Careers in Sports Medicine:
Sports Massage Therapist (NCBTMB)
Career Description
Sports massage therapists concentrate on rehabilitation techniques and therapeutic care of sports-related injuries. They can be employed in hospitals and sports medicine clinics or hired for sports events such a marathons.
Sports Massage Therapy as a Career
- Job Outlook: 153,700 people employed in this field
- Employment Trends: projected growth of 20% between 2010 and 2020
- Job Settings: Chiropractic offices, hospitals, sports organizations, rehabilitation and therapy centers, private practices, sporting events
Duties of a Sports Massage Therapist
General
- alleviate stress, tension, and pain from the location of an injury
- use massage techniques to increase strength and flexibility and prevent injury
- work with athletes on specific rehabilitation exercises n massage techniques to regain full range of motion after an injury or to prevent an injury
Personality Qualifications
- Good communication skills
- Intelligent
- Methodical
Education
Required Schooling:
- Bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine or Kinesiology
- In depth understanding of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics
- Penn State
- Ohio State
Salary
Starting: $24, 810
Average: $35, 830
Exceptional: $69, 070
Common Injury
If athletes don't drink enough water followed by extended periods of overexertion, then they can develop charlie horses, muscle spasms, and cramps.
Personal Reflecion
This career could possibly work for me. I don't know how comfortable I would feel constantly touching people in sensitive areas, but I like the idea of helping athletes return to play. I am also he victim of scoliosis and many other unexplainable injuries, so I wouldn't be able to stay on my feet for extended periods of time.
Sources
"Sports Massage Therapist: Job Description, Requirements and Training Info." Education Portal. Education-Portal.com, n.d. Web. 10 Sept. 2013.
"Massage Therapists." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5 Apr. 2012. Web. 10 Sept. 2013.
"2012 Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet." American Massage Therapy Association. American Massage Therapy Association, 17 Feb. 2012. Web. 10 Sept. 2013.
"Hazards of Being a Massage Therapist." Houston Chronicle. Hearst Communications, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2013.