Massage Therapist

[sheilarose2]

Is anyone out there one of these? I started going to a Chiropractor a couple of weeks ago and part of my therapy is going to a massage therapist. Today was my first time for that and while I was lying there I was thinking that this might be something that I would like to do. I am a SAHM and in the next few years I wiil need to go back to work and as of now there is nothing that I would be interested in doing other then this. Anyone have any ideas, thoughts, or suggestions on how to do this? How long it takes to get license?

Thanks,
Sheila

 

[kdibattista]

I've been a massage therapist for a couple of years now. I was fortunate enough to be able to go to school full time and was finished in a little over 7 months (M-F, 9-5). We had to do 50 clinical hours in addition to the schooling. Class consisted of hands on work and college level A&P as well as Pathology. When you graduate (as long as it is a COMPTA accredited school), you will graduate with a certification. It depends on your state as to whether you need to be licensed (we don't in PA). There is also a National Certification test.

I have several additional certifications and found that was helpful getting my foot in the door. Just a warning... it is hard to get into the business. The schools will make it seem a lot easier then it is. Spas want you to have experience in other spas. Chiropractic offices usually want additional courses (they should at least). Being solely self employed is very hard in this industry. Most people work at a couple different places. I work on my own (corrective work) and in a spa. Also, most employers pay you strictly on commission (it took me awhile to get used to that ). No appointments... no pay .

That being said, I could not imagine doing anything else. I LOVE my job, LOVE my clients and LOVE the business. It truly is very rewarding.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[heart4pooh]

I've been a massage therapist for sixteen yrs. The field has changed a little since I began, for the better! I am cutting back my hours and hope to soon be a SAHM and home school my 7 yr old, go figure! The course I took was down in Ft. Lauderdale and was for 6 months and cost $2500. A great investment for the wonderful career I have had. I live in NC now and the last I heard it was up to $7500 at a Massage school. But, they now offer it at the local community college for much less. After a year you get a certification and can sit for the national boards and then apply for a NC license. I was grandfathered in with my FL license and have never sat for the National Certification. I hear it is harder than the test I took and involves more than you will actually need to know to have a successful career... Like chakras and energy work. My license only tested anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities and the laws of Fl concerning massage therapy. At the community college you can then choose to go for another yr and get an associates degree in massage therapy that studies more of the medical aspect of massage. We also have to have 25 hours of CEU's every two yrs to renew our license in NC. I know some people have a hard time breaking into massage, but I honestly have been busy since the beginning. I would love to find somebody to begin taking over my practice, but all the therapists in town are as busy as they want to be. Any massage therapists want to move to the beautiful crystal coast of NC? LOL! Sorry this is so long, but going to school to be a massage therapist was the best decision I ever made. Good luck!

 

[Aimee K]

I was a stay home mom for many years, and went back to school to become a massage therapist about 5 years ago. I now work at Saratoga Springs Spa as a massage therapist

It is a very rewarding career, both financially AND emotionally. It can be exhausting work. It's not like getting a massage!

The laws differ state to state, and even county by county in some states. Here is one site I found with TX requirements. These actually seem very minimal.
http://www.massageinstitute.com/texas_state_law.htm#qua

Many states have you take the National Boards http://www.ncbtmb.com/

These require at least a 500 hour program and passing the exam.

There are so many options and ways to practice massage. I have worked in a chiropractor's office, and at several spas, as well as having a few freelance clients. I've been at Disney for about a year and a half, and LOVE it! I'm home at 2:30 every day, in plenty of time for the kids to get off the bus, and cook dinner.

Best of luck in your decision making. If I can help any more, please don't hesitate