Massage Therapy Training
Choosing which massage therapy training is right for you can be quite a challenge. Relaxation massage and therapeutic massage training differ significantly.
Relaxation Massage versus Therapeutic Massage Training
In Canada and the U.S., training requirements vary from province to province and from state to state, so the information I am providing here on massage training is very generalized. For more detailed information, see Massage Therapy School and Massage Therapy School Part Two.
Relaxation Massage
The hours of training you will receive for relaxation massage is typically much lower than it is for training in therapeutic massage. You will learn the art of a particular technique such as Swedish massage and learn specific massage techniques that help to relax and soothe your clients. Your main objective will be to relax, not treat specific health conditions.
Therapeutic Massage
If you train in therapeutic massage, the hours of training will vary from province to province and from state to state. Generally, however, you will be required to undertake more hours of training than you would for relaxation massage training.
You will also most likely learn Swedish Massage, but you will be required to learn a number of different therapeutic treatment techniques, and will delve into anatomy, physiology and pathology in much greater detail than you would for relaxation massage training. You will also learn how to conduct thorough neurological and musculoskeletal assessments and will have more hands-on practical massage training.
Registered Massage Therapists
In Canada, British Columbia, Ontario and Newfoundland/Labrador are the only provinces with education requirements and health care regulations overseeing registered massage therapists. In these provinces, you will not be allowed to identify yourself as a massage therapist if you are trained only in relaxation massage. You can identify yourself as a massage practitioner, or relaxation massage practitioner or some variance thereof.
Choosing a Massage Therapy Technique
Making a decision about the kind of massage therapy you wish to practice is based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: financial committment, years of training, academic abilities, interests, beliefs and values, and professional goals and aspirations.
For a list of massage therapy schools see massage magazine where you will find more detailed massage therapy training information.
© Copyright, Sylvia Carlson 2006. Reproduction without permission prohibited.
Related Articles:
2. Registered Massage Therapist
3. Massage Therapy School Part Two.
