subject: Massage Therapy Career Preparation Options and Courses [print this page] Massage Therapy Career Preparation Options and Courses
The use of massage therapy can help individuals relax overworked muscles, heal from injuries, and reduce stress related pains. The specialized techniques used to implement therapy can be learned by successfully completing formal education. Students can find programs at various colleges that offer massage therapy career preparation options and courses.
Career preparation is obtainable from natural healing colleges that provide accredited programs. Through educational training students learn to properly and safely manipulate soft-tissue located throughout the body. Becoming a professional will have students learning about the positive effects on the body, which can include helping patients deal with circulation problems, diseases, emotional conditions, and more. Possible training options are available primarily at the certificate level. Students can also complete advanced certifications, which allow them to specialize in one area of massage therapy. For example, programs can be completed in cranial sacral therapy. This type of modality explores the techniques that allow professionals to focus on the spinal column, sacrum, and scalp to improve health in several ways. Another option for students is to complete associates degree programs, which are designed to give students a comprehensive overview of the field.
Within certificate programs students learn to implement various modalities while exploring the structure of the body. The most common Eastern and Western techniques are learned in courses that focus on the anatomy of the human body and the holistic approach to working with clients. Techniques explored in an overall certificate program often include Swedish, shiatsu, and deep-tissue massage therapy. Students work to understand multiple styles by learning the approach of different techniques and using their knowledge in hands-on courses. Common courses that develop the skills needed to work as massage therapists also include:
Pathology
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Professional Development
Inside an advanced certificate program students are able to choose specific areas of study. This can include medical massage, myofascial release, aromatherapy massage, somatic, and sports massage. Programs give students that have completed general certificate programs the opportunity to increase their knowledge in a particular area of interest. For example, students that complete programs in sports massage learn to work with athletes on rehabilitating injuries as well as injury prevention. Courses that are integrated into programs often include:
Body Mechanics
Business Ethics
Massage Therapeutics
Students focused on entering the industry and opening private businesses should consider completing associates of massage therapy degree programs. A wide variety of techniques are learned along with business administration skills. Training consists of learning to use specific techniques for certain types of illnesses and using a combination of several to alleviate pain and stress. Different course topics could include:
Pathology of Disease
Medical Terminology
Relaxation
To obtain the right educational training students need to research available options. Accredited massage therapy study programs are widespread both in location and specialization and are approved by agencies like the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) to provide a quality education. Students also need to keep in mind that being certified is a professional standard. State issued exams certify students to be professionals by testing them on their overall knowledge about massage therapy. Begin training and step into successful careers within nine months to two years.
DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.
Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved by PETAP.org.
Notice to Publishers: You may use this article on Ezine or on your Website; however, ALL links must remain intact and active. Failure to retain links is expressly prohibited and violators will be prosecuted extensively by law.
