Throughout the United States & Canada, massage therapy is growing as a healthcare profession. Since massage directly affects the body’s responses to stress, the appeal of massage therapy is universal.

Athletes are discovering that improved performance can be achieved through the addition of sports massage to their weekly routines. Parents are learning infant massage techniques to enhance bonding, stimulate development, and ease the pains of colic. Rehabilitation clinics are now hiring massage therapists to manage injuries and conditions ranging from chronic pain cases, to migraines, whiplash, lumbar sprain/strains, rotator cuff injuries, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), thoracic outlet syndrome, and post-surgical rehabilitation. Corporations are realizing that massage in the workplace is cost-effective, lowers lost time due to sick leave, and increases employee morale and, therefore, productivity. Retirees are finding that while massage does not reverse the ravages of time, it can still provide consistent relief by increasing flexibility and joint range of motion, as well as decrease levels of pain.

Private Practice Most graduates establish their own private practices, either individually, or with other massage therapists. Being your own boss is both challenging and rewarding. As a massage therapist in private practice, you will cultivate referral sources from many other professionals, such as psychologists and psychiatrists, obstetricians and midwives, chiropractors and athletic trainers. Your practice may cover a wide range of services, from injury prevention and rehabilitation to relaxation therapy to health maintenance.

Spas and Resorts The fastest growing career opportunities for a massage therapist are in the spa and resort industry. In fact, there are approximately 10,000 spas in the United States that are generating more than 10 billion in revenue annually. This has increased over 100% between 2000 and 2002 and continues to grow at an annual rate of 20% each year. Approximately 1/3 of massage school graduates are now employed in the spa industry.  As a bonus, you can work in some of the most beautiful settings in the world.

Clinical Settings A career in massage therapy offers many exciting opportunities for working with people in the healthcare industry. As a massage therapist in a clinical setting, your practice will range from clinical corrective work to relaxation therapy. Working as a healthcare provider in a medical or rehabilitative setting can be extremely gratifying. Many heath conditions can be treated effectively with massage therapy. Chiropractic clinics, hospitals, physical and occupational therapy clinics, hospices, home health agencies, pain management clinics, dentists, podiatrists, psychiatric clinics, and even veterinarians are now hiring massage therapists.

Massage therapists can practice in a wide variety of settings and opportunities for employment extend far beyond private practice. What a graduate can do after graduation is limited only by his or her dedication, resourcefulness, and imagination. Career options include:

Besides preparing the graduate for an opportunity in a variety of settings, the massage school experience nurtures, supports, and challenges the student to achieve new levels of personal growth, self confidence, and emotional health.

Whatever your career’s direction, graduates have the satisfaction of knowing that, each day, they have the opportunity to help others, change lives through the power of touch, and improve health and well-being – both physically and emotionally.

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A Personal Note from Michael Breaux and Susan Salvo