subject: Massage Therapy Schools In Arizona And A Career As A Massage Therapist [print this page] Are you considering a career in massage therapy? Are you searching for the right massage therapy school in Arizona to help you train for this rewarding career? Before embarking on any endeavor, it's important to ensure you have all the facts - and the same is true of choosing a career. Be sure you are informed on what a career as a massage therapist entails, what to look for when choosing a massage therapy school in Arizona, the job outlook for the career and what is needed to become licensed as a massage therapist.
A Career as a Massage Therapist
Massage therapists employ therapeutic professional touch in the application of massage techniques. They apply their training to careers in health care, sports medicine, fitness and stress management, relieving their patients from pain associated with stress, injury and illness.
There are a variety of employment settings where massage therapists can perform their therapeutic techniques, from resorts, spas and cruise ships to doctor's offices, wellness clinics, rehabilitation centers and more. Some massage therapists are even self-employed professionals, contracting their services to outside businesses.
Massage Therapy Schools in Arizona: What to Expect
As a student at a massage therapy school in Arizona, you can expect to learn how to perform different therapeutic massage techniques for preventive maintenance, recovery from injury, stress management, relaxation and general wellness.
Many massage therapy schools in Arizona teach techniques in Swedish massage; condition-specific massage, which helps alleviate pain from ailments such as back and neck pain; spa technologies; massage for special populations like the elderly, infants and pregnant women; and sports-injury management.
In addition to proficiency in the practical application of massage techniques, as an massage therapy school student, you will gain a working knowledge of anatomy and physiology, pathology and kinesiology.
Job Outlook for Massage Therapists
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for massage therapists is expected to increase 19 percent through 2018, as more people learn about the benefits of massage therapy and search for alternative medicine and holistic healing.
Massage Therapy Licensure and Certification
When choosing a massage therapy school in Arizona, make sure to ask if it is state-licensed and nationally accredited. The programs at these schools meet the eligibility criteria for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) Exam. Many schools are also members of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). In addition to the NCBTMB certification, massage therapists must apply for state licensure.
If you choose to train at a massage therapy school in Arizona to become a massage therapist, you will be working in a field that is rewarding and exciting. Through the work you perform, you will be contributing positively to the clients and patients you treat, assisting them with their ability to live fuller, happier and healthier lives.
