Massage Therapist Career

Massage Therapist Job Description

The massage therapist’s job description involves massaging the patient for curative and therapeutic purposes. A massage therapist is also called a masseur (male therapist) or a masseuse (female therapist).

The massage therapist, prior to the session, applies a lubricant to the patient’s body. He will then massage the whole body / a specific area, by rubbing, kneading and stroking the muscles and the skin. He may use his hands and / or a automatic vibrating gadget to give massages.

A masseur also provides dry and moist heat therapies; ultraviolet and infra red light treatments, as well as water therapy.

He will educate and advice patients about optimal body weight, weight gain or weight loss, regular exercise, body-conditioning regimens and a healthy lifestyle.

Massage Therapist Education, Certification and Training

• To become a massage therapist, you need schooling in a Massage Therapy Program. A few Massage Therapy Schools admit only students who have a high school diploma or an equivalent.

• The training program lasts for about 6 months to a year. Subjects included in the program are: theory and practice of massage, anatomy, physiology, pathology, hygiene, public health, and professional ethics.

• You then need to appear for a written and practical licensing exam to become certified.

Massage Therapist Jobs

Massage therapy has surfaced as a very popular and well liked therapy. Massage therapist jobs are available in health centers, health clubs, spas, gyms, resorts, and alternative medicine centers, like chiropractor or acupuncture. Some therapists are self employed and have their own practice.

Job opportunities for a massage therapist look extremely good, given that, people have become a lot more health conscious. People now believe in personal health and preventive care, and want new, medicine-free techniques to assuage stress and strain.

With a search for drug-free and surgery-free methods to relieve stress and pain, massage therapy will remain a highly profitable career alternative.

Massage Therapist Salary

A massage therapist’s salary is largely dependent on the location, expertise, experience, type of employment, qualifications, and number of clients.

A massage therapist charges approximately $20 - $100 per hour for the treatment. He may also charge on a weekly or monthly basis, or by the number of treatment sessions had. The average annual salary of a masseur is around $25,000 - $40,000.