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See Available Massage Therapist Schools
Health and beauty spas are enjoying a
rise in popularity, and several new spas open each month.
One of the most popular people working these spas is
the massage therapist. Because of the benefits one receives
from a massage therapy session, these professionals
are in high demand. Massage therapists use their knowledge
of the body to assess the condition of the soft tissue
and the joints in each client, and use massage treatments
to alleviate stress or to develop, maintain, or rehabilitate
the physical function of certain parts of the body.
There are several types of massage therapists,
specializing in different techniques, but they all follow
the same general practices. These practices consist
of assessing their clients, consulting with other health
professionals to develop a course of treatment, providing
guidance about maintaining the health of their joints
and the quality of their posture and movement, and keeping
accurate client records. They also include administering
appropriate massage treatments such as soft tissue manipulation,
relaxation techniques, stretching techniques, finger/hand
pressure to specific points on the body, hydrotherapy,
manual stripping or cross-fiber friction of muscle tissue,
trigger point therapy and drainage techniques.
Aside from working in health and beauty
spas, massage therapists work in gyms, resorts, offices
with other similar medical practitioners (chiropractors,
therapists), their own private offices, or in their
home or their clients’ homes or offices. They
usually work with one client at a time, and are required
to stand for long periods of time as well as have the
ability to lift heavy weight. Massage therapy is a very
strenuous occupation, and the hours a therapist can
work rely mainly on how much the therapist can handle,
as well as the setting. Therapists usually work evenings
and weekends as well, and may do quite a bit of traveling
if they work in their clients’ homes or offices.
There are several schools that offer massage
therapy programs. Training for massage therapy can take
up to and sometimes over two years, depending upon the
state and local laws. Just over half of the fifty states
regulate massage therapy and require a specific amount
of training before a student can become certified. These
states include Alabama (NCE), Arizona (NCE), Arkansas,
Colorado, Connecticut (NCE), Delaware (NCE), District
of Columbia (NCE), Florida (NCE), Hawaii, Illinois (NCE),
Iowa (NCE), Louisiana (NCE), Maine (NCE), Maryland (NCE),
Mississippi (NCE) Missouri (NCE), Nebraska (NCE), New
Hampshire (NCE), New Jersey (NCE), New Mexico (NCE),
New York, North Carolina (NCE), North Dakota, Ohio,
Oregon (NCE), Rhode Island (NCE), South Carolina (NCE),
Tennessee (NCE), Texas, Utah (NCE), Virginia (NCE),
Washington (NCE), West Virginia (NCE), and Wisconsin
(NCE). NCE refers to the National Certification Exam,
used to test massage therapy students for proficiency
and certification. There are some localities in states
that do not regulate massage therapy that also have
specific laws, which you can investigate by going to
your local government office.
Income is variable, dependent on location,
type of employment, and number of clients a massage
therapist has. Massage therapists may charge from $20
to $45 for a half hour treatment and $40 to $75 for
a one hour treatment. Some massage therapists bill 20
to 30 client hours a week, and those who contract their
services to clinics receive a percentage of billings
as well. The growth outlook for this occupation is high,
as more people are looking for new ways to relieve and
reduce stress and maintain the function of their body.
Because of this and the increased value placed on personal
health, massage therapy will continue to be a lucrative
career.
Alabama Schools
Virginia
College*
(Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile)
- Massage, Personal Fitness Training
Arizona Schools
Arizona
School of Massage Therapy
(Phoenix, Tempe)
Technician
The
Bryman School*
(Phoenix, Tempe)
- Massage Therapy
California Schools
Academy
of Professional Careers
* (Indio, La Mesa, San Marcos) - Holistic Health Practitioner, Massage
Therapy
Everest College (Alhambra, Anaheim, City of Industry, Gardena, Hayward, Ontario, Reseda, San Bernadino, San Francisco, San Jose, Torrance, Los Angeles, West Los Angeles) - Massage Therapy
Clarita
Career College
(Canyon Country, Lancaster)
- Massage Therapy
Golden
State College*
(Bakersfield, Fresno, Visalia)
- Holistic Health Practitioner, Massage Therapy
High-Tech
Institute
(Sacramento)
- Massage Therapy
ICT
College
(Los Angeles) - Massage Therapy
Institute
for Business and Technology
(Santa Clara) - Massage Therapy
National
Holistic Institute
(SF Bay Area) - Massage Therapist
National
Institute of Technology
(Long Beach) - Massage Therapy
Northwestern
College
(Gold River - Sacramento ) - Massage Therapy, Health &
Fitness Professional
Remington
College
(San Diego) - Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting
West
Coast College
(Victorville)
- Massage Therapist
Western
College of Southern California
(Cerritos)
- Massage Therapy
Colorado Schools
Cambridge
College
(Aurora)
- Massage Therapy
Cortiva
Institute, School of Massage Therapy
(Greenwood Village) - Massage Therapy
Denver
Career College
(Tornton)
- Massage Therapy
Denver
School of Massage Therapy
(Aurora, Westminster)
- Professional Massage Therapy
Institute
of Business and Medical Careers
(Fort Collins) - Theraputic Massage
Everest College*
(Aurora, Thornton)
- Massage Therapy
Connecticut Schools
Branford
Hall Career Institute*
(Branford, Southington, Windsor)
- Health Care Specialist, Massage Therapy
Delaware Schools
National
Massage Therapy Institute
(Wilmington)
- Massage Therapy
Florida Schools
Angley
College
(DeLand)
- Patient Care Technician, Therapeutic Massage
Edutech
Centers
(Brandon, Clearwater)
- Massage Therapist, Medical Assistant
Everest University*
(Brandon/Tampa, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Melbourne, Orange Park, North Orlando, Pinellas, Pompano Beach, South Orlando, Tampa)
- Massage Therapist,
High-Tech
Institute
(Orlando)
- Massage Therapy
Humanities
Center School of Massage Institute of Allied Health
(Park)
- Therapeutic Applications of Massage Program
Keiser
College*
(Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Kendall, Lakeland, Melbourne, Orlando, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie, Sarasota,
Tallahassee, Tampa, West Palm Beach) - Allied Health, Massage Therapy, Occupational
Therapy Assistant
Everest Institute*
(Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah, Kendall, Miami)
- Advanced Massage Therapist, Massage Therapy, Patient
Care Technician
Sanford-Brown Institute*
(Tampa, Ft Lauderdale, Jacksonville)
- Advanced Massage Therapy
Georgia Schools
ACT:
Advanced Career Training
(Atlanta, Riverdale)
- Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant
Lincoln Technical Institute
* (Marietta, Norcross)
- Massage Therapy
Everest Institute (Dekalb, Marietta, Norcross) - Massage Therapy
High-Tech
Institute
(Atlanta)
- Massage Therapy
Hawaii Schools
Remington
College
(Honolulu)
- Massage Therapy
Idaho Schools
Academy
of Professional Careers
(Boise)
- Holistic Health Practitioner, Massage Therapy
Illinois Schools
Sanford-Brown
College
(Collinsville)
- Massage Therapy
Chicago School
of Massage Therapy
(Crystal Lake, Chicago)
- Massage Therapy
Everest College* (Burr Ridge, Chicago, North Aurora, Skokie) - Massage Therapy
The
Soma Institute
(Chicago)
- Clinical Massage Therapy
Indiana Schools
Everest College (Merrillville) - Massage Therapy
Kaplan College
(Hammond, Merrillville)
- Clinical Massage Therapy, Therapeutic Massage &
Bodywork
Kentucky Schools
Spencerian
College
(Lexington)
- Massage Therapy
Maryland Schools
TESST
College of Technology
(Beltsville, Towson)
- Massage Therapy
Massachusetts Schools
Branford
Hall Career Institute
(Springfield)
- Medical Assistant, Massage Therapist
Everest Institute (Brighton, Chelsea) - Massage Therapy
Lincoln Technical Institute*
(Somerville, Lowell
)
- Massage Therapy
Sanford-Brown
Institute (Formerly Ultrasound Diagnostic School)
(Springfield)
Michigan Schools
Everest Institute (Dearborn, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Southfield) - Massage Therapy
National
Institute of Technology*
(Detroit, Dearborn, Southfield)
- Massage Therapy
Minnesota Schools
Brown
College
(Mendota Heights) - Massage Therapy
Everest Institute (Eagan) - Massage Therapy
Duluth
Business University
(Duluth)
- Massage Therapy
High-Tech
Institute
(Minneapolis)
- Massage Therapy
Minnesota
School of Business and Globe College
* (Brooklyn Center, Oakdale, Plymouth, Richfield, Rochester, Shakopee, Waite Park) - Health & Exercise Sciences, Massage
Therapy
Mississippi Schools
Virginia
College
(Jackson)
- Therapeutic Massage
Missouri Schools
Missouri
College
(St. Louis) - Medical Massage Science, Massage Therapy
Sanford-Brown College*
(Fenton, St. Charles, Hazelwood)
- Respiratory Therapy, Massage Therapy
Nebraska Schools
Hamilton
College*
(Lincoln, Omaha)
- Medical Assistant, Practical Nursing, Dental Assistant,
Massage Therapy
Nevada Schools
Career
Education Institute
(Henderson)
- Massage Therapy, Medical Administrative Assistant,
Medical Assistant
Heritage
College
(Las Vegas) - Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical
Insurance Coder and Biller, Pharmacy Technician
High-Tech
Institute
(Las Vegas) - Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical
Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician,
Surgical Technologist
Las Vegas College
(Henderson, Las Vegas) - Administrative Medical Assistant, Medical
Assistant, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding, Massage
Therapy
Nevada
Career Academy
(Sparks)
- Administrative Medical Assistant, Massage Therapy,
Medical Assisting, Pharmaceutical Technician
Nevada
Career Institute
(Las Vegas) - Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical
Office Specialist, Surgical Technology
Nevada School of Massage Therapy
(Las Vegas) - Professional Massage Therapy
New Hampshire Schools
Hesser
College*
(Concord, Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth, Salem)
- Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Psychology
Seacoast
Career School
(Manchester)
- Health Claims Specialist, Massage Therapy, Medical
Assistant
New Jersey Schools
Harris
School of Business
(Cherry Hill) - Health Information Technology, Massage Therapy,
Medical Assistant
Helma
Institute
(Saddle Brook) - Massage Therapy
National
Massage Therapy Institute
(Turnersville)
- Massage Therapy
Sanford-Brown Institute
(Formerly Ultrasound Diagnostic School)
(Iselin)
- Massage Therapy
Somerset
School of Massage Therapy*
(Piscataway, Wall Township) - Massage Therapy
The
Chubb Institute
* (Cherry Hill, Jersey City, Parsippany, North Brunswick) - Medical Admin
The
Lincoln Technical Institute®*
(Edison, Mt. Laurel, Paramus)
- Medical Assistant
Ohio Schools
Everest College
(Gahanna)
- Medical Assisting, Massage Therapy
Oregon Schools
Ashmead
College
(Tigard)
- Massage Therapy, Spa & Aromatherapy
Cambridge
College
(Beaverton)
- Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant,
Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Surgical
Technologist
Health
Career Institute
(Wilsonville)
- Healthcare Administration, Massage Therapy, Medical
Assisting, Medical Claims & Billing, Pharmacy Technician
Pennsylvania Schools
Berks
Technical Institute
(Wyomissing)
- Medical Assistant Program, Massage Therapy
Career Training
Academy
* (Monroeville, New Kensington, Pittsburgh)
- Advanced Bodyworker, Advanced Medical Coder/Biller,
Basic Shiatsu Technician, Comprehensive Massage Therapist,
Medical Biller, Therapeutic Massage Technician, Swedish
Massage Practitioner, Medical Administrative Assistant
Center
for Certification and Adult Learning
(Pittsburgh)
- Certificate in Therapeutic Massage
CLN*
(Altoona, Mechanicsburg)
- Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician,
Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
Lehigh
Valley College
(Center Valley) - Massage Therapy
National
Massage Therapy Institute
(Philadelphia)
- Massage Therapy
Sanford-Brown Institute
(Formerly Ultrasound Diagnostic School)
(Philadelphia)
- Medical Assistant, Diagnostic Medical Sonography,
Non-Invasive Cardiovascular & Surgical Technology
, Massage Therapy
Rhode Island Schools
Lincoln Technical Institute
(Lincoln)
- Medical Assistant, Massage Therapy
Medical Assistant / Healthcare
Schools in Tennessee:
High-Tech
Institute
(Memphis, Nashville)
- Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant
Texas Schools
Academy
of Healthcare Professions*
(Austin, Houston North Loop, Houston Southwest) - Massage Therapy
ATI
Career Training Center*
(Dallas, Hurst)
- , Massage Therapy, Respiratory Therapy Technology
Austin
School of Massage
(Austin, College Station, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Killeen, Lubbock, Midland, San Angelo, San Antonio, Waco)
- Massage Therapy
High-Tech
Institute
(Irving)
- Basic Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy
Technician, Surgical Technologist
National
Institute of Technology
* (Austin, Houston/Bissonnet, Houston/Galleria, Houston/Greenspoint, Houston/Hobby, San Antonio) - Massage Therapy, Medical Insurance Billing
& Coding, Pharmacy Technician
Utah Schools
Everest College
(Salt Lake City) - Massage Therapy
Provo
College
(Provo)
- Physical Therapist Assistant, Therapeutic Massage
Technology
Utah
Career College
(West Jordan) - Health & Exercise Sciences, Massage
Therapy, Medical Assistant, Nursing, Pharmacy Technology,
Veterinary Technician
Utah
College of Massage Therapy
(Salt Lake City, Utah Valley) - Professional Massage Therapy
Virginia Schools
Everest College (McLean, Tyson's Corner, Chesapeake, Newport News) - Massage Therapy
Medical
Careers Institute
(Newport News, Richmond)
- Massage Therapy
National
Massage Therapy Institute
(Falls Church) - Massage Therapy
The
Chubb Institute
(Arlington)
- Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing
& Coding, Surgical Technologist
Washington Schools
Everest College (Bremerton) - Massage Therapy
Ashmead College*
(Seattle, Fife, Vancouver, Everett)
- Fitness Trainer, Massage Therapy, Spa and Aromatherapy
West Virginia Schools
Everest Institute (Cross Lanes) - Massage Therapy
National
Institute of Technology
(Cross Lanes) - Medical Assistant, Massage Therapy, Pharmacy
Technician
Canada Schools
Everest College (Barrie, Hamilton, Mississauga, Newmarket, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Toronto College Park, Windor; ON) - Massage Therapy
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