Question: Where do you see massage therapy going?
Answer: We are currently seeing resurgence in the media regarding on massage and its many positive benefits. This gives every therapist an opportunity to educate the general public. The more educated the public is about the many therapeutic benefits of massage and the types of massage and bodywork available, the more credence it adds to the educated Massage Therapist.
We stress educating the public by going to many community service events such as: the BIX at 6 practice run massaging the runners both before and after the run, the BIX 7 road race, the Fire Cracker Marathon, Women’s Life Style Fair doing over 400 chair massages in one weekend, American Cancer Society Relay for Life Walkathon, Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, Quad-Cities Marathon with over 400 post event sport massages, Miss Iowa Scholarship Pageant Contestants, college fairs, and various community health fairs. By participating in these events the students find themselves talking about the many benefits of massage and receiving future clients. By volunteering for community service events, ITMW creates a positive awareness of bodywork in the community.
Our students and graduates are very proud of the fact that they have earned or are earning 650 hours of education in many aspects of therapeutic massage, various types of bodywork, and alternative healthcare classes. The concept of a health care is undergoing a great change, with a larger emphasis on preventative care. People are looking for a more natural and more holistic approach within the health care system.
Employment opportunities may include positions in:
Sports Medicine Rehabs Chiropractic Facility Massage Therapy Clinics Private Clientele Physical Therapy Clinics Health Resort Spas Hotels & Resorts Health Clubs Ski Resorts Salons Cruise Ships Day Spas Pain Clinics Hospitals Naturopathic Clinics Fitness Agencies Professional Athletic Teams Acupuncturist Office Wellness Clinic OB/GYN Offices/Midwives Naturopathic Clinics Fitness Agencies Professional Athletic Teams Acupuncturist Office Physician & Osteopathic Offices Hospitals Psychiatrist & Psychologist Offices
Question: Am I strong enough to be a massage therapist? Don’t your hands get tired?
Answer: Certainly massage therapy is a physical profession. In order to remain in optimal condition it is very important for the massage therapist to be mindful about self-care. Self-care includes such things as stretching, rest, exercise, nutrition, and balance in life – in fact, all of those things we talk about to our clients. Our students receive Tai Chi, Yoga, self stretching, therapeutic exercises, and water exercises to help condition them.
When actually working on a client, proper body mechanics are critical to avoid fatigue and injury. Body mechanics require alignment with the direction of your work, using your legs and body weight to provide the power behind your strokes, maintaining proper table height adjustments and always remembering to breathe. With good body mechanics, your arms and hands provide the refinement to the strokes, but the power comes from your entire body by leaning, not pushing. Also, in addition to the hands, we also stress the use of the forearms; elbows and fists in massage therapy. Massage Therapists are able to use different techniques and modalities to be able to engage the deeper layers of soft tissue so that they avoid an over-reliance on sheer strength. So no matter what the students’ size or physical ability may be, with the proper instruction and education about the use of body mechanics that the students receive at ITMW, all of them can achieve a career with less physical strain.
Question: How much money can I expect to make my first year as a practicing Massage Therapist?
Answer: The starting wage for a Massage Therapist is very diverse. It is determined by several factors: venue of practice, geographic location, financial arrangements, self-employment or employee, personal drive and motivation to succeed. According to information reported by graduates, the average graduate performs 15-30 massages per week at $40-$60 per hour. Taxes paid and tips received may not be included.
The graduates in the field who are financially successful and happy are those who enter the field out of a sincere desire to help other people, who have good skills, and who have the determination necessary to achieve success.
Question: Who are ITMW massage therapy students?
Answer: ITMW attracts students from very diverse backgrounds, including nurses, teachers, engineers, homemakers, factory workers, sales people, farmers, musicians, artists, chiropractors, students, chiropractic technicians, and retirees. All are looking to better their lives and feed their spirit. Some graduates go back to college to finish degrees in the other areas of healthcare. In an average class, half of the students drive from up to 1-2 hours away to come for massage therapy education. Many move here to the Quad-Cities from all over the country and then move back once finished.