subject: Massage Therapists Remedy Aches Sooner With The Help Of A Professional [print this page] Many (about 90,000) people in the United States claim massage therapy as their part-time or full-time job. Most are self-employed. A large percentage of these workers are of part-time and self-employed workers. Most states in the United States require some sort of a license to practice massage therapy. If a state does not have any massage laws, then nothing is required and a practitioner need not apply for any sort of license with the state. To train in the US where a license is required it involves 500-1000 hours in length, resulting in a certificate, diploma, or degree depending on the particular school. In the United States there are about 90,000 massage therapists.
As more people learn about the benefits of massage therapy, this sort of employment is growing. As independent contractors, massage therapists usually they have their own equipment which consists of special massage tables and chairs are used to position clients during massages. A typical commercial massage table has an easily cleaned, heavily padded surface, and a horseshoe-shaped head support that allows the client to breathe easily while lying face down and can be stationary or portable. This is cleaned between massages, keeping everything very hygienic. An orthopedic pillow or bolster can be used to correct body positioning. Sometimes, mats are used.
Not only tables, but chairs are often used. Chairs are very popular for public location massages whereby the client is sitting, fully clad, and can be easily transported from site to site. Generally for massages, the client is in underwear or nude covered in towels, in private with gentle music playing. The massage therapist will be very discrete.
What ails you? Is it aches and pains, perhaps bursitis, fatigue, high blood pressure? Maybe your ailment is diabetes, immunity suppression, infertility, depression? Maybe you are trying to stop smoking. Do you have low back pain, maybe arthritis? All of these, as well as an enormous number of other ailments can be treated with massage therapy. Many physical rehabilitation programs accept this as an acceptable form of treatment. Millions of people the world over are convinced that massage therapy helps relieve these symptoms, as well as the tension of everyday living that can lead to disease and illness.
This is not a new medical breakthrough. Massage therapists have practiced this art throughout the world. Chinese records dating back 3,000 years document its use; the ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments; and even Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems. So, how is this cure practiced? Well, there are a variety of methods, over 250 to be precise. Massage is done to enhance function and promote relaxation and well-being. Massage therapists, the world over, are helping people.
In the early 1800's, massage therapy became very popular and this increased until the 1930's and 40's. As modern medicine developed, the benefits of massage therapy were discounted. It was used less and less. In the 1960's and 1970's nurses began to use it to alleviate pain in patients. Again, its popularity grew until finally in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta massage was deemed a core medical service, which gave it great credibility. It's good enough for the Olympics, how about you? Find your favorite massage therapist.
