Massage therapists are trained to manipulate soft-tissue muscles in the body. Massage therapists provide massage for a variety of different reasons including the promotion of overall health, rehabilitating medical injuries, stress relief and relaxation and even painful ailments.

Massage therapy requires long periods of standing and repetitive motion. If not done properly, massage therapists can suffer from repetitive motion injuries. Massage therapists can expect to work under 40 hours a week, and mostly part-time in physical fitness centers, spas, hotels, private offices and hospital, among others. It is a clientele-based occupation.

The median hourly wage for massage therapists were $16.78 in May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BSL).

Massage therapy schools can be found at postsecondary schools and online and may only require 500 hours of study to graduate. Many states regulate massage therapy and graduation from an accredited massage therapy school is required. In 2009, states without licensure requirements were Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, Vermont, and Wyoming, according to the BSL. Massage therapy is regulated at a local level in these states.

Massage therapy schools offer courses required to practice massage therapy. Courses include physiology, kinesiology, anatomy and proper techniques, or modalities, of massage therapy. Business management and ethics are also included.

A majority of massage therapists are self-employed, providing their own oils, lotions, chair or table. Many massage therapists will conduct initial interviews prior to massaging potential clients to address and collect medical history and to decide what massage is right for them.

Ashley Dodge is a social media and editorial freelancer for Quinstreet Media.

Massage Therapists • http://bls.gov/ • http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos295.htm • Bureau of Labor Statistics Enhance your knowledge, skills and abilities • http://www.amtamassage.org/index.html • http://www.amtamassage.org/education/index.html • American Massage Therapy Association