Choosing a Massage Career

Interested in becoming a massage therapist? Well, there are many ways to accomplish the massage career path. But first it is essential to understand message therapy and its wonders.

Massage therapy is widely used around the world due to the health benefits it provides people. In fact, massage therapy is considered as a CAM or complementary and alternative medicine. Undergoing any type of massage reduces stress and relieves pain resulting to overall wellness.

According to statistics, 10 percent of men and 25 percent of women received massage therapy in year 2010. While in early 2011, around 13 percent of men and 24 percent of women underwent the so-called massage therapy. Most of them availed of the massage on spas for relaxation purposes. However, late last year, there was a huge increase on the percentage of Americans availing it. Around 44 percent of adult Americans received massage therapy not only for relaxation purposes but also for medical and health purposes.

These show that massage is indeed helpful and effective in reducing stress and pain. In addition, these also mean that people interested in taking a massage career and become a massage therapist can be helpful and rewarding. Here's a list on what a person needs to know.

Choosing a training program - At present, more than 350 accredited massage therapy schools are in the United States. Those interested can research which schools offer such programs and compare it with other schools near their place. To name a few, Nevada School of Massage Therapy in Las Vegas, Carrington College in Phoenix and Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego offers massage therapy programs.

Usually, the program requires a student to master all the core skills, pass all the exams and understand the code of ethics to become a certified massage therapist. However, there are also a certain number of hours allotted for trainings that the students should undergo. Moreover, all of these requirements vary depending on the state.

Knowing the employment opportunities - Upon becoming a message therapist, looking for a job may not be that hard. According to reports, the employment rate of massage therapists will continue to grow. In fact since 2010, there was already an increase due to the demands of massage services which may also lead to 20 to 35 percent growth in 2012. These mean that there is a lot in store for future massage therapists.

Understanding the work environment - Since massage school teaches every technique such as corrective, conditioning, energetic and relaxation, indeed there are employment opportunities waiting for massage therapists. They can work in diverse industries which include working in airports, fitness centers, hospitals, nursing homes, resorts, studios, spas, shopping malls and even in private offices. Some are also given the opportunity to go on different places.

Besides the time and effort, massage therapists earn competitively. If they work hard, they can earn $180,000 or more yearly. This clearly shows that a massage career is indeed a rewarding career. However, a massage practitioner should always remember to fulfill the duties and responsibilities to satisfy every client.