Find the Best Massage Therapy Program To Enhance Your Career

Although the use of massage therapy predates recorded history, it did not become a popular form of complementary medicine in Western society until the 1980’s.  Before then, individuals determined to practice massage therapy had to learn from workshops or abroad as comprehensive education was not available in the United States. Today, over 80 types of massage therapy techniques are being taught nationwide in various Massage Therapy Programs. To ensure that students are well-prepared for the competitive field that massage therapy has become, it is important that they acquire proper education from an accredited school.

Due to the large variety of massage therapy modalities practiced in the Western society today, it is important for students to research the employment opportunities available to them upon graduation prior to choosing their massage therapy program. Some modalities of massage therapy include Shiatsu, Swedish Massage, Tui Na, Medical Massage among others. Licensed professionals knowledgeable in such techniques can find employment in hospitals, wellness clinics, spas, health clubs and also open their own practice. Students interested in establishing their own massage therapy practice without prior experience in business ownership are advised to choose a massage therapy program that offers business management courses as part of its curriculum.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, massage therapy is one of the fastest growing fields in the United States, projected to grow 20% between 2010 - 2020. In fact, approximately 30% of Western physicians are referring their patients to holistic medicines such as massage therapy, acupuncture and holistic nutritionists. As a result, some Western physicians choose to enhance their careers by becoming licensed massage therapists and incorporating massage therapy into their medical practice.

New York College offers an institutionally accredited massage therapy program, the curriculum of which includes Asian Bodywork, Medical Massage and Swedish massage, Oriental anatomy and physiology as well as Western health sciences. Additionally, students are required to gain hands-on practice during clinical internships and take classes in T’ai Chi Chuan, Yoga and Qi Gong to help them better understand their own body’s movements and abilities.  Upon successful completion of this program, graduates receive an Associate in Occupational Studies degree. New York College was the first in the United States to award an independent massage therapy degree in therapeutic bodywork. With its main campus in Syosset, New York and 3 locations in New York City, New York College is conveniently accessible to most students residing in New York’s tri-state area.

Start Your Career – Finding the Best Massage Therapy Program

Individuals who choose massage therapy as their career often exclaim that they are happy to have found work that they love. Massage therapists feel this way for several reasons including their ability to help patients heal on all levels: physical, emotional and mental. Individuals who would like to pursue this career must have a genuine commitment to the energy and time necessary for the training. Due to the rapidly increasing demand for licensed massage therapists, standards have been raised for massage training programs. Although each state has their own educational requirements, it is suggested that all massage therapists graduate from an accredited Massage Therapy program such as the one offered at New York College of Health Professions. In fact, New York College was the first in the United States to award an independent massage therapy degree in therapeutic bodywork.


Prior to 1980, when massage therapy was not a growing field like it is today, there were few organized educational facilities that offered comprehensive massage therapy education. As a result, individuals who wished to pursue massage therapy as a career learned various modalities of massage therapy in workshops. Now it is important for massage therapists to complete an accredited massage therapy program that offers them proper education about the numerous modalities of the complementary therapy.  This education is also needed so they can become licensed or certified to practice massage therapy.

Due to the various career paths one can take upon completing a training program in massage therapy, it is important for the individual to find the school that fits their career goals. When researching schools in your area, it is first important to consider where you would like to be employed after graduating. For instance, if you would like to own a wellness spa and practice massage therapy, it is suggested that you attend a program that also offers business management courses. Visiting open houses and speaking to students and graduates is also an important part of the process when searching for the best school to fit your needs.

While regulations and licensing requirements vary from state to state, it is important for a massage therapist to prepare for the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Currently, New York State requires that a massage therapist completes a 1000-hour accredited program and passes the New York State licensing exam. While not all states require that you attend an accredited program, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) stresses the importance of attending an accredited program.

New York College offers an institutionally accredited massage therapy program, the curriculum of which includes Asian Bodywork, Swedish massage and Medical massage, Oriental anatomy and physiology as well as Western health sciences. Additionally, students are required to gain hands-on practice during clinical internships and complete classes in T’ai Chi Chuan, Yoga and Qi Gong to help them better understand their own body’s movements and abilities.  Upon successful completion of this program, graduates receive an Associate in Occupational Studies degree. With its main campus in Syosset, New York and 3 locations in New York City, New York College is conveniently accessible to most students residing in New York’s tri-state area.

Attending an Oriental Medicine School

Oriental Medicine originated in Ancient China in approximately 3,000 B.C. and encompasses the practices, philosophies and traditions of ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Although Oriental Medicine was consistently used throughout history in the East, it did not become popular in Western society until the 1980’s. Now, its modalities such as Acupuncture and herbalism are being incorporated into Western medicine as natural, complementary therapies. In order to become a practitioner of Oriental Medicine, one must acquire quality education and licensing from an accredited Oriental Medicine School such as New York College of Health Professions.

Oriental Medicine principles emphasize balance and include components such as the ying-yang theory, qi and the theory of five elements. Qi is the energy that travels through the body via a series of pathways known as the meridians. When the patient’s qi is balanced, their body is healthy physically, mentally and emotionally. The Ying-Yang theory is the idea that two conflicting, yet complementary forces that make up all life, therefore maintaining balance in all parts of one’s life is important for overall health. Additionally, the theory of five elements teaches that fire, water, earth, wood and metal correspond to specific organs and tissues in the body and can be used to explain the body’s functions and movements.

The field of Oriental Medicine is steadily growing, increasing the need for knowledgeable practitioners. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine declared that the use of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine by Americans has increased by 50% between 2002 and 2007 with 17.6 million acupuncture visits in 2007.  Whether you are new to the medical field or are already a professional, acquiring a degree in Oriental Medicine from an accredited Oriental Medicine School can provide you with new career opportunities.

The Graduate School of Oriental Medicine at New York College of Health Professions offers a 185-credit, ten-trimester accredited degree program, at the completion of which graduates receive a Bachelor of Professional Studies/Masters of Science - Oriental Medicine degree. The program’s curriculum includes TCM diagnosis and holistic methods, Western and Eastern nutrition, as well as Qi Gong, Yoga and T’ai Chi Chuan

Massage Therapy Program – What To Look For

Since 1980, massage therapy has become increasingly popular as a complementary medicine modality in Western society. As a result, the demand for licensed or certified practitioners has grown as well. With over 80 types of massage therapy techniques being taught nationwide, students interested in pursuing a career in massage therapy have a variety of Massage Therapy Programs to choose from. To ensure that the students are well-prepared for this competitive field, it is important that they acquire quality education from an accredited school such as New York College of Health Professions.

Prior to choosing the right massage therapy program, students should thoroughly research the field of massage therapy and explore the employment opportunities available to them upon graduation. The wide range of massage therapy techniques includes Shiatsu, Hot Stone Massage, Swedish Massage, and Prenatal Massage among others. Knowledgeable in such techniques, licensed or certified massage therapists can find employment at wellness clinics, spas, health clubs and even in hospitals and doctors’ offices.

Individuals that are already licensed health care professionals can also choose to study massage therapy in order to further their career. For example, massage therapy is in the scope of practice of registered nurses so they may enroll to learn the techniques. Due to the growing use of massage therapy nationwide, professionals can broaden their practice and gain additional clients by offering massage therapy as a complementary treatment. Some massage therapy programs also offer business management courses for practitioners that are interested in opening their own massage therapy practice upon graduating.
Another important consideration before choosing the right massage therapy program for your studies is educational requirements for your state. The practice and education of massage therapy program is regulated by most of the states in the United States to ensure that professional and ethical standards are followed by all therapists. New York State, for instance, requires that a massage therapist completes a 1000 hour program and pass the State licensing exam.

Due to the growing competition in the field, it is important to gain proper education and hands-on experience in massage therapy. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) stresses the importance of choosing to attend an accredited massage therapy program such as the one offered at New York College of Health Professions. Massage therapy is a skill that requires hands-on practice as it cannot be learned through books alone or online.

New York College offers an institutionally accredited massage therapy program, the curriculum of which includes both Asian Bodywork and Swedish massage, Oriental anatomy and physiology as well as Western health sciences. Additionally, students are required to gain hands-on practice during clinical internships and complete classes in T’ai Chi Chuan, Yoga and Qi Gong to help them better understand their own body’s movements and abilities. Upon successful completion of this program, graduates receive an Associate in Occupational Studies degree. New York College was the first in the United States to award an independent massage therapy degree in therapeutic bodywork. With its main campus in Syosset, New York and 3 locations in New York City, New York College is conveniently accessible to most students residing in New York’s tri-state area.