a community of practitioners

Massage Therapist in a Medical setting

Are there any massage therapist that started off in a medical setting after graduating? If so how did you get into that field and did you take any extra course or classes (CEUs) before you graduated ? I'm currently a student in my second term graduating october 10th so still unsure where i wanna go but a medical setting is a top choice.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on May 8, 2018 at 9:15am

I work in a medical clinic. You definitely need more experience and training then just out of school. That being said, after being out of school for a year, I found myself working in a chiropractic clinic. And I know others that have found work in a chiropractic clinic shortly after leaving school.

If I was you, I would go that route. Get experience, take some advanced classes, then go for the medical clinic. Seriously you need experience. You might find my thread Holographic Acupressure interesting. In it, I’m advertising the system I’ve developed. But there are some description of the type of patients you will see in a medical clinic. And videos of me working on actual patients. There is also a link to a very good bodywork system that would be advantageous to a medical clinic.

Also, I’m sure there are people in here that work in a chiropractic setting that can offer you advice. Because I really think that’s your best option in the beginning, in order to reach your goal.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Massage sucks on August 3, 2018 at 1:42pm

If I remember correctly there is a separate medical massage certificate if not license that you can get as well. I agree with Gordon here, it may be best to start in a chiropractors office if you can find one. I work in a chiropractors office myself. Just opened up in January this year.

I am set up to do both table and chair massages. I mostly end up doing chair massage though.

Also note that many chiropractors aren't open all week long. They can vary from 4 to 11 hours a day and 2 to 4 days a week.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lisa McGillis on August 4, 2018 at 11:43am

Good advice- most chiropractors love to mentor. I started out this way too, and learned TONS when my boss was in for his own massages. As far as the Medical Massage certificate, I've had 2 PTs tell me it's a waste of money- that experience with different pathologies ( plus familiarity with medical terminology) is much more valuable.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Massage sucks on August 4, 2018 at 8:29pm

I haven't actually looked into the Medical Massage Certificate to much . I just know that it exists. Not what any additional benefits might be from earning one. I would think a PT's needs would be different from ours. It really depends on what your doing now and where you plan on going to.