Massage therapist (Massagetherapeut)
Information on this skill...
A massage therapist is a masseur who specializes in giving therapeutic treatments. Therapeutic massages are distinguished from ordinary massages because therapeutic massages do not only focus on the relaxation of muscles. A therapeutic massage is aimed at mental relaxation, reducing stress, reducing chronic pain and reducing tension in the body. A massage therapist also gives therapeutic massages, which reduces muscle tension and pain complaints. Improving the supply and removal of body substances also plays an important role in this. A therapeutic massage will therefore give more energy exchange than is the case with ordinary massages. To be able to call yourself a massage therapist, the massage therapist must have followed a specialized training. During the training, the massage therapist receives a lot of lessons in the development as a therapist, in addition to learning different massage techniques. As a massage therapist, you go further in terms of work than a usual masseur. For example, a massage therapist can also look at the diet of clients, or give exercise advice. A massage therapist can therefore not just be compared to a masseur because the substantive work of a massage therapist goes beyond just giving relaxation massages. A massage therapist also uses a holistic view during the treatments. This means that the massage therapist will see the body and the mind as one part to be able to search specifically for certain complaints. Think, for example, of giving a foot reflexology massage to treat migraines or massaging the legs to remedy back problems.
A massage therapist is therefore a masseur, who can also be regarded as a therapist. The profession of massage therapist should be seen as a profession at hbo level. If a massage therapist has the right training, he or she can also join a professional association, which may make clients eligible for partial reimbursement of the treatments. A massage therapist can therefore not only be seen as a masseur. A massage therapist should also be regarded as a healthcare professional because there may be therapeutic treatments. As a massage therapist you not only have knowledge of anatomy but also of pathology (pathology) and physiology (metabolism). This is an important difference with ordinary masseurs. In practice, it is conceivable that a massage therapist can also be regarded as an aromatherapist and as a life coach. Coaching clients is generally an important part of massage therapy.
DIFFERENCE MASSEUR AND MASSAGE THERAPIST
The main difference between a masseur and massage therapist is that a massage therapist has a targeted training at hbo level. An ordinary masseur will generally only have a short course or targeted MBO training. The professions of masseur and massage therapist have no further professional protection. In other words, anyone can pretend to be a masseur or a massage therapist. This does not alter the fact that a massage therapist must have a recognized training to be able to join a professional association. Without this recognition, clients are in most cases not eligible for reimbursement of the therapeutic treatments. A massage therapist cannot be regarded as a physiotherapist, chiropractor, osteopath or as a sports masseur because these professionals apply medical techniques and / or treatments to be able to reduce certain complaints. A massage therapist is more focused on emotional and mental complaints and symptoms.
WHAT DOES A MASSAGE THERAPIST DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A MASSAGE THERAPIST
In order to be able to work as a massage therapist, it is best to follow the professional training massage therapist. The training generally lasts nine months, depending on your previous education. It is a so-called part-time course in which a lot of attention is paid to the various massage techniques and forms of movement. Think of the knowledge of body structures and the application of the different types of techniques. During the training, attention is paid to the following subjects: holistic and classical massage, stretch techniques, movement techniques, basic medical knowledge, anatomy, palpation and therapeutic training. In addition, there are also plenty of external training institutes where you can follow a course. Accounting is also important as an independent entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A MASSAGE THERAPIST CAN BE EMPLOYED
In general, a massage therapist will have to be regarded as an entrepreneur, who has his own practice. In addition, a massage therapist can work for the better hotels or perhaps within a wellness center. In addition, a massage therapist can simply work within a massage parlor.
COMPETENCES MASSAGE THERAPIST
The most important competence of a massage therapist is the professional knowledge of anatomy, pathology and physiology. In addition, a massage therapist must have sufficient medical knowledge, in which knowing your own limits plays an important role. In other words, a massage therapist knows if clients need to be referred to another therapist or regular doctor. Because you have to deal with many different clients, communication can also be regarded as an important competence. Being able to inspire and motivate clients is also important as a massage therapist. If you work as an entrepreneur, networking can also be regarded as an important competence. Generally important words are listening, independence, respect, coaching, monitoring, sensitivity, planning and organizing.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A MASSAGE THERAPIST
As a massage therapist, there is plenty of work to be found. However, it is true that most massage therapists start as self-employed because there is less demand for this profession in paid employment. Despite the fact that the training is extensive, there are quite a lot of massage therapists to be found. It is important to join a professional organization to distinguish yourself from the other masseurs, so that the right customers know how to find you. In order to be able to grow as a massage therapist, extra training will have to be followed because otherwise growth will be difficult.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY MASSAGE THERAPIST
The employment conditions for a massage therapist are difficult to indicate because the profession will usually be practiced a lot as an independent entrepreneur, and you will therefore determine your own conditions. Giving a salary indication is therefore also difficult. The income is strongly determined by the number of clients that a massage therapist knows how to bring in. There are also quite a lot of massage therapists who do not perform the work full-time and have other income in addition to it because they get too few clients.
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