I’m planning on enrolling in massage school come January. I took an “Intro to Massage” class today, it was cool. Anybody else here gone to massage school?
Paging The Asbestos Mango, Asbestos Mango, please report to the thread, thank you.
Yep, I’m a certified massage therapist, dreading - I mean, looking forward - to taking the NCBTMB exam soon.
I’m glad you liked your class. Did they let you get hands on yet, or is it all theory so far?
One tip: consider taking Qi Gong or Tai Chi classes. Getting used to graceful, flowing movement will make your body mechanics so much better, and the wear and tear on your body less. It always amazes me how much doing Swedish massage is like doing Qi Gong with a body underneath my hands. My tutor for Swedish was a massage therapist with 7 black belts in various martial arts, and he really helped me to move better based on how he moves when sparring. As a result, my teacher told me (in front of the class!) that I had the best body mechanics of any student she’s ever taught! Yay! 
Yep. Certified and licensed. Any specific questions?
Welcome!!
Thanks, WhyNot. What’s the NCBTMB?
The class was definitely hands on. It was ten hours long, and we had a mini-anatomy lesson, followed by a giving and receiving of swedish massage on the given area. It’s a required class if you want to apply to the school.
I like the tip about Tai Chi or Qi Gong. I’m currently taking Tae Kwon Do, which could help a bit.
No specific questions yet, Chicken Scratch. More of a “how’s it going?” for now. Thanks for the welcome!
NCBTMB is the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. I live and work in Illinois, where we are just getting statewide licensure for massage therapists. The DPR (Department of Professional Regulations) are being total dipwads in figuring out the requirements and getting the applications in order, but it seems as if I will be required to take NCBTMB’s exam in order to get licensed.* I know **Asbestos Mango ** took the exam recently, but I don’t know his (her?) motivations for doing so. In some states, there are marketing benefits (you get to call yourself “Nationally Certified”), in others, it’s a requirement.
*Hello?! We’re required to have our licenses by Jan 1, 2005 and they can’t even tell us for sure what we need yet? Nor do they have applications available? Can I just move to Oregon, please? I’m so over Illinois and our stupid views on Complementary Medicine. [/rant]
Can I highjack a moment?
I did a search for an “Ask the Massage Therapist” thread and didn’t find one.
I have lots of upper back and neck pain. Doc says it’s arthritis. When it flares up, I also have muscle pain. Would massage give me any lasting relief? Like for a few days or something?
Sorry for the highjack.
Hope your training goes well, Girl Next Door
indecisive1, massage therapy can relieve muscle pain and stress associated with arthritis. It won’t address the inflammation in the joints themselves, though.
I didn’t see that as a hijack, indecisive1. Let’s talk about massage!
OK! So, I’m guessing that this would be an on-going thing to get some relief. Like, how often would you go in? Once a week? And for how long of a session?
How do you choose a therapist? I would look for the certifications you’ve already mentioned, but are there other things to look for?
Sorry, these are vague questions.
The most important thing about choosing a massage therapist is finding one who’s touch and philosophy echo yours. Think about what you like when it comes to touch generally. Do you like deep, dig-in-there shoulder rubs? Then you might like deep tissue massage or Structural Therapy. Prefer back scratches or light touches to deep back rubs? Try Swedish. Are you a little nervous and high strung - do you jump and feel titchy if someone touches you unexpectedly? Try Shiatsu. For a really unique, beaten to a pulp and it feels soooo goooood, try Thai massage. (Maybe save the Thai for a later visit - it might be rough on your joints as a first timer.)
Next, figure out how you feel about massage and alternative medicine in general. Is this an indulgent thing for you? Is it a treat, but you’re generally sceptical of alternative medicine in general? You might be happiest in a spa setting. Are you curious about aromatherapy, herbalism or acupuncture? You might look in an alternative newspaper (like the Reader) for a therapist who emphasizes “healing” “holistic” or “mind-body connections.” (If they spell it “wholistic,” please don’t go there as a personal favor to me. Pet peeve of mine.) They may not be herbalists or acupuncturists themselves, but they’ll likely have a conversational knowledge and a network of referals if you’re interested. Do you want to keep it clinical and westernized? Many chiropractors have massage therapists working out of their offices these days.
I’d schedule a single appointment first, to make sure you and the therapist work well together. You can expect to need work once a week or so for about 6 weeks, and then perhaps every other week. (I say this having never seen or touched you, so take it with a block of salt.)
Submit everything to your insurance company twice (they’ll undoubtedly reject it the first time.) Even if you’re working with a self-employed, not-on-anyone’s-preferred-provider-list massage therapist, all you need is their social security number and license number (if they have one) to make a claim for an out-of-network reimbursement. More and more policies are covering massage therapy, even if they don’t say much about it. This is even more likely if you can get a written referral from your doctor. Here’s a list of CPT (insurance billing) codes for common massage therapy techniques. A diagnosis code has to come from your MD or chiropractor, not your massage therapist.
The American Massage Therapy Association has a searchable index of providers, as does NCBTMB liked above. Many states and/or cities have licensure, as well, with searchable links at their Department of Professional Regulation’s website.
Here’s some vocabulary you’ll likely see bandied about:
**Certified ** = went to school and got a piece of paper saying I’m a massage therapist. Most programs are around 500 hours. Some are much longer, 1000 hours or more, and some are shorter.
**Licensed ** = a governmental body (city or state) looked over my transcripts and made sure I met their criteria for licensure. Licensure criteria differs from state to state, and only 33 state currently require a license. The fewest hours of required education is 300 contact hours (Texas), and the highest is 1000 (Nebraska).
**Nationally certified ** = took a test offered by NCBTMB and passed, paid them membership dues and take continuing education credits every few years to qualify to give them more money to keep being a member.
**Member of AMTA ** = confirmed 500 hours or more of education OR licensure in those state that have licensure OR successful passing of the NCBTMB exam. Membership gives you a subscription to a massage magazine, liability insurance and legal advice, should it be needed, as well as being listed on their membership directory. It costs roughly $250 annually to be a professional member of AMTA.
There are several other massage associations that offer benefits similar to AMTA, but AMTA is the largest and most well known.
Approved school = the school has submitted a detailed application which includes course offerings, instructor credentials, facility and equipment lists and financial data to their state’s board of education and recieved approbal from the state to teach the program. They’ve also (in Illinois at least) purchased lots and lots of liability insurance and surety bonds to protect the students in case of disaster or bankruptcy.
**Accredited school ** = the school has completed a lengthy and expensive accredidation process, usually through COMTA, meeting their financial and educational guidelines. Schools do not have to be accredited to be perfectly good and legal.
Hope this is helpful! 
WhyNot,
who worked for massage therapists and ran a massage school for 5 years before succumbing to the temptation and getting certified herself.
There are alot of yoga moves that can help with the stiffness of the upper back and neck area.
This is my favorite for back tension.
Seated Spine Twist
All three are my favs.
Naturally, take it easy and go lightly into these. You will probably feel some stiffness for a day or two afterwards, but if you do them regularly, the benefits will appear.
indecisive1, where do you live? Maybe one of us (therapists or fellow Dopers) can recommend someone.
WhyNott, that was an amazingly thorough & perfect response. Color me impressed!
GirlNextDoor, I absolutely love my job. I’ve worked in spas and holistic centers, and a couple of different states, and I’ve enjoyed it all.
Very helpful WhyNot!
I’m interested that you mention the Spa setting for someone more interested in a treat. My feeling was that I should avoid the “beauty Salon” massage, because people there would be less trained, and less apt to care about what they were doing. Am I wrong? Of course I’m wrong… I’m sure, just like with anything else, it depends on the person.
Shirley I tried going to your links but they all go to the same place. I didn’t take the time to search around the site, but I will. Yoga is another thing I’ve been thinking about. A couple of years ago I tried a yoga class. Well! Here’s this room full of beautiful healthy young people gracefully going through the moves. And then there was me. I’m flopping around about 30 seconds behind everything, Confused about which was my left and right and if I should be stretching down or up. You get the idea, I’m sure. I bought a video to try it at home. Haven’t actually watched it yet…
Girl Next Door thanks for letting me highjack. I’d be interested to know why you decided to go into this line of work. It actually sounds like rather a tough job to me. Lots of standing and I bet your hands and arms get really worn out. Plus, there you are dealing with people who don’t feel good! Man can we be crabby!
I just want to add that having a friend in massage school is the coolest thing ever.
I get weekly massages, for free. Yay for labs!
Good point. indecisive1, I’ve been pretty open with my location: Evanston, IL. If that helps you out, email me.
Gee, thanks. I was hoping it wasn’t too long winded. (I can have fun with the old word-box, sometimes.)
Well, yes, it depends. There is a bit of snobbery among massage therapists, and a teensy bias against spa massage, but mostly that’s nonsense. Any spa in a state with licensure has to employ only licensed massage therapists, so they’ve had the same training any other licensed massage therapist has had. You can ask to be sure. They are often overworked, though. I’d schedule early in the day, when your therapist is likely to be fresh.
They also tend to fall into the “spa rhythm” which is a one-size relaxes everybody treatment (10 minute back, 7 minute arms, 7-minute legs, flip, repeat on front, 5 minute face., done.) Of course, this is a really nice treatment that gets the whole body done in an hour. It’s very efficient, and lets the therapist sorta go into trance and do what needs to be done. It’s not always the best treatment for YOU, though. Sometimes your shoulders just need more time. Sometimes the feet are begging for more and the arms can be ignored today. Generally, if you communicate with your therapist, s/he can tailor the session to what you need. Obviously, the intention and integrity of the individual person is more important than the setting.
People choose to work in a spa for the same reason anyone in a profession chooses to work for someone else: job security and low overhead. Renting your own office space, paying for your own laundry, massage oils, table repair, etc. gets really expensive. Of course, you have more control over your schedule and pay if you work for yourself, but everyone has to weigh the pros and cons for themselves.
The only warning I have about spas is that you want to avoid “Japanese Spas,” especially if they have a teahouse or restaurant attached. They’re usually a completely different profession. IfyouknowwhatImean.
Oh yeah!
By the way, Girl Next Door, I looked over the website of your school, and it seems like a great choice. I like the curriculum, the teachers (I’ve heard of several of them) and the “feel” of the institution.
I’m in La Crosse Wisconsin. Any recommendations would be great.
I have tons of other questions, like do you tip the person, and should I get all worried about my crappy zitty skin. Don’t want to be puked on!
Yay! This thread is very helpful and informative!
Which leads me to answer your question, indecisive1. I’m chosing this path after a lot of soul-searching. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom and a struggling writer for the past 13 years. My kids are getting older and a lot more independent, and while I’ve had some very minor success with the writing thing it has just never been something I’ve been able to get really ambitious about. I considered the ministry. I considered teaching. Finally, in one of my many hobbies (TaeKwonDo) my instructor told me of the school she had just started attending. “Man, that’s cool” I said. “I’ve always thought of becoming a masseuse.” Ever since I was a little girl, I used to love to give people massages. My whole family would say “Leslie, rub my feet!” and I would be happy to do it because it made them happy. I’m doing it because I see it as a ministry, of sorts. Not a religious one, but a spiritual and healing ministry.
I’m glad you like the look of the school, WhyNot. While I certainly don’t have a broad knowledge of how these things go, I have an intuitive enough sense to see that this place seems pretty great. That Saturday workshop was fun, and I started an Intro to Anatomy class today that I’m really excited about. The actual program doesn’t start 'til January, but they offer this Anatomy “warm-up” class for folks who don’t have a strong science background.
Girl Next Door you sound like a wonderful caring person. I sure you’ll be a great masseuse.
Another question: WhyNot you mention this "“healing” “holistic” or “mind-body connections.” (If they spell it “wholistic,” please don’t go there as a personal favor to me. Pet peeve of mine.) What would a person with this focus do? encourage meditation or something? I tend to shy away from alternative medicine, but I’d be interested in looking into it.
Give me a day or two and I’ll see if I know anyone up there. (Any Wisconsin Doper Massage Therapists?)
Just so you know, “masseuse” is an outdated and somewhat offensive term, due to it’s historical connection with both snake-oil sales and prostitution. Using “massage therapist” or simply “therapist” if we all know we’re talking about massage is both PC and polite.
Tipping is always welcome. It is expected at spa type settings. It is optional for independant therapists. Generally, I tip $10 or 10%, whichever is more generous.
Don’t worry about your zits. We’ve seen 'em before. If you have open sores, the therapist will either work around them or wear gloves. (You can’t feel the gloves once the oil’s on.)
“Holistic”, “healing”, and “mind-body connection” are trendy buzzwords that tend to indicate the therapist was trained, has an interest in, or is marketing towards the alternative medicine crowd, as opposed to the body-as-a-machine Western medicine philosophy. (This would include me, so please don’t feel I’m being disparaging.) Holistic medicine considers not only physical health but also the emotional, spiritual, social, and mental well-being of the person.
I was trained and recognize that the body, mind and spirit are inextricably entwined. I can work on your body, but if your mind is racing or your spirit is under stress, you will continue to have problems. Problems in the body create problems in the mind and spirit, and problems in the mind or spirit create problems in the body. I choose to work from a holistic perspective, because I see it work so much better. So I might encourage yoga as both a physical stretching exercise *and * a way to calm your mind chatter *and * bring your spirit peace. There are plenty of ways to stretch muscle tissue that don’t involve focus of the mind, but I don’t personally find they work so well or for so long.
YMMV, of course! 
Let’s see. What else are you probably not asking yet:
Do I have to be naked?
I usually tell people to undress to their level of comfort, and mention that working around bras and underwear is difficult, but I can do it if they’re more comfortable leaving one or both on. Personally, I can’t stand wearing a bra when I’m getting a massage. I always take everything off. I set up the table (we don’t call it a bed for obvious reasons) with two sheets (sometimes called “drapes”), and instruct the person to undress to their level of comfort and lay between the two sheets, face down. Then I leave the room to let them undress in private.
Do they massage breasts and genitals?
No. Well, there is a specialty called breast massage, but I don’t personally know anyone who does it. It’s illegal in Illinois. Here, I must keep “draped”, or covered with a sheet, any part of the body I’m not currently working on. Breasts in women and genitals must be covered at all times. The buttock may be exposed from the PSIS (Um, that bumpy bit above your buttcheek to the side of your spine) to the femoral head (the top of your leg) but the gluteal crack (the buttcrack) must be covered at all times.
We spend a lot of time early on in massage school learning to drape and undrape correctly. We’re taught how to do it so that we take the entire weight of the body part we’re undraping and lift it gently to tuck the sheet around and under in a very secure way.
What if I get an erection?
It happens. Don’t freak. We’ve seen it before. If you’re on your back and pitching a tent, a good therapist might casually rearrange the draping to help mask it. It generally seems to happen more often when men are lying on their stomachs and I’m working their backs. In that case, they start to squirm a little, which I take as a cue to gently disengage and go get a drink of water or more massage oil or something.
What if I actually ejaculate?!
This has only happened to me once. Luckily, it was a good friend and he told me what was up. He actually ejaculated without orgasming. He’s also a bodyworker, so he was more interested in it clinically than sexually. “Wow! That’s never happened before! Has that ever happened to you before?” We both laughed a little and I got him some tissues to clean up with. If it had been a client, I probably wouldn’t have noticed until I was cleaning up my sheets, frankly. And I do disinfect my table between each client, so I wouldn’t freak out about it.
What if I’m allergic to perfumes?
Some therapists do use scented massage oils. If you are sensitive or allergic to scents, let them know when you make the appointment so they can be sure to have unscented oil on hand. Some prefer lotions or creams. For Swedish massage, you do need some sort of lubricant to get the long, luxurious strokes without chafing the skin.
*When should I not * get a massage?
If you have high blood pressure, glaucoma, heart disease, varicose veins, diabetes, epilepsy, history of fainting or seizures, any neurologic problems or a very recent trauma, I won’t work on you unless you have a doctor’s note. If you are pregnant, bruise easily or are on blood thinners, let your therapist know. If you feel you have a cold coming on or have had a cold for less than 5 days, do not get a massage. Time and time again, I’ve been called in when a collegue’s done a massage on a newly sick person and it’s made their illness worse. (Chinese medicine has explanations for this, I don’t think Western medicine does. Just trust me on this one.)
Umm…that’s all I can think of at the moment. Anything else?