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| Sandy's speaking at the World Massage Festival. For more information visit www.worldmassagefestival.com Check it out!! |
Massage expert, Sandy Fritz, helps you choose a massage school to suit your massage career. First, let's look at the definition of quality that we would use in this situation. In this aspect quality is an exceptional product, service, etc. So if you want a career that will allow you to do 6 to 8 massages in one day, don' t choose mediocre. Choose exceptional! Now, lets move on to verifying the credentials. credentials exceptional? HAS WORKED AS A MASSAGE THERAPIST AND WILL REFER AND/OR RECOMMEND A SCHOOL. The school should also have been offering education for over 10 years. These last two are the most important things to consider. More Info |
2. Instructing Staff
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| LICENSING AND ACCREDITATION The next is licensing and accreditation. Licensing for schools is provided by the department of education in the state. Even if the state does not license massage therapists it WILL license the schools. ASK TO SEE THE CURRENT LICENSE. Michigan is in the process of licensing for massage therapy. Accreditation is a volunteer process of oversight to make sure that the student is taken care of as the primary focus. ASK FOR CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE ACCREDITING BODY. CHECK OUT THE SCHOOL. massage programs. The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT) At the time that I wrote this about 115 massage programs were accredited through them. They are the largest, oldest and probably the most comprehensive organization. Accreditation Accredits about 65 programs. This body accredited only single program massage schools or the program in a school that has accreditation form some other body such as community colleges. Training (ACCET). As I write this, ACCET has about 30 massage programs accredited. Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS) is also authorized to accredit massage programs even though they are more specifically oriented to cosmetology. It was not easily identified how many school have massage programs. |
| SCHOOL VISIT instructor should be available to speak with you in person or on the phone. Never enroll on the spot - wait at least 24 hours. apples. Make sure the school is offering a program based on the requirements provided or you here. More Info numbers and placement statistics for the three most current years. If the graduation numbers are less than 70% of the enrollment– be careful—why are so many students dropping. This should be a huge red flag. quality school but they can be misleading. Some schools have deals for short-term placement after graduation but the graduate only works a few weeks. This still counts as a placement so be careful. |
SCHOOL SIZE
These recommendations are kind of like too
little, too big and just right.
like a good choice but this small of a program
typically has limited resources program typically
has limited resources and may have financial
stability issues, this could really become a
problem if you want a refund but they don’t have
the funds to give it to you.
give it to you.
The same occurs with huge schools - over 100
enrolled. You will get lost in the crowd and
sometimes these big schools are too money
focused.
Just right is somewhere around 25-50 students.
This number of students provides enough
financial stability for the program but does not
indicate “just in the business for the money”.
Education is a business but it is also a path of
service. You want a financially stable and
profitable school but you also want a school who
knows who you are and is able to offer you a
variety of experiences during your learning.
Pass rates for licensing or certification exams
should be at 80% or above.
These recommendations are kind of like too
little, too big and just right.
like a good choice but this small of a program
typically has limited resources program typically
has limited resources and may have financial
stability issues, this could really become a
problem if you want a refund but they don’t have
the funds to give it to you.
give it to you.
The same occurs with huge schools - over 100
enrolled. You will get lost in the crowd and
sometimes these big schools are too money
focused.
Just right is somewhere around 25-50 students.
This number of students provides enough
financial stability for the program but does not
indicate “just in the business for the money”.
Education is a business but it is also a path of
service. You want a financially stable and
profitable school but you also want a school who
knows who you are and is able to offer you a
variety of experiences during your learning.
Pass rates for licensing or certification exams
should be at 80% or above.
Curriculum -
Information presented in most educational curriculum's and information required to
function as a massage professional can be divided into four areas. These categories form
the basis of most licensing and certifying examinations.
Information presented in most educational curriculum's and information required to
function as a massage professional can be divided into four areas. These categories form
the basis of most licensing and certifying examinations.
The four categories are the following:
• Human anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology
• Clinical pathology and indications and contraindications for massage application
• Massage therapy and bodywork
• Professional standards, ethics, and business practices
1. Human anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology
The general education in human anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology prepares the student to understand the benefits of massage
and lays the foundation for the following area.
2. Clinical pathology and indications and contraindications for massage application
Human anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, clinical pathology, and indications and contraindications for massage application cover half
of the content on most exams. The focus is to provide sufficient information to support safe and beneficial professional practice.
Usually these two categories are studied most effectively in an integrated format. For example, discussion of the anatomy of
the nervous system leads to understanding the functions of the nervous system. Subsequently, understanding how massage
affects the nervous system leads to identification of indications for massage and the nervous system, pathologic conditions of
the nervous system, and contraindications for applications of massage, including cautions for use of massage when pathologic
conditions are present.
Many find the sciences a more difficult study area. The terminology can seem overwhelming—almost like learning another
language. If we can agree that the various methods and theoretical base of the many different bodywork modalities provide
diversity, then the sciences provide commonality. The human body in structure and function remains consistent; therefore it
makes sense that an understanding of the sciences is essential and relevant to massage.
Non-Western science content is focused primarily on traditional Chinese medicine but also covers other energy systems such as
shiatsu, polarity therapy, and Ayurveda.
3. Massage therapy and bodywork: theory and application
Competency in this area indicates that the massage professional is able to appropriately apply methods in a safe and beneficial
way. A commonality exists in most bodywork approaches. The content in this area covers methods used to obtain a database about
the client and proper methods usage.
In addition to therapeutic massage, general knowledge about complementary bodywork modalities such as hydrotherapy, Asian
theory, and applications such as acupressure, trigger points, and connective tissue massage often is measured.
4. Professional ethics and business practices
The professional standards, ethics, and business practices area develops the professional abilities needed to conduct oneself in a
manner that reflects decision making to support ethical standards and sound business practices.
• Human anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology
• Clinical pathology and indications and contraindications for massage application
• Massage therapy and bodywork
• Professional standards, ethics, and business practices
1. Human anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology
The general education in human anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology prepares the student to understand the benefits of massage
and lays the foundation for the following area.
2. Clinical pathology and indications and contraindications for massage application
Human anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, clinical pathology, and indications and contraindications for massage application cover half
of the content on most exams. The focus is to provide sufficient information to support safe and beneficial professional practice.
Usually these two categories are studied most effectively in an integrated format. For example, discussion of the anatomy of
the nervous system leads to understanding the functions of the nervous system. Subsequently, understanding how massage
affects the nervous system leads to identification of indications for massage and the nervous system, pathologic conditions of
the nervous system, and contraindications for applications of massage, including cautions for use of massage when pathologic
conditions are present.
Many find the sciences a more difficult study area. The terminology can seem overwhelming—almost like learning another
language. If we can agree that the various methods and theoretical base of the many different bodywork modalities provide
diversity, then the sciences provide commonality. The human body in structure and function remains consistent; therefore it
makes sense that an understanding of the sciences is essential and relevant to massage.
Non-Western science content is focused primarily on traditional Chinese medicine but also covers other energy systems such as
shiatsu, polarity therapy, and Ayurveda.
3. Massage therapy and bodywork: theory and application
Competency in this area indicates that the massage professional is able to appropriately apply methods in a safe and beneficial
way. A commonality exists in most bodywork approaches. The content in this area covers methods used to obtain a database about
the client and proper methods usage.
In addition to therapeutic massage, general knowledge about complementary bodywork modalities such as hydrotherapy, Asian
theory, and applications such as acupressure, trigger points, and connective tissue massage often is measured.
4. Professional ethics and business practices
The professional standards, ethics, and business practices area develops the professional abilities needed to conduct oneself in a
manner that reflects decision making to support ethical standards and sound business practices.
MASSAGE THERAPY EXPERT AND AUTHOR PROVIDES GUIDELINES FOR CHOOSING A QUALITY
THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE EDUCATION
THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE EDUCATION