Getting started. The first, most important element is you. As a massage therapist, you should be personable, easy to work with, and comfortable touching someone in an ethical way. Delving into a new career and honing those skills involves a considerable time commitment on your part. Before enrolling anywhere, ask yourself if you: Researching potential schools is also vital. While you will cover many of the same basics, remember that not all schools are created equal. Get to know the teachers.
Their teaching style may or may not jibe with the way you learn. Tour the campus. Is this somewhere you can picture yourself learning and growing? Education/Training. The massage school that you choose should boast educational curriculum that is approved by the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy (www.sos.ga.gov/plb/massage/). At the school of your choice, you will be required to complete an approved program, which should be 500 hours or longer, and will cover all standard Western massage techniques. It is recommended that you do not purchase equipment until you begin your education.
Purchasing a massage table prior to learning about table height can impair your ability to apply sufficient pressure during a massage session. Throughout the duration of the massage therapy program, you will learn fundamental skills, such as Swedish, deep tissue, orthopedic, cross fiber, and neuromuscular massage therapy. You should also expect to become well versed in carrying out a physical assessment of your clients to identify key areas of the body to be addressed in the massage session. In addition to learning a variety of techniques while at the school, you may also decide which approach interests you the most and choose to specialize in one area after you begin your career.
