If you are wondering what it takes to become a massage therapy professional, you are in good company. Today's growing interest in alternative health care has made the practice of massage therapy the most widespread approach to natural healing in the United States. This rapid growth has opened up a wide range of opportunities for well-trained massage therapists, and there are numerous massage schools ready to answer the call.


As a profession, massage therapy can be a rewarding and enjoyable career, offering a flexible workday that many people find very enjoyable. A massage therapy certificate program takes between 600-1,000 hours of training, both clinical and academic. Course work will include plenty of hands-on training, working under the supervision of a massage professional. In addition to practicing on actual clients in a clinical setting, you will also be given classes in such subjects as career development, human sciences, psychology, CPR and First Aid, massage ethics, and other basic topics.

Upon completion of the certificate program, you will be prepared to take exams from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. National certification will qualify you to practice entry-level massage therapy in almost any state. (Depending on the region in which you intend to practice, you may be required to obtain a license or meet other regulations.)

When you have finished the massage certification program, you may opt to take your massage education to an advanced level, leading to an Associate Degree of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Massage Therapy. This postgraduate massage training will teach you the advanced concepts and techniques used in modern medical massage, as well as ancient energy healing, craniosacral therapies, and other modalities. The Associate Degree in Massage Therapy takes between six to nine months of additional study to complete. Graduates are qualified for employment in any setting, including clinical, medical and luxury massage clinics and institutes.

In a typical massage course, there is an emphasis on the student/teacher relationship, providing many opportunities to network with professional massage therapists and to gain real-life experience in a clinical or hospital setting. The best massage therapy schools will provide opportunities for you to refine your skills in a "Student Clinic" where you will practice on actual clients. Many massage schools will help you find an internship with a local massage practice; an internship can help you gain on-the-job experience, a basic requirement for a professional career in bodywork.

When choosing a massage course, you will want to be sure the curriculum is tailored to your specific goals for the future. Each school will have its own individual curriculum and particular prerequisites, and many will offer a choice of electives, such as aromatherapy massage, sports massage, animal massage, medical massage, and others. The possibilities are endless

We invite you to visit our website today to learn more about massage courses, and other related fields of study, such as Acupuncture or Chiropractic. You can select from numerous schools, all just waiting to help you decide on a new career path.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on our website.

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Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.By: Michael BustamanteArticle Directory: http://www.articledashboard.comFind Massage Schools and Massage Therapy Schools, as well as Colleges, Universities, Vocational Schools and Online Schools at SchoolsGalore.com.