Massage Therapy Specialties

Unique Specialties to Explore with a Massage Therapy Degree

Who doesn’t love a good massage?

Today, people are more active than ever, and they’re finding that regular massages can help them recover quickly from sporting activities and maintain the flexibility that allows them to keep up with their workouts and hobbies.

Not only that, massage is increasingly being used in medical facilities to offer an alternative to medication therapy. Pain management centers, hospitals, physical therapy offices, chiropractors, and rehabilitation centers all employ massage therapists to help their patients.

What does this mean for you? The massage industry has diversified, making it a great choice with many options for individuals with an associate degree in massage therapy.

Explore Some of the Different Massage Modalities

There are many different style of massage for patients with different needs. Here are a few of most popular techniques being used today:

  • Swedish Massage: This relaxing form of massage is what most people envision when they visit a massage therapist. The primary goal of this style of massage is to relax the body. However, there are additional benefits that make this a very popular treatment. A good Swedish massage increases oxygen in the blood, improves circulation, and helps to decrease toxins in the body.
  • Sports Massage: Athletes frequently develop tight muscles that cause discomfort and inhibit movement, often impairing their abilities on the field. Sports massage is designed to be used in preparation for athletic events and for recovery afterwards. Since lack of flexibility and tight muscles can cause injury, many athletes schedule regular appointments to keep their bodies primed for optimal performance.
  • Deep Tissue Massage: This robust form of treatment includes penetrating techniques such as cross-fiber friction and slow, deep pressure strokes. Deep tissue massage is highly effective for breaking down adhesions caused by prior scar tissue and releasing general tightness in muscles. Patients learn to withstand the occasional discomfort of these massages because of the euphoric feeling they often experience after a session.
  • Reflexology: This soothing type of massage is focused on specific reflex points and is generally applied to the hands, feet, and calves. This therapeutic modality is often used to relieve pain caused by conditions such as plantar fasciitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Geriatric and Pregnancy Massage: Specialized treatment for older patients help maintain mobility, while those who are pregnant can get relief from lower back pain and edema. Treatments for these patients are highly individualized to the patient’s current needs and are modified accordingly.
  • Trigger Point Therapy: This is one of the hottest areas in massage today. Patients often suffer what’s known as referred pain when the cause of the discomfort is tightness in another location in the body. Therapists identify the various “trigger points” in the muscles and apply pressure to give patients relief.

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Outlook and Potential

Massage therapists find work in spas, gyms, wellness centers, and health care environments. Some therapists are hired by professional sports teams to give athletes regular treatments. Still others establish a private practice, sometimes working out of their home.

Curriculum

A massage therapy program includes courses in medical terminology, Eastern modalities, anatomy, kinesiology, pathophysiology, massage techniques, and spa administration. In addition, you’ll take courses in composition, mathematics, psychology, and computer applications. Clinical experience will supplement your coursework, allowing you to experience first-hand what it’s like to be working on an actual patient.

Massage Therapy Certification

A degree in massage therapy can prepare you to take and pass the National Certification Exam administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Once you’ve successfully passed this exam, you’ll be eligible to apply to the North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy to be issued a license, or, alternatively, the Virginia Board of Nursing for certification as a massage therapist in Virginia.

Take the Next Step with a Degree in Massage Therapy

Would you like to learn more about becoming a massage therapist? If so, contact ECPI University's College of Health Science, Medical Careers Institute today to find out how you can earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Massage Therapy in as little as 15 months. Financing options are available. Take the first step now and find out how you can become a massage therapist in a little over a year! It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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