massage and bodywork professionals
a community of practitioners
need a little direction
I'm thinking about a career as a LMT. Each school seem to be very different. the core work is all the same-anatomy, ethics, massage law... But the types of massage courses differ. Sports, hot stone, chair, DTM, barefoot massage...and the list goes on. one school even offers "free" tuition in return for an additional 400 hrs of clinical time. which would make me eligible to sit for the NCBTMB certification.
What do I need to get started? More importantly, what is an employer looking for?
thanks you the help
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on
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Not a complete answer to your question. But if you want to do it for a living . You might want to start thinking about strengthening your hands arms and body. It can be wearing if not prepared . Be stronger then your job.
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Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on
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Catherine, NCBTMB now requires 750 hours of education in an approved school. I'd be leery of any school that offers "free tuition" but with strings attached. That 400 hours of clinic work after graduation I'm assuming the school will be charging the people you treat for. Let's see, 400 hours of massage after licensing in which you could be earning from $45 working for someone else, or up to $70 or so working as a sole practitioner.
Employers are looking for, first of all, proof that you are licensed to provide professional massage in that state Second requirement, you'll have to provide your own liability insurance, which will cost you from $100 up to $250 per year. Third, you'll be asked to provide at least one demo massage to prove you have the palpatory skills they seek.
A recent change: NCBTMB exam is no longer available for new graduates; you'll have to take and pass FSMTB's ( Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards) MBLEX (Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination). Note that any reputable school will also tech classes in Eastern energetic modalities such as Shiatsu. Without that grounding, you will not pass any licensing exam.
Just so you know, school salesmen usually exaggerate the amount of money you will earn as a licensed massage therapist. The average LMT earns under $20,000 per year-- you are not paid for a 40-hour week, you are paid per massage given.
What the hell do they mean, "barefoot massage"? Swedish Massage is the base from which all other massage modalities spring from.
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Massage is not an easy way to earn a living: like Gordon said, providing pain relief and relaxation for others is very hard on your own body. If you do enroll in a school, pay attention to the class on "body mechanics". The burnout rate for new LMTs is about seven years.
Now that I've discouraged the hell out of you.... giving massages is not a road to riches. But there's no better feeling in the world than when a client gives you a spontaneous hug of thanks for taking away their pains.
So, in conclusion, don't enter this profession thinking you'll get rich quick (or slowly, for that matter). Do it only if you have a burning desire to help people.
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Permalink Reply by Masajista de la Santa Barbara on
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totally depends on what you would like to do with massage... sounds like you come from a PTA background, so the modalities taught in some schools that lean more towards the Quackwatch site's list of questionable services performed by some massage therapists might not appeal to you as much as the more 'physically therapeutic' (and physically demanding as Gordon above stated)manual therapies...
the massage therapy gods are still bickering over what should be considered massage and included within our scope of practice as far as licensing is concerned...
as far as what specific employers will look for? that totally depends on your target employer as they too have differing views on services they wish to provide... as for me personally, I'm not a pampered foo foo body spa magical mystery yoga type, so when I hire a 'Massage Therapist' it's because I am looking for someone trained in the manual therapies involving deep therapeutic manipulation of muscular tissue emphasizing on trigger point release... but that's just me, who doesn't need any oils softly spread on my skin nor do I need my aura or palms read or adjusted...
happy trails Catherine.
CJ
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Thanks for the info. Is the FSMTB & MBLEX 2 separate tests needed? As a PTA I have to work under the POC & supervision of a PT. So I'm thinking I can incorporate my manual skills & as a LMT work part time independent of PT.
Barefoot massage was described as using the foot for DTM. I imagine it to be lots of disk & joint damage caused by over stretched tendons& ligaments. It's a law suit waiting to happen. Thanks again for your replys.
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if you've had PT schooling, you may have transferable credits. the FSMTB test is the MBLEX, a 125 question test.
Actually the may b e using that term to keep out of hot water for teaching what is essentially Ashiatsu Massage (barefoot on massage table, while the LMT supports most of their weight with railings overhead. Lots of copycat classes out there, but the original is usually superior.
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Permalink Reply by Neal Lyons on
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the best advice I can provide is to select a school that matches what you are looking for. if you know what you want to specialize in, pick a school that focuses most on this modality. that said, other things are also important like overall approach, philosophy, instructor quality, etc.
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