Body Therapists use natural healing techniques to recover from muscle and joint pain, stiffness, reduce stress and promote wellness by improving immunity of human beings. They help the patients with different techniques including acupressure, reflexology, massage therapy, cosmetic skin treatments etc. In addition, they also get involved in other duties such as billing, networking, marketing, and scheduling of treatment.
Body Therapists work in various government or private settings and NGOs. They are employed at doctors’ offices, chiropractors’ offices, cruise ships, spas, fitness centers, rehabilitation centers etc.
Educational Requirements
To become a Body Therapist, aspiring candidates need to obtain at least a diploma certificate in Massage therapy or related health fields. The students can go for Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees in Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy or related alternative health fields for better job opportunities.
These professionals learn the theory and practice of therapeutic massage and related body work topics, anatomy, kinesiology, physiology, pathology, ethics, business, law etc in their academic pursuance.
Certification and Licensure
Since most states in the USA require a Body Therapist to be licensed, the aspiring candidates need to pass a licensing exam and complete a state-approved training program. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) offer certification for these professionals.
Skill set
Besides the clinical knowledge, a Body Therapists possess various skills such as dexterity, motivating and convincing power, empathy towards patient, high medical ethics, pleasant communications and interpersonal skills, basic computer knowledge, high level of stamina to stand for long periods of time, ability to remain calm under pressure, etc.
Job Outlook and Salary
The job outlook for a Body Therapist remains excellent across the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 23% from 2012 to 2022, higher than the average for all occupations. The average annual salary of a Body Therapists was $40,350 in May 2012.