Job prospects are excellent for those who seek careers in massage therapy, as more and more doctors and health care professionals recognize the medical benefits of massage. Massage therapy can be used to treat any number of ailments, from sports injuries and chronic back pain to diabetes and nicotine addiction. Massage therapy is also effective in treating stress-related conditions like high blood pressure and depression. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, job growth should be at about 20% through 2016.

Over eighty different techniques (called modalities) are used in massage therapy. A massage therapist will usually specialize in several of these techniques, and use what they know about a patient to decide the best way to treat them. In general, massage therapy improves circulation, increases muscle flexibility, and speeds the removal of metabolic waste from muscles. That’s good news for people recovering from surgery or sore from overexertion.

Massage therapy can be a deeply rewarding career if you have a strong urge to help people. Because so much of the job revolves around treating the individual, massage therapists must be good listeners, highly empathetic, and able to make patients comfortable in their presence.

There are drawbacks to a career in massage therapy. The work can be physically demanding, as massages can last anywhere from five minutes to two hours, depending on the setting, and the massage therapist will have to be able to stand for long periods of time. In addition, the repetitive motions performed while giving massages can lead to strain and injury to hands and wrists. That’s why it is essential for massage therapists to be properly trained.

To begin a career in massage therapy, 29 states and the District of Colombia require a license to practice. You can get that license by taking 500-1000 hours of classroom instruction at an accredited school and passing a certification exam. At an accredited career school, you will learn anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology to understand the human body. You’ll learn both business and ethics to help you establish a practice and how to practice responsibly. And most importantly, you’ll receive hands-on instruction on different massage techniques.

The certification test is called the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, or NCETMB. Your career school training will prepare you to pass this test. As a practicing massage therapist, you currently must renew your certification every four years by performing 200 or more hours of professional massage and take continuing education classes. While regulations vary by state, career prospects are actually better in states that require professional certification.

To get started on the path to professional certification and a career in massage therapy, it’s important to find an accredited school. JustColleges is partnered with accredited career schools...