Beginning your career in massage therapy is a very exciting time. There is much to think about and to consider. This page will provide an overview of information you'll want to consider.
Choosing a School
Picking the right school isn't as hard as it may seem. Rather than trying to find the "best" massage therapy school, try to find the one that is best for you. Schools offer different types of education, as well as different teaching styles. Keep this in mind: the school you choose will be the foundation of your massage education. Years of practice, and possibly continuing education courses will help you improve your skills.
Career Possibilities
No two massage therapists are alike. As different as their techniques may be, the variety of career options can be even greater. Massage therapists work full-time or part-time, and some pick and choose their clients themselves. Some work on cruise ships, or at wonderful vacation destinations. Some work with athletes, and a few travel the world. Frequently, massage therapists work for a massage clinic or start their own practice. Working for a clinic is a great way to build a client base.
Many states have health insurance providers that cover massage therapy. As this trend continues to expand, massage therapists are increasingly becoming integrated into our health care system.
How Much Money?
This frequently asked question needs to be addressed. The amount of money a massage therapist makes is so totally dependent on several factors, that there is really no great answer. Some factors to consider are:
- How frequently will you practice?
- What do massage therapists in your area charge?
- How well can you network and market yourself?
- Are you starting your own practice or working for someone else?
Do some research, and do the math. Meet other successful massage therapists, and ask them. Most of all, consider that you will be doing something that you love, meeting other massage therapists and very likely having a flexible work schedule.
Continuing Education
There are many Continuing Education providers for massage therapy. Continuing education gives you the opportunity to:
- Learn new techniques
- Meet other massage therapists, network, and learn from each other
- Maintain national certification
Below is a list of providers who offer Category A continuing education for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. Their courses are necessary part of maintaining national certification as well as improving your skills and knowledge.
- Arizona
Cortiva Institute - Tucson - A campus in Tucson- Cortiva Institute - Tucson - Tucson
- California
- International Professional School of Bodywork - San Diego
- Massage Center - Chatsworth
- Massage Center - Thousand Oaks
- Mueller College of Holistic Studies - San Diego
- Connecticut
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Groton - Groton
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Newington - Newington
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Westport - Westport
- Finger Lakes School of Massage - Training in Westchester County, NY
- Florida
- American Institute - Fort Lauderdale/Pompano Beach
- Cortiva Institute - Humanities Center School of Massage - A campus in Pinellas Park, FL
- Cortiva Institute - Humanities Center School of Massage - Pinellas Park
- Educating Hands School of Massage - A Miami, FL Massage School
- Educating Hands School of Massage - Miami
- Space Coast Health Institute - Melbourne
- Idaho
- East West College - Training in Portland, OR
- Illinois
- Cortiva Institute - Chicago School of Massage Therapy - A Chicago, IL Campus
- Cortiva Institute - Chicago School of Massage Therapy - A Crystal Lake, IL Campus
- Cortiva Institute - Chicago School of Massage Therapy - Chicago
- Cortiva Institute - Chicago School of Massage Therapy - Crystal Lake
- Indiana
- Alexandria School of Scientific Therapeutics - Alexandria
- Iowa
- Carlson College of Massage Therapy - Anamosa
- Maine
- Spa Tech Institute TM - Portland - Portland/Westbrook
- Maryland
- Baltimore School of Massage - Linthicum
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Newington - Training in Newington, CT
- Cortiva Institute - Boston - A campus in Watertown
- Cortiva Institute - Boston - Watertown
- Michigan
- Irene's Myomassology Institute - Southfield
- Montana
- East West College - Training in Portland, OR
- New Jersey
- Academy of Massage Therapy - Hackensack
- Academy of Massage Therapy - Jersey City
- Cortiva Institute - Somerset School of Massage Therapy - A campus in Piscataway
- Cortiva Institute - Somerset School of Massage Therapy - A campus in Wall Township
- Cortiva Institute - Somerset School of Massage Therapy - Piscataway
- Cortiva Institute - Somerset School of Massage Therapy - Wall Township
- Finger Lakes School of Massage - Training in Westchester County, NY
- Healing Hands Institute for Massage Therapy - Westwood
- New Mexico
- New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts - Santa Fe
- Scherer Institute of Natural Healing - Santa Fe
- New York
- Academy of Massage Therapy - Training in Hackensack, NJ
- Academy of Massage Therapy - Training in Jersey City, NJ
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Westport - Training in Westport, CT
- Finger Lakes School of Massage - Mt Kisco - NYC Area - Westchester County
- Finger Lakes School of Massage - NY - Ithaca
- New York College of Health Professions - Syosset Long Island
- Swedish Institute - New York
- North Carolina
- Body Therapy Institute - Siler City
- Center for Massage & Natural Health® - Asheville (Weaverville)
- Oregon
- East West College - Portland
- Oregon School of Massage - Portland - Portland
- Oregon School of Massage - Salem - Salem
- Pennsylvania
- Baltimore School of Massage - York, PA Campus - York
- Cortiva Institute - Pennsylvania School of Muscle Therapy - A campus in Oaks
- Cortiva Institute - Pennsylvania School of Muscle Therapy - Oaks
- Finger Lakes School of Massage - NY - Training in Ithaca, NY
- Health Options Institute - Bethlehem
- International School of Shiatsu - Doylestown
- Mt. Nittany Institute of Natural Health - State College
- Pennsylvania Institute of Massage Therapy - Quakertown
- Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy - Pittsburgh (Allegheny County)
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut Center for Massage Therapy - Groton - Training in Groton, CT
- Texas
- Lauterstein-Conway Massage School - Austin
- Parker College of Chiropractic - Dallas
- Virginia
- Virginia School of Massage - Charlottesville
- Washington
- Cortiva Institute - Seattle - A Campus in Seattle
- Cortiva Institute - Seattle - Seattle
- East West College - Training in Portland, OR
- Oregon School of Massage - Portland - Training in Portland, OR
- West Virginia
- Mountain State School of Massage - Charleston
