Massage therapy is different from many other professions and vocations. This is a field where you must build a relationship of trust with your clients, maintain ethical boundaries in the business as well as therapeutic aspects of the work, and develop your ability to “feel” the tissue in order to effect changes. This takes time and right intention. This is the kind of profession where you want to be very selective about where you get your education.
So, consider these questions as you consider where you will go to school:
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Will this school give you a high quality education and challenge you to be your best? This is a career where you touch people, literally and figuratively. It’s essential you know and are comfortable with what you have learned and how to use your new knowledge and skills.
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Does the training program offer a solid foundation in the sciences - anatomy, physiology, pathology and kinesiology? There is much more to massage than “rubbing bodies”. You will need to understand what you are touching and how your touch can effect the function of that person’s body.
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Does it offer adequate supervision? What is the student-teacher ratio? Are there enough trained instructors to supervise your work with direct one-on-one instruction and feed-back? Do instructors observe and experience your work on an on-going basis? A good program needs to be long enough for your brain to absorb the data, your body to move appropriately and your spirit to make the emotional shifts. Shorter rarely means better.
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How experienced are the instructors? It is essential for a massage therapy instructor to be an expert in their field. If they are an academic teacher they need a solid background in human biology. If they are a technique instructor then they need to have expertise in the bodywork they are teaching.
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Do the instructors actually get on the table to feel the student's work along the way? We believe the study of masssage is most effective when the teacher experiences the student's touch along with observing them performing the work.
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What is their success rate on the National Certification Exam? Although a practitioners’s success is evident in their skills as a massage therapist and whether they have a thriving practice, an excellent program will also consistently have a high pass rate on the exam. PMTI continues to garner a 95% first time pass rate for our graduates!
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Does the program include clinical work, fieldwork projects and volunteer activities out in the public? The only way to truly “get” the work is to do it over and over and over again. Practice, practice, practice! In addition to their regular weekday classes, PMTI students work on the general public on-site in our clinic courses and off-site in their fieldwork projects. These courses are supervised by practicing, experienced massage therapy instructors. And we offer opportunities for students and alums to volunteer at events where they improve their skills and give to the community at the same time!
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Does it tell the real scoop about the business aspects and the monetary realities of the field? We provide 21 hours of marketing and business coursework in the program to help ensure you are fully prepared to be successful as a business person. You will ultimately be able to charge your client $70 to $90 per hour, but how much do you really make? And how soon can you charge that kind of fee? It is critical to understand the business of massage therapy as well as the personal rewards.
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Is the cost for tuition in line with an outcome of success? You are investing your money in an excellent education - make sure the school is right for you! Cost is important and what is their reputation for success on passing the certification exam and how happy are their graduates? People choose the Ivy League schools because they have the best reputation.
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How do you feel in their facility? Do you feel like you belong - do you feel a kind of kindred spirit? Trust your instincts!
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Does the school have an active support system for Alumni? It’s important to have support from your school with assistance finding a job and continued career development well after you have completed the program. We support our alums for life!