Massage Therapy Training

By Ashley Boyce, allied health world staff writer
Published: February 21st, 2010

Training

With dozens of specialized modalities of massage to choose from, deciding which one to study may seem overwhelming. Sandra Bennett, a recognized leader in the field of massage therapy, spoke with Allied Health World to explain the education and training necessary to enter the profession. Sandra draws from her personal experiences to offer her thoughtful insight on how to choose the program that is best for you:

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How do I decide which massage therapy program is right for me?

Veteran massage therapist, Sandra Bennett, described the importance of researching the many modalities of massage and pursuing those that best align with one’s personal vision of his or her professional life. She said of the schools in her area: “We have two schools in Kona. One is geared towards producing hotel therapists who know a little about a lot of modalities. Then there is the school that I went to that is sports oriented and focused on muscular massage.”

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What courses will be taught in message therapy training programs?

Accredited training programs for massage therapists will include course study in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, business ethics, and will also provide hands-on instructional practice in various modalities and the specific techniques that comprise these. Programs typically focus on the more commonly practiced and medically accepted modalities; however, there are specialized schools that provide training in the alternative and complimentary forms of massage therapy.

Are there part-time massage therapy training programs?

Full-time and part-time programs are available and can typically be completed in six to 18 months respectively. Many programs offered through accredited schools will also assist with apprenticeship placement. This allows students to complete the 600 hours of apprentice practice needed to meet the licensing requirements set by some states, and the requirements for national certification set by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).