Certificate of Excellence in Medical Massage
100 Hours | 3.75 Credits
What Is Medical Massage?
Massage therapists can specialize in over 80 different types of massage, called modalities. Medical Massage is "result-oriented, and the treatment is specifically directed to resolve conditions that have been diagnosed and prescribed by a physician. The therapist may use a variety of modalities or procedures during the treatment, but will focus that treatment only on the areas of the body related to the diagnosis and prescription." Medical Massage Practitioner of America (MMPA) further believes that "all forms of massage therapy can be therapeutic when applied by a skillful and knowledgeable therapist; therefore, medical massage is not limited to any particular specific technique."
What Are the Benefits of Medical Massage?
The medical benefits of "friction" were first documented in Western culture by the Greek physician Hippocrates around 400 B.C. Today, massage therapy is being used as a means of treating painful ailments, decompressing tired and overworked muscles, reducing stress, rehabilitating sports injuries and promoting general health. This is done by manipulating the soft tissue of the body including fascia and skin, muscles, and lymphatic system of the body in order to improve circulation and remove waste products from the muscles and their supporting systems.
Massage therapy may help cancer patients cope with the stress, anxiety, fatigue, pain, and sleeping difficulties associated with a cancer diagnosis. The medical community widely embraces this alternative form of cancer therapy for its mind-body healing benefits. Unlike conventional medicine, massage therapy addresses the psychological self, not just the body.
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REQUIRED MEDICAL MASSAGE ONLINE CORE COURSES
- TE 302 – Elder Touch (Expanded) – 16 Hours/0.50 credits – Pre-req MT 200 or Licensed
- TE 140 – Breast Health – 8 Hours/0.25 credits – Pre-req MT 200 or Licensed
- TE 340 – Lymphatic Massage I – 16 Hours/0.50 credits – Pre-req MT 200 or Licensed
- TE 345 – Fibromyalgia Therapy – 16 Hours/0.50 credits – Pre-req MT 200 or Licensed
- TE 402 – Medical Massage for Cancer Survivors – 16 Hours/0.75 credits – Pre-req MT 200 or Licensed
- EL 126 – Myofascial Energetic Massage: Tissue Talk – Master Touch Skills – 12 Hours/0.25 credits – Pre-req MT 200 or Licensed
Select One Course From Below Options
- TE 420 – Medical Conditions - Deep Approach specific to Integumentary, Myofascial, Circulatory and Muscular systems – 16 Hours/1.00 credits
- TE 421 – Medical Conditions – Fragile Tissue – specific to Lymphatic, Nervous, Endocrine and Digestive systems – 16 Hours/1.00 credits
Medical Massage Current Job Market
Massage therapists hold 55,920 jobs and 57% of those are self-employed. Those working as self-employed massage therapists usually work as independent contractors or own their own business. Those who are not self-employed usually find employment in places such as physician and chiropractor offices or fitness centers. Amongst those working for themselves or for a company, many choose massage therapy as a way to make a second source of income. Metropolitan areas, resort locations and destination locales offer massage therapists the most jobs. Median hourly wages of massage therapists, including gratuities, are $16.94. The middle 50% earn between $11.32 and $24.88. The lowest 10% earn less than $8.30, and the highest 10% earn more than $33.01.
Medical Massage Career Projection
Employment for massage therapists is expected to increase 19%. Growing faster than the average, those who complete proper training will have access to more job opportunities. Since state licensing and requirements are increasing, massage therapy will grow increasingly respected in the industry.
