Spa & Massage Therapy Career Guide

What It's Really Like

The Knots, Kneads and Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is one of the most flexible careers you can choose. Massage therapists may offer many different styles of treatment from traditional Swedish massage to Reiki and stone therapy. They may work from home, in a spa or on a cruise ship. They may practice massage occasionally or six days a week. The variety is endless.

A day in the life of a massage therapist

Jenny Platt has been a licensed massage therapist for 15 years. She owns Art of Massage in Richmond, Virginia and employs seven other massage therapists.

Jenny specializes in trigger point therapy, neuromuscular therapy, Shiatsu, Raindrop Technique and Thai herbal compress. She can mix and match from these different styles to customize each session to the clients’ needs.

"It's great being able to do different styles of massage so I'm not doing one type all the time," says Jenny. "But really, for me it's about the client. I have a grab bag of choices." Read more about Jenny's experience as a massage therapist...

How Do the Top Massage Schools Compare?

Massage School Mania

There are many more massage schools today than there were even 10 years ago. Some focus on massage for clinical or medical settings. Others are more holistic, offering training in Eastern modalities or teaching spa therapy techniques. Reputation matters. If you graduate from a school that is recognized and respected, you will enjoy greater credibility and a better chance of landing your ideal job.

Choosing a School That's Right For You

There are many factors to consider when choosing a school. For example, you need to find a school that will not only prepare you to pass a state licensing exam, but will also inspire you and feed your creative spirit. Training in the right school can be an exciting and fulfilling experience. You'll work with talented teachers and get lots of hands-on experience.

Learn about four massage schools that are leaders in their field, and are widely recognized as premier massage schools.