What is massage therapy?
Massage refers to the techniques used by massage therapists where they put pressure or manipulate the soft tissues and muscles of the body. The goal of this form of treatment is not only to address the main complaint but it is to also improve blood circulation, relaxation and flexibility. Massage therapists provide valuable assistance to people dealing with the following conditions:
- Eating disorders
- Digestive dysfunction
- Prenatal pregnancy conditions
- Body pains
- Frozen shoulder
- Whiplash
- Sporting injuries
- Headaches and migraines
- Stress and fatigue
- Repetitive strain injury
- Fibrositis
- Spondylitis
- Insomnia
- Muscular tension
- Depression
- Arthritis
To improve their credibility, massage therapists in Townsville usually register to be a member with one of the following accreditation bodies:
- Association of Massage Therapists (AMT)
- Massage Association of Australia (MAA)
- Massage & Myotherapy Association (MMA)
- Myotherapy Association Australia (MAA)
Should you complete a massage course?
Do you seek a career where you can positively contribute to the improvement of the health and wellbeing of your clients? If this matches your career goals, massage therapy is the ideal professional pathway for you. To succeed as a massage therapist it is necessary that you possess the following interpersonal skills and attributes:
- An attentive listener is vital when determining the root cause of the client's problem.
- Good attention to detail to be able to pinpoint the areas of the client's that are contributing to their discomfort.
- Clear and articulate communication skills when addressing clients and explaining to them how the massage session will be conducted and its benefits.
- An ability to maintain high levels of confidentiality since you will be dealing with sensitive client personal and even medical information.
For further information and direction to starting your journey as a massage therapist in Townsville, continue reading to learn more about your course and study options.
What are the course and study options for massage therapists in Townsville?
If you want to start off by gaining some insight into the work of massage therapists, it is highly recommended that you enrol in a short-term Introduction to Massage Therapy course. During these sessions, industry professionals will talk about their experience working in the massage industry and the basic theory of massage therapy.
After the completion of this course, you decide that you want to take it one step further, you will need to enrol in a Certificate Level IV in Massage Therapy. This is the minimum requirement of being a massage therapist in Townsville. To accommodate your schedule, many Townsville massage therapy course providers offer many flexible options such as on-campus, online or blended delivery modes.
During the theoretical lessons, you will learn about human anatomy, massage therapy and massage techniques. At the same time, you will be required to complete a practical module where you get to work in a professional work environment and put into practice all the skills that you have learnt in the classroom with real clients.
If you are ready to embark on your journey as a massage therapist, Natural Therapy Pages has made this process easier by providing a list of massage therapy courses available near you in Townsville. If you have any questions regarding their course structure, delivery methods or tuition fees, you can simply contact them directly.
What happens after you complete your massage course in Townsville?
There are many different work setting options available for massage therapists in Townsville. This includes wellness spas, sports clubs, rehabilitation clinics and massage centres. It is also important that you have a good understanding of the different laws and statutory codes that applies to health practitioners including massage therapists in the Queensland region:
- Health Ombudsman Act 2013 ensures health practitioners in Queensland maintain high health standards.
- National Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers (Queensland) that all unregistered healthcare professionals in Queensland must abide by in order to protect the public.
- Child Protection Act 1999 to protect children, adolescents and their families out of harm's way.
If you are looking to have more freedom in your workday, it is highly recommended that you consider starting your own private massage practice. This is a rewarding option that allows you to retain greater control over your business management. Natural Therapy Pages can provide you with valuable assistance in driving new clients to your business by allowing you to list either your in-person massage services or online sessions via these practitioner listing pages.
Additionally, if you are looking to gain further insight into the massage industry and even specialise in another area of massage therapy, you will need to pursue further education. Some of the options available to you include doing a diploma or a specialised training program. This will subsequently improve your employability and career prospects.
