How to Become a Massage Therapist in Utah - UT

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: February, 19 2010

Massage therapy is one of the most rapidly expanding career opportunities in the holistic health community. The occupation can be a rewarding career choice with flexible hours and a shorter workweek for Utah residents who enjoy working with others to promote health and wellness. Massage therapists also are in demand in Utah’s tourism industry, especially at ski resorts. Bodywork and massage serves multiple purposes, which include relieving stress and treating sports injuries and sore muscles. Message therapists can use multiple techniques to restore circulation, relieve pain, channel natural energy, lessen anxiety, and cleanse the body of toxins. Those holding Utah massage therapy certification are often small business owners who travel to their clients’ homes and offices, so the work environment can be a unique experience daily.

Becoming a Massage Therapist in Utah

People with various mental and physical ailments seek the services of massage therapists. Massage therapists use special hand strokes and friction to relieve stress, treat injuries and increase circulation. Utah’s massage schools teach students the fundamentals of homeostasis to stabilize the muscular system. Stones, oils, heat lamps, showers, salts, and other tools are sometimes used to aid in different techniques, or modalities, of massage.

Students enrolled in a Utah massage therapy certification program will learn the various modalities of the ancient practice. Massage therapy and bodywork is widely believed to date back thousands of years in Asian cultures. Many techniques, or modalities, developed in Japan have inspired newer techniques.

“The more modalities you know, the better, especially if they’re not the basic types,” said Salt Lake City massage therapist Amanda Hooper.

Some of the more popular modalities offered by Utah massage therapists include: 

Deep Tissue Massage:
The deepest layers of muscle are worked using friction and slow strokes to relieve stress.

Pregnancy Massage:
Massage therapists said many customers are looking for certified therapists in Utah who are certified to perform this modality, which aids pregnant women in relaxing.

Reflexology Massage:
Pressure is applied to acupuncture areas to treat stress and pain in clients of all ages.

Shiatsu Massage:
Massage therapists use finger pressure in this Japanese modality to improve the body’s flow of energy.

Sports Massage:
Stretching techniques combined with traditional Asian and Swedish strokes help in the treatment of sports injuries. Ski tourists with injuries and sore muscles generate a lot of business for Utah massage therapists.

Swedish Massage:
Soft and connective muscle tissue is manipulated to promote relaxation. Oil is sometimes used in Swedish massage.

Thai Massage:
This unique form of massage uses pressure points to channel energy while combining elements of Yoga and Shiatsu.

Therapeutic Touch Massage:
Therapists fine-tune energy imbalances through a light touch of the hands on a client’s body.