When you think of massage therapy, you probably picture a woman draped in white towels and bathed in soft light, being massaged in a serene setting to the soothing sounds of Enya. Maybe you assume that all massage therapists work in similar settings, or receive similar training. Well, that's not quite true. Massage therapy has many different benefits and uses, and many distinct massage therapies are taught and practiced. Some are based on ancient spiritual or medical traditions, while others are based on the Western scientific understanding of the human body. A massage program might focus on commercial spa practices, spiritual healing, or medical knowledge, and might last a few months or a few years. So it's important to think about what you want to get out of a massage program, before you get into one.
One of the first things you'll want to consider when looking at massage schools is certification. Different provinces have different training requirements, so it's important to know how a school's program measures up. You'll also want to look at the kind of training the program offers. The number of hours of hands-on practice is important. So is the material that you'll cover. If you want to work in a spa, you may want to train in several popular types of massage. You might also need to learn about complimentary techniques such as aromatherapy. If you think you'd eventually like to earn a degree in sports or rehabilitation therapy, a program that includes courses in anatomy, physiology, human pathology and sports injury is probably your best bet. If you're more interested in 'big picture' healing that has a spiritual component, alternative programs in shiatsu, tui na, reflexology or Thai yoga massage might be more your thing.
There are more sides to massage therapy than you may think! The list below explains some of the major massage movements and the training involved for each.
First off: the Big Swede
Swedish massage is the most well-known massage therapy in the west. It is offered at spas, is used by health practitioners, and is taught extensively in general massage therapy programs throughout Canada and the United States. Swedish massage technique has six basic "strokes:" effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, friction, compression and vibration. Some of the strokes are light and relaxing, while others involve kneading, hacking or tapping the muscle to work more deeply into the tissues. Swedish massage has many proven medical benefits: it can provide pain relief, improve joint function, reduce anxiety and depression, and temporarily lower blood pressure and heart rate. A certification course for Swedish massage can take 100-250 hours to complete; a full college program that includes training in Swedish massage can last up to three years.
Hot Stone
Hot stone massage was first enjoyed by Ancient Egyptians, Native Americans and Hawaiians; today it has become a popular spa treatment. It is taught as a short-term course for experienced massage therapists and can also be part of a general massage therapy program (especially one with a spa focus).
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