Many treatments once considered unnecessary or unprofessional by business and medical industries are now being reexamined in the light of new research and widespread acceptance. Massage therapy is one of these fields. Over the past two decades, it has become accepted as a treatment option for many common muscle conditions. The rise of respect for the field of massage therapy will continue to affect the practice in the future as well, bringing new challenges and increased expectations.
Definition
There are several types of massage. Massage therapists typically specialize in multiple types but focus mostly on deep-tissue massage and techniques that allow them to address particle issues in the bodies of their clients, such as muscle knots that are causing pain or the build-up of toxins within specific muscle tissues. Most massage therapists still work as independent contractors, although some are hired by spas and other businesses.
Work-Based Massage
Work-based massage has experienced rapid growth in recent years and is expected to continue to grow. This is an arrangement where a massage therapist is contracted by a company to come into a workplace at regular intervals, usually once a week, and offer massages to employees, which the company will pay for. An increasing number of companies may begin to hire massage therapists with exclusive contracts.
Continuing Acceptance
The medical industry as a whole is expected to continue accepting massage therapy as a reliable treatment for certain simple medications. This means that more doctors will be recommending massage therapy to their patients, and the massage field will become more closely intertwined with the mainstream health industry. Other more alternative treatments such as acupuncture will also begin to earn similar respect.
Increased Certification
As the field of massage therapy grows, the number of colleges offering massage courses will increase at a rapid pace. Some of these programs will be good, and others will not be. To help maintain the skill level of massage therapists, certifications are already being offered by third-party organizations. Entrance exams for the programs will continue to become more difficult, and certification programs will grow as an attempt at quality control.
Considerations
While the positions available for massage therapists are currently growing, they will eventually hit a point where business, medical professions and individuals have as much access to massage treatments as they desire. When these demands are met, the number of positions for massage therapy will drop quickly, and some therapists who have recently completed their training may find it difficult to find work.
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