Feb
ok, do you have to take anatomy to become a massage therapist? I'm in dental hygiene and its beyond me why I have to examine the entire body of a cadaver but I have to, and I really dont know that personally I could handle it. I've always considered massage therapy, so does anyone know if its a requirement?
Answer:
There have been some good answers - yes, A & P is absolutely required for a massage therapist, everyone is right - it's not as hard as think, as long as you study - and it's extremely helpful to have that knowledge in your head when you are a therapist. Most schools do not have Gross Dissections (cadaver labs are really called that - lol) - and even if they do, no biggie, right? You've done it before.
But that's not my point in writing this answer. I want to clear up some information, given by a previous responder, that I think is inaccurate.
WHY in the world WOULDN'T you want to go to a school that SPECIALIZES in what you are trying to learn? DO go to that 'private' massage school. It might cost more (it might not, too!), but it's very important to get the best education possible and this is why: the idea of having to massage up to an hour is a joke. Your average massage lasts an hour, and if you're a working therapist, you're going to be doing at least 3-4 of those a day. Up to 7-8 if you're tough or really want the $$ (and yes, it can give you a lot of $$).
So why does your education matter? If you don't learn the right way - if you don't learn your 'body mechanics', you'll ache daily, eventually hurt yourself seriously, and ultimately find yourself burnt out, both physically and mentally. The current statistics on CMT burnout is 2 years. Why? 2 reasons - 1: loads of therapists go to schools that don't teach good body mechanics, and 2: you have to take care of yourself. Eat right, exercise, yada yada.
BUT, if you can take care of yourself, manage the anatomy (of course you can! 
), find a quality school, and find yourself happy doing it all, then you're up for a very rewarding career. And who else do you know that makes 60 bucks an hour?
Answer:
It may be because it's important to know how the body works, and if you massage something what reaction will that have on the reast of the body. Mainly just understanding the body. Sometimes you can relax a sore spot by massaging in a different area
Answer:
Yes you do have to take anatomy. It really isn't hard at all though.
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Yes, you do. You take an anatomy course.
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Anatomy is required but not necessarily cadaver anatomy although it was one of my favorite classes. You can learn so much more about how the body is really laid out which can help in doing sessions with people.
My cadaver anatomy class was taught by Andrew Biel who wrote the book "Trail Guide to the Body" and he made it more of a spiritual experience. The thing is they aren't really people anymore and you can really tell the difference when their spirit is gone.
I thought it was going to be too hard at first but then it just became amazing!
Answer:
Most MT's had to have taken anatomy and physiology to understand how the various body systems work and interact with one another. One's patients may ask the therapist questions and one should have educated answers in return albeit some questions should be directed at medical doctors (MD's/medical drs, DO's/doctor of osteopathy). Please do not go to one of those expensive private schools for MT and instead look into the county vo-tech school or community college (perhaps non credit course) as long as it's accredited within the industry. The job of an MT is supposed to be quite physical, just fyi. One may need to do a massage for up to an hour at a time, quite tough on the back and hands and such.
For more career info: http://www.bls.gov/oco and search 'massage therapist' or such. If not feeling comfortable in dental hygiene, it's ok to look at other avenues to pursue People do that all of the time.
For US colleges: http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ
Answer:
The prerequisites I tell all prospective massage students is the following:
First, "You gotta have the want to". Meaning that you have to have the inner drive to want to help people. If you are going into it just to make money, look into other types of training, because you will burnout right away, because being an MT isn't your average 9-5 job.
Secondly, prepare to be a "professional student", because you will need to know almost as much as doctor does about the human body. When a client of yours asks to work on a certain muscle or asks you why a certain muscle hurts, if you don't know what you are talking about, you will at the least sound uninformed and at the worst, you will lose that client and will probably never get any others, because "people talk". Think about it, when you want to get recommendations, who do you talk to?
So, you can't fake it when you are working on or with the human body. Besides, there is too much mediocrity out there all ready.
Besides Anatomy & Physiology, you will also have to master massage theory, techniques, history, contraindications, physical assessment, as well as Business Law, Record Keeping, Ethics and Traditional Oriental Medicine concepts.
Then be tested upon all of the above not only by the school you are attending, but also by a State and in some states a National massage board.
If you are ready, willing and able to complete all of the above, then have at it !!
Answer:
Yes, you have to take anatomy and physiology. If you do not know how the body works or where the muscles are how are you going to help anyone. The massage therapy course I took did not involve a cadaver, but mostly memorization and book work.
Answer:
Anatomy and Physiology are required for most if not all massage therapists in the US.
Answer:
If you're looking to get certified through NCETMB, you'll have to understand some A&P, as well as some pathology.