What is the difference between a massage therapist and a massage practitioner?

A licensed massage therapist, or LMT, and a licensed massage therapist, or LMP, are essentially the same thing. The key word in both jobs is license, which means that the person has been approved by the state to perform therapeutic massages. While graduates of both programs offer massages, those who go through our Therapeutic Massage Diploma program have more extensive training. Students from both tracks take many of the same core courses, including human anatomy and physiology, as well as basic massage techniques.

The term masseuse is a French word that refers to a woman who practices massage. The men in the industry were known as massage therapists. Bachelor's degrees are not required for RMTs or LMTs, but both types of massage therapists must complete training and education programs in the classroom. Although the two credentials are very similar and are sometimes used interchangeably, there are some small differences between the two titles, and it's useful to understand them if you're interested in becoming a massage therapist.

Massage therapy is a holistic practice that focuses on helping clients not only relax and unwind, but also heal and overcome annoying symptoms associated with a variety of ailments. Because massage therapists work with different types of clients in many unique situations, ethics and compassion are vital skill sets that employers look for in a massage therapist. While these services are not provided by a doctor, many massage therapists work closely with the medical community to provide effective care for their clients. While some may schedule a session to de-stress and relax, others schedule a massage as a fundamental component of their treatment plan.

Massage is more than just a relaxing activity; it can be an effective method of treating the underlying conditions behind pain symptoms, but only when done correctly.

Massage therapy

can be exhausting for a professional's body, restricting the number of hours per day and per week a massage therapist can work. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately half of all massage therapists work part-time.

While the practice of massage has existed for thousands of years, it is only recently in the United States that massage has become a regulated and standardized healthcare profession. Those in the Therapeutic Massage Diploma program take deeper courses, and the full-time program lasts one year instead of eight months. RMTs and LMTs are types of massage therapist credentials, and both RMTs and LMTs can provide quality massage therapy to their clients. CENTERPOINT Massage & Shiatsu Therapy School offers massage therapy training for a career in massage therapy.

This means that 50 percent of massage professionals earned more than this amount and the other half earned less. Degrees for those with a massage therapy license vary, but a licensed massage therapist (LMT) is a common designation.