ABOUT MASSAGE
Massage Therapists are skilled practitioners of bodywork qualified to provide
relaxation massage, therapeutic massage or any other form of soft tissue
manipulation for the intent of positively affecting the health and wellbeing of
the client. Massage Therapists have the option of working in an existing
facility or as an independent contractor from home, at a chiropractor’s office,
medical facility, for a sports team, on a cruise ship, at a resort, destination
spa or salon with or without additional staff.
Massage has health benefits to almost all parts of the body, and helps return
the body to its state of normal function. Massage therapists can specialize in a
wide range (literally hundreds) of bodywork styles: sports, reflexology, Thai
massage, therapeutic (medical), spa treatments, deep tissue, geriatric,
pregnancy, and many more.
PHYSICAL / MENTAL AND HEALTH ISSUES
Massage therapy can be physically demanding, and therapists are often likened to
professional athletes and dancers for the physical demands on the body. Medical
conditions or diseases may place limitations on one’s ability to give or receive
bodywork, and these should be discussed with your personal physician and the
massage therapy program director. Pregnancy during training severely limits
one’s ability to give and receive massage. All students must practice good
personal hygiene to work on the public and other students. A random drug test
will be administered each semester at the student’s expense.
ACCREDITATION AND STATE APPROVAL
Accreditation is a voluntary process where an institution chooses to establish
high standards for their organization. Institutions and programs can each become
accredited. Chattanooga State is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools (SACS). The massage therapy program will seek accreditation from the
Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) when it is eligible to do so
in 2009. The Massage Therapy Program at Chattanooga State was approved by the
Tennessee Board of Regents in June 2007.
The Massage Therapy Program was approved by the Tennessee Massage Therapy
Licensure Board in August 2007
CLINIC AND EXTERNSHIPS
After the student satisfactorily completes the first semester, he/she is
eligible to begin student clinic. The student works on the public just as he or
she would upon graduation except that the sessions are observed, evaluated and
monitored by instructors. Students will be able to work at public venues such as
sporting events, health fairs, and similar activities.
LICENSURE:
During the last semester of training students take the National
Certification Exam. Upon passing this exam they can apply for licensure in the
State of Tennessee as a Massage Therapist. The process is similar for students
desiring licensure or practice in other states.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance and participation are critical for learning massage therapy. It
cannot be learned effectively from a book. It must be practiced. Excessive
absences from the class will affect one’s grade, progress in the program and the
ability to receive financial aid for subsequent semesters.
