How to Become a Masseuse or Massage Therapist Amherstburg ON

Steps

1. Think about yourself and why you want to become a massage therapist. Massage therapists need to be patient. They need to be concerned about other people, and they need to want to help them. They also have to be comfortable around people, because massage therapy is an inherently intimate situation. You should want to do this because you want people to feel good about themselves.
2. Consider what specific interests you have. There are many specialties in massage therapy and most masseuses concentrate on one or more of these, especially when starting out. Among the many specialties you could learn are sports massage, clinical massage, Swedish massage, Reiki--even animal massage. While you can, and probably will, learn more than one massage style, it's a good idea to think about what you're most interested in so that you can be sure to get appropriate training.
   • Visit massage therapists and get massages. A great way to introduce yourself to the variety of massage specialties is to try them out for yourself. It can get a little expensive, but hey, you'll feel great.
   • Do some research. Look online for information about different types of massage, or check out massage books at your local library. You can learn a lot about massage therapy just by reading about it.
3. Research your jurisdiction's licensing requirements. Before you start training, it's a good idea to make sure that you understand how to satisfy your jurisdiction's licensing requirements so you'll know what kind of training will qualify you to be licensed. Some jurisdictions have no licensing requirements. In the U.S. most states have some form of licensing, so check with your state's licensing board to get more information. Keep in mind that even if your state does not have licensing requirements, your city or county may. Complicating matters even further, some jurisdictions require licensing for some types of massage but not for others.
4. Find a suitable training program. There are plenty of massage schools out there. You may have seen their ads or even received advertising materials for some of them. Keep in mind that these schools are businesses that are trying to make money, so be sure to check out all their claims carefully. Look for a program that leads to certification and which satisfies your jurisdiction's licensing requirements (which may include accreditation). You should also try to find a school that caters to any specialties you are most interested in. You can research schools online, or you can ask massage therapists what schools they went to and what they thought of their experiences. You'll also want to consider your budget. Massage schools can be quite expensive, with tuitions ranging from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands. Most schools offer some kind of financial assistance, including federal student loans.
5. Complete your training program. Most massage schools teach basic Swedish massage and allow you to choose other specialties in addition to that. You can find a range of course lengths. In the U.S., many states require at least 500-600 hours of training, so you can expect to spend at least that much time in the classroom and practicing. How long it takes you to complete the program will depend on how many classes you take at one time; how quickly you complete your "practice" massages, and what your specialty is. Depending on the program you take, you will graduate either with certification in a certain specialty or with a degree.
6. Get certified. Not all jurisdictions require certification, but becoming board certified can open a lot of doors for you. In the U.S. the National Certification Board of Massage Therapy administers an exam-based certification program. National Certification is not really needed unless it is required by your state for licensing.
7. Get licensed. As mentioned before, you may need to become licensed in your jurisdiction. Your school should be able to assist you in understanding the licensing requirements and obtaining your license. National Certification is required by some states in the U.S., while others do not require it, and others require their own professional licensing exam. While the license you may need to obtain is a professional license, if you plan to start your own business, you will also most likely need to get a business license from your state or municipality.
8. Decide whether to start your own business or look for a job. In the past, just about all massage therapists worked for themselves. Now there are a growing number of salaried jobs in massage therapy, so you have a lot of options. While you can usually make more money starting your own business, it can be difficult to get clients at first, and business expenses can pile up. Your massage school should be able to provide some counseling to help you make your choice.

Tips

• In all places, you can apprentice under a practicing massage therapist in lieu of going to massage school. It's quite possible that this is a better way to really learn how to become a massage therapist.
• No matter where you are or what your schedule, you can find a massage school that fits your needs. There are even online distance learning training programs.
• As a massage therapist, you will most likely need to purchase your own equipment, such a massage table, massage chair, pillows, sheets, and lotions.

Warnings

• The techniques are tools that a massage therapist uses to connect with a client and are important to learn in school. The likelihood of injuring a person is really low that is why the liability insurance for massage therapists is really low.
• In jurisdictions where licensing is required, practicing massage without a license could result in fines and being barred from future practice.
• Your success really depends on you - it is not about the technique, method or location. It is 90% you -10% technique.

Sources and Citations

• MassageCareerguides.comThe truth about becoming a massage therapist.
• Massage.With-Honors.com Links to state licensing requirements

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