In the last few decades, massage therapy has become a popular method to help people decompress.
But even though it has been typically regarded as a luxurious treatment, massage therapy is nowadays available in different types of settings and for a wide range of medical conditions the person might be experiencing.
In the next few sections, we’ll review some of the basic information about massages, massage therapy, massage school, and how much it costs.
Table of Contents
What Is Massage?
The word massage indicates the rubbing and pressing of the skin and soft tissues of the body to improve a person’s health condition.
The use of massage as a technique to treat several health problems is supposed to have started in India approximately in the year 3000 BCE.
Since then, it has been employed in different cultures and ages, always with the same goal of helping people to alleviate stress, pain, injuries, anxiety, depression, and other mental and physical issues.
What Is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy is the use of certain massage techniques to address specific health problems.
These problems, as previously mentioned, can be either mental or physical, and massage therapy usually acts as a complement of a larger clinical or medical approach.
Various massage techniques have been developed throughout the centuries that are still used today, such as Shiatsu, Tuina, and one of the most popular and recent ones, the Swedish massage.
What Are the Benefits of Massage Therapy?
Besides helping people feel relaxed, massage therapy is also used to relieve persistent pain, lower blood pressure and heart rate, assist in the rehabilitation process of people who have had surgeries or other procedures, improve immune function and circulation, and help manage mental disorders as well as chronic illnesses.
Where Can Massage Therapists Work?
When most people think about massage therapists, they immediately place them working in spas or luxury hotels.
But massage therapists can work in different settings depending on the techniques they have specialized in and their own interests.
They can work in hospitals, medical and chiropractic offices, fitness centers, athletic teams, rehabilitation centers, massage clinics, cruise lines, and resorts, among others.
What Is Massage School?
Massage School is the place where you need to attend in order to become a massage therapist.
These can be either private institutions dedicated to massage therapy or community colleges.
It’s important to mention that the requirements to obtain a massage license and certification vary among states.
It’s always a good idea to check first where you want to study, work and what you need to accomplish that.
Admission Requirements
It’s not necessary to have a graduate degree to enter Massage School.
You’ll only need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass a criminal background check, and any other requirements that the school might have.
Course Program
Although every Massage School is going to have a different course program, the most common subjects are anatomy, ethics, health psychology, kinesiology, nutrition, physiology, and communication skills.
Besides these core courses, you will also have the opportunity to learn about different massage techniques and choose the one you wish to focus on.
How Long Does Massage School Last?
The duration of Massage School mostly depends on the program you choose and the time you have to dedicate to it.
However, most massage programs can last between five months and two years.
How Much Does Massage School Cost?
The cost is going to vary according to the school you choose, the city where you wish to study and the type of program, and its duration.
In general, you can expect to pay from $5,000 to $28,000.
In most of these programs, state certification -when needed-, is included in the total cost.
