Medical Esthetics provides relaxation, skin beautification, and pain relief, with the help of medical knowledge. Massage therapy is a branch of medical esthetics. Massage therapy brings oxygen to body tissues to enhance circulation. It decreases the tension in muscles and joints and improves flexibility.
Massage therapists endeavor to increase the well-being of their clients by the use of touch. They massage the body to stop pain, hasten recovery from illness or injury, decrease stress, promote relaxation, and stimulate circulation.
People get massage therapy for many reasons:
• Back pains
• Arthritis
• Stress relief
• Migraines
• Muscle strains
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Circulatory problems
There are more than 60 different massage specialties to choose from. Sports massage, acupressure, and neuromuscular massage are just a few of the many modalities of massage therapy. Therapists use strokes ranging the length of a body part, while others use quick strokes with a cupped or closed hand.
Education
In Chicago, massage therapists are generally required to complete a 500 hour program of education, which include classroom study as well as hands-on experience.
Certification
Standards and requirements vary from state to state, but Illinois law requires massage therapists to be certified and pass a licensing exam.
There are several regionally-accredited medical esthetics schools in or near Chicago that offer training in massage therapy. The massage therapy program prepares a candidate work in a variety of venues, including spas, sports therapy clinics, medical offices, and holistic health centers.
A medical esthetics school Chicago will provide skills-focused training, and generally offer a choice of two massage therapy programs:
• A certificate program that provides full massage training and gets you out to start working in under a year.
• A two-year A.A. Degree program that builds on the certificate program and includes such courses as business development, clinical studies, and advanced massage paradigms.
No matter which program you choose, you will be placed in a clinical setting to prepare you for the real-world experience, to make sure your education is cutting edge and relevant to the current job market.
Currently under Illinois law, each city or county institutes its own regulations for massage therapy, usually about 500 hours, but many employers require more.
Most schools in the Chicago area include the following benefits:
• Nine- month program
• Hands-on experience
• Financial Aid
• Career Placement
If you have decided a career in massage therapy is right for you, your first priority should be finding an accredited school in Chicago, to begin your studies. There are a number of factors you will need to consider before choosing a massage school. Doing research on massage schools and massage requirements in your area will ensure you get the best massage training.
Remember, becoming a massage therapist takes a unique individual. In Chicago, this is a hands-on program. When you work in this industry, you become an essential part of your client’s well-being. You are one of the caregivers who are helping them to recuperate and recover their former state of health and well-being