Massage and Bodywork Course

Considering massage as a career?  It is a very rewarding career that can be achieved in only a couple of years.  There are many styles of massage to choose from so make sure you choose a course that reflects your needs.  Do you want to massage to relax people, to help with injuries, or to improve their sporting performance?  Would a course in Western style massage suit your needs or do Eastern philosophies interest you more?  Of course you can combine the different styles but choose a massage college that offers mostly what you need so you don't spend a lot of extra money doing follow up courses.

Many people are limited in the massage course they choose due to the distance they are from a college.  If the only college near you is a remedial massage course, then it's most likely you will be doing a remedial massage course regardless of your interests.  There are many courses on offer through off campus or correspondence but these do not suit everyone.  It is better to do a massage course, get into the profession and working than hope the perfect course will eventuate.  My experience is that extra opportunities eventuate once you take the plunge.

Here is a guide to the different styles of massage you may want to pursue:

Remedial massage courses would be the most popular courses undertaken.  The are the easiests to get healthfund and workcover accreditation.  Remedial Massage takes a clinical approach to massage therapy. A full patient history and an assessmemt of the complaint is made using observation, palpation and range of movement - then the soft tissue related to the complaint is massaged and usually stretched. A good understanding of bio-mechanics in remedial massage is a must.  Conditions such as RSI, Frozen Shoulder, sports injuries all fall under the conditions treated by Remedial Massage Therapy.     More on remedial massage

Aromatherapy massage is mostly associated with relaxation styles but can be remedial as well.  Aromatherapy is the use of pure essential and absolute oils (distilled plant volatiles) for emotional and physical well being.  Aromatherapy literally means fragrant therapy.  Although thought of as an olfactory therapy, aromatherapy can also be used orally and by absorption through the skin (aromatherapy massage).     More on aromatherapy massage

Hawaiian massage is frequently taught as a short course or as an add on to previous studies although some full courses may be on offer.  Lomi Lomi is an ancient massage performed by Hawaiians. Lomi Lomi and Hawaiian massage free the energy blocks in the body. Hawaiian massage is given in fluid, rhythmic motion using the forearms as well as the hands. Under body and full body strokes help to free the energy, make the body soft, promoting free and abundant flow of life energy in the recipient.     More on Lomi Lomi

Most shiatsu courses offer more than one style as several forms are on offer.  Shiatsu is a traditional form of bodywork from Japan.  Shiatsu which means ‘finger pressure' and has evolved from Oriental meridian theory and traditional Japanese massage techniques. Shiatsu is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine.  There are several forms of shiatsu including at least two that do not follow meridian theory.  Shiatsu massage is an offshoot that combines shiatsu techniques with traditional massage styles.     More on shiatsu