Where Massage Therapy Training Can Take You
March 24, 2009
•SBC-St. Peters
• 0 Comments
Many people are surprised to hear that massage therapy is one of the fastest growing occupations in the nation. This ancient art is being perfected in massage therapy programs around the nation. Since the early Greeks, people have been using massage to provide comfort patients with mild to severe joint and muscle pain, relieving stress, and promoting general health.
According to the Bureau of Labor of Statistics, there are over 80 different types of massage therapy. Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, reflexology, acupressure, sports massage, and neuromuscular massage are just a few of the many approaches to massage therapy. Let's take a look at what is making massage therapy and massage therapy classes so popular.
Industry Growth
Massage therapists held about 118,000 jobs in 2006. Employment for massage therapists is expected to increase 20 percent from 2006 to 2016. More and more traditional health facilities are using massage therapy as an alternative treatment for patients. The positive medical affects of massage therapy is becoming more and more documented. As more and more hospitals and healthcare facilities begin using massage therapy in treatments the industry is growing. Even medical insurance companies are beginning to recognize massage therapy as a legitimate form of treatment for injured patients.
Massage therapy is not only being used in hospitals. Day spas, rehabilitation centers, and shopping malls are enlisting the services of massage therapists. Workplaces have used massage therapy to distress co-workers. Some institutions have full time massage therapists to help workers unwind.
Massage Therapy Courses
As message therapy grows in popularity, the importance of training is growing. You cannot learn massage therapy in your basement. Massage therapy courses are available around the country. Training standards and requirements for massage therapists vary greatly by State and locality. There are roughly 1,500 massage therapy postsecondary schools, college programs, and training programs throughout the country. Massage therapy courses help train emerging professional how to apply massage techniques safely to patients. In many cases is it illegal to practice massage therapy without training. Untrained massage therapists can put patients and themselves in danger of further injury. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, massage therapists can find jobs throughout the country, although employment is concentrated in metropolitan areas, as well as resort and destination locales.
Massage therapy students learn about many different areas of study including: anatomy, physiology, pathology, massage theory and more. Massage therapy classes help ensure employers and patients that you are well-trained on how to safely administer massages. If you are interested in pursuing a career as a massage therapist, massage therapy classes should be your first step. To learn more about massage therapy classes in the St. Peters area, click here.
Sanford-Brown College - St. Peters is close to many locations:
Cottleville, MO - approximately 4.0 miles
O' Fallon, MO - approximately 4.9 miles
St. Charles, MO - approximately 10.0 miles
St. Paul, MO - approximately 7.7 miles
Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Massage Therapists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos295.htm (visited January 28, 2009).