Massage therapy was projected as a $6-$11 billion per year industry, according to a study on National Health Expenditure Projections from 2004-2014 by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services. And according to 2011-12 American Massage Therapy Association consumer surveys, roughly 34.5 million adult Americans (16 percent) have a massage at least once.
Literally millions of consumers interested in holistic approaches to healthcare are spending billions of dollars on massage therapy. In response to this rapidly growing market, the opportunity to find employment as a professional massage therapist has increased.
In 2012, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimated that employment for massage therapists was expected to increase 20 percent by 2020; faster than average for all occupations. In their 2014-15 report, the DOL revised that projection up to 23 percent.
This increase in demand has placed professional massage therapist training in the service industry spotlight. As prospective students explore this career path, information about accredited schools that offer solid training and preparation for licensing is of primary importance.
Research: Finding the Right School
Gathering information both on-line and in-person is a necessary part of evaluating any massage school. Researching each institution through their web presence gives students the opportunity to understand the basics: school accreditation, program length and content, teaching philosophy, financial assistance options, graduate placement rates and more. Taking a campus tour, talking with current students and instructors assists in rounding out the information gathered on line.
Central Maryland School of Massage (CMSM) tops the list of accredited schools in the seaboard states. CMSM students develop the skills, practical experience and confidence to become clinical massage therapists. Full and part time programs, with classes starting monthly offer schedules that fit all life styles. Graduates of CMSM enter the professional world of massage with confidence, knowing they have the clinical proficiency and hands-on problem solving skills to excel in this growing and competitive profession.
A Fresh Start: What to Expect During Training
Once enrolled, students at CMSM can expect immediate involvement in a training program that honors both scientific and intuitive approaches to the art of massage. Hands-on practice begins the first day and continues throughout the curriculum.
Class sizes are kept deliberately small with low student-to-teacher ratios that increase time for one-on-one attention. Supervised first-hand experience helps students to master techniques, practice professional demeanor, and appreciate the healing value of massage therapy from the perspective of both the giver and receiver.
The well known ‘feel-good’ effects of massage therapy have documentable origins in the science of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology. Central Maryland School of Massage students receive detailed instruction and expert guidance in these disciplines, helping them to understand the physiological effects of hands-on techniques.
Once students have mastered techniques, they go on to work with real clients, under the guidance of instructors, providing massage services in public clinics. Graduates leave school with hundreds of hours of practice and experience to support a comfortable move from student to massage professional.
Entering the Workforce: What to Expect After Graduation
At Central Maryland School of Massage the entire curriculum, and the approach to its delivery, is designed to give students the knowledge and experience necessary to meet the professional standards required to practice massage. In addition, students receive extensive in-school preparation specific to the licensing and certification exams necessary to enter the workforce. Curriculum review and licensing prep classes offer students the opportunity to test their grasp of material. In addition to personal guidance during class, free Q & A study groups are available to reinforce classroom learning.
Students also receive assistance in finding employment. CMSM business classes are rich with guidance in resume development and interviewing skills. On-site job fairs where students meet prospective employers are scheduled near the end of schooling, and a database of local employment opportunities is available to all alumnae.
CMSM graduates are supported in every step toward a rewarding career in the diverse range of employment available for massage therapists: sole proprietors of their own business, collaborating with other LMTs in group practice, working at hospitals, spas, resorts, and even on board cruise ships.
