Therapeutic Massage Specialist
As baby boomers age, many of those who already use massage therapy will continue to do so, while others may seek it out for the first time to relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis. — The National Center for Health Statistics
Learn about the Massage Envy $2,500 Scholarship Program Click Here!
Therapeutic Massage is a rewarding and versatile career field. A survey of American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) members showed that 92 percent chose a career in therapeutic massage to help others, and 87 percent said they also chose the field because they enjoy the field of health care. From traditional hospital settings and other traditional western healthcare facilities today spas, sports clubs, and private practice, graduates have a vast array of career opportunities.
The future is very bright – while Massage therapy is a favorite among consumers of all ages, people ages 25-34 report the highest usage at 24 percent. Those who seek massage therapy average seven visits per year. Consumers visit massage therapists 114 million times each year. An increasing number of corporations, small businesses, and municipalities have found on-site massage to be a low-cost benefit with a high payoff. Among emergency room patients, 31 percent report they have used massage in the past for painful conditions. Visit the American Massage Therapy Association for more survey information.
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The Therapeutic Massage Specialist program is designed to prepare graduates to enter the workforce as certified and licensed Therapeutic Massage Specialists. Beyond just a classroom setting, students learn in a modern clinical environment simulating typical employment facilities.
First Aid, CPR, Basic Life Support
Detailed anatomy, physiology, pathology
Body Mechanics, Yoga, Tai Chi
Therapeutic assessment and application
Professional standards, ethics
Business and legal practices plus HIPAA
Hydrotherapy Techniques
Kinesiology and Biomechanics
Effleurage/ Petrissage/ Tapotement
Many Specialty Massage Techniques
Spa Management and Operations
MASSAGE & BODYWORK LICENSING EXAMINATION MBLEx®
The MBLEx® Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination is a national licensing body governed by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards FSMTB®. It is designed to provide a standard examination for students of massage for entry-level professional scope of practice in gaining licensure. The mission of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards FSMTB® is to support its Member Boards in their work to ensure that the practice of massage therapy is provided to the public in a safe and effective manner. In carrying out this mission, the Federation ensures the provision of a valid, reliable licensing examination that reflects current practice, to determine entry-level competence. As an accredited and approved institution, Alaska Career College’s Therapeutic Massage Specialist graduate students are eligible to “sit” for the on-line national licensing exam. First time testing fees are paid for by ACC on behalf of the student.
STATE OF ALASKA REQUIRED LICENSURE FOR MASSAGE THERAPISTS
The state of Alaska requires massage therapists to obtain a state massage practitioners license. The board also requires license applicants to graduate from a massage program that has a minimum of 625 hours. The ACC program is 920 contact hours and 48 semester academic credits and meets or exceeds all state of Alaska program requirements. ACC assists massage therapy graduates with application submission, pays the associated fees and provides proof of: • Program completion, • Current CPR certification, • Safety education including blood borne pathogens and universal precautions, • Successful completion of the national massage exam MBLEx ® • No conviction or guilty plea to crimes involving moral turpitude • Submission of fingerprints to the Department of Public Safety for a background check