Over the past few years a definite trend has emerged regarding complementary, holistic, and alternative medicines and
therapies. People are becoming less eager to rely on prescribed medication, and are looking for ways to maintain health
and well being in alternative ways. For that reason, massage schools are becoming more common and there are many
more prospective students. If you are considering attending a massage school for yourself it is worth reading the following
information to help you make the right decision for your future.

Firstly, massage therapy is a form of holistic therapy and therefore a large element of science is involved. An example of
this is the requirement regarding anatomical knowledge. Whilst you do not need to have studied this prior to your course,
it is important to remember that there is a high degree of scientific learning to be accomplished. However, this must be
balanced by some artistic flair, as this type of therapy is an art form in itself.

Some people book on expensive courses only to find they are not cut out for being a massage practitioner. There are
often many deep-seated reasons for this, and not just sexual. Some cannot even explain why; one of our recent
introductory students just stated, “it didn’t feel right massaging someone other than my family”.  It’s quite a good idea to
book on a short one or two day Introduction workshop to see how you react to “touching” a stranger.

However, just remember that a two-day basic introductory training course in massage does not confer on you the
automatic ability to perform treatments on any individual or area of the body. In fact, there are over 100 different types
of massage currently being carried out, many of which require specific training or knowledge. For example, an Indian Head
Massage is very different from a Swedish Body Massage, and an individual trained solely in one would not necessarily be
able to perform the other without further training. But, if you do not know which specific area of massage you would like
to be trained in, undertaking a Body Massage course is possibly the best thing to do as it gives you a basic, and sound,
understanding of the body and how massage works. In addition to this you will learn how to perform different massage
techniques, and be given an insight into the more specific forms you may wish to go on to specialise in.

Individual massage schools require different qualifications and experience from their students before allowing them to
enrol. However, generally you will require a basic education and sound knowledge of spoken and written English.  Any
further studies undertaken after secondary school can only be beneficial. Equally important though are the personal
attributes of candidates. You will need to be calm, patient, and personable, in order to put your future clients at ease, so
these traits are very important to massage schools.

What Should You Look For In A Massage Therapy School?
If you are considering engaging in a career in massage therapy, let us compliment you on your selection. Massage is one
of the few vocational careers that aids individuals regarding fulfilment and job satisfaction, while allowing flexible hours and
that, for those who ambitiously pursue it, opens up the door to a moderate income. Once you have decided on your
career, your next big decision should be which school to attend. We have furnished a list of 5 valuable questions to ask
yourself when analysing which of the wide range of therapeutic massage schools you could choose from.

Question 1: What is the time-frame that it will take to train from beginning to end? Massage schools have a broad variety
when it comes how much time must be invested to qualify. Massage therapy courses can vary anywhere from 1 week to
15 months, or longer. Keeping this in mind, you have to ask yourself two important questions in regards to the amount of
time you place in your education. Remember, if you invest in a short programme, it may be deficient in many aspects, and
there is a high risk of you missing out on something important. On the other side of the coin, you also have to weigh
how much money you may lose if you spend 6 months to a year, or longer, in school, when you could be getting your
income rolling.

Question 2: Will it be expensive? Education tuition might vary anywhere from £20 to £50 per hour of education! The
average usually falls around £25 to £30 per credit hour (generally the more experienced and qualified your tutor, the
more you have to pay for a credible education). If you want to join a short course, you may actually be able to get 50
hours of training for under £500. Most validated courses though, require in the region of 150 hours tuition and 200 hours
home study. Course fees usually range from around £1,500 to £2,500. Some schools include the cost of supplies,
occasionally even a massage table. Be sure to factor in what is included versus what you are called upon to acquire before
you commit. For example, if one school costs £2,400 and includes your massage table, it will end up being cheaper than
the school that costs £2,200, but requires you to purchase a table. Tables run an average of around £300-400.

Question 3: Will therapeutic massage school hours fit in with the rest of my commitments? Virtually all schools are aware
that the individuals who are attending their curriculum have other things to do as well. Most students have to hold down
jobs while attending massage school, while others have children at home. Many schools offer programmes designed to
cater to the working adult. Check to make sure that the school you like offers the type of schedule that meets your
needs.

Question 4: How do I pay for it? When you compare the cost of becoming a massage practitioner versus the cost of
completing a University degree, you would save anything from £10 to £30K. Even so, most of us do not have £2,000
lying available to invest in a vocational training course. Hence, financial payment options are important to consider. Keep
the following in mind: if you can find a source of educational loans and grants they are often only paid to students
attending properly accredited schools. Look for a reputable accreditation, such as BTEC, ITEC, VTCT, or City & Guilds, or
membership of reputable bodies such as FHT, ISRM, SMA, etc.

If you feel that attending our massage school is not yet quite right for you, or that we do not yet have the right course
in our portfolio, you can find information about other schools elsewhere on the Internet. Massage can provide you with a
great new career and a new challenge, so we would like to wish you the best of luck for your future career as a massage
practitioner.
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