Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/836574
12 June, 2017 l Working World l WorkingWorld.com M assage therapy is one of the few professions that allow you to truly make a difference in your own life and the lives of others every day. It is also a very flexible career that you can feel pas- sionate about while making a good income. The field of massage therapy has gained popularity in recent years and is enjoying unprecedented growth. The US Department of Labor 2006 Oc- cupational Outlook predicts that employ- ment for massage therapists will increase 18-26% through 2014, and employers are searching for highly skilled, well-trained massage therapists. Choose from an exciting range of spe- cialties and career opportunities The field of massage is growing faster than the national average for any other field of employment. There are many options for employment as a massage therapist. Whether you are interested in self-employment, working as an indepen- dent contractor or as a salaried or com- missioned employee, the field of massage offers a wide range of opportunities. As a massage therapist, you may find employment in: • Massage therapy clinics • Chiropractors or Doctors offices • Holistic health clinics • Health clubs, Fitness centers or Spas • Nursing Homes or Hospitals • Sport medicine facilities or franchises • Hotels, Resorts or Cruise ships MASSAGE THERAPY OFFERS SCHEDULE FLEXIBILITY AND HIGH HOURLY PAY One of the greatest benefits of a career in Massage therapy is the flexibility to pur- sue other passions like parenthood, con- tinuing education, other arts or part-time careers. In most working environments, you can choose the number of days you work or the number of massages you would like to perform every week to create a schedule that works with your life. Income levels for massage therapists vary by location, ex- perience and type of practice. Hourly rates can range from $40 - 60/hr or more. According to the AMTA, massage school graduates who perform an average of 15 massages in a week can earn ap- proximately $30,000 annually. GETTING STARTED When thinking about a career in mas- sage, ask yourself "What are my ultimate goals?" and "What are my interests?" Learn about the different types of mas- sage therapies, modalities, and environ- ments where massage can be practiced. For example, if you are interested helping people de-stress, relax and improve their general well-being you may consider Re- laxation or Spa massage. If you would like to work with athletes to enhance their performance and assist in injury recovery you might want to con- sider Sports massage. If helping people recover from injuries and chronic illness is a field that appeals to you, Medical or Clinical massage would be an option. If your interest lies in practicing mas- sage on many different types of people in various environments, you may consider Onsite or Corporate massage. CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL a2z health Massage Schools offers the fol- lowing programs Massage Therapist — 550 Hours Our 550-hour massage therapist pro- gram is designed for students who want to strengthen their knowledge of massage therapy with an in-depth analysis of advanced bodywork tech- niques. Students begin with basic train- ing in our Swedish program, and go on to study advanced modalities such as Deep Tissue, Advanced Swedish Tech- niques, Advanced Nutrition, Advanced Anatomy, and Pregnancy & Infant Mas- sage. Students are eligible to apply to the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC), and may apply for membership to the American Massage Therapy Asso- ciation® (AMTA) and to the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP). Students may choose morning or eve- ning classes. Supervised practicum hours will be arranged to meet the schedule of the individual student. Holistic Bodywork Practitioner This 1,000-hour intensive program offers specialized training for students interested in providing their clients with an integrated approach to health and wellness. Stu- dents begin in the core Swedish program, and continue on to a variety of advanced courses. Our curriculum stresses the body-mind relationship, and encourages the students to explore a wide spectrum of holistic techniques. We offer a balance of Eastern and Western massage techniques com- bined with a variety of natural therapies to encourage the student's personal and professional growth. Students will conduct clinical case studies based on the type of work they feel most comfortable with. They will consult with instructors and com- pile research. This course of study is designed to de- velop well trained therapists who have the ability to assess their clients holistically and bring them to a state of well being. This course of study satisfies the highest requirements in the state of California and most of the United States. Students may choose morning classes or evening classes. Supervised practicum hours will be arranged to meet the sched- ule of the individual student. All of our pro- grams are designed to meet the various requirements throughout the state of Cal- ifornia. Our Admissions representative will help you determine which program may be best for you. ADVANCE CLASSES We offer advance modalities classes in our school such as Sport Massage, Chair Massage, Reiki Class, Chakra Balance, Hot Stone, and many more. Classes are avail- able in both Reseda and Thousand Oaks locations. If you are interested to learn any par- ticular modality that is not included in our basic program, you can always take the classes separately. You can contact the school directly www.a2zhealth.net , 1-888-303-3131 or info@a2zhealth.net. FEATURED ARTICLE Working World Career Paths: Massage Therapy