Massage can be one of the most relaxing and stress relieving gifts to give yourself or someone you love.
Few activities result in such a feeling of physical and emotional well being at its culmination. But for those giving the
massage – the massage therapist – an hour-long massage can be incredibly grueling work.
If
you consider the amount of strength and energy it takes to massage several people a day, you can certainly understand the
level of care a massage therapist must take to protect their own health. A full schedule of massage several times a week can
be unbelievably strenuous for the massage therapist and, if they are not vigilant, can result in injury.
Depending
on the type of massage being offered, the massage therapist will work with their client to release specific points of stress
throughout the body. Whether it’s the lighter, longer strokes of Swedish massage or the more intensive kneading of deep
tissue massage, the massage therapist must seamlessly adjust their level of touch to fit the client’s particular needs.
Further, the massage therapist surely wants their last client’s massage to be just as effective and enjoyable as their
first client of the day. It takes an enormous amount of stamina to maintain this high level of effective massage.
Some
massage therapists – because of the work associated with massage – begin to experience back pain from bending
over, sore joints and muscles, or carpal tunnel syndrome. It is not a career without its risks and these risks must be managed
on a daily basis. The proactive massage therapist will not overbook their day and will schedule enough recuperation time between
clients. During this “down time” the massage therapist can do some stretching to relieve muscle tightness and
give joints a rest. Maintaining appropriate posture during a massage can also be helpful in minimizing back pain.
Additionally,
a good massage therapist will also become an avid massage client. They recognize that they must treat their own bodies as
well as they do their clients if they are to continue giving a massage that is in demand.
For easy to understand, in depth
information about massage visit our ezGuide 2 Massage.
Tired of having a dead-end low paying job? Or do you hate sitting behind a desk doing other people's
dirty work? You have been wanted to find a new career, one that will not only provide a decent income but one where you could
set your work schedule and interact with different people all the time. You have had a massage in the past and thought that
this might be a possible career change for your future.
Massage therapists work in a variety of different places and can be self-employed or work for others and they are found everywhere today; in
private offices, studios, hospitals, nursing homes, fitness centers, sports medicine facilities, airports, and shopping malls. Some self-employed massage therapists also provide at home service to their clients
and it is common for them to divide their time among several different settings, depending on the clients and locations scheduled.
Massages are given in dimly lit rooms on special tables. Many like to use candles and soothing music to help the customer
relax and to be put at ease.
Because this profession is physically demanding, massage therapists must be trained
in the proper technique and in most states, they are required to complete a training program that is accredited by a State
board or other agency-these accreditations vary from state to state. Most of the boards governing massage therapy require practicing massage therapists to complete a formal education program and pass the national certification examination
or a State exam. Some State regulations require that therapists keep up on their knowledge and technique through continuing
education.
They are usually training in several areas including a general knowledge of the body systems; detailed
knowledge of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology; pathology; therapeutic massage assessment; therapeutic massage application;
and professional standards, ethics, business and legal practices.
Massage therapists may want to take the national
certification examination for therapeutic massage and bodywork. The exam is administered by the National Certification Board
for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Some States require that a massage therapist pass this test in order to practice. In
states that require accreditation, a candidate must graduate from a State-licensed training institute with at least 500 hours
of training or submit a portfolio of training experience for review.
The most frequent problem is repetitive motion
and fatigue from standing for extended periods of time. This risk of injury to the massage therapist can be limited by the
use of good technique, proper spacing between sessions, exercise, and by receiving a massage from other therapist.
The physical requirements of the job and because time needed
in between sessions is essential, massage therapists usually work less than 40 hours per week. Therapists who give massages
anywhere from 15 to 30 hours per week usually consider themselves to be full-time workers.
If this is what you
want to do, make it happen. Find a school, enroll in classes and pass the accreditation test. You will be able to get a job
as a massage therapist almost anywhere. And, clients are never a problem as more and more people are learning about the benefits
of receiving a great and relaxing massage.
