Massage Therapy Schools, Training and Curriculums

Massage Therapy Schools have increased in count from 637 in 1998 to 1,529 in 2007 according to Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals surveys. There are 39 states and the District of Columbia that have laws regulating massage therapy. When choosing a massage training institute, the following should be kept in mind

• State, county and city laws rules and regulations
• Hours required by school to certify or degree
• How comprehensive is training provided
• Daytime / Evening hours to fit your schedule
• How diversified is the hands on curriculum
• Is the school close to home - travel time
• Is the school nationally recognized

Massage Therapy School Resource

Cost of Massage Therapy Education
Massage Therapy Scholarships
Massage Therapy School Financial Aid
Massage Therapy Continuing Education

What to Expect from
Massage Training Institutes

25 Hours Introduction - Massage Therapy History - This is the root of how and why you are attending massage therapy schools. You might learn about the origins of many different types of massage and how different techniques were discovered dating as far back as 5000 years or more ago. This course might include a beginning / learning massage to learn fundamentals and primary technique.

80 Hours Anatomy - Learn How the Body Works This course of study is very comprehensive. Memorization and repetition is important to learn this course. Muscles, bones, insertion points and range of motion. Sub-divisions of body anatomy. Biological systems, organs, tissues, cells and connective tissue will be discussed right down to the cellular level in most course offerings.

40 Hours Human Physiology - Mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of the human body. Study of functions and vital processes of organs of the body and body systems. Comprehensive and more memorization.

65 Hours Kinesiology - This course will teach you the study of body function and movement. This will help you to recognize human movement, performance, and function by applying the sciences of biomechanics, anatomy, physiology and motor learning in relation to rehabilitation, prevention, and management of disorders and movement within the human body.

25 Hours Pathology - This course is becoming more important to learn in the massage therapy profession and will help a therapist recognize when it is appropriate to treat a client and when it is more beneficial to refer the client to more knowledgeable health practitioners. This study involves the understanding of injury to cells and tissues / inflammation / wound healing. Study of the human body and disease.

100 Hours Fundamental Massage Techniques - Intermediate hands on study that should include draping techniques, massage moves, body mechanics, application of touch and pressure to areas of the body, boney landmarks, massage contraindications, and therapeutic applications for pace and rhythm while giving a massage.

120 Hours Various Modality Training - Courses that massage therapy institutes can offer in this course range vary greatly and can include many different types of massage and techniques such as accupressure, aromatherapy, chair massage, deep tissue, healing touch, hot stone, sports massage, medical massage, Swedish, reflexology, trigger point and more. This area of study that is offered by massage therapy schools and training centers is very important and tailors a student to a core study that will form the skills offered to clients by the therapist.

100 Hours Advanced Hands on Massage Training - Massage therapy schools vary form school to school on how this might be taught. Some schools might have massage sessions available to the general public at a nominal cost. This allows the therapist to practice in a real world environment with an instructors’ expertise and supervision available. Other schools may require a diary or “log” book of massage done outside of the school on private individuals that have the new therapist to be - practice on them. Some schools might do a combination of in-school and out of school documented massage.

12 Hours CPR and First Aid Certification - Organizations that provide insurance to massage and bodywork professionals often times require a current certification of CPR and First Aid. As a health care worker, being prepared for an emergency is a sound preventive medicine practice.

10 Hours Massage Ethics - This course teaches client / therapist relationships, what is considered appropriate, effective communication, boundaries, as well as professional and personal code of ethics.

25 Hours Business Application and Professional Practice Management This course teaches discipline and organization in daily business as a massage therapist. Related course study might include operating a professional office, business start-up, legal awareness, bookkeeping, client records, marketing, and business ethics.

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