The profession of massage therapist attracts many people. After all, it brings a good income, and to master it is not difficult. What does it take to become a massage therapist? The article will discuss the features of the profession and the necessary skills.
What is the work of a massage therapist?
As in any other profession, it has its own characteristics and nuances. Massage - a system of dosed effects on the skin and tissues of a person to improve their well-being. In the process, you do not need to adjust the spine or joints. The masseur acts only on the surface of the body. However, a specialist can achieve an amazing effect. How to become a massage therapist? As in any profession, to become a specialist, you must have a large amount of knowledge.
Massage as a remedy has been used since ancient times. Currently, it is conditionally divided into sports, medical and cosmetic. Different forms of massage have their own fields of application. Therapeutic use during sanatorium therapy and in rehabilitation centers. Sports massage specialists work with visitors to the fitness center and professional athletes. This is necessary to improve muscle condition after training. Cosmetic massage is aimed at improving the condition of the skin. It is mainly used in beauty salons.
How to become a good masseur? To engage in such a profession, you must understand all its features and have many skills. In all types of massage the same technique is used, which consists in kneading, patting, stroking and other actions. Massage is divided into several types: fast, slow, superficial, relaxing, erotic, deep, superficial, etc. Masseurs most often work with their hands, using small mechanical devices: brushes, massage jars. However, their work also includes modern technologies that involve the use of various devices. They are used for vacuum massage, vibration massage. Such procedures are referred to as hardware.
What qualities should a massage therapist have?
The profession requires a person to have personal qualities that will be needed for the excellent performance of his work:
- Good physical shape is one of the most basic minimums, because the massage requires considerable strength in the hands. Indeed, in the opposite case, it will not work out to stretch the muscles qualitatively.
- Stamina and patience. These are one of the main qualities that are required for the massage therapist. In some cases, sessions are stretched for a long time.
- The need for continuous professional self-improvement. After all, a person who has several massage techniques will be in demand in various fields of its application.
If the applicant for this position has most of these personality characteristics, then mastering the profession will be completely uncomplicated. Where to begin? You can become a masseur only after receiving the appropriate education. Only special skills will allow you to fully master the profession.
What education does a massage therapist need?
Having a diploma will simplify the process of mastering the profession. Therefore, when professionals are asked whether it is possible to become a massage therapist without a medical education, they receive a negative answer. A masseur does not have to have a higher education, it is enough to graduate from a medical school, and then take special courses.After all, he must possess at least minimal knowledge about the anatomical structure of a person, because acting on biologically active points can harm the patient. Regular relaxing massage requires fewer skills than therapeutic. Indeed, in the second case, one has to deal with elements of the musculoskeletal system.
Where can I study?
How to become a professional masseur? As already mentioned, in order to have the necessary skills, you need to finish special courses. You can sign up for them in almost any city. What are the positive aspects of such training:
- Availability. Everyone will be able to pay for the course of study, because the price is low.
- Quick result. The basics of massage are taught in 2-3 months.
- At the end of the course, a certificate is issued according to which you can officially work in this area.
How to become a massage therapist without a medical education? There is a minus in the training in the courses, because the diploma does not allow for therapeutic massage. This limits the list of jobs and significantly lowers the upper bar of specialist income.
Specialization Choice
How to become a massage therapist? Mastering the profession is not enough, the main thing is to decide on the direction of your activity. Currently, there are many varieties of massage. These include:
- Cosmetic or relaxing massage. This direction does not require medical education. To conduct such a massage, it is enough to take special courses. You can increase your specialization and choose one of the narrow areas - aromatic or energetic.
- Wellness massage. Such procedures require certain knowledge in medicine. The practical skills of a massage therapist are especially valuable, because one wrong move, and you can harm the health of the patient.
- Oriental massage. It belongs to new, although very popular today trends. Thai massage salons can be found in almost every city in the country.
The correct choice of the direction of activity will allow the massage therapist to perform his work qualitatively and receive the appropriate income.
Types of massage therapists
The people who engage in this type of activity include:
- Children's massage therapist. His activities include working with children, and from infancy. It is aimed not only at correcting physiological deficiencies, but also at their prevention. This will allow the child to grow completely healthy.
- Sports massage therapist. This type of activity is aimed at increasing the physical capabilities and health of a person, subject to complete safety for his health. Such massage therapists work in fitness rooms and with professional athletes.
- Massage therapist. In medicine, this type of activity does not exist, but there are similar positions in many institutions. Such a massage can improve the appearance of a person (face and body). The procedure involves a combination of medical massage methods and cosmetic procedures that allow people to look attractive.
The choice of activity depends entirely on the abilities of the massage therapist and his preferences.
What will have to learn?
How to become a massage therapist? Regardless of the specialization of his activity, he will need to master the following skills:
- General human anatomy.
- The main techniques of manual massage.
- Features of the use of vegetable and essential oils.
- Sanitation rules in the workplace.
All these skills allow the massage therapist to better perform their work.
Where to go to work?
A masseur can work at home. To do this, you will need a special table, as well as some accessories and consumables (they include essential oils). Spending several sessions a day, the massage therapist can return the money invested in the inventory in a short time.
People who want to expand their field of activity should consider opening a massage parlor. Thanks to the constant influx of customers, it will be possible to develop practical skills. In the future, they will allow the specialist to become a true professional.
If he has a medical education, then a private clinic or sanatorium where the remuneration is quite high will become a prestigious place of work. The profession of a massage therapist is considered to be in demand, but requires special skills and abilities from its owner, because in the process of his work he is faced with the health of the patient. Over time, with certain skills, a specialist can become a real guru.