Get a quick view of the requirements as well as details about the training in sports massage therapy, job duties to find out the best career option for you.
Who Are The Sports Massage Therapist
Sports massage therapists are those who hold special skills and knowledge of various sports injuries, physical activities, types of massage to enhance the movement as well. They do massage and treat your sore muscles and offer a good therapy to all those sport-related injuries. And to be skilled and professional they have to undergo a training in sports massage therapy and become certified and licensed by the authority.
These sports massage therapists concentrate on sports rehabilitation techniques. During the training program, they do develop an understanding of the therapeutic care of sport-related injuries which prevents all those physical activities. The training allows them to determine what massage techniques to use for various types of injuries. After completion of training, they can be employed in various hospitals and medical facilities.
Sports Massage Therapy For Whom
Sports massage therapy is quite beneficial for sports stars, athletes and who likes to live an active lifestyle. The training in sports massage therapy demonstrates the methods of treating a wide range of muscle and performance issues to the learners and the ways to treat and prevent a sports person from the injury. Professional sports stars, amateur athletes, and even those of us aspiring to live more active lifestyles can all benefit from sports massage therapy. These therapists assist athletes before the competitions in enhancing their flexibility and by tightening their muscles. These sport massage therapists are the keys in the healthcare unit, athletic, and other private institutes as well where they can provide all the benefits of massage therapy to the clients.
Benefits Of Sports Massage Therapy
- Quicker improvement from arduous exercises
- Improved suppleness and long-range motion
- Improved blood circulation
- Lessened muscle seizures and sprain
- Reduced blood pressure and stress
- Restoration from injuries and lasting pain
The Training Program
The overall training in sports massage therapy encompasses a wide range of modalities. The therapists can use those learned techniques at various events like marathons, cycling tours and conduct various preventive health programs. The training will cover topics like
- Anatomy and physiology
- Injuries and injury prevention
- Deep-tissue massage
- Foot reflexology
- Hands-on practice
The actual time of study of this sports massage therapy includes 700 hours of classroom and clinical practice. In terms of the month it will be covered in about twelve months. The cost of the training ranges from $ 10,000 to $ 15,000. The private training institute will remain on the higher side generally. You will also get various financial aids, to cover up your total cost as well to complete your training without any hassles. After completion of the training, you need to obtain a license from your state. So to get a license you have to be accredited with a sports massage therapy training program certification to enhance your career in this booming field.
Career Outlook
As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’, the requirement of sports massage therapy will grow at a rate of 24 percent through 2026. Lack of flexibility and increasing stress will be the key factors to make sports massage therapy a booming career option in the coming days. So the sports massage therapist will play a significant role in the coming decade.
To make a successful career in sports massage therapy you do need a wide range of massage therapy modalities, extensive knowledge of various injuries and rehabilitative treatments and a readiness to stand on the sidelines of those sporting events to deliver complete treatment to participants. Apart from that, you’ll require a strong communication and skills to create your successful massage therapy practice. And take a closer look at sports massage training institutes, and then decide as per your personal and professional requirements.
Final Words
Sports massage therapy has become a much-required thing within the fitness industry. It can benefit anyone starting from athletes to those gym users. This guide will help you to gain complete details on the process to become a sports massage therapist and the opportunities out there.
