When massage experienced counselors finish school and begin working, they might not immediately think of developing their skills for a niche market — after all, massage school is just inception, and you learn some of your most invaluable skills on the job! While most massage experienced counselors focus on perfecting their Swedish and deep-tissue skills before moving on to advanced modalities, it is always a good idea to continue to think 출장안마 about how you want to develop your massage career. This way, you can take the classes and training necessary to develop your specialty early on.
Making the most out of Continuing Education
Throughout the nation, massage experienced counselors must abide by a professional licensing code pots continuing education in areas such as communicable diseases, CPR training, life values, and general education. While many massage experienced counselors take the minimum number of courses, or pick available courses close to home that are convenient or inexpensive, it is important to take advantage of this educational opportunity, and pick classes ahead of time that line-up with your specific interests.
For example, students who have considered furthering their massage career within Reiki, neuromuscular therapeutic massage (NMT), or medical massage should be thinking about that these modalities require several lengthy and in-depth courses, and can take a few months, or years to completely complete. And while the process toward this type of certification is definitely more time consuming than, for example, a weekend class in hot stone technique, it is a step toward a worthwhile skill that not only boosts a resume, but also generates new clients, helps massage experienced counselors market themselves more effectively, and lays the placement of feet for a lengthy and profitable massage career.
Begin by browsing different continuing education options offered at schools in your immediate area, as well as regionally. Become knowledgeable about the time requirements, cost, and specific details about each modality, and truly consider what it takes as a seasoned professional in that field. This way, you can maximize your time and money on required continuing education courses.
Sports Massage, Reiki, Pregnancy Massage, and more
When you envision yourself working as a massage physical therapist several years down the line — where do you see yourself working? In a chiropractor’s office? For a ballet troupe, football team, or running club? Maybe in a healthy center, spa, or independent practice? Every massage physical therapist enters the profession for various reasons, and it is important to realize what excites and motivates you about a massage career. Some massage experienced counselors are particularly athletic or interested in sports, and it is this type of physical therapist who is most often attracted to sports massage. Experienced counselors who enter this practice often work with athletes before, during, and after sports events to prevent injuries, and to treat existing injuries.
Medical massage encompasses several techniques, and can include sports massage, craniosacral therapy, and NMT. Medical massage and its associated practices are often performed by experienced counselors with an interest in injury treatment and prevention as a full time massage career. Other massage experienced counselors gravitate toward energy healing, such as Reiki, which is proposed to manufacture a healing effect physically, in your head, and spiritually. Experienced counselors who hold interest in it in Reiki may also be interested in acupressure, or aromatherapy. Experienced counselors who would like to expand their practice to accommodate pregnant clients may be interested in becoming certified in pregnancy massage, which enables massage experienced counselors to understand and execute a clinically appropriate massage for a mother-to-be.
Whatever your interest for a long-term massage career, there are continuing education training courses available to further your chosen specialty. Again, think about why you want to pursue a specific specialty, and what you think it will give back to you and your clients. Do you see yourself utilizing the specialty skills for years with your clients? If so, carefully consider with whom you will spend your time and money. Choose the best program and begin another educational journey. You and your clients will benefit from your endeavors as you pursue your preferred niche in the vast world of advanced massage education.
Certification and Training
Finally, sometimes continuing education classes and experience aren’t the only thing massage experienced counselors need to practice a specialty in the field. Check with your state licensing board to ensure you have met the minimum credit hours for a special modality. To date, there is no licensing body for Reiki, but it is required to have achieved a “Level III” status in order to promote yourself as a Reiki master in your massage career.
Likewise, pregnancy massage is not governed by an accredited body, but most continuing education providers will not issue a certification through to the student has completed a minimum number of credit hours, typically supported by graded assessments, practical sessions, and homework. For certification in neuromuscular therapy massage as a career, massage experienced counselors must take continuing education courses, schedule and sit for an quiz, and obtain score evidencing experience in the field. The school or instructor of an advanced therapeutic massage specialty should be able to explain any applicable certification requirements.
Finding a specialty is a good step for massage experienced counselors in their long term career, as it not only enables them to become well educated and better able to treat clients, but reveals the physical therapist to a whole new field of massage, and its benefits. So if you’re considering developing a specialty, do your research, ask questions, and have fun learning about how you can further your massage career while helping your clients.