Massage Therapy: The new face of medicine

Therapeutic Massage, once considered a luxury, is now accepted by the healthcare profession as a viable and important treatment method for a variety of chronic and acute medical problems. Massage therapy, when performed by a certified or licensed professional, can remedy stress-related health issues, heal muscle injuries, and can serve as a preventative treatment for some common stress and anxiety related illnesses. Whether you're turning to massage as a form of muscular therapy or as a form of healthy stress reduction, one thing for sure is that the CMT, Certified Massage Therapist is here to stay.

How many of us get to work in a helping therapeutic profession where clients generally leave happy and look forward to setting up future appointments?
What other healing professions consider full time to be 15-30 hours per week?
Who wouldn't want to take part in an industry that is growing faster than the national average?

Trained and licensed massage therapists are in demand in a number of settings. In the medical field, physicians are increasingly referring patients to massage therapists. Many of the leading health insurance providers now also cover the costs of holistic healing and alternative medicine.

Prospective clients and patients are increasingly drawn to massage as an alternative to conventional medical treatment due to the natural holistic approach, the overall soothing experience and sometimes for the interpersonal companionship as well. Some seek therapy at private studios, spas, fitness centers and airports to reduce stress and tension. Providing quick, medication free stress relief in high-tension environments is a trend that's growing rapidly.

The CMT or massage therapists can choose to specialize in any of the more than 80 massage techniques, such as reflexology, deep tissue massage, sports massage, Swedish massage, acupressure, or neuromuscular massage. Most therapists master the techniques of several modalities to attract a wider client base. But in order to practice in the personal gratifying and often lucrative helping profession of massage therapy, certain educational requirements are required approved licensed schools, colleges and massage training facilities in order to help protect the public from unnecessary injury.

Programs to Consider:

Today, the hourly wage for masseuses varies according to geography, style and environmental setting. Top self-employed practitioners can earn an average of $100 per hour. This often doesn't include tipping, which tends to range from 15% - 25%, depending on the clientele and level of service provided.

Many massage therapists join professional associations as a means of networking and acquiring more clients. Most professional CMT associations require that the masseuse be formally trained from a certified massage school or licensed professional educational setting. In hospitals and other healthcare facilities, a massage therapy degree is required for insurance compensation and for full time employment. Why not explore what it will take to get your CMT license today and help fill the growing demand for qualified healthcare professionals?