On November 9th, the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists voted to significantly change the state’s massage therapy licensure requirements. The board eliminated the practical massage exam for most applicants and increased the required massage education requirement from 500 to 625 hours. Beginning on January 1, 2016, most aspiring Oregon LMTs pursuing massage therapy training will no longer have to pass a hands-on state test for initial licensure. Those who wish to practice massage in the state of Oregon will still be required to pass an approved national massage exam as well as an online massage law test. […]

Researchers have uncovered the wellness benefits of massage while investigating diseases that compromise the immune system. For example, a 12-week study of HIV –positive adolescents conducted at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that participants who received massage therapy demonstrated improved immune performance. As documented in a 2001 International Journal of Neuroscience article, the patients who received massage therapy had increased levels of NK (natural killer) cells. These white blood cells rapidly respond to and attack viral-infected cells. […]

Stress is everywhere, and as a massage therapist you could help people feel more relaxed while easing physical pain and ailments from which they may be suffering. Though the exact credentials needed to obtain a massage license vary from state to state, most of them require that you take some massage therapy classes at the very least. […]

Among the many choices of careers available to you today is one that is among the fastest growing in the country, namely massage therapy. In fact, it has been ranked one of the best careers in the medical field by respected magazine U.S. News and World Report since 2011. Becoming a massage therapist is not as difficult as you might imagine, and this career is undoubtedly rewarding. To learn more about how to become a massage therapist, read on. […]

For anyone interested in a career that is here to stay, consider becoming a massage therapist. The BLS, or Bureau of Labor Statistics, projects that this field will continue to outpace growth in other areas of work for the next five to ten years at least. This is because there simply are not enough of these therapists available to meet both present and rising demands for them in the near to medium term. […]

Effective communication with the client is essential in massage therapy, as students in massage therapy schools will learn. While it’s true that applying the right strokes is chief in massage therapy, effective communication will allow you to find out more about your clients’ specific needs, and tailor your sessions or treatment plans to help them achieve their health goals. Whether you’re conducting an initial or follow-up interview, adequate time must be allotted so you can gather enough information that might affect the therapy’s efficacy.

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Every loving child wants to see his or her senior parent or loved one live comfortably. Unfortunately, pain is inevitable as aging and arthritis take their toll. Whether you’re providing care for a senior parent at home or through an assisted living facility, giving him or her massage every once in a while can greatly soothe pain. If your senior doesn’t have his/her own therapist, why not take a couple of massage classes and perform it yourself. Learning massage therapy will not only benefit your parent; it can also be a lifelong skill you can upgrade for licensure.

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If you’re looking for a new career, you may want to consider massage therapy. A few years ago, the U.S. News and World Report included massage therapy in its features on the best jobs in the health care industry. Among other reasons, the feature cited the fast growth of spas and massage centers all over the country, which has resulted in the increasing demand for massage therapists.

That said, not too many interested individuals know how to become a massage therapist. If you’re one of these people, here are some information you need to know.

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The nature of the work of a typical massage therapist requires one to possess a slew of essential skills. Therapists manipulate a client’s musculature to help induce relaxation or improve mobility, and they do this by using a wide variety of techniques. Such techniques also aren’t a one-size-fits-all—each method should depend on the client’s reason for the visit, as well as the latter’s physical condition, age, and such.

That said, what skills does a full-fledged masseuse/masseur need to perform his/her job well? Here’s a quick rundown of the specific competencies.

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