Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Considering A Career as a Massage Therapist

By A Nutt

If you are considering a career as a massage therapist, there are a number of considerations you'll want to make before you begin your training.

The first is the length of time you must devote to training, then the additional training that is necessary to become an expert massage therapist.

Each state licenses massage therapists differently, so it is difficult to make generalizations. Only 37 of the 50 states in the U.S. have licensing regulations for massage therapists. The required amount of training varies from 330 contact hours to 1,000 contact hours providing hands-on therapy.

There are also varying requirements for classroom hours a therapist must complete in the classroom. These programs range from just a few weeks to two years, depending on the regulations in the state and the structure of the program.

Although those in an unregulated state can start practicing massage therapy with little or no training, it is clear that thy would not be able to gain or keep clients without the proper training.

After you get the appropriate training, you'll want to either join a facility or start your own practice. Whichever you choose, you will need to follow some basic guidelines for working with clients.

Make sure each client receives quality therapy at each session. They'll be sure to return and send others your way. You want to become genuinely involved in the community in which you practice, and contribute in truly valuable ways.

Have a clear vision of what your goals are so that every move you make is leading you closer to your goals. Be positive and affirming with yourself and with clients, and work hard to preserve your reputation so that you will benefit from word-of-mouth clients.

When you are done training and looking for a job as a massage therapist, you'll have a few options. One is the opening of your own practice. This has implications far beyond simply the massage therapy expertise, requiring good business skills, marketing skills, and negotiating skills as well as the massage skills and customer skills.

There are many salons, resorts and spas that also hire massage therapists. There are a variety of websites and organizations that are dedicated to matching spa service providers with the employers who need their services, so find out about those bulletin boards and websites.

Remember that you can work part time as a massage therapist, but you will have to consider that you need to be available when clients want your services. This may well mean that you need to work evenings and weekends. However, on the positive side, the work is pleasant, and the pay is good. The hours tend to be flexible for a person willing to work when the clients need the services.

Massage therapists may work in spas and salons, but there are other areas of massage therapy as well, such as prenatal massage, infant massage, sports massage, and medical massage. There are also different massage types offered at spas, such as stone therapy and Reiki. - 15440

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