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