Planning to be a massage therapist? Congratulations! That’s a good choice indeed. Research data from the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) shows that the industry was worth $16 billion industry in 2017 and the figures are set to boom more in the future. Well, those are whopping numbers indeed. If that excites you, professional guidance can be of great help. For, that you need to find a massage therapy school in Washington.

Before we help you in finding the right school, let’s talk a bit about therapy.

What is massage therapy?

Massage therapy has a long history of existence spanning across China, Egypt, India, Greece, Arabia, and Japan. In fact, it became a widespread phenomenon during the renaissance in Europe. So, you now an idea that is was actually pretty famous.

Massage therapy is a form of treatment which involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body, using varying degrees of movement and pressure.

Contrary to mainstream medicine, this is a part of complementary medicine. It is used in addition to primary treatment to treat various health issues. It is a popular treatment for pain, stress and anxiety problems.

Who provides massage therapy?

There are more than 1500 massage therapy schools in the US. A considerable part of the education is also available online. The schools educate prospective students on the basics of the industry which includes techniques, ethics, and business practices which are necessary for a viable future. All major courses are licensed by the state boards. Also, they may be accredited by COMPTA—Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation.

Once you become a practitioner, you need a certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork after passing the examination. It also requires you to complete 500 hours of education at an accredited school, meet the education requirements, and carry insurance for malpractice

What are the certifications and licenses?

The certifications and licenses for massage therapists include:

CMT: Certified Massage Therapist

LMP: Licensed Massage Practitioner

LMT: Licensed Massage Therapist

NCTM: You need to meet the certification requirement of NCTMB to practice therapeutic massage.

NCTMB: You need to meet the certification requirement of NCTMB to practice therapeutic massage and bodywork.

How to choose the right massage therapy school in Washington?

While the idea of pursuing a career in massage therapy is definitely lucrative, it’s necessary that you choose the right school for yourself. Here is how you can do that:

Your area of interest

Massage therapy is an amalgamation of a wide variety of services. And, the service you choose should satisfy your field of interest. You might be interested in spa therapy, sports massage, or Swedish massage. In addition to that, your area of interest might be kinesiology, anatomy or aromatherapy. If you make an informed choice, it will naturally reflect better results. This can be understood from the fact that you perform better in a field you have a knack for.

Check if the school offers externships

Externships are a brilliant way to apply the knowledge that you have gathered in your training. Possessing knowledge is definitely an asset but if you don’t get to apply that, it all goes waste. When you put the skills and practices into use, you can cement your massaging prowess and become an expert at it.

More benefits:

It provides you hands-on experience

It imparts the confidence you need

It opens new opportunities to meet inspiring personalities of the massage industry.

Analyze if the school is certified and licensed

A certification works as a stamp of approval on your massaging prowess. Check if the school has the necessary certifications and accreditation.

Keep an eye on:

National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation.

These are the necessary certifications to ensure that your massage school imparts education you can trust.

It’s not hard to find a massage therapy school in Washington. But, it is necessary that you choose the right school for yourself. Once you make an informed choice, you can go the path of becoming a certified massage therapist.

The future of massage therapy is definitely lucrative. Just stay informed and take your right step towards success.