Career in Massage Therapy

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Career in Massage Therapy

Posted on: October 5th, 2017

You are considering a career as a medical massage therapist – congratulations! If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, start with the following steps to help get you on your way towards an amazing career:

Steps to a Career in

Massage Therapy

  1. 1. Deciding on the right school – Our 650 hour State licensed massage therapy school curriculum will take students through human body systems with a balanced focus on muscular structure and function, anatomy, multiple massage modalities as well as career planning, client retention and preparation to sit and pass the MBLEx Exam. Beginning classes focus on communication and self awareness. These essential skills are developed through focused activities and exercises, which are the foundation of customer service and a therapists ability to retain clientele and an income.

Understanding this power from within ensures the most effective, well rounded, therapists upon graduation and it is what sets us apart from other massage schools.

Our massage therapy school educators bring years of practical experience in bodywork as well as a holistic and hands-on approach to massage.

2. Become Licensed – Each state has their own requirements, the State of Illinois requires a minimum of 600 hours of training to become licensed. At USTA, our 9 month day or 11 month evening massage therapy programs offer a balanced study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology, Eastern energies, Western techniques and professional development. Curriculum includes Trigger point therapy, Neuromuscular techniques, Polarity Therapy, Swedish massage techniques, and Pregnancy massage.

3. Select a Technique to specialize in and begin! In the journey to becoming licensed, you will have found a passion for a particular technique or may have networked with therapists so you are ready to begin as soon as your pass your exam. Our Chicagoland massage therapy school education also provides its students with the business guidance needed to help build a successful private massage therapy practice.

Here at USTA, we look forward to helping train and guide you into a successful career in either massage therapy or aesthetics. To learn more, contact us at 630-968-6800, option 1 to speak with an admissions representative today.

  • Teaching Mind..Body..Spirit for the best prepared therapists!

5 Reasons To Schedule A Massage This Spring

Posted on: March 5th, 2017

5 reasons to schedule a massage in springThere are many benefits to receiving regular massages but if it has been awhile, Spring time is the perfect time to schedule your next appointment! Winter can take a toll on our bodies and Spring brings more outdoor and physical activities. From muscle recovery to allergy relief, a massage can make all the difference in helping your body get back and keep the best health and wellness shape.

5 Reasons to schedule a massage

  1. Seasonal allergy relief. Massages may help in dealing with allergy symptoms like congestion, puffy eyes, sneezing, coughing and headaches. While massage can’t eliminate the specific allergy, it can be very effective in managing the symptoms. A facial massage has also been known to help with sinus drainage and pressure relief!
  2. Help with injuries. Massage helps relax and soften injured and overused muscles. This helps to increase circulation to shorten recovery time which is necessary for tissue repair.
  3. Pain and stiffness. Spring is the perfect time to start activities outside but these activities can cause muscle fatigue, pain and stiffness. Help keep your body more fluid and active with regular massages.
  4. Brightens mood. Massage increases the levels of serotonin and dopamine, which are both neurotransmitters that help stabilize your mood. So kick those winter blues with a regular massage!
  5. Reduce stress. Experts estimate that 80 percent to 90 percent of disease is stress-related. De-stress and relax with a massage.

As a Chicago area massage therapy school, we believe that true effectiveness and profitability for a massage therapist begins with self discovery, personal growth and understanding the power of touch between therapist and client. Understanding the power from within ensures the most effective, well rounded, therapists upon graduation and it is what sets us apart from other massage schools. Learn more about our nationally accredited massage therapy school and the techniques you will learn in our program!

Popular Beauty Trends For 2017

Posted on: December 28th, 2016

As we are getting ready to ring in the new year, we have been on the hunt to find popular beauty trends for 2017! This past year some popular beauty trends included major contouring, the dark lippy, triangular french manicures and braided ponytails. Even though these trends shaped 2016, we are excited to see the beauty trends that will shape the New Year.

Popular Beauty Trends for 2017

  • The Baby Face– The contouring fad is almost on it’s way out according to the connoisseurs at Vogue.com. A lighter version of the heavy chiseled and bronzed contour look will be more of a “plumped cheek”. This look includes full lashes, pearly pink lips, and of course a rose colored blush or light dusting of copper on the cheeks. A Rosey highlight on the upper cheek bones will complete this fresh skin look.
  • Light Mauve Or Pink Shade Lips. These lighter shades are not only perfect for spring/summer, but these colors will stay popular and fresh all year round.
  • Soft, Uneven Curls. The classic beachy waves are definitely making a come back! In 2016 this look was definitely on the popular rise.
  • Say Hello To High-Gloss. Matte lipsticks and shadows are looking to make its way out. Even though these products are still popular, it is all about the high gloss lipsticks and shimmery shadows in 2017.
  • Pastel and Chrome Nails (oh my!) Solid pastel colors as well as chrome nails will be a beauty trend.
  • Cut-Crease Eye Makeup. If you haven’t seen this look, the best way to explain it is contouring for your eyelids.

Here at USTA, we not only stay up to date with popular trends in aesthetics but with massage therapy as well. Our nationally accredited programs resume in January 2017! Whether you are looking to start a career in massage therapy or aesthetics, our focus is to train and guide you into a successful career. To learn more, contact us at 630-968-6800, option 1 to speak with an admissions representative. Happy New Year!

6 Massage Techniques and How They Are Different

Posted on: August 19th, 2016

When looking to get a massage, knowing the different techniques will help you decide which one is best for you! At our massage therapy school we teach all 6 techniques featured in this post as well as many others. In this article, we want to share with you 6 different massage techniques and compare how they are different.

  • Young woman having a hot stone massage therapy

    Young woman having a hot stone massage therapy

    Hot Stone Massage – This technique has been around for centuries and is widely used among massage clinics. Heated flat rocks are placed on parts of the body, mainly the back. The heat dispensed from the hot stones helps to relax the muscles, making it easier for the therapist to perform the massage and gives the client a more relaxing experience.

  • Cupping – Cupping is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which the therapist puts special cups on the skin to create suction. Cupping is known to help with inflammation, pain, detoxing the body and enhance a deep tissue massage.
  • Deep Tissue Massage – Deep tissue massage is similar to a Swedish massage but the differences are in the pressure the therapist uses to get into the deep layers of the muscle tissue.
  • Pregnancy and Prenatal Massage – The name gives away this type of massage! Pregnancy massage helps with the discomforts that pregnancy brings such as low back pain, leg cramps, headaches and edema or swelling.
  • Swedish Massage – This massage technique tends to be the most popular among spas today and hails its name from the Western concepts of anatomy and physiology. When you think of a massage, most likely you are thinking of a Swedish massage or a ‘Classic Massage’ as they call it in Sweden!
  • Sports Massage – If you missed our previous post about sports massage and how it can help athletes check it out!

Massage isn’t an extreme luxury, but a beneficial way to take care of your mind, body and spirit. We believe that incorporating a massage regularly into your lifestyle will increase your overall mind and body health. To learn more about our massage therapy school and the different techniques, click to see our curriculum here at USTA!

The Benefits of Sports Massage For Athletes

Posted on: August 6th, 2016

In honor of the Olympics opening ceremony in Rio yesterday, we now have sports on the brain. According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), massage acts to improve performance, reduce pain, prevent injury, encourage focus and shorten recovery time. Taking care of your body and muscles while playing a sport is crucial to not only performance but overall well being and health. Sports massage keeps the body in better condition, prevent injuries and loss of mobility, cure and restore mobility to injured muscle tissue, boost performance and extend the overall life of a sporting career.

sports massageBenefits of Sports Massage for athletes

  1. Break down of scar tissue. Scar tissue can build up from a previous injury and effect muscle, tendons and ligaments. Breaking down the scar tissue will help keep your muscles flexible to prevent injury and pain.
  2. Increases blood flow. Massage increases blood flow to muscle and tissue. It dilates the blood vessels so that nutrients and blood can move freely to feed the body for performance.
  3. Increases range of motion. Massage increases the bodies natural lubricants between the connective tissues. Some forms of massage like Neuromuscular Therapy can help heal scar tissue as well as tendon, ligament, and muscle tears. This creates more flexibility and higher range of motion.
  4. Stretching. Muscles are stretches lengthwise as well as sideways. The fascia that surrounds these muscles, release any tension or pressure build up.
  5. Decreases muscle stiffness after exercise. Tension and waste products can build up inside muscle tissue to cause pain. Massage helps break up waste such as lactic acid and encourage the muscles to take up oxygen and nutrients which help them recover quicker. *Tip: Make sure to drink plenty of water after a massage!

At USTA, our 9 month day or 11 month evening massage therapy programs offer a balanced study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology, Eastern energies, Western techniques and professional development. Our nationally accredited school offers a top notch curriculum. Call for more information at (630) 968-6800.

5 Must Have Foods For Beautiful Skin

Posted on: July 27th, 2016

Did you know that certain foods can work wonders on your skin? The products that you use on your skin make a difference but also the food that you eat! In our USTA aesthetic and massage therapy courses we teach the benefits of nutrition and how it relates to skincare health. We want to share these wonderful foods on the blog so that you can start to incorporate them into your everyday diet to create a radiant, glowing complexion.

5 Must have foods for beautiful skin

  1. kale for glowing skinKale. You have heard the saying “eat your dark leafy greens” right? Kale is one of the best dark greens that you can incorporate into your diet. It’s one of the best sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, nutrients that absorb and neutralize the free radicals created by UV light. Just one cup of kale gives you 134% and 133% of your daily value for skin-firming vitamin C and A!
  2. Walnuts. Walnuts are the only type of nut that contains a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which is especially important for vegetarians who are skipping fish. A deficiency in this fatty acid can result in eczema and dry skin.
  3. Kiwi. This tiny, power packed fruit has incredible amounts of Vitamin C. Nearly 120% of your daily Vitamin C intake is in 1 kiwi! This vitamin helps your skin create collagen. Those who have their daily intake of Vitamin C have noticeably less wrinkles.
  4. Carrots. Eating carrots can give you a natural glow. Carrots are loaded with carotenoid which helps fight against aging.
  5. Tomatoes. Tomatoes help keep skin incredible healthy! Packed with lycopene and vitamins A, C and K, tomatoes help shrink pores, treat acne and heal sunburns.

We all know that eating healthy helps us fight diseases but we forget that we should eat healthy to take care of our largest organ!

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