Massage Therapist: Job Description, Education, Skills and Abilities, Earnings and Outlook
Submitted by: paula
Job Overview Massage therapist are also called massotherapists. This is an umbrella term for the professions related to health and health related practices including reflexology, Rolfing massage, acupressure, Swedish massage, sports massage and trigger point therapy. At times, they are also called body workers as they deal with the bodies of humans by way of rendering massage therapies to improve blood circulation, joint mobility and promote relaxation.
Education, Knowledge and Trainings Required
If you wish to establish a career in becoming a massage therapist, prepare as early as high school by taking subjects in science and health as well as in physical education. Some post secondary training is required such that a completion of an accredited massage therapy program should be presented before being allowed to practice.In terms of the licensing requirements, some states require a licensure, certification or registration as part of regulating the practice of massage therapy. Requirements include a completion of a massage programs and passing a written and practical examination for art and science of massage.
Skills and Abilities
The skills that are needed in this job include helping and teaching skills and of course, mechanical and manipulative skills. A massage therapist should have good communication skills as well, so as to establish rapport to the clients and be effective in giving instructions on what to expect and how they can cooperate. The techniques in the practice should be mastered. Among the massage styles that are widely used nowadays include Shiatsu massage, Swedish massage, a combination of both, sports massage, and acupressure.
Duties
The employment venue is primarily indoors. A massage therapist duties include assessing the needs and the wants of the client in relaxation.
He/she identifies and matches the different massage to the desires of the client as well as to what the body needs. Different massages include Swedish, Shiatsu, Acupressure and Rolfing massage, to name a few. After identifying what massage is to be employed, he/she begins by positioning the client and making him feel comfortable and relaxed. With gentle hand motion and massage techniques, he/she begins by mositurizing the areas of the body to be kneaded, stoked and applied pressure on. After the session, he is allowed to sleep so as to relax more. He/she then assesses the effectiveness of the therapy done to him by way of identifying the level of satisfaction both subjectively and objectively.
Earnings and Job Outlook
the range of salary of a massage therapist starts from 10,700 U.S. dollars to 32,000 U.S. dollars in a year. Those who are self employed or those who are working in a high reputed spas and massage clinics in a supervisory position may earn around and over 71,000 U.S. dollars per annum. The job outlook for this profession is prediccted to move faster than the average as more and more people have recognized the health and wellness benefits of having a regular massage, and that the treatment today is no longer confined to the wealthy and to the affluent people.
Paula Hiz is a researcher and a human resource specialist who helps newly graduates, job applicants and post graduate professionals be aware of their job opportunities and available trainings for skills and practice upgrading.
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