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Who Provides Massage Therapy

A person who professionally provides massage therapy is most often called a massage therapist, although there are some other health care providers (such as chiropractors) who also have massage training. This Backgrounder mainly uses the term massage therapist. Most massage therapists learn and practice more than one type of massage.

To learn massage, most therapists attend a school or training program, with a much smaller number training instead with an experienced practitioner. Many students are already licensed as another type of health care provider, such as a nurse.

There are about 1,300 massage therapy schools, college programs, and training programs in the United States. The course of study typically covers subjects such as anatomy and physiology (structure and function of the body); kinesiology (motion and body mechanics); therapeutic evaluation; massage techniques; first aid; business, ethical, and legal issues; and hands-on practice of techniques. These educational programs vary in many respects, such as length, quality, and whether they are accredited. Many require 500 hours of training, which is the same number of hours that many states require for certification. Some therapists also pursue specialty or advanced training.

At the end of 2004, 33 states and the District of Columbia had passed laws regulating massage therapy--for example, requiring that massage therapists graduate from an approved school or training program and pass the national certification exam in their field in order to practice. Cities and counties may have laws that apply as well. Professional organizations of massage therapists have not agreed upon the standards for recognizing that a massage therapist is properly and adequately trained.

Licenses and Certifications

LMT Licensed Massage Therapist
LMP Licensed Massage Practitioner
CMT Certified Massage Therapist
NCTMB Has met the credentialing requirements (including passing an exam) of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, for practicing therapeutic massage and bodywork
NCTM Has met the credentialing requirements (including passing an exam) of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, for practicing therapeutic massage.