Although alternative medicine treatments have always been popular, they’ve recently experienced a resurgence in many places that have traditionally eschewed them. One of those treatments is massage therapy, and massage therapists can help a lot of people with a variety of issues. Many massage therapists specialize in a specific type of massage therapy, whether that’s deep tissue massage, athletic massage or any other type of massage therapy. If you’re considering moving into massage therapy, can the Tricoci University of Beauty Culture help? Here are some things you should know about the field.
Definition
Massage therapists utilize the medical and therapeutic aspects of massage to help people with a variety of medical and general problems. Depending on the massage therapist, this may be a more clinical option, similar to physical therapy, or a more alternative approach, similar to acupuncture and other traditional opportunities. You have the power to decide which route you want to use. Either way, it’s important to remember that massage therapists do need a certain amount of formal training even in more alternative settings.
Job Outlook
The outlook on massage therapy is extremely positive. The American Massage Therapy Association estimates that American massage therapy was a $12.1 billion industry in 2015, and the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics predicts that since 2014, massage therapy will have grown by 22% by 2024. With this extremely positive outlook, there are a lot of reasons to get into massage therapy, as it’s a very stable sector with plenty of career opportunities.
Requirements
As previously mentioned, massage therapy is a regulated industry. Because you will be utilizing many medical concepts, it’s important to stick to state requirements regarding massage therapy.
Education
Individual states regulate massage therapy education. In order to take a licensing exam and become a Licensed Massage Therapist, or LMT, you need to have a certain number of education hours. The exact number depends on your state, but it usually ranges anywhere from 500 to 1,000 hours. Some states require CPR certification, which also varies from state to state.
In many cases, a cosmetology program like the one at Tricoci University can supplement your massage therapy education. Although you may also have to take other classes specifically targeted toward massage therapy, cosmetology programs can prepare you for other specialties and help you learn more about the administrative work behind massage therapy.
Experience
A student massage clinic can help you get hands-on experience that will really benefit your career prospects. Because this field can be so close to medical expertise, it’s extremely important that you know what you’re doing long before you do it to a customer. Student massage clinics structure their programs to teach you in the most effective way possible.
Skills for Success
You need certain skills in order to really succeed as a massage therapist. Many of these even overlap with other cosmetology fields.
Communication
This is extremely important in massage therapy. You need to know certain things about a customer before you’re able to actually work on them — for example, if an individual has had an accident or previous injury, that may change what you do. Helping customers feel comfortable ensures that the customer receives the best service possible.
A Calming Demeanor
Many people find massage therapy very relaxing, and by embracing a calming demeanor, you can help your customers relax. Plus, massage therapy can be more effective if the individual relaxes while it happens. You can make that easier by maintaining calm throughout the session.
A Gentle Touch
There are two parts to massage therapy: gentleness and firmness. You need to be able to combine these two. You can’t be rough, but you do need to be firm with a lot of massage therapy styles, such as deep tissue massage. If you’re able to balance the two of these, you can really become a top-notch massage therapist.
Adaptability
Different people respond differently to massage therapy. If someone reacts a little differently or suddenly remembers an injury they forgot to divulge at the beginning of a session, you have to be able to utilize that information and adapt accordingly.
Conclusion
Massage therapy is a well-established and well-respected field with a lot of opportunities. It’s no wonder so many people find it interesting as a potential career. If you’re interested in it after reading through this article, you might want to consider the cosmetology program at Tricoci University to round out your massage therapy education.