Being a massage therapist is more than rubbing people’s back with tons of upper body strength.
The truth is that you don’t have to be a bodybuilder to provide a strong massage. All you have to do is learn the techniques from a reputable massage school, like Arizona School of Integrative Studies (ASIS). But before we look at the school, let’s look at the career. Here are some things you might not have known about a career in massage therapy!
- There are over 300 massage therapist positions throughout Arizona
- The massage therapy career field is due to grow by 22% by 2028
- A full-time massage therapist schedule is between 25 and 30 hours a week
- There are over 300 modalities/specialties in massage
- In Arizona, the average annual income for a massage therapist is over $42,000 (working the 25-30 hours a week)
Don’t believe me? Here is a link to the Bureau of Labor Statistics massage therapy statistics that says the same thing – it’s actually where I got the info.
Each state regulates what it takes to be a massage therapist in that state and has a board set up to ensure adherence to these regulations. These regulations state the number of hours the education required, what exams are needed, and in some cases what designation you will receive due to other criteria. In Arizona, the regulating agency is the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy. Massage schools in Arizona must follow the regulations so that their students can be licensed upon graduation. Some of the regulations for Arizona include:
- Students must complete 700 hours in a massage school
- If the school is not and USDE Accredited school, then the MBLEX (national exam) must be taken before the person is eligible to be licensed.
- If the school is a USDE Accredited school, then the MBLEX requirement is waived.
- A background check is required when applying for the license initially
- License renewal occurs every 2 years. In that 2 years, the massage therapist must complete 24 hours of continuing education, 12 of which can be online classes. The other 12 must be in-person classes.
If you are interested in seeing what other states require, the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) organization has put all the basics together for you on their website. Also continuing education is not hard to find and can help you specialize in one or several of those over 300 modalities. This is a career that is rewarding because you are helping people and a career that allows you to continue growing as a professional. Needless to say, it is hard to get bored in this career. If you get tired of something, you take a continuing education class and learn something new!
Now let’s talk a little about what it is like to be in massage school. It is exhilarating and exhausting even when going part-time. Most people do not realize the extent of the science behind massage therapy. They come into the school thinking they are going to just learn massage techniques. But that is only the tip of the iceberg – really.
To be a massage therapist, you also have to know anatomy and how the muscles work. You have to understand the systems of the body and how massage influences each of them. The biggest thing you will learn in massage school, and probably one of the most important things, is when a massage can actually harm a person. There are times when a massage is contraindicated (or has the potential to cause harm) for the client. These are all factors that a massage therapist must take into account when performing a massage – so it is more than just learning massage techniques. However, there is a silver lining to this …You will get a massage almost every day in class. You have to practice right?! You will also get to participate in events such as open houses or festivals, Food Drive and Community Service, and take advantage of Student Appreciation Days! So while it can be hard, it is very worthwhile. You learn more about healing and health than you would expect, and many of us start changing right away improving our own lives.
ASIS has 4 campuses (Flagstaff, Prescott, Mesa, and Tucson). They all offer the same program – 800 hour program where you not only get your license upon completion, but you are also get a certificate as a chiropractic assistant. Yep! You will have dual certifications and be able to work in each. In addition, when the program at ASIS is completed, you are eligible to take the MBLEX and get licensed in just about every other state in the United States. The school offers Federal Financial Aid and accepts VA tuition options to those who qualify. The need to massage therapists everywhere is real, so there is no shortage of jobs.
What is holding you back from changing your life in as little as 7 months?
Still want more information about the program offered at ASIS? Call the campus nearest you to schedule a tour of the campus and find out if a career in massage therapy is for you!
Flagstaff – 928-226-1400
Prescott – 928-717-2747
Mesa – 602-833-6500
Tucson – 520-343-0338
You can also fill out this form and let us give you a call.
Now is the time to get started in this awesome career!
Staff Blogger/Massage Therapist