Becoming a massage therapist is an incredibly rewarding career path, with minimal stress and a sense of purpose that feeds the soul. A massage therapy career allows you to help others and provide some relief from this chaotic world, creating an escape for both you and your clients. Imagine going to work every day and not being confined to a computer screen or dealing with cranky people in customer service. Instead, your days could be relaxing, therapeutic, and hassle-free.
At Estelle Medical Academy, we offer one of the best massage therapy programs in Chicago. Our massage therapy school is institutionally accredited, and our massage classes follow a rigorous curriculum that is both challenging and rewarding. If you are wondering how to become a massage therapist, it all starts with choosing the best massage school that provides massage therapy certifications and massage therapy continuing education courses.
Interested in learning more about our massage therapy classes or scheduling a no-obligation campus tour? Contact us today for more information, or continue reading for a few things you should know about starting a massage therapy career in Chicago.
Massage Therapy Certification Is Required
The great thing about becoming a massage therapist is that you don’t have to get a four-year degree to begin your career. Massage therapy is more of a trade in this sense — what’s really important is that you get hands-on massage therapy training and learn all the different techniques that will make up your practice when you get certified. Most massage therapy programs will last less than a year, with some massage schools offering programs that allow you to graduate in as little as eight months with anywhere from 330 to 1,000 hours of training.
At Estelle Medical Academy, we offer massage therapy programs with both full and part-time class schedules, as well as weekend and evening classes. Our goal is to help you get your massage certification as quickly as possible, while still providing state-of-the-art massage therapy training through an institutionally accredited program. At our massage therapy school, we offer several massage therapy programs, including:
- Massage therapy. We provide an advanced massage therapy education with a European inspiration, teaching students about the different types of massage through hands-on learning. We’ll dive into the foundations and techniques of Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, and many others, including physical therapy techniques, trigger point therapy, reflexology, and hot stone techniques.
- Medical assistant training. Given that many licensed massage therapists begin their careers in a medical setting, we offer medical assistant training at our massage school. This program includes the basics of human anatomy and physiology, as well as medical terminology, equipment sterilization, laboratory procedures, performing EKGs, administering medications, and so much more.
- ESL for medical professionals. Massage therapy is practiced all over the world, using different techniques, practices, and languages. Part of what makes our Chicago massage therapy school unique is that we offer a specialized program for students who are becoming a massage therapist while learning English as a second language.
- Massage therapy continuing education. In addition to our massage program, we offer massage therapy continuing education classes to help licensed massage therapists stay up to date with the latest technology and techniques. This program allows you to renew your massage license and advance your massage therapy career, opening new doors of opportunity. Whether you have your own private practice or you work at a spa, salon, or in a medical setting, continuing education is a critical part of having a career in massage therapy.
Lots Of Career Opportunities
If you don’t want to work in the same setting year after year, a licensed massage therapist career might be right for you. Though you’ll be performing many of the same massage techniques (i.e. hot stone therapy, body mobilization techniques, acupressure techniques, etc.), massage therapist jobs are versatile and you can practice massage therapy in many different settings, such as:
- Spas and salons. Many licensed massage therapists work at day spas and salons. These environments are focused on providing a relaxing retreat, where people can come to get a massage, a facial, a manicure and pedicure, hair dying/styling, or any other kind of pampering treatment. In these settings, massage therapists help clients relax and relieve tension from the stressors of daily life.
- Medical settings. In medical settings, such as hospitals and physical therapy/rehab clinics, massage therapists play a critical role in helping patients manage pain and regain function in parts of their body. Often, these massage therapists play a role in recovery post-injury or post-surgery, using massage techniques to alleviate pain and encourage mobility in the affected area.
- Hotels and resorts. As with spas and salons, many hotels and resorts employ licensed massage therapists to provide a relaxing retreat for guests. People go on vacation to relax, and massage therapists can make this experience even more enjoyable by providing Swedish massages, aromatherapy massages, couple’s massages, and more.
- Gyms and health clubs. Lots of competitive athletes turn to massage therapy to soothe their muscles after a week of intense workouts, which is why many gyms offer sports massages. Massage is an important part of health and wellness, as it relieves sore muscles while improving circulation, reducing stress, and helping your body recover. At gyms and health clubs, massage therapists use a combination of therapeutic techniques and body mobilization techniques similar to those used in a medical setting.
- Private practice. If you prefer to be your own boss and work out of your own space, you might want to consider starting your own massage therapy private practice. You can work from home, go to clients, or rent out a space to work from. You’ll also be able to determine your own schedule and number of clients, as well as the specific massage therapy services you’ll offer and how much you’ll charge per session.
Since there are so many professional opportunities for massage therapists, starting a career in massage therapy is a great way to make money doing what you love: helping others. The need for massage therapy isn’t going away any time soon, and the possibilities are endless when you decide to become a massage therapist. Whether you want to provide relief for injured athletes, patients in post-surgery recovery, or people who just want to relax, massage therapy is a great career choice.
Apply At Our Chicago Massage School
Curious about how to become a massage therapist in Chicago? Stay tuned for future blog posts about massage classes, training, and certification, as well as other ways you can put your massage therapy career to use. At Estelle Medical Academy, we offer campus tours to give you a feel for our massage therapy school and to learn about the benefits of attending an institutionally accredited massage school. Apply today!