Massage Therapy: Medicine and Art
Massage therapy is the execution of focused, methodical hands-on techniques used to promote relaxation and increase circulation of the body’s soft tissues. Known for its healing effects for centuries, it continues to grow as a credible treatment option as more insurance companies cover sessions in the US.
Therapists have many options of specialization from Swedish to pregnancy massage. It’s a good career choice for someone looking to build on previous medical education, and leaves lots of room for growth in new areas over time.
Therapists also get to practice an air of creativity as they work one-on-one to develop treatments to meet the individual needs of their clients. CRSIM works with students to discover and support the unique gifts each student brings to the massage table.
Certification
Massage therapy is regulated differently in each state however, a national certifying body does exist. The National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) is an independent, private, nonprofit organization established to create safety and competency standards of excellence in the industry.
Currently, 35 US states recognize or require NCBTMB certification.
According to the NCBTMB website, therapists must complete the following for certification:
- Complete a minimum of 500 hours of instruction
- Demonstrate mastery of core skills, abilities and knowledge
- Pass a standardized NCBTMB exam
- Uphold NCBTMB’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
The massage therapist training program at CRSIM prepares students for the NCBTMB.
In addition, we include sessions on business management covering how to build, market and sustain a business in the massage therapy industry. Combined with the Costa Rican experience, leave equipped both personally and professionally to practice in the setting of their choice.