What is massage?
Muscle tension, sports injuries, chronic pain and damaged tissues, are common reasons that people in Melbourne go to a massage therapy clinic. If you're looking to study massage therapy, consider a course that can teach you how to address these conditions and provide you with the qualification that is needed to practice the modality on a professional level.
Massages involve the use of a range of massage techniques like the manipulation of tissues, using pressure, tension, motion or vibration. Massage therapists are responsible for guiding clients on how to improve their posture through stretching, strengthening, relaxation techniques. Some examples of the vast range of massage treatments include baby massage, lymphatic drainage, myotherapy, reflexology, remedial, shiatsu, sports and therapeutic massages. The benefits of these massage treatments include:
- Reducing muscle tension
- Improving circulation
- Reducing stress hormones
- Increasing joint mobility and flexibility
- Improving the recovery of soft tissue injuries
- Heightening mental alertness
- Reducing anxiety and depression
Should you complete a massage course?
A career in massage therapy is perfect for anyone passionate about health and wellness and a willingness to help others feel better so that they can succeed in all areas of their lives. The below attributes are integral for anyone wishing to pursue a career in massage therapy:
- Strong communication skills when going over proposed treatment plans and ensuring that you build trust through supporting them emotionally.
- High levels of integrity of clients' privacy by keeping any personal and medical information private.
- High attention to detail when documenting client's conditions and progress.
- Looking to stay fit and healthy by being physically active throughout the workday.
What are the course and study options for massage therapists in Melbourne?
A Certificate IV in Massage Therapy is the bare minimum requirement to become an accredited massage therapist in Melbourne. You can work your way up to a diploma-level qualification or a specialised training program, to enhance your knowledge and learn more techniques that will make you in demand among massage enthusiasts.
These courses will provide you with an in-depth insight into the interrelationship between different body mechanisms and the best relaxation massage and manipulation techniques to use to treat pain. These courses will also help improve your employability by having the opportunity to complete work experience where you get to put in place the skills you learned in the classes in a clinical setting.
In Melbourne, most massage courses offer a range of options for those of you that are looking for flexibility to fit your studies around your commitments through their offering of both on-campus and online streams.
If you're all set out to chase your dream job, the Natural Therapy Pages is more than ready to ease the process for you by providing you with a comprehensive list of massage therapy courses in Melbourne. You can contact them to learn more about the study options, tuition fees and accreditations.
What happens after you complete your massage course in Melbourne?
Melbourne massage therapists mainly work in personal care services but other workplace environments that you could work in include health practitioners' offices, massage clinics, accommodation, sports clubs, day spas, luxury resorts, rehabilitation facilitates or aged care centres. Additionally, you can establish a private practice, which allows you to have full control over the management of your practice and you can list your massage services on Natural Therapy Pages.
Observing statutory codes will not only keep you on the safe side but also motivate you to handle your profession and clients with the utmost diligence. It is also important to know the below-governing statutes in Melbourne that health practitioners must comply with:
- Health Records Act 2001 protects the privacy of a person's health information and ensures that such is used to deliver safe and effective health services in Victoria.
- Health Complaints Act 2016 provides the public with a platform where they can lodge a complaint on a health provider to the HCC.
- Working with Children Act 2005 protects and promotes the safety of children and adolescents in Victoria.
- Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 must be followed by every workplace in Victoria and outlines the health and safety standards of its employer and employees.
- Code of Conduct for General Health Services applies to all massage therapists in Victoria.
Even though a Certificate IV in Massage Therapy is the minimum qualification required to work as a massage therapist in Melbourne, once you finish your initial studies and gain some work experience it is highly recommended that you enrol in other courses like a Diploma of Remedial Massage or Bachelor of Massage Therapy where you will deepen your knowledge, expand your skills through being able to address a broader range of more complex conditions.
