Massage Therapist
RJ Slagle
Description of Profession
Massage Therapists manipulate the muscles and soft tissues of their clients to produce relaxation, improved health and other benefits. Can be in many different environments such as sports or in just everyday life.
Certifications Necessary to be a Massage Therapist
Certification by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) is an indication that a massage therapist has attained a particular professional credential.
Daily Activities: Nature of Work
A massage therapist’s daily schedule may be set depending on the client load of the doctor, or may rotate depending on the days the doctor works. Typically massage therapists working in a clinical setting provide more rehabilitative services than those working in a spa setting. They may not charge as high a rate as massage therapists working in a spa. As a bonus to their clients however, they may be able to bill a client’s insurance for massage services, depending on the arrangements they make with the physician or other healthcare provider.
Education Requirements
Complete a training program at a massage therapy school that qualifies you. Then after you graduate you have to meet the requirements of your state or municipality. This will most likely require passing an exam, the most common being the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx) or an exam administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.
Payday (Average Income, Beginning and Potential)
According to BLS the average salary for massage therapists in 2013 was about $36,000. The high was estimated at more than $71,000 and the low was estimated at about $18,000.
Skills necessary to be successful in this profession?
You need to be able to know where muscles are located and how they work so that you can relieve pain efficiently and correctly. You also have to be okay with touching people. The hours can be long if working in a sports environment as you don't get as many breaks in between massages and you also are staying in one place as in home massages you have to drive home to home which gives you time to rest and relax a little before massaging again.
Practice Settings: Where would you work?
There are many different settings you can work in a short list of them would be.
- Massage Office
- In Home Office
- Spas and Resorts
- Sports Teams and Events
-Health Clubs and Fitness Centers
Job outlook/3 Fun Facts
AMTA estimates that the number of massage therapists in the United States, including students, is between 300,000 and 340,000.
So you want to be a Massage Therapist