Massage Therapist Salary

Massage therapy schools and alternative healing institutions have sprung up all over the United States. Younger people today are more attuned to take up professions that are a bit out of the beaten track. Frankly, the job of a massage therapist was not really looked up to that much even a couple of decades back. But thankfully, all that is changed now. It is now an established fact that a massage not only provides relaxation and stress relief, there are many other health benefits of this as well.

Most of these schools offer a full as well as part time program for these students. They provide hands-on training on different branches of massage therapy.

Massage therapy schools in the United States offer programs to students that cover various forms of massage. These programs also teach them the skills to perform a good massage. Also covered are allied subjects such as human anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, therapeutic assessment and application, professional ethics and more. To be more precise, these programs train their students to ensure that the students can either work independently as massage therapists, or find employment. There are a lot of job opportunities in the spa, fitness centers, health clubs, sports clubs, nursing homes and elder care facilities. Vacancy for qualified massage therapists is also available with physicians and at the Chiropractor’s office.

One of the biggest reasons for joining one of the many accredited massage therapy schools in the US is that, he/she can learn the techniques of different types of massages. You could learn Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, Thai massage, Shiatsu, reflexology, aromatherapy and another 70 different types of therapeutic massages. However, you will need to finish a training program, and clear an exam to meet the qualification criteria to practice massage therapy legally.

Most schools and colleges offer hands-on practice along with comprehensive theoretical teaching. In most cases, they bestow the following degrees and diploma to deserving candidates.

• Massage Technician Certificate
• Associate of Applied Science (Holistic Health Science)
• Bachelor of Health Science (Asian Holistic Health & Massage)
• Master of Science (Traditional Oriental Medicine)

Some of these massage therapy schools and colleges are accredited by ACCSCT, while their Master’s and Doctoral degree programs are accredited by ACCOAM. Nevertheless, the focus with most of them is on providing the best teaching and practical experience for the students. They can enjoy some of these benefits. 

• Educational experience that covers classroom teaching and clinical experience.
• Opportunity to learn the best of Eastern and Western medicine.
• Financial aid for those who qualify.
• Day, evening as also weekend courses is offered.
• Full or part-time programs.
• Between campus transferability.

This is indeed a very fine profession today. There are plenty of opportunities, and the money is good too. Those who are planning for a highly rewarding professional career should take the first available opportunity to join up any of the accredited massage therapy schools or colleges in their area and obtain a degree in massage therapy.