Massage Therapist School in Hampton Roads: Do I Have What it Takes?

It seems that massage therapists are everywhere these days. As we become more attuned to the benefits of massage therapy in promoting good health and relaxation, you're likely to see massage therapists not just in rehabilitation clinics and hospitals, but also in hotels, at resorts, on cruise ships, and even at the business office.

Not surprisingly, the American Massage Therapy Association reports that the number of massage therapists has grown to between 300,000 and 350,000 in the United States.

Why is Massage Therapy so Popular?

So what is it about massage therapy that draws so many practitioners? As the AMTA reports, it's not uncommon for massage therapists to stress how fortunate they feel in having found work they love.

They enjoy helping people in a way that is often important to the clients' health and wellbeing, and they enjoy having a high degree of human contact in their daily work life. Do those qualities sound like you? If so, you might be someone who could be successful as a massage therapist.

But what else does it take to be a massage therapist? To be sure, there are of course some educational qualifications, which will prepare you for work, either as an employee or private practice, but there are some other personal qualities you should have if you're to be successful in your work. Let's have a look at a few of them.

Personal Qualities of a Successful Massage Therapist

Some of the personal qualities that will help you as a massage therapist include being a good listener, being empathetic, being highly professional, and having a commitment to training.

Good Listening Skills. Massage requires close physical contact so it's important the therapist can listen carefully to what a client says during therapy. Therapists should ask and listen about pain levels and locations. You will become skilled in various therapies, but you need to keep the dialogue open about which ones might be too intense for certain clients.

Empathy. Are you able to put yourself in the place of others? It's a helpful trait for a massage therapist, as over time, you should be developing intuitive responses to your clients by putting yourself in their place. It's also important that you can project this empathy to your clients, as they will be coming to you for rest and stress relief. You'll serve them better if you're a calming, sensitive, and caring person.

High Degree of Professionalism. Massage therapists need to maintain professionalism by returning phone calls, meeting clients consistently (and on time) for appointments, and showing up for appointments clean, well groomed, and with a good demeanor. If you're a very slipshod, nervous, or stressed out person who conveys that air to others, this is the wrong profession for you.

Committed to Training. You will, of course, need some kind of basic training to become certified in massage therapy, or else you might earn an associate or even a bachelor's degree in the field. Beyond this, however, you should be prepared to be a lifelong learner, taking continuing education courses to stay up on the latest techniques and to keep your stamina up. As a physically-demanding role, staying fit will be important.

Formal Training

As mentioned above, you should expect to enroll in some type of massage therapy school. You should receive between 330 and 1000 hours of training to be prepared for the entry-level massage therapy licensing exam, called the MBLEx (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam), administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. States have different licensing requirements, so make sure that your training qualifies you for the licensing in the state where you want to practice.

Practicing Massage Therapy in Virginia and Hampton Roads

If you intend to practice massage therapy in Virginia, you must have at least 500 hours of training from an approved program. You must also complete the MBLEx examination.

In addition, to maintain your license in Virginia, you will need to take 24 hours of CEUs (continuing education unit) biennially (every two years).

If you live in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, you will find an economic climate conducive to becoming a massage therapist. With its diverse, vibrant economy, which includes shipyards, military personnel, government offices, and many historical tourist venues, the area is home to a number of massage therapy practices and massage therapy training schools.

Are you interested in becoming a massage therapist? If you want to earn a Massage Therapy Diploma, consider ECPI University. With an accelerated schedule, you could graduate sooner and start looking for work faster. For more information regarding this exciting opportunity, connect with a knowledgeable admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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