8 steps to building a successful practice after massage school:

1.  Decide what kind of career you desire.
There are several options.  The clinical/medical setting?  Spa?  Yoga/Pilates studio?  Salon?  Private practice?  Partnership?  Usually, some combination of these.  Have an ultimate “dream practice” picture in your head, so no matter what, you are guided by a vision.

2.  Get support.
Massage therapists tend to become isolated.  Keep your colleagues close, give each other massage and feedback, compare notes on employment, career, clients, techniques.

3.  Keep very good financial records.
If this is not your area of interest of expertise, get outside help.  Use a bookkeeper or accountant.  It’s worth it.

4.  Make sure your license, registration and insurance are all up to date.
Stay legal, above board, documented, and fully able to work in any situation at all times.  Check your state regulations.

5.  Keep good client notes.
Some states require you keep records of treatment for 7 years.

6.  Preserve your own health.
You can’t do good work if you are depleted.  Tend to your physical, mental, and emotional state.

7.  Refer some clients to other practitioners.
Not everyone who shows up can be your client as they may need more advanced health care.

8.  Consider bringing another source of income into your practice.
Enhance your practice by including a small retail section in your office or renting out unused treatment rooms to other practitioners.