Massage Therapy Schools for Alternative Education

It's a snap to find massage therapy schools in the US and Canada because training to be a massage therapist has become one of the most popular educational choices today. In fact, there are so many good massage courses in North America, you might have a little difficulty sorting them out. So, let's take this a step at a time.

First of all, you can find massage classes located in natural healing schools, as well as community colleges, vocational schools, medical schools, and massage clinics. So, where can you find the best accredited massage therapy schools? That really depends on what type of massage practice you intend to enter. Did you know that there are more than 200 distinctly different massage techniques you can learn? No wonder it can be so confusing!

Perhaps you are already a natural healer in a field such as acupuncture or chiropractic. If so, you probably already use many massage techniques in your daily practice. In a case like this, you will want to seek supplemental massage courses to update and perfect your technique to provide your patients with relief from painful conditions or to reduce stress. Most of the established massage therapy schools are very proud of their continuing education classes, and they will employ practicing massage therapists to impart new and relevant information about massage therapy.

If you are just starting out, you might want to personally experience several different styles of massage and then look into a trial massage apprenticeship. Visit a massage clinic and experience the soothing benefits of a luxury massage, aromatherapy massage, or foot reflexology. Maybe stop by a sports venue and talk to the resident sports medicine specialist about sports massage. Or, talk to massage therapists at a local hospital or clinic to see what is involved in medical massage. The point is to determine what type of massage career you prefer, and then focus your search on the type of training that specific massage therapy schools provide. Planning ahead like this can really help you achieve your dreams.

Where do you intend to practice massage? Keep in mind, massage practices can be highly regulated in some states, requiring massage certification, a license, and sometimes regular continuing massage education; while other regions have few or no massage regulations. Better look into the requirements before you even get started. Check with local and national massage therapy organizations for good advice, or just contact schools for massage therapy that seem to meet your goals, and talk it over with the admissions department.