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Chair Massage Certification, Training and Careers
Chair Massage School, Salary and Career Overview
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| | Chair massage, also referred to as seated massage or on-site massage, is a brief session of bodywork during which the client remains fully clothed and is treated while sitting in a chair. Massage therapists with chair massage training treat clients in airports, workplaces, and many other settings. The massage, which usually lasts between 5 and 30 minutes, may take place in a special massage chair or an ordinary chair, and focuses on the head, neck, shoulders, back and hips. |
Chair Massage Career Overview
If you've attended chair massage school, you'll find that job opportunities are everywhere, from shopping malls to hospitals, from convention centers to sporting events. Many massage therapists provide chair massage services as a part of their regular practice, as a way of introducing a wider range of people to the benefits of massage through short, inexpensive sessions.
Also, more and more employers are recognizing the advantages of providing employees with on-site wellness care. As a result, many massage therapists with chair massage training work in the corporate world.
Chair Massage Certification, Training and Education
What You'll Study in Chair Massage School
At chair massage school, you'll learn specialized massage techniques, as well as how to effectively adapt familiar massage skills to the seated massage session. As with other types of massage education, you'll also learn about anatomy and physiology, body mechanics, business practices and professional ethics.
Average Length of Chair Massage Study
Although chair massage training at the basic level can be completed in as little as a few weeks, a full certificate or diploma program may require 500 to 1000 hours of study. An associate's degree usually takes about 2 years to complete.
Average Chair Massage Training Tuition
The cost of attending chair massage schools depends on the length of the program and whether you attend a public or private institution. Generally, a 500-hour program at a professional massage school costs between $5,000 and $10,000, while longer programs (700 or 1000 hours) cost between $12,000 and $15,000. Massage tables, chairs or other equipment usually costs extra.
Chair Massage Certification
Massage therapists may be able to receive continuing education credits for chair massage training, ultimately leading to professional certification from the NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork). NCBTMB certification requires at least 500 hours of study. However, local and state regulations vary, and not every state requires massage therapists to have a license or certification.
Chair Massage Career Outlook
Employment for massage therapists is projected to increase 19 percent from 2008 to 2018. Massage therapists with chair massage training will be well positioned to take advantage of this growth, with many job opportunities expected in the corporate world. Both the American Massage Therapy Association and the Bureau of Labor Statistics report that employers are showing an increasing interest in wellness, with well-known companies like Google and Eddie Bauer offering massage therapy to employees.
Chair Massage Salary
Chair massage training can earn you a solid income if you're able to put in the hours. According to the AMTA, massage therapists who work on-site charge about $60 to $70 per hour, plus tips. However, if you work for a spa or franchise, your employer may take out a percentage of your overall earnings. The average annual wage for massage therapists in 2009 was $39,780.
Is a Chair Massage Career Right for You?
Graduates of chair massage school need the communication skills and patience to deal with a broad range of clients, many of whom may lack experience with massage therapy. In addition, massage therapy is a physically demanding job. But it's rewarding, too—your chair massage training will help you bring the benefits of massage to a wider audience, from employees in the workplace to weary travelers in the airport.
Learn more about massage therapy careers in our Massage Schools and Career Resource Center.
Sources:Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011
NCBTMB, 2010
NCCAM, 2011
American Massage Therapy Association, 2011
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