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Massage Therapy SchoolsAs daily life gets more and more complicated the need for stress relief becomes more and more in demand. Massage is just one therapy used to deal with that stress (as well as medical issues), which is why the field of massage therapy is booming. Of course, with the demand comes a huge number of massage therapy schools. How do you know which one to attend? Your first stop would be your local community college or university. Many colleges now are including a degree program in massage therapy. For example, Ivy Tech in Fort Wayne, Indiana, includes a massage therapy program. You can call them at 1-888-489-5463. If you live in Cleveland, Ohio, you can enroll in a massage therapy program through Cuyahoga Community College (216-987-2445). The Allegany College of Maryland offers a massage therapy program where graduates receive an Associate in Applied Science degree in Therapeutic Massage. You can call for more information at 301-784-5191. The most important thing to keep in mind is whether your chosen massage therapy school is accredited. One accrediting body is the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You can go to their website at comta.org to check a school in your area. Several schools of note accredited by them include: Tucson, Arizona Cortiva Institute-Desert Institute of the Healing Arts San Diego, California Delaware The National Massage Therapy
Institute Florida Core Institute Educating Hands School of Massage Florida College of Natural Health Florida College of Natural Health Florida School of Massage Sarasota School of Massage Therapy Chicago Cortiva Institute-Chicago School of Massage Therapy Maryland Allegany College of Maryland Therapeutic Massage Program Baltimore School of Massage Ohio Cincinnati School of Medical Massage Cleveland Institute of Medical Massage Seattle, Washington Cortiva Institute-Brenneke School of Massage
Massage therapy programs and expected tuition fees: Massage Therapy Schools Author: Kristy Annely Massage therapy is as ancient as medical treatment itself. But with modern medicine and its scientific and logical base, massage therapy also has come into its own as a distinct form of treatment. There are schools imparting the necessary knowledge and practice to thousands of health care professionals. In massage therapy, the therapist manipulates the soft tissues of the body by stroking, kneading, squeezing and pressing. There are over 100 different types of massages, some general and some targeting specific problems. The therapy relaxes the soft tissues like muscles, skin, joints, tendons and ligament. It improves circulation, stimulates the lymphatic system and calms the nerves. The main benefit of the therapy is the easing of tension and stress in the body and mind. To become a massage therapist the basic entry-level qualification is a high-school diploma. About 34 states have a licensing system for therapists. Some Counties and Cities set their own standards. Most states accept NCE (National Certification Examination) as a sufficient qualification for a therapist. Some states accept only COMTA (Commission on massage therapy Accreditation) certificates. There are five federally sanctioned accrediting boards: COMTA, ACCSCT, ACCET, ABHES and NACCAS. The accredited schools prepare the students for the board examinations. Most schools have set a minimum attendance standard of about 500 hours of supervised classroom and hands-on instructions. The candidates with NCE, COMTA or other valid certificates are registered with the relevant professional association and get their registration numbers. They are then ready to join any organization or start their own practice. There are three massage therapist associations who set a very high standard of ethics and competency. They are NCTMB (Nationally Certified Board for Therapeutic Massage and Boardwork), AMTA (American massage therapy Associations), and AMBP (Associated Massage and Bodywork Professionals). The tuition fee is about $10 per hour. You need about $5,000 to complete a certificate in an average school. There are loans and grants available for the students who enroll in federally accredited schools. There are other forms of financial assistance, as well. Veterans and disabled persons have their federally funded administration to help them.
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