If you are thinking of becoming a massage therapist, you probably have several questions you want answered to determine if this career is right for you before you start the training. First, where do massage therapists work? Are there high-paying jobs in your area, or will you need to relocate? What will you do once your training is complete? That day might seem far off, but with a good plan in mind it will be easier to accomplish each goal while you’re in school and to make a smoother transition to the working world after you finish your training and complete your certification.

There are many places where massage therapists might work. You might work at a massage parlor, fitness center, physical therapy office, spa, resort or at your own private office. Some massage therapists also have mobile businesses, meaning they travel to their clients’ homes and offices to give massages there. One good way to look for jobs after you have completed the training to become a certified massage therapist is to visit a spa and resort expo or conference to learn more about the staffing and job needs of various spas and resorts.

In order to get one of these massage therapist jobs, you will need to train for a couple of years and complete hundreds of practice hours. It can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to really establish yourself. Some cities are better than others are for massage therapists, so it would be a good idea to research the job prospects for your industry in nearby cities to see if you might be better off relocating. Massage therapists are likely to see a 20 to 35 percent increase in job opportunities through 2012, so there are certainly many good opportunities out there.

There are opportunities to work in many different settings in this rewarding field. Whether you want to work full or part time, massage therapy is an excellent career for you. The average hourly pay for massage therapists is about $41.50, so you can still support yourself quite nicely even if you don’t want to work a 40-hour workweek.

Institutions offering quality Massage Therapy Programs include American Institute, Cortiva Institute, Apollo College, Kaplan College, Keiser University, Utah College of Massage Therapy and Western Career College.

Find the perfect Massage School today or Massage Therapy College and start your path to a rewarding career.

As a massage therapist, specializing in deep tissue massage can be a lucrative and rewarding decision, as this is quickly becoming one of the most popular styles of massage. Deep tissue massages focus on realigning the connective tissue and deep layers of muscles beneath the skin to help heal chronically sore shoulders, tight lower backs, tense and stiff necks and other pains. This massage therapy style relies on many of the traditional techniques, but you will use deeper pressure and move your hands more slowly to really get into the affected areas and relieve the tension.

If you choose to specialize in deep tissue massage you will have many options as far as where you will work and who your clients will be. People who have had sports injuries and those who suffer from poor circulation and chronic muscle tension or adhesions in the ligaments, muscles and tendons will always be interested in deep tissue massages. You will relieve their pain and tension by breaking down the adhesions that are causing pain, and you will help to restore their muscle systems to their normal state of movement. As long as there are patients suffering from chronic pain, fibromyalgia, limited mobility, osteoarthritis pain, postural problems, muscle tension, spasms, sports injuries or repetitive strain injuries, you will have a market of clients.

Deep tissue massage therapists work in massage parlors, spas, fitness clubs, physical therapy offices and private practices. The hourly wages for this type of work are about $41.50 on average, although this all depends on where you work and how much experience you have. Before you can become a massage therapist, you will need to complete a training program, perform the required number of hours of massage experience and become certified. You will also need to complete specialized training in deep tissue massage.

Specializing in deep tissue massage could be ideal for you. If you are passionate about the healing arts and want to help people live pain-free lives, contact a local accredited massage school and find out more about their deep tissue massage training.

Institutions offering quality Massage Therapy Programs include American Institute, Cortiva Institute, Apollo College, Kaplan College, Keiser University, Utah College of Massage Therapy and Western Career College.

Find the perfect Massage School today or Massage Therapy College and start your path to a rewarding career.

If things like gemstones, incense, shamans and books about energy healing interest you, perhaps you should consider how to become a natural health practitioner, so you can use these things that interest you to start a rewarding career. Natural health practices, also known as holistic healing or alternative medicine, includes the practice of healing without the use of drugs or other traditions of Western medicine. Natural health practitioners include acupuncturists, massage therapists and holistic healers, just to name a few. There are many paths that you can take to begin one of these careers.

One of the most popular natural health careers is massage therapy. If you are interested in practicing massage therapy, you will have many options for your education, as there are many massage therapy schools throughout the United States. Just make sure the school is accredited and that it offers training in the type(s) of massage you would like to practice in your career. You should be able to complete the program and your required hours of hands-on training in two or three years. Massage therapy schools typically train students so that they can become licensed, certified massage therapists; the standards for licensing vary by state.

There are many other ways to get into the natural healing arts. You could start an apprenticeship with a master practitioner in the energy healing arts, for example. One healing art is Reiki, which is a spiritual healing art passed from master to student. You can also complete a distance learning program if you find an accredited school that offers holistic certification – just make sure to do some research on the program and the success rate of its graduates. These programs will also probably require some hands-on training, but with the flexible schedule of distance learning you can complete a great deal of the coursework on your own rather than at a campus.

Becoming a natural health practitioner could be the key to a very rewarding career for you. The average salary for holistic health practitioners is around $51,000 annually, and there are growing opportunities to work in spas, therapeutic offices and private practice.

Institutions offering quality Holistic Health Programs include American Institute of Holistic Therapy, Clayton College of Natural Health, International Professional School of Bodywork, Kaplan College, Southwest Institute of Healing Arts and Spa Tech Institute.

Find the perfect Massage School today or Massage Therapy Schools and start your path to a rewarding career.

If you want to instruct students in yoga classes, first you will need to learn how to become a yoga teacher and the steps that are involved. Most yoga instructors go through teacher training programs that end with a certificate after a certain number of hours. Then you will simply need to find a job at a gym, fitness center, yoga club, spa or other facility where yoga classes are offered. If you are passionate about yoga and have a calm demeanor, this may be an excellent job for you.

A good yoga teacher training program should be registered by the Yoga Alliance. Being accredited by this nationally recognized organization is a sign of a quality educational program in this field. There are 200-hour and 500-hour certificate programs. You will be able to find jobs at yoga studios with 200 hours of training, but the higher level of certification will help advance your career opportunities. And, if you want to teach a specialized type of yoga such as Anusara, Baptiste Power Yoga, Bikram or Iyengar you will need to complete an additional training program.

If you’re thinking of becoming a yoga teacher, it would be a good idea to ask some of your favorite instructors where they completed their yoga training or if there is a training program nearby that they recommend. If there are no good schools nearby you may have to consider relocating. The Yoga Alliance Web site should have a list of suitable programs from which you can choose.

During your education you can expect to pay upwards of $3,000 for the training program, but you may be able to get financial aid or pay in installments. Most programs last from one month to a year. The additional training for some of the specializations may last only a month or two, but it will be intensive.

The average salary for yoga instructors varies depending on the years of experience and specialization of the instructor, how many hours they work, and where they work. Annual salaries range from approximately $40,000 to $80,000. If this sounds good, the next step is figuring out where to get your training and get started!

Find the perfect Massage School today or Massage Therapy College and start your path to a rewarding career.

The following are considered by many to be the top 25 terms all massage students should know, in no particular order:  

1. Western Massage: American and European massage techniques.
2. Swedish Massage: Health clubs, resorts and spas often use this style of relaxing massage that includes five different strokes.
3. Esalen Massage: A type of Swedish massage that connects one’s inner self with others’ inner selves.
4. Deep Friction: The movement of the skin over tissues underneath rather than simply over the skin.
5. Deep Tissue Massage: The use of the hand, several fingers or one finger or thumb to massage deeply.
6. Direct Pressure: Using the elbow, finger or thumb to compress tissues with applied force.
7. Pregnancy Massage: Meeting the needs of pregnant women, including pain relief through bodywork and massage.
8. Sports Massage: Increasing the health, performance and wellbeing of athletes through massage.
9. Clinical Massage Therapy: The use of massage for the treatment of medical pathologies.
10. Myofascial Massage: Restoring mobility and softening rigid connective tissue in the face with massage.
11. Neuromuscular Therapy: The deactivation of myofascial triggers using massage.
12. Asian Bodywork: Massage therapy students usually learn these therapies that focus on traditional Asian medicine.
13. Shiatsu: Japanese technique used to balance energy flow.
14. Thai Massage: Assisted or passive yoga that loosens and stretches the body.
15. Thermal Therapy: Cold or hot applied for therapeutic purposes.
16. Tui Na: Chinese massage that focuses on kneading, pushing and stretching.
17. Zen Shiatsu: Japanese-born Shizuto Masunaga developed this style of Asian bodywork.
18. Zhi Ya: Chinese massage that focuses on acupressure.
19. Ayurvedic Massage: Influenced by Indian health and disease theories, this is a type of soft tissue manipulation.
20. Lomilomi: Healing massage therapy from ancient Hawaiian cultures.
21. Reflexology: Relieving pain in specific body parts by applying pressure in the corresponding zones of the hands or feet.
22. Cryotherapy: Using cold substances to achieve therapeutic goals.
23. Stone Massage: Cold or hot stones used to massage the body.
24. Hydrotherapy: The therapeutic use of water.
25. Polarity Therapy: Balancing life energy and aiding in relaxation through gentle rocking and touch.

Institutions offering quality Massage Therapy Programs include American Institute – Cortiva Institute, Apollo College, Kaplan College, Keiser University, Utah College of Massage Therapy and Western Career College.

Find the perfect Massage School today or Massage Therapy College and start your path to a rewarding career.

There is a big difference between traditional and alternative medicine, but the goals are the same. Both styles of medical care are aimed at treating and preventing illness using very different practices and methods. These days more and more people are advocating for a combination of both practices to achieve a more balanced level of health care, though. Following is an explanation of the differences between traditional and alternative medicine.

Traditional medicine is what doctors and other health practitioners at clinics, hospitals and primary care facilities practice in the United States and other Western countries. This style of medicine includes annual doctor’s visits and treatment of ailments using drugs, medical procedures and surgical operations. There is more of a focus on treatment rather than prevention, although this is starting to change.

Alternative medicine uses a more natural, holistic approach to healing. There are many Chinese medicine techniques used in alternative medicine, and most of the approaches are focused more on maintaining health and preventing health problems rather than treating ailments. Methods such as acupuncture, massage and chiropractic do focus on treating various conditions that cause pain, though, so there are alternative medicine methods that are used for treatment as well as for prevention.

The biggest differences between traditional and alternative medicine have to do with the approach to treating a problem. While a patient with a cough would go to a traditional doctor and be advised to take a cough suppressant, for example, an alternative medicine practitioner might look into the underlying causes of the cough and help prevent it from coming back again. Treatments such as acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic care, diet, exercise, herbal remedies, massage, meditation and yoga are popular in alternative medicine. Traditional medicine practitioners focus on drugs as well as diet, exercise, surgical procedures and prevention by quitting smoking and ending other bad health habits.

More and more people are choosing to combine alternative and traditional medicine to maintain their health and treat their ailments. With more people demanding alternative medicine in the Western healthcare market, it is sure to become more accepted and readily available in the United States.

Institutions offering quality Massage Therapy Programs include American Institute – Cortiva Institute, Apollo College, Kaplan College, Keiser University, Utah College of Massage Therapy and Western Career College.

Find the perfect Massage School today or Massage Therapy College and start your path to a rewarding career.

There are a couple of important exams required for massage programs in most states, although the requirements for licensure vary from state to state, so it is best if you look into the exact standards for your specific state before you move forward. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork offers two different examinations for certification which are the most common across the nation. These are the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Some states also require their own unique examinations, and some might not regulate this industry at all.

Before moving forward with any of the important exams required for massage programs, it is necessary to check with your state’s massage licensing board. There should be contact information available on the Internet for your specific state by using a search engine. You must pass your state’s required examinations in order to legally practice there. Some states allow anyone who has passed the appropriate National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork exams in one state to apply for licensing in another state using the same test score. Other states have their own tests, and some might even require massage therapists to apply for reciprocity, which is the enforcement, exchange or recognition of licenses, obligations or privileges between states.

With all that being said, chances are that you will be required to take one of the two important exams required for massage programs through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. These examinations focus on general body systems knowledge, pathology, professional standards and ethics, therapeutic massage application, therapeutic massage assessment and on understanding anatomy, kinesiology and physiology. You will be expected to answer multiple-choice questions and get a certain number correct in order to get your license. Before taking the exam, you must have completed at least 500 hours of supervised instruction and graduated from an accredited massage therapy school. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork has a list of accredited schools on their Web site.

Institutions offering quality Massage Therapy Programs include American Institute – Cortiva Institute, Apollo College, Kaplan College, Keiser University, Utah College of Massage Therapy and Western Career College.

Find the perfect Massage School today or Massage Therapy College and start your path to a rewarding career.

The campus life at a massage school will most likely be different from the experience you would get at a traditional four-year college campus. The students at massage therapy schools are dedicated to learning the skills necessary to work in this exciting and rewarding field of healing and alternative medicine. The ages of the students range from recent high school or college graduates to older individuals who have decided to change careers later in life. Much of the work is done off-campus, and classes look different than they do at your traditional institution of higher learning.

Students all over the country are experiencing campus life at a massage therapy school right now since there are massage therapy classes and programs in major cities as well as smaller towns across the nation. If you are considering attending one of these schools, you will want to make sure it is recognized by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Because you must complete your schooling and put in hundreds of hours of practice before taking the required exams for most states, you want to make sure your campus experience is not only enlightening but that the school is accredited. The National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage are the two most common exams. At the end of your campus experience you will most likely take one of these.

Your campus life at a massage school will include numerous classes as well as field experience. You and your fellow students will learn about anatomy, body systems, kinesiology, pathology and physiology. You will also learn all the most common therapeutic massage assessment methods and their application. Students also often learn about professional business practices, ethics, legal practices and standards. After completing this education, finishing at least 500 hours of massage practice and passing any examinations that are required in your state, you will be ready to use your campus experience in the professional world as a real massage therapist.

If you think the campus experience at a massage school might be right for you, there are many schools to choose from.

Institutions offering quality Massage Therapy Programs include American Institute – Cortiva Institute, Apollo College, Kaplan College, Keiser University, Utah College of Massage Therapy and Western Career College.

Find the perfect Massage School today or Massage Therapy College and start your path to a rewarding career.

There are many personal training programs, including certificate and degree programs that can prepare you for a career working in a gym, fitness center, spa, resort or in clients’ homes as part of a personal business. Personal training programs include short certificate programs, two-year associate’s programs and four-year bachelor’s programs which culminate in the student taking a certification exam and getting their degree before entering the job market. These personal training programs provide an excellent opportunity to do what you love and make life a little better for your clients from a health and fitness perspective.

The most popular personal training programs are bachelor’s degree programs in health science, which begin with the traditional college courses such as math, science and English before getting into the upper level health and fitness courses. If you want to get finished with school as quickly as possible, you may also choose a certification program that focuses solely on personal training with no general education. There are also online schools that allow you to study personal training while keeping your current full time job.

The personal training classes in these programs include anatomy courses to understand the human body and its mechanics, as well as human physiology, health and other fitness classes. If you choose to complete one of the bachelor’s degree personal training programs you will likely be taking advanced courses in business and professional development, group fitness instruction, mind and body, minerals supplements, nutrition, vitamins and weight management. This way, you will be prepared for a career in any type of fitness center or spa, as well as for running your own personal training business.

Take the time to compare personal training courses, including the degree and certificate options, and weigh out all the options before choosing any particular program. Make sure you find an accredited school, and if you want to have the most career options, look into the bachelor’s degree programs at four-year universities. It is necessary to make sure you’re getting the best value for your time and money and preparing yourself for a bright future in the personal training field.

Institutions offering quality Personal Training Programs include ATI Career Training Center, Heritage College, MedVance Institute, Provo College, Vatterott and The National Personal Training Institute.

Find the perfect Massage School or Personal Training College today and start your path to a rewarding career.

There have been various studies done on the issue of moderate vs. light pressure in massage therapy         , and many have concluded that moderate pressure has a much more significant effect on the subject than light pressure. One study by Miami, Florida’s Touch Research Institute, which has provided a great deal of the current knowledge about the physiological and psychological effects of massage therapy, focused on adult EEGs and heart rate. The findings of this study found that when it comes to moderate vs. light pressure in massage therapy, moderate pressure is more effective than light.

One of the doctors involved with this study, Tiffany Field PhD, said that light pressure is experienced liked a tickle stimulus, whereas moderate pressure actually influences the flow of positive psychological change in the human body. She said that the findings of the study led them to the conclusion that moderate pressure is interpreted by the central nervous system differently and provides more long-term benefits.

When investigating moderate vs. light pressure in massage therapy, the Touch Research Institute also studied the effects of mechanical vibratory massage, utilizing EEG, electrocardiogram readings and self reporting of study subjects. They found that a decrease in faster alpha and beta waves coupled with an increase in the slower delta waves led to an increase in alertness and relaxation. Although all study subjects reported a reduction in anxiety and stress with the application of massage, it was most pronounced when moderate pressure was used in the massage.

So, although all types of massage are described as pleasant and relaxing, researchers have found that moderate pressure provides the greatest level of long lasting physical and psychological results for patients or clients. The massages that provide light pressure, which are common in spas and resorts, appear to have only minimal, temporary results for the reduction of stress and anxiety, while moderate pressure is able to provide a more long lasting and pronounced result. So, whether you’re going into the masseuse / masseur trade or just going to get a massage and considering the benefits of moderate vs. light pressure in massage therapy, it seems that moderate is the way to go.

Find the perfect Massage School today or Massage Therapy College and start your path to a rewarding career.