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Massage therapy is much more than just alleviating back, neck, or limb stress - it's also a highly developed tool used in a range of industries, including healthcare, on cruise ships, and in spas. Massage therapy itself is a growing industry. Not only are massage therapists increasing in ranks, but pay is on the rise as well. The industry has come a long way, with countless new techniques used by today's licensed massage therapists to make people feel better and improve their quality of life.

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When you become a massage therapist, the best perk is perhaps the flexibility in the job. You choose where you go, what you do, and how you do it. The discipline encompasses the best of working with people from all walks of life as well as helping them relieve tension and heal injuries, to feel better and work and move with greater ease. When you become a massage therapist, you help promote relaxation, health, injury rehabilitation, as well as encourage clients to deal with stress and chronic pain reduction or management more effectively.

Would you like to become a massage therapist? If so, the steps below will help you embark on the road to working as a licensed massage therapist in the state of Georgia.

State Requirements for a Licensed Massage Therapist

Getting started. The first, most important element is you. As a massage therapist, you should be personable, easy to work with, and comfortable touching someone in an ethical way. Delving into a new career and honing those skills involves a considerable time commitment on your part. Before enrolling anywhere, ask yourself if you:

Some massage therapy programs run from Monday through Friday, lasting over four hours (or approximately 21 hours a week) at the bare minimum. Other schools can have more strenuous schedules placed on the student who wants to become a massage therapist. If time is limited, some massage schools offer classes in the late afternoon or evening, or even a combination thereof if your schedule better permits a less-than-structured course calendar.

Researching potential schools is also vital. While you will cover many of the same basics, remember that not all schools are created equal. Get to know the teachers. Their teaching style may or may not jibe with the way you learn. Tour the campus. Is this somewhere you can picture yourself learning and growing?

Education/Training. The massage school that you choose should boast educational curriculum that is approved by the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy. At the school of your choice, you will be required to complete an approved program, which should be 500 hours or longer, and will cover all standard Western massage techniques. It is recommended that you do not purchase equipment until you begin your education. Purchasing a massage table prior to learning about table 출장안마 height can impair your ability to apply sufficient pressure during a massage session.

Throughout the duration of the massage therapy program, you will learn fundamental skills, such as Swedish, deep tissue, orthopedic, cross fiber, and neuromuscular massage therapy. You should also expect to become well versed in carrying out a physical assessment of your clients to identify key areas of the body to be addressed in the massage session.

In addition to learning a variety of techniques while at the school, you may also decide which approach interests you the most and choose to specialize in one area after you begin your career.

Licensing requirements. Upon completion of a massage therapy program, you will need to take and pass one of three exams approved by the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy.

Your credentials will be evaluated by the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy. Qualifying applicants will become licensed and therefore eligible to provide therapeutic massage in the state. In order to remain up-to-date with changes in the industry, 24 hours of continuing education are required during each biennial renewal period.

Affiliations. Once you are a licensed massage therapist, you must be willing to uphold strong ethical values. Affiliating with professional massage therapy organizations will aid in this endeavor and add to your credibility.

Affiliating is also a great way to network with other massage therapists in your area or state to discover the newest techniques and technologies and learn about new positions for a licensed massage therapist.

Getting a job. Have your newly acquired licensing number handy. You are required to write it out on all of your business information. You should also check in your municipality for business licensing requirements. If you affiliated with certain massage therapy organizations, you can receive pointers to assist you in looking for your first job as a licensed massage therapist.

Many employers are in need of well-qualified, licensed massage therapists to work in a variety of exciting positions. These positions include, but are certainly not limited to, spas and medi-spas, and medical offices, such as ob/gyn, chiropractic medicine, and orthopedics. Hospitals are also in need of the services of a skilled massage practitioner for cancer patients, rehabilitation, and pain management. The options are limitless when you become a massage therapist.

Wherever you go, with your newfound skills as a licensed massage therapist, you can help invigorate tired limbs and encourage better movement, improve circulation, alleviate stress, and bring smiles to countless clients throughout the day.

For massage therapists, from experts to novices, it is sometimes easy to forget some very basic procedures and massage techniques for keeping yourself healthy, your business profitable, and your clients happy. By avoiding these common massage mistakes, and remembering to maintain posture, focus, and a high level of customer respect and service, your practice can thrive.

Massage Mistakes Made by Beginners and Professionals

Body Mechanics: While in school, beginning massage therapists tend to use improper body mechanics because they haven't become acclimated to how they should use their bodies for leveraged strength and balance. By using the correct flow, you can relieve your arms of early fatigue by combining full body movements during a massage. Techniques, such as, learning proper body mechanics and posture, can help you avoid any undue stress to your body, while concurrently providing your client with the best massage possible.

During a massage session, massage therapists should be attuned to how their client is reacting to pressure. Massage mistakes include errors in pressure, or not checking in with the client about his or her comfort. If you are applying more pressure than is comfortable to the client, they will tighten their muscles, restrict their breathing, and will be uncomfortable. When your client's body is tensed, you are only creating more stress - not relieving it. If your pressure is too light, the massage may be relaxing, but will likely not positively impact the muscles that the client wanted addressed. It is important to check in with the client about pressure to make sure your massage techniques are effective.

Self-Care: Common massage mistakes therapists make are that they do not take care of themselves as much as they should. Much like any extended physical activity, it is important for you to stretch before you begin a session. Keep in mind that while you'll be primarily using your arms, your entire body will be getting a workout as you'll be depending on your legs for counterweight, your back for strength, and your torso for core balance and posture. Of course, the primary complaint of massage therapists is that their arms, wrists and fingers hurt. Again, while this is normal, it can be avoided by stretching and using a proper flow and massage techniques. It is important to maintain proper stretching and strength exercise routines so that you avoid any symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, which can cause early burnout and fatigue.

One very important thing for therapists to remember is to routinely receive massage. Mistakes often made by therapists include forgetting the "self-care" portion of their profession, which attributes to a high level of industry burnout. Another important factor for massage therapists to weigh is staying current with the client experience – how does it feel to be on the table? What massage techniques work, and which aren't as effective? By receiving regular massages, you can maintain a focus on the customer perspective of the massage experience.

Customer Service: First impressions count in every industry, and this consideration applies to all massage therapists, even those with existing practices. At all times, you should strive to dress in appropriate attire, appear professional, and be well-groomed when performing massage. Techniques for checking your appearance would be to simply think, "Do I look like a professional?" While you should be comfortable in your clothes, you shouldn't wear jeans, a tee-shirt with logos, old sweatpants, etc. during a massage. Mistakes in appearance can leave a negative impression, or potentially make a client uncomfortable. A good industry standard is to wear clean, loose yoga or exercise pants or loose fitting khakis. Scrubs, a solid polo shirt or cotton t-shirt with a high neck is generally considered appropriate for massage. Therapists who are smokers in their free time need to avoid cigarettes and cigarette smoke while at work. Many clients are sensitive, or even allergic, to specific dyes and odors, and may be incredibly uncomfortable with the scent of tobacco, perfume, or even some strong deodorants. Because of this, it is also very important to use a hypoallergenic cream or lotion which performs the same as other lotions, and does not negatively impact your massage techniques.

Whether your client is a regular or has a first-time appointment, it is important to ensure that you greet your client as soon as possible, offer them a seat in a waiting room if you're running behind, and not keep them waiting for an unreasonable amount of time past their set appointment. It is crucial for all massage therapists to be professional, on-time, and courteous before, during, and after a massage. Mistakes can leave a bad first impression, and prevent a repeat customer. From a business standpoint, it's all about customer service.

Focus: While working with your client, it can be obvious when you are distracted and not paying attention to your client's needs or requests. Before going into the room, take a moment to let go of your mental to-do list, don't think about your next client, or anything that might distract you from your current client. Massage techniques should include not only posture and flow, but focus as well.

When meeting with your client before the massage, truly take the time to listen to them while you review and chart your S.O.A.P. notes. Look carefully over their intake form, and be sure to ask them about any specific problem areas or points of concern before a massage. Mistakes massage therapists commonly make are to either fall into a routine where they provide the same massage time and time again, or to ignore the client's requests for pressure / focus and instead only focus on what the therapist feels is important. At the end of the day, you should always provide a consistent level of service to all clients and make sure you focus and listen during massage. Techniques focused on customer service preserve your reputation as a therapist, and build and maintain customer rapport and business.

Code of Ethics: After novice massage therapists graduate from school, they may actually be very aware of the code of ethics and confidentiality that comes with a therapist-to-client relationship. But when a seasoned massage therapist becomes more comfortable in their practice, they may tend to forget these rules (even with yearly CEUs on the subject) and accidentally divulge client information, or begin an inappropriate personal relationship with a client receiving massage. Mistakes happen, but it is important to routinely assess your ethics. While it is imperative to develop a rapport with your clients, it is not appropriate to call them at home (unless to confirm an appointment), discuss their personal lives, or accept personal gifts whether directly or indirectly related to massage. Techniques involving consistent professionalism will ensure the success of your practice.

Additionally, working with a client means maintaining their right to confidentiality. During a session, massage therapists may be made aware of personal medical conditions or treatments - these should always be kept strictly confidential and private. It is not appropriate to go home and talk to friends or family about a client, even if their name remains anonymous.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

These massage mistakes are among the most common for all massage therapists, whether you are just beginning or have years of experience. By enrolling in continuing education courses, massage therapists can refresh their knowledge of ethics, body mechanics, and current massage techniques to stay up to date within the field and also promote their personal and professional development.