| Technology has improved numerous elements of | | | | therapy training includes subjects such as anatomy, |
| society; unfortunately, our physical and mental health is | | | | physiology, kinesiology, business, and ethics, as well as |
| not one of them. Computer work in particular causes | | | | hands-on practice of massage techniques. |
| many of us to sit hunched over a desk all day long, | | | | After completing massage therapy training, students |
| contending with aching shoulder, neck, back, and leg | | | | may take one of two national certification exams |
| muscles as a result. Instead of suffering in silence, | | | | administered by the National Certification Board for |
| people are opting for professional help. Enter massage | | | | Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, leading to the |
| therapy. | | | | Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and |
| Letting Loose | | | | Bodywork (NCTMB) credential or the Nationally |
| You may be familiar with massage therapy in the | | | | Certified in Therapeutic Massage (NCTM) credential. |
| context of relaxing and rejuvenation, with the goal of | | | | These credentials must be renewed every four years. |
| stress reduction and increased energy levels. But that's | | | | In order to retain certification, those with massage |
| only part of the holistic picture. Massage therapy is | | | | therapy training must perform at least 200 hours of |
| also used in the medical context to treat painful | | | | therapeutic massage during the four-year period, and |
| ailments, decompress tired and overworked muscles, | | | | complete a minimum of 48 massage therapy |
| rehabilitate sports injuries, and promote general health. | | | | continuing education units (CEUs). |
| Here's how it works: Through massage, therapists | | | | Relaxing for a Living |
| manipulate clients' soft tissues to improve the body's | | | | In such a tense society, there will always be a need |
| circulation and remove waste products from the | | | | for massage therapy. Massage therapists held about |
| muscles. Massage therapists can specialize in over 80 | | | | 97,000 jobs in 2004; about two-thirds were |
| different types of massage, called modalities. Some of | | | | self-employed. And, employment is expected to grow |
| the more popular approaches include Swedish | | | | faster than average over the 2004-2014 period, |
| massage, deep tissue massage, reflexology, | | | | according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. |
| acupressure, sports massage, and neuromuscular | | | | Though the work is physically rigorous, you won't be |
| massage. | | | | putting in an 80-hour week. A therapist who gives |
| Training to Unwind | | | | massages anywhere from 15 to 30 hours per week is |
| There are roughly 1,300 massage therapy training | | | | usually considered full time. And why not? Median |
| programs throughout the country. About 300 of these | | | | hourly earnings of massage therapists, including |
| are accredited by a state board or department of | | | | gratuities earned, were $15.36 in May 2004, with the |
| education-certified accrediting agency. Massage | | | | highest 10 percent earning more than $32.21. |