“While most massage schools provide core training to become certified massage therapists, a number of massage institutes offer comprehensive training that enables graduates to take and pass the National Certification Examination through the NCTBMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork). ”
Find Schools of Massage in the United States and Canada. With the many varieties of massage therapy available today, schools of massage offer prospective students health care career training for the 21st century. Depending on specific interests, applicants can choose courses from training in suppression to Trigger Point therapy.
In addition to “human” body work, massage schools will sometimes offer specialized training in animal massage and horse massage. These therapeutic programs are usually taught as elective modules, continuing education or as stand-alone courses for aspiring veterinary technicians.
Advice to Future Massage Therapists
Practical instruction in most schools of massage includes basic instruction in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and sometimes CPR and first aid. The differences in curricula vary from school to school, but most schools of massage follow standard educational guidelines to meet academic requirements for certification. In most cases, you will find that training hours range between 300 and 500; but can exceed 1,000 training hours.
Some of the many massage modalities taught in schools of massage include Chinese medical massage (Tuina), deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, sports massage, esalen massage, reflexology, geriatric massage, baby and prenatal massage, conservative drainage massage, cancer massage, and Slower therapy,
While most massage schools offer core training to become certified massage therapists, a number of massage institutions offer comprehensive training that enables graduates to take and pass the National Certification Exam through the NCTBMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork). To be eligible for National Certification, graduates must have completed a minimum of 500 hours of training in massage therapy. Schools of massage can also offer associate degree programs in massage therapy (i.e. Associates of Occupational Studies degree in Massage Therapy).
Massage School Information
Introducing students to a wide range of massage modalities such as medical massage, craniosacral therapy, and meridian therapy; Additional studies offered at schools of massage include the art of healing in vibration healing, energy healing (Reiki), hydrotherapy, aromatherapy and herbal applications. Whatever educational route you take in massage therapy, be assured that the majority of schools of massage programs can be completed in under a year’s time.
If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding schools of massage, let professional training within fast-growing industries such as massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore career school programs near you.