Massage Therapy Schools in Pennsylvania
Massage therapy has become a growing trend in recent years as people have begun to look for alternative options for alleviating health issues including, stress, high blood pressure and muscle injury. Pennsylvania has followed this trend and is now home to more than 7,500 licensed massage therapists throughout the state according to the American Massage Therapy Association.
“As part of a holistic approach to patient wellbeing, massage therapy is a growing facet of the future of health care.” -Pennsylvania State Senator, Tim Solobay
If you wish to join the other 7,500 massage therapists currently practicing in Pennsylvania, the first step is to find a massage therapy school fit for you. BeautySchools.com has made contacting multiple schools easy with the Web’s most extensive list of massage therapy programs in Pennsylvania.
Complete Massage Therapy School in Pennsylvania
Your massage therapy training in Pennsylvania will be unique in that it is one of a few states that has strict requirements for how your coursework will be broken up. Your training must consist of a minimum of 600 hours of in-class training. It must include 175 hours of anatomy, physiology, pathology and kinesiology. It needs to incorporate 250 hours of theory and practice of bodywork and massage therapy, plus 25 hours of business and laws regarding massage therapy and also ethics. An additional 150 hours of other courses related to massage therapy is needed as well. The remainder of your 600-hour training is a portion that features clinical experience.
Find Massage Therapy Programs in Pennsylvania
You must attend a school that is approved by your state to provide training in the discipline you want to practice. Check with the school and the state board to be sure that your program of study will prepare you for any applicable state licensure.
The curriculum of massage therapy school consists of mainly hands-on training; however, a portion of your education will also be comprised of traditional coursework such as anatomy and physiology. Throughout the time you spend doing your clinical training, you’ll learn various types of massages including deep tissue and Swedish massage. You’ll even learn techniques that aid in managing a client’s pain.
A program in Pennsylvania will more than likely last under a year, with most programs being able to be completed between six to 10 months.
Learn About Massage Therapy Licensing Requirements in Pennsylvania
In order to earn your massage therapy license to practice in the state of Pennsylvania, you must first complete training in an accredited facility. The Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy deems it necessary to obtain certification from the NCETMB/NCETM, more commonly known as the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. To practice legally, you must take either your NESL or your MBLEx.
Consider joining the American Massage Therapy Association Pennsylvania Chapter after obtaining your license. This will allow you to network with other Pennsylvania massage professionals, as well as provide you continued education opportunities to take part in.
Employment Outlook for Massage Therapists in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the average salary of a massage therapist is $45,400. The Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA and Philadelphia, PA as two of metropolitan areas with the highest paying jobs in the entire state. As of 2012, there were 1,780 jobs in the region. The number of positions in this field is expected to grow by 20 percent from 2010 until 2020.