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…

Massage That Bridges The Space Between The Body And The Spirit For many individuals, massage has evolved from a periodic indulgence to a key component of an overall health and fitness regimen. The ability of massage to reduce stress and remedy various physical ailments has convinced many to include a massage therapist on their list of health providers. But the art of massage takes many forms. Typically, a visit to a spa or an independent massage therapist will include some Read More…

Rolfing is a type of structural integration that helps to align the whole body by reorganizing the connective tissues of the body. Using mild, direct pressure and slow, deep strokes, the Rolfing practitioner works each part of the body in need of realignment. It is believed that by addressing the connective tissues of the body—the interconnected network that ties the muscles and bones into one cohesive unit—clients can find pain and stress relief. Rolfing takes a three-pronged approach to balancing Read More…

Should Reiki Really Be Considered A Massage Therapy? The practice of Reiki is taught in many massage schools. There is debate about the categorization of this therapy as a form of massage. So is it massage, mystical healing or just New Age hocus pocus? I don’t know about you but when I go for a massage I expect the massage therapist to use their hands, fingers and maybe even their elbows to loosen my stress-laden muscles. There is nothing more Read More…

Interview with Massage Therapist Abigail Sullivan of Lancaster Pennsylvania 1. Why did you become a massage therapist? I always felt drawn to massage and the hands-on caring aspect especially appealed to me as time went on. 2. Did you attend school full-time during your training? Yes. Full time at my school was 4 hours a day, 4 days a week. 3. What was the most interesting part of your training? Learning about the connections between physiology, health and self-care. 4. Read More…

Are You Ready to Start Your Own Massage Business? By Elizabeth Fletcher Brown LMT, BA As a licensed massage therapist and business coach I am often approached by other therapists who are currently employed in a spa, a clinic, or possibly a chiropractor’s office, and would like to transition into going into business for themselves. I, of course, am passionate about having your own business as I’ve done it pretty much all of my working life. However, not every therapist Read More…

As is the case with any profession, there are considerations of safety to bear in mind when working as a massage therapist. In fact, some people contest that massage therapy is more dangerous than many other types of work – particularly if you run your own business in an isolated atmosphere. Due to the personal nature of hands-on body work, clients who step over the line can pose a big danger for those who don’t take the proper precautionary steps. Read More…

By Lana J Russell, RMT Most people don’t just wake up one day and say “I’m going to enroll in massage school.” It’s a choice that takes time, preparation, and most of all decision making. Once the idea occurs to you, there are a few essential sources that can help you research the massage therapy field. You’ve taken one of the most important steps by coming to the Massage School Guide. These next three things will be a rich source Read More…

Massage therapy isn’t just for humans for any more. One growing trend in the holistic healthcare world is to turn our techniques and knowledge of massage’s benefits to our four-legged friends. Performed mostly on dogs and horses, animal massage is all about enhancing quality of life and performance in those creatures we consider such an important part of our lives. Why Massage Therapy Works on Animals The basic premise of massage therapy is that by manipulating the muscles and soft Read More…

After going to massage school and getting your certification in the field, most massage therapists have several career options. Traditional employers like spas, health resorts, cruise lines, and alternative healthcare organizations often have one or more massage professionals on staff, and there are equal numbers of opportunities for those who want to start their own businesses. Many massage professionals also branch out by selling massage and personal care products, or even by giving massage classes for couples. However, there are Read More…

By Lana J. Russell, RMT Just as massage clients may feel uncomfortable asking about appropriate attire during a massage, as a student it can be equally uncomfortable to ask. This is one of those questions in massage schools that no one wants to ask, but everyone sighs with relief once it’s answered. There are some basic rules to follow when it comes to boundaries on the massage table, which ensures everyone’s comfort. Let’s say your massage client arrives for their Read More…

Many massage schools encourage students to attend by promising $60,000 salaries, the flexibility that comes with setting your own hours, and the cushy nature of a job filled with aromatherapy and soft white pillows. While there are some great benefits to becoming a massage therapist – and with the right amount of education and hard work you can make a viable massage career out of it – massage school isn’t a fast or easy solution to get rich. The Truth Read More…

By Lana J. Russell, RMT As you may have read in my introduction post here on the Massage Schools Guide blog, as a massage therapist I was looking to broaden my medical scope. It wasn’t that my years of practice as a massage therapist were limiting, I was just looking to expand my medical knowledge. This came in enrolling and eventually getting registered as a Radiological Technologist, exploring the hospital sector of health care. What was so interesting was that Read More…

By Lana J Russell, RMT Most people don’t just wake up one day and say “I’m going to enroll in Massage School.” It’s a choice that takes time, preparation, and most of all decision making. Once the idea occurs to you, there are a few essential sources that can help you research the Massage Therapy field. You’ve taken one of the most important steps by coming to our massage  school directory. These next three things will be a rich source Read More…

Although the job is all about bringing relaxation and relief to others, massage therapists are actually responsible for so much more than hands-on care. If you run your own massage therapy business, or if you’re interested in going to massage therapy school in order to become an entrepreneur, you’ll have to learn more than massage in order to be truly successful. In addition to getting things like city licenses, state licenses, and tax identification numbers, as well as meeting all Read More…

By Lana J. Russell, RMT The cost of massage school varies depending on location and the type of education that you plan on getting (i.e., four-year university versus a six-month private training program). Most students can expect to incur costs associated with tuition and materials, as well as room and board. Many costs can be defrayed by student loan programs, but as these will have to be eventually repaid, so it’s best to figure them in before you decide which Read More…

Massage schools in Arizona are among the most popular destination for those seeking a career in the healing arts. Although there are great massage schools all over the United States, there is perhaps no state better known for embracing holistic medicine than Arizona – particularly if you travel to the Sedona region. Here, the natural backdrop of the Red Rocks of Sedona provide access to a mystical “vortex” that draws in massage practitioners, natural healers, and those seeking health services Read More…

By Lana J. Russell, RMT When you begin your journey in Massage Therapy School it’s also a lesson in keeping an ancient art sacred. Several noted histories of Massage Therapy often cite the father of western medicine, Hippocrates (The Hippocratic Oath) mentioning the importance of massage. Way back in Ancient Greece Hippocrates wrote “The physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing, for rubbing can bind a joint that is too loose, and loosen a joint that Read More…

Many massage therapists offer nutrition counseling as part of a wellness package that focuses on the body – both inside and out. Because so much of what a massage therapist does has to do with improving quality of life through diminished pain, enhanced muscle strength, and better relaxation, looking more closely at diet makes sense. After all, no number of massages will help flush out high levels of lactic acid buildup in the muscles if a client doesn’t get the Read More…

by Lana J. Russell, RMT Aside from clichés about massage therapy being a hands-on career, its safe to say that caring for your hands will ensure a long run after massage school. Considering that massage therapy is not the only thing you’ll do with your hands, taking proper measures in hand care is essential for not only that first touch with clients, but throughout school. Hand care includes a variety of maintenance steps; well-trimmed and manicured nails, soft skin and Read More…