Massage Therapy Continuing Education

Massage Therapy Continuing Education

There are hundreds of different types of massage and bodywork. This is a partial list of some of the different types of massage therapy continuing education. Here are some of the reasons you will want to learn other techniques.

" Can be less strenuous . Many of these involve a very light touch are not strenuous on the body. Including some of these in your work can help to extend your workweek and help you prevent burnout.

" Fulfill a deeper interest . You will want to learn other modalities because they will just speak to you and feel right. This can provide your work with deeper meaning.

" Learn to help a particular group . If there is a particular group of people that you want to work with such as pregnant women, babies, or elderly people, you would want to learn pregnancy massage, infant massage, or geriatric massage.

" Become a specialist. People who specialize in a certain type of massage such as rolfing can often charge a higher price than therapists who don't have a specialty.

Western Massage

Sports Massage. This is massage for athletes to enhance performance, prevent injuries and speed recovery after exercise.

Swedish Massage. This is the most popular type of massage performed in the world today.

Injury Rehabilitation

Neuromuscular Therapy . Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) uses static pressure on specific points to relieve pain. It manipulates muscles, tendons and connective tissue to balance the central nervous system. Practitioners are educated in kinesiology and in the physiology of the nervous system and how it effects the muscular and skeletal systems. Practitioners often work in clinical and medical settings.

Rolfing . Rolfing is a very deep and intense form of bodywork that corrects postural distortions and alleviates pain.

Asian Therapies

Shiatsu. This is a pressure point massage that corresponds to the meridians in the body and helps to balance the body's energy. The client can be either clothed or unclothed.

Thai Massage. This is massage from Thailand that involves pressure points and a lot of stretching. The client is clothed.

Ayurvedic Massage. This is an ancient massage technique from India that deals with balancing the dosha, or body type, and includes other methods of natural healing.

Reflexology. This is a pressure point massage that is done on the feet. The theory is that there are reflexes in the feet that correspond to different areas of the body.

Energy Work

Reiki. Reiki is a Japanese healing art developed in the 1800s. Reiki involves the laying of hands and channeling energy into the body and aura of the receiver. It balances the chakras and helps return the body to its natural perfect state.

Quantum Touch. This is a type of energy work that involves breathing and meditation techniques to raise the energy level of the practitioner to a high level so that with a light touch they can raise the recipient's energy to that same level and induce healing. It can be used by itself and also in combination with other types of energy work to enhance them.

Polarity. This is a type of bodywork that balances the body's energy field by bringing the opposite poles of the body into balance.

Craniosacral. This is a gentle technique that works with the craniosacral system, which is made up of membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. Using a very gentle touch, practitioners can release restrictions in the craniosacral system and improve the function of the central nervous system.

Other Massage Types

Pregnancy Massage. This involves special techniques to bring comfort and pain relief to the mother to be. It tends to be a more gentle massage. Some pregnancy massage therapists will also do massage in the delivery room.

Infant Massage. This is gentle massage done on infants. Studies have shown that massage can dramatically help premature infants. Many people who practice this work in hospitals and teach massage techniques to parents.

Geriatric Massage. This involves gentle massage techniques used on the elderly.

Massage for Cancer. Newer research is showing that massage can greatly benefit people with cancer. This involves techniques to help victims of cancer with pain, anxiety, and side effects of chemotherapy.

The Trager Method. This is a gentle massage technique that involves rocking and shaking of the body to re-educate the body into a more relaxed state.

Aromatherapy Massage. This involves using essential oils from plants and flowers to enhance the effects of massage.

Watsu. This is a gentle massage done in a warm pool. It involves pressure points and gentle stretching. It puts the recipient in a profound state of relaxation.

Alexander Technique. A method of bodywork that focuses on movement and body mechanics.

Other Related Training

Spa Treatments. These are body treatments such as body wraps, salt scrubs, hair treatments, paraffin wax treatments that fit in well with massage. These are less strenuous on the body and people like to get them to feel pampered.

Saunas. These can be added to your practice to give you another way to monetize your practice.

Endermologie. This is a machine that diminishes the appearance of cellulite. It has been approved by the FDA and can be a good additional way to monetize your practice.