What Does a Massage Therapist Do? An Expert's Guide

Are you considering a career as a massage therapist? Learn what exactly does a massage therapist do from an expert's perspective. Find out how to become one and what are the benefits of this profession.

What Does a Massage Therapist Do? An Expert's Guide

Are you considering a career as a massage therapist? Massage therapy is an ancient healing art that has been used for centuries to help people relax, reduce stress, and improve their overall sense of well-being. But what exactly does a massage therapist do?A massage therapist is a professional who uses touch to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues in the body. Through their touch, massage therapists can help relieve pain, heal injuries, improve circulation, reduce stress, and increase relaxation. Massage therapists use their hands, fingers, elbows, forearms, and feet to apply pressure to affected areas of the client's body.

Massage therapy can be used to treat a variety of conditions, from nerve pain to digestive disorders. In a survey of nearly 1,200 licensed massage therapists, 88% reported being “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their careers. Most massage therapy programs award a diploma or certificate upon completion. This generally meets the educational requirements to be licensed by the state board when necessary.

However, you can also earn an associate's degree or bachelor's degree in massage therapy. This typically requires completing 500-1,000 educational hours and passing a national exam such as the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBlex).If you're interested in pursuing a career in massage therapy, you can start your training at the Minnesota School of Cosmetology. This course will deepen your understanding of the massage therapy industry and help you develop competent business skills so you can build a successful company. Your earning potential as a massage therapist depends on several factors including your geographical location, years of experience, and area of expertise. According to research, relief from massage therapy may be short-term rather than long-term.

In some cases, receiving a 60-minute massage several times a week had better results than fewer or shorter massages. The news about the health benefits of massage should come as no surprise since it is one of the oldest “healing arts” dating back to 2700 BC. With their touch, massage therapists can relieve pain, rehabilitate injuries, reduce stress, increase relaxation and help the overall well-being of their clients.

Meagan Furgerson
Meagan Furgerson

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