Find Courses in Massage Therapy in the United States and Canada. Now that you’ve made the decision to pursue a professional career as a massage therapist, it is important to explore the wide assortment of available courses in massage therapy. For instance, if you are drawn to Asian bodywork, there are a number of courses in massage therapy that are specifically designed to teach healing art modalities like acupressure/Shiatsu, Tuina (Chinese medical massage), Thai massage, and Meridian therapy, among others.
Common studies that are frequently offered in courses in Registered massage therapy include deep tissue massage, Swedish massage and sports massage. In addition, general education in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, pathology and body mechanics are often integrated into any in-depth massage curriculum.
Other comprehensive courses in massage therapy may entail hands-on training in a vast array of bodywork modalities like reflexology; chair/seated massage, prenatal and infant massage, geriatric massage, craniosacral therapy, Trager therapy, and/or several other techniques. Essential instruction for the bodywork entrepreneur includes hygiene, CPR and first aid; and business, communication and marketing education.
Depending in which one of several courses in massage therapy you enroll, you can anticipate between 300 and 500 training hours. However, some massage colleges may provide more advanced courses in massage therapy that are well over 1,000 hours. In most cases, healing arts schools that offer courses in massage therapy commonly extend both day and evening programs; and in some instances, weekend classes as well.
Career prospects are very promising for successful candidates who have completed all required courses in massage therapy, and have become certified and licensed professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, experienced massage therapists have the potential to earn over $30 hourly; and, with growing acceptance of massage therapy as an effective healing modality, occupational positions in this field are expected to grow faster than other careers through the coming years.