Massage Therapist Job Description

What is a massage therapist?

If you like caring for people, making them feel good while helping them relax and getting them ready for their active lives, Massage Therapy may be the career for you. As a massage therapist you will actually reduce cortisol and other harmful hormones that reside in people's bodies. There are a number of conditions and cases in which a massage therapist is licensed to help.

As a massage therapist you will learn how to relieve muscle tension and muscle pain. You will learn how massage therapy helps increase flexibility and mobility while helping to reduce lactic acid and other waste. Massage therapy can help decrease or heal a number of ailments including:

• Back pain
• Stress Related Conditions
• Headaches
• Repeated Strain Injuries
• Muscle Spasms, sprains and strains
• Tendinitis and Arthritis
• Respiratory Ailments
• Surgical, Accident and Life Changing Procedure Recoveries

Massage therapy schools will train you on every step of a message therapy session. You will learn what tools are necessary and what types of massages exist. From the Swedish massage therapy, aromatherapy, hot stone, deep tissue, shiatsu to the pregnancy massage and the sports massage. The proper training will allow you to work in several locations and even as a independent massage therapist.

What is there to know about becoming a massage therapist?

Becoming a massage therapist takes specialized training from a licensed school. You will complete training in many types of massages. You will learn from experienced instructors and even practice many massages over the course of your study.

How long do massage therapy classes take to complete?

This really depends on how your classes will be structured. Some courses are completed in a few weeks, while other courses of study may last two years. The question before you is this: Do you want the minimum amount of training to get started or would you rather take the time to master the discipline?

What licenses are necessary to be a massage therapist?

Thirty seven states require you to have a license to practice massage therapy. Many cities and localities may have more licensing requirements. It is up to you, the potential massage therapist, to check with a local school or authorities to ensure you do all that is necessary to complete licensing requirements and obtain your license.

What kind of income does a massage therapist earn?

Massage therapist can work in a variety of places. Massage therapists may find themselves working at a rehabilitation center or a spa and resort. You may even decide to work for yourself by setting up a private massage service. The 2011 American Massage Therapy Association listed a massage therapist income averaging $41 per hour. However, the average hours worked for therapist was approximately fifteen hours a week. This left the average income of massage therapist at $31,980 for 2010.

What are the best qualities for a massage therapist to have?

A massage therapist needs to feel comfortable with other people. They need to feel comfortable touching other people. Also, you want to be in the proper state of physical and mental condition. You will be conducting interviews with your patients to make sure you know where their needs fall. Also, being a massage therapist is a physically demanding job; you will want to make sure you are up for the rigorous physical demands. If you are the type of person who is empathetic, likes other people and communicates well you may be the perfect fit for this profession.

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