Massage therapists provide therapeutic care to their clients by kneading and applying pressure on muscle areas that are overworked, tired or stressed out. Massage has proven medical and health benefits as it increases the circulation in muscles and stimulates relaxation in muscles that are overstretched. A single massage session can last for as long as an hour or two, depending on the type of massage technique employed by the therapist.

A massage therapist has a wide range of specialties to choose from. Since each country in the world has a specific type of massage available, the options to choose from are as wide as the sea. There are many modalities available to massage therapist like reflexology, acupressure, Swedish massage, Thai massage, and even neuromuscular massage techniques. While most massages can be given to a wide range of clientele, there are other types of massages accessible only to those that require it such as the prenatal and infant massages.

The majority of massage therapists work for themselves. They have regular customers and referrals from patrons holding them up. Some massage therapists work in spas, hospitals, hotels, resorts and even salons and while they are paid adequately by their employers and receive tips from the customers, they also have part time jobs as massage therapists for hire. This way, they can increase their revenue and will have better salary options.

A massage therapist should always be conscious of time since many of them work by schedules. No client wants to wait for her masseuse to arrive as it adds more stress to her daily routine. Before massage therapists begin, they always make it a point to perform a quick physical assessment on the client. They need to know what the client is currently feeling and what type of massage is best suited for the client’s body. As they are performing their work, they can also asses various parts of the client’s muscles, tendons and ligaments and if they feel that something is out of place, they can provide referrals to various health specialists.

Training to become a massage therapist largely depends on the State you live in. There are states that do not require a massage therapist to have a license in order to work. However, some state boards are extremely strict when it comes to licensure. Education programs in most states are the same. Typically, one is required to complete 500 hours of clinical exposure in order to become a massage therapist. Only a high school diploma or equivalent is needed in order to enroll in the schools. Many massage therapy schools have different programs in massage therapy. Most schools are accredited by the State board so that after graduation, their graduates are qualified to obtain licensure.

The National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination are two nationally recognized exams for massage therapists. Once they pass the exams, they are allowed to practice in their respective State. The requirements for the exams can vary from state to state so it’s best to check on the local licensing Boards first.