Massage therapists help clients relieve stress, increase relaxation and improve circulation and flexibility by manipulating and massaging soft muscle tissue in the human body. A massage therapist can also help aid the recovery of injuries, reduce pain and teach relaxation techniques. A massage therapist must have good active listening and verbal communication skills to create individualized treatment plans for each client and meet their health care goals. They need physical stamina and strength to stand for long periods while performing therapy, as well as arm-hand steadiness and manual dexterity.
A massage therapist can find employment in a wide variety of public and private settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, spas and fitness centers. They can also work for a sports team or an individual athlete to help with training and recovery. Massage therapy is an ancient practice with many documented health benefits. It can treat conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis and cancer. It can also improve sleep, mood and memory. Some studies have even shown that it can reduce depression and anxiety, as well as lower blood pressure.
Choosing a program that teaches different massage modalities www.inventusit.com is important to prepare for a career in this field. Some schools may focus on the most popular modalities, like Swedish or deep tissue massage, while others may have more extensive offerings that include sports massage and energy medicine.
The massage therapist should understand the differences between general and medical massages. General massages are done at spas and have the primary goal of increasing relaxation. These treatments can relieve stress and minor aches and pains, but they don’t address the more serious problems like car accident injuries or chronic conditions like fibromyalgia. Medical massages, on the other hand, are performed in hospitals or medical clinics and are specifically designed to alleviate pain, increase the flow of oxygen to soft tissues and promote healing.
In addition to the technical skills, massage therapists must have strong customer and personal service abilities. They must be able to communicate effectively, listen actively and remain calm in stressful situations. Empathy is another key trait for this profession, as it allows the massage therapist to empathize with their clients and adapt their techniques to fit each person’s needs. It’s also helpful to have strong decision-making and analytical skills, as massage therapists often need to determine which techniques will best suit each client’s needs.
Depending on the specific requirements of their state, massage therapists must also be licensed by a professional organization like the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). Licensing typically includes completing a number of educational hours and passing an exam to demonstrate knowledge of all the modalities of massage and bodywork. A massage therapist should also be able to maintain liability insurance.
