What is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy involves manual manipulation of the muscles, ligaments, tendons and soft tissues in the body to improve its musculoskeletal system as well as other systems. It is a form of holistic therapy as it benefits the mind, body and emotions while addressing a variety of conditions, including:
- Stress
- Muscle pain
- Headaches
- Tendonitis
- Sprain
- Poor circulation
- Shoulder injuries
- Digestive issues
Why Study Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy offers so many benefits to the human body, and studying the different approaches to it will create vast opportunities for you down the road. In addition to career growth, being able to help other people fix their problem areas using an array of massage techniques is truly a rewarding experience.
What Does It Take to Study Massage Therapy or Become a Massage Therapist?
Commitment and empathy are the top qualities of a good massage therapist. Besides committing to complete a massage certificate program, you must be willing to undertake continuing education courses to expand your skill set. In doing so, you'll be able to provide your clients with better service every time. Additionally, a massage therapist should have a caring demeanour and be able to understand what their clients feel and need.
Being full of vigour and mental strength will also keep you on your toes. A massage therapy session can run for 30 minutes to an hour, but if your mind and body are well-conditioned, the whole experience is going to be a walk in the park.
What Are the Differences Between Studying Massage Therapy Offline and Online?
Massage therapy may be a hands-on treatment, but it can be learnt through an online course. If you live nowhere near a college that offers massage therapy courses, maintain a regular job or are usually busy during the day attending to family matters, you may opt for a distance learning set-up.
In face-to-face classroom learning, you will meet and study with your teachers and classmates every day and follow the same schedule. If you miss a class, you will be tagged absent for the day. In comparison, distance education allows you to study at your own pace from the comfort of your own home or wherever it pleases you.
How Do You Choose a School or Course in Massage Therapy?
When choosing where to study massage therapy, you must align your goals with the offerings of an institution. If you're dipping your toes in massage therapy, then you want a school that provides a good foundational program.
On the other hand, if you want to specialise in remedial massage, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, aromatherapy, Shiatsu, or any other technique, see to it that the school you enrol in has the tools and faculty for honing your skills.
Several colleges in Australia allow their students to study the theoretical aspects of massage therapy online and deliver their coursework through a reliable learning management system. It's vitally important to check the accreditation of the school you enrol in to ensure yourself of a qualification recognised by the country's peak bodies for massage therapists.
To find the ideal massage therapy school and course that will help boost your career in complementary medicine, have a look at our comprehensive listings on this page.
