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Massage Therapist - Career Profile |
Career OverviewEvidence suggests that more than 240,000 individuals practice private massage, bodywork, and somatic therapies as a fulltime or part-time vocation in the United States. Growing public recognition, career change trends, and the financial viability of the job in general have convinced many people to become massage therapists.
Massage can be used in preventive health care to reduce stress. It can also be used to treat a range of injuries and disease symptoms that manifest themselves physically. Massage therapists can help to reduce repetitive motion injuries such as carpel tunnel syndrome.
American hospitals are also recognizing the value of massage as a method of improving patient response to treatments in hospice care, for example. Massage also has a positive influence on the outcome of psychological treatment programs.
A massage therapist applies a range of techniques benefit the muscular structure and soft tissues of the human body. Their work includes, but is not limited to kneading, stroking, tapping, and rocking to impact the muscular structure and soft tissues. They may also use compression, vibration, friction, and pressure techniques. They can also use non-forceful passive or active movements that affect the energetic systems of the body and assist with movement reeducation.
The services of massage therapists are often covered by health insurance when prescribed by a chiropractor or an osteopath, so many massage therapists are affiliated with health care institutions such as hospitals and medical clinics.
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Career RequirementsMassage therapy is regulated in thirty-six states at this time, including the District of Columbia. There are no established prerequisites at present, but to operate in the field, individuals are required to undertake some formal education. There are more than 250 different types of massage, bodywork, and somatic therapies so the opportunities for education in the field are numerous.
There are more than 1,500 schools at present, in the United States alone. Most are privately owned although some community and junior colleges are now offering massage and bodywork training programs.
The majority of states that license massage therapists require at least 500 hours of training at an approved school, so individuals should bear this in mind when they are considering their options for training.
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Job OutlookMassage and bodywork therapy are widely recognized as valid forms of treatment for a range of physical and psychological conditions. The outlook for employment is at least favorable for the foreseeable future, with a growing number of opportunities for employment by health care institutions.
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Career TrackThe vast majority of practitioners have their own practice. A growing number of massage therapists are employed by spas, athletic clubs, medical clinics, chiropractor’s offices, and even beauty salons.
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CompensationFulltime massage therapists currently earn between $40,000 and $60,000 per year. Many therapists choose to work part time and earn about $20,000 per year by doing so. As most massage therapists work independently, benefits such as paid vacations, tuition reimbursement, and insurance are a relatively uncommon feature of this profession. That said, working independently allows individuals to set their own hours and work policies.
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