The Complete Massage Therapy Career Guide - The Most Comprehensive Resource for a Successful Career in Massage Therapy


Book Description

Congratulations on deciding to become a massage therapist! This is one of the most appreciated professions because of the satisfaction you will deliver to others. Massage therapists are high in demand no matter where you live, and the need is only growing with time. More and more people are realizing the true benefits of incorporating regular massages in their routines, thus making it part of their lifestyles. Not only are you guaranteed a lucrative career as a therapist, the jobs are also abundant and only growing. Massage therapists help individuals relieve pain caused by day to day stress build-up, body tightening, injury or illness. Many people these days have incorporated regular massages in their lifestyle routines to proactively mitigate physical problems, maintain good posture and just feel better. A massage therapist’s role is very important and extremely meaningful, which is why the demand for this service has continuously increased over time. It has become one of the most popular careers sought after by many today. Most practicing therapists are employed by hospitals, clinics, sports facilities and smaller private companies that are everywhere. In addition, many massage therapists work independently as either business contractors or in private homes. No matter where you live, there will always be demand for your services and thus several options near you that offer these jobs. Whether you are just now starting your career in the massage field, or want to grow your existing career, this book’s goal is to help you meet your objectives. In the next few chapters you will find information about the requirements you need to become a massage therapist, information on massage therapy schools, online schooling options, jobs, salaries, career growth and more. There is an extremely high demand for massage therapists. With increased population growth, awareness, health consciousness and active lifestyles, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects massage therapist jobs to grow another 20-30% in the next couple years. Because of the growing demand for massage therapists, many are becoming more interested in this professional career. Unfortunately, most do not know what the requirements are, how to get into the field and how to thrive in a profession that is saturated with so many other therapists. Similarly, many others who are already practicing as massage therapists do not know about the options to advance their careers through either additional training, the appropriate networking opportunities, diversification, specialization and more. All the best to you and here’s to your career success! Table of Contents Foreword 1. Introduction to a Career in Massage Therapy 2. Three Things You Should Know Before Becoming a Massage Therapist 3. How to Find the Right Massage Therapy School for You 4. How to Find Information on the Best Massage Therapy Schools 5. Characteristics of the Best Massage Therapy Schools 6. Why You Should Select an Accredited, Certified Massage Therapy School 7. Are Online Massage Therapy Schools Legitimate? 8. The Main Differences Between Local and National Massage Therapy Schools 9. What Is the Cost of a Good Massage Therapy School? 10. How to Ensure You Get a Top Quality Education 11. How to Apply to a Massage Therapy School 12. How to Apply to a Massage Therapy School 13. Courses Offered in Massage Therapy Schools and Continuing Education 14. The Importance of Massage Therapy Certification 15. Skills Needed for a Successful Career or Business in Massage Therapy 16. Three Main Subsets of Massage Therapy Jobs: Clinical, Sports & Spa 17. The Process of a Successful Massage Therapy Job Search 18. The Need for Liability Insurance When Practicing Massage Therapy 19. Why You Need to Pursue Continuing Education for Massage Therapy Summary




Body Work


Book Description

A vital, accessible career guide for new, aspiring or seasoned professional massage therapists and a valuable companion to any massage school education program.




The Business of Massage Therapy


Book Description

This is the premiere guide to managing a successful massage career and running a successful holistic business. Written by veteran massage therapist and holistic business coach Jessica Abegg (LMT, MBA, MSIB), this visual, hands-on book contains all the tools readers need. It focuses on both practical concerns (such as finance and legal organization), and intangible elements of success (reflection, balance, and self-care). It also includes vital information on marketing and the Internet: knowledge often absent in the high-touch, low-tech world of massage. Throughout, it reflects the growing recognition that it is urgently important to help practitioners manage businesses and careers more successfully, as reflected in the inclusion of Business Practices in the new Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge.




Master the Massage Therapy Exams


Book Description

Peterson's Master the Massage Therapy Exams gives you the tips and strategies you need to score high on your exam as well as useful info on massage therapy career planning, salary and benefits, and educational requirements. Peterson's provides brief reviews of each test topic to refresh your memory of what you learned in school. We not only help you develop test-taking skills but also provide descriptions and full-length practice tests of the two most frequently taken exams: the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB) and the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx).




Success from the Start


Book Description

Rely on Success from the Start for the inspiration and practical business guidance you need to enjoy a long and rewarding career in massage therapy. Business naiveté is one of the primary reasons massage therapists leave the profession. The author has written this text to provide you with the business skills you need to envision and then launch a successful career. Set yourself on your path to success—right from the start.




Clinical Massage in the Healthcare Setting - E-Book


Book Description

Covering advanced massage therapy skills, this practical resource prepares you to work with medical professionals in a clinical setting, such as a hospital, hospice, long-term care, or other health-related practice. It discusses the many skills you need to succeed in this environment, helping you become a contributing member of an integrated team. Also covered are the essentials of clinical massage, such as indications and contraindications, review of massage methods, range of motion testing, SOAP note documentation, and a massage therapy general protocol. Case studies show how a multidisciplinary approach applies to real-world clients. By coordinating your work with other health professionals, you can enhance patient care in any clinical setting! - Includes a DVD with: - Two hours of video showing specific applications, featuring author Sandy Fritz. - A complete general protocol for massage. - State-of-the-art animations depicting biologic functions and medical procedures. - 700 full-color illustrations accompany procedures, concepts, and techniques. - An integrated healthcare approach covers the healthcare environment and the skills necessary to be a contributing member of an integrated healthcare team. - A research-based focus emphasizes research, clinical reasoning, and outcome-based massage application — for effective massage application in conjunction with healthcare intervention. - A complete general protocol provides a guide to treating disorders and maintaining wellness, with recommendations for positioning and interventions, using a step-by-step sequence that can easily be modified to meet a patient's specific needs. - A palliative protocol helps you temporarily relieve a patient's symptoms of disorders or diseases. - Case studies focus on outcome-based massage for individuals with multiple health issues, detailing assessment, medical intervention, justification for massage, and session documentation. - Coverage of advanced massage therapy skills and decision-making skills includes specific themes for effective massage application, allowing you to consolidate massage treatment based on the main outcomes — useful when working with individuals with multiple pathologies or treatment needs. - A discussion of aromatherapy provides safe recommendations for the use of essential oils in conjunction with massage, to promote healing of the body and mind. - Descriptions of illness and injury include relevant anatomy/physiology/pathophysiology, as well as strategies and massage applications to use for pain management, immune support, stress management, chronic illness, and post-surgical needs. - Coverage of insurance and reimbursement issues relates to you as a massage professional. - Strategies for general conditions such as substance abuse, mental health, orthopedic injury, and cardiovascular disorders help you specialize in clinical massage. - Expert authors provide knowledge in research, massage therapy in healthcare, and manual therapies. - Learning resources include chapter outlines, chapter learning objectives, key terms, and workbook-style exercises. - A companion Evolve website includes: - PubMed links to research supporting best practices and justification for massage application. - More information on topics such as insurance, pharmacology, and nutrition. - More information on anatomy and physiology and other subjects. - A comprehensive glossary with key terms and some audio pronunciations.




Business and Professional Skills for Massage Therapists


Book Description

Develop the business skills necessary to succeed in massage therapy with help from respected massage educator and business owner, Sandy Fritz! With a user-friendly approach and comprehensive support tools, this authoritative guide delivers a working knowledge of essential concepts for employees or owners of a massage therapy practice and helps you prepare for the professional challenges that await you in the real world. - Renowned massage educator and business owner Sandy Fritz presents a practical, proven business philosophy for success in massage therapy practice. - Focus on need-to-know business skills for complete success as an employee or the owner of a massage therapy practice. - A companion CD with practice management software provides hands-on experience creating client records, setting appointments, entering documentation, and more. - Self-Reflection boxes put concepts into a realistic context through Sandy Fritz's personal experiences in massage practice. - Learning Activity boxes reinforce your understanding and challenge you to apply what you've learned in an engaging workbook format. - Good Stuff from the Government boxes alert you to helpful government resources and help you ensure compliance with federal regulations. - Mentor boxes provide real-world insight and advice from experts in massage and business management for successful practice. - More than 200 realistic photos and illustrations clarify concepts and familiarize you with typical practice settings and essential forms, records, office equipment, and supplies. - Evolve Resources link you to templates for building resumes, letters, advertisements, forms for documentation, and client histories, plus small business resources, annotated web links, a glossary of key terms from the text, and additional exercises and case studies.




The Complete Guide to Sports Massage


Book Description

The Complete Guide to Sports Massage, 3rd edition is a comprehensive, practical handbook. Sports massage is the skilled manipulation of soft tissue for: the relief and treatment of muscle soreness and pain; the maintenance of muscle balance and improved flexibility; and enhanced rehabilitation from injury. Packed with jargon-free information, this fully updated guide includes step-by-step photography and detailed text explaining the principles and techniques of massage; injury management and post-massage care; as well as practical guidance on working at a sports event. Now with additional photography and the latest techniques, this is a must-have guide for students of sports therapy and anyone wanting a performance advantage.




The Complete Guide to Sports Massage 4th edition


Book Description

The Complete Guide to Sports Massage, 4th edition is a comprehensive, practical handbook. This is the must-have guide for students of sports therapy and anyone wanting a performance advantage. Featuring updated photography and the latest techniques, this is a comprehensive, practical handbook on a key branch of sports therapy, and covers the core syllabus for levels 3 and 4 Sports Massage diplomas. Sports massage is the skilled manipulation of soft tissue for: the relief and treatment of muscle soreness and pain; the maintenance of muscle balance and improved flexibility; and enhanced rehabilitation from injury. Packed with jargon-free information, this fully updated guide includes step-by-step photography and detailed text explaining the principles and techniques of massage, injury management and post-massage care, as well as practical guidance on working at a sports event.




Basic Clinical Massage Therapy


Book Description

This superbly illustrated text familiarizes students with individual muscles and muscle systems and demonstrates basic clinical massage therapy techniques. More than 550 full-color illustrations of internal structures are embedded into photographs of live models to show each muscle or muscle group, surrounding structures, surface landmarks, and the therapist's hands. Students see clearly which muscle is being worked, where it is, where it is attached, how it can be accessed manually, what problems it can cause, and how treatment techniques are performed. This edition features improved illustrations of draping and includes palpation for each muscle. An accompanying Real Bodywork DVD includes video demonstrations of massage techniques from the book.