What is massage therapy?
Massage therapy encompasses the range of techniques used by massage therapists to rehabilitate the physical function of the body and improve an individual's posture. Massage therapists provide massage sessions for people dealing with the following problems:
- Muscular tension
- Headaches and migraines
- Whiplash
- Body pains
- Eating disorders
- Fibrositis
- Stress and fatigue
- Repetitive strain injury
- Depression
- Arthritis
- Spondylitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Insomnia
- Sports injuries
As a massage therapist in the Central Coast, you will be eligible to apply for membership with these professional associations:
- Association of Massage Therapists (AMT)
- Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA)
- Massage Association of Australia (MAA)
- Massage & Myotherapy Association (MMA)
- Myotherapy Association Australia (MAA)
Should you complete a massage course?
Do you want a career where you get to promote health and wellness as well as have the opportunity to help guide people to improve their life free from pain?
If this matches your career ambitions, then pursue your studies in the massage therapy field! For you to succeed in your studies and professional journey, it is vital that you possess the following interpersonal skills and traits:
- High levels of mental and physical stamina since you will be required to see around 6 to 8 clients per day.
- Good listening skills to be able to determine where the root cause of the client's problem stems from and be aware of any problems that they raise during the massage session.
- High attention to detail when conducting the massage and being able to accurately determine the root cause of a client's pain and the best technique to use to alleviate it.
- Strong time management and organisational skills to be able to deal with many appointments per day while still delivering the best service to them.
If this matches your personal traits and professional goals, continue reading to get a better understanding of your study and career pathways in the Central Coast region.
What are the course and study options for massage therapists on the Central Coast?
If you are initially interested in simply gaining a brief understanding of the work that massage therapists do, it is recommended that you complete a short two-day Introduction to Massage Therapy course.
Once you complete this course and decide that you want to continue pursuing your education in massage therapy, you will need to enrol a Certificate IV in Massage Therapy at an accredited massage therapy school. This is the minimum educational requirement to be a massage therapist on the Central Coast. You will also have the option to complete this on-campus, online and blended learning system depending on your learning preferences and schedule.
During these lessons, you will be taught by massage therapists who have had years of work and teaching experience in this area. Some of the theories will cover topics ranging from neuromuscular techniques, human anatomy and relaxation massage. Alongside your studies, you will also need to complete work experience to meet the requirements of your certification program. This will equip you with the knowledge and skills to be able to effectively conduct a massage therapy session.
Are ready to take that next step in becoming a massage therapist?
Scroll up to the top of the page to learn more about your course options in the Central Coast region. Once you have shortlisted your favourite schools, you can get in touch with the course provider with any further questions you have about their:
- Tuition fees
- Start dates
- Course duration
- Curriculum
What happens after you complete your massage course on the Central Coast?
If you have been able to successfully complete your studies and build your experience in the field of massage therapy, you will not have difficulty securing a job as a massage therapy graduate. There is a wide range of job opportunities available for you in areas such as:
- Massage clinics
- Luxury resorts
- Health practitioners' offices
- Rehabilitation facilities
- Sports centres
- Aged care facilities
A massage therapist is also required to abide by the following NSW regulatory laws and codes of practice:
- Public Health Act 2010
- Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002
- NSW Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Practitioners
- Health Care Complaints Act 1993
- Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998
Starting your own private practice, working as a massage therapist is a very fulfilling career pathway. This will allow you to have more control over your business and client management. If this is something that you decide to pursue in the future, Natural Therapy Pages will be there to assist you along the way to drive awareness about your services and grow your client base. This would be achieved by listing either your face-to-face massage services or online sessions via the website.
Finally, if you are looking to expand your knowledge in the field of massage therapy and subsequently increase your employment opportunities, you have the option to complete a diploma or a specialised training program.
