Although the massage industry is growing in strength and popularity, it’s not the kind of job you can start just anywhere. The biggest centers of massage are large cities and spa/resort destinations. Large cities have bigger percentages of individuals willing to explore holistic health alternatives as well as a larger concentration of affluent resident able to afford what is often seen as a luxury item. Spa and resort destinations, on the other hand, are associated with rest and relaxation, which Read More…

The cost of massage school ranges anywhere from a few thousand dollars to up to tens of thousands of dollars per year, depending on the length of your program and its location. There are countless resources available to help you pay for massage school, including the popular government loan and grant program that most people associate with FAFSA. What is the FAFSA? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form that almost all students fill out prior Read More…

Giving (or getting) a massage is about more than the physical manipulation of the body. While skill and technique are certainly part of any good massage therapist’s toolbox, it’s the overall experience that really makes an impact on the mind-body connection that massage is all about. Whether you’re setting up your own massage practice for the first time, or if you’re taking over the massage position at a spa or holistic treatment center, you’ll want to spend some time and Read More…

When considering which massage school is right for you, it’s a good idea to look at the facility’s use of technology—both as it relates to the massage industry and as part of your education as a whole. Even though massage is a centuries-old practice that can be done with nothing more than your hands, many of the techniques in use today are enhanced by technology and advancements in the field.  Technology at the Massage School Any good massage education will Read More…

In a time when the economy continues to be difficult to navigate and many people are considering their career options, you might be wondering if it’s the right time to start massage school. While there is always a benefit to increasing your education and job skills, there are other considerations, including the viability of the current job market as well as your age and situation in life. If you’re considering massage school either as a first career or as a Read More…

Almost all massage schools encourage students to schedule a meeting with their financial aid office either before or soon after being accepted to the school. No matter what the school’s policy, it is best to have the meeting before you officially sign up for the massage program or pay any tuition. Knowing your financial status and your expected contribution will really help you decide which school is right for you. Here are a few questions you should expect to ask Read More…

One of the best ways to pay for massage school is to earn a scholarship (or several scholarships) to help cover the costs of tuition, fees, and supplies. Scholarships, which don’t have to be repaid and are usually offered based on financial status and personal merit, have long been a staple of the college community. Massage scholarships are no different, and many types of them exist to help pay for school. However, while many scholarships represent a chance to attend Read More…

Where you learn massage therapy is almost as important as what you learn. Although there are good massage schools in every state, location plays a large factor in whether or not you will be licensed to perform massage in a specific county or if you will be able to successfully find work. If you’re hoping to get the best boost for your massage career right from the start, here are a few key factors in finding the best location for Read More…

Massage therapy and chiropractic medicine are often lumped together. Like any kind of alternative healthcare option, these practices aren’t always condoned by the medical community, and they often exist on the fringes, recommended only when all other types of therapy fail to make an impact. However, anecdotal evidence and a growing amount of scientific research are proving that there is a place for chiropractics and massage in the mainstream healthcare setting. If you’re interested in this field, you may find Read More…

One of the reasons many students choose to become a massage therapist is because of the hands-on, personalized nature of the work. In today’s technology age, it’s easy to find a job where the entire day is spent staring at a computer, sitting in a cubicle, or otherwise remaining disconnected from face-to-face interaction. As a massage therapist, you can avoid all this and make a real and lasting connection to your clients. However, that doesn’t mean technology should be avoided Read More…

What Happens if I Can’t Pay My Massage School Loans? Massage student loans are a viable payment option for those hoping to start a new and exciting career, but that doesn’t meant they don’t come with their own drawbacks. Because massage school costs range anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, it’s not uncommon for students to rack up quite a bit of student loan debt either from the government or a third-party lender. Paying back Read More…

Massage-specific scholarships are one of the rarer types of scholarships that exist in the educational community. Most of the financial opportunities you’ll find are offered through individual massage schools, and are limited to recent high school graduates or members of the military. The chance to earn a scholarship specifically for massage is one that shouldn’t be taken lightly, and prospective students should take time to carefully review the requirements and application processes. One of the few massage scholarship organizations that Read More…

When massage schools list lecture-based learning as part of their core curriculum, it can mean many different things. Almost all schools divide their time on basic foundation work and more hands-on training. The basic foundation work is where the lectures come in, and courses may include: Anatomy Physiology Medical/Muscle Terminology Business Client Communication Ethics In massage therapy Associate degree programs, lecture courses will expand even more. That’s because in addition to massage training, you’ll receive general education credits similar to Read More…

One of the biggest issues facing prospective massage students is deciding which massage school to attend. These days, most cities have several different education options, which range from smaller vocational schools to large universities. Choosing which one is right depends on the program, personal preference, cost, and accreditation, among other factors. One thing that you should also be aware of is whether or not the school is a for-profit institution.  What is a For-Profit Massage School? Most of the schools Read More…

Tuition payment plans are one of the most common ways to pay for massage school. Students who don’t qualify for grants and who choose not to go into debt have few options when it comes to paying for school, unless they’ve saved up in advance. That’s why most massage schools offer a payment plan that spreads the costs out over the length of the school program (which can range from a few months to a few years). Benefits of a Read More…

There is quite a bit of information on the web and in books telling massage therapists how to avoid burnout on the job. With a high rate of turnover and on-the-job injuries reported within the profession every year, the best massage professionals are the ones who pay attention to their own health and well being right from the start. For massage students, this means the time to start dealing with physical exhaustion is now. Most students report that the first Read More…

When you figure how much it costs to go to massage school, it’s important to look at the big picture. In addition to tuition rates (and room and board, if applicable), many schools have additional fees and textbooks costs that can substantially raise the overall price. In some cases, these might be disclosed right from the start; in others, you might not be aware of additional costs until you’re presented with the bill. Be sure and ask about any hidden Read More…

When most people hear the term “reflexology,” they think of a foot massage. After all, from a distance, the two types of healing appear to be almost the same: they involve the manipulation of the foot to provide relief for a variety of pains. However, unlike a foot massage, which seeks primarily to treat muscle aches and pains, reflexology is a part of the movement that seeks to tap into the body’s natural forces to provide relief for tension, circulation, Read More…

Although a large portion of the clients who come in for a massage are in good health and simply in search of a little relaxation, this isn’t always the case. After all, massage therapy is based in the healing arts, which means that people seek this kind of treatment when other health avenues have failed or as part of a larger wellness package. Although you should never provide services for a health condition you haven’t trained for (or are certified Read More…

Acupressure is an alternative medicine procedure that offers exactly what the name suggests: a combination of acupuncture and applied pressure. Tapping into the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) points of the body, acupressure is done by a trained therapist who applies physical pressure to each point instead of pins. The Tenets of Acupressure The belief system behind acupressure is the same as that behind acupuncture and TCM. The theory, which predates modern medicine and goes back thousands of years, places emphasis Read More…