October 23, 2020
Why a Raphael’s School of Massage Therapy Education is Unique
Massage therapy is the practice of manipulating soft tissues in the body to promote healing and provide a restorative experience for the recipient. Not only can massage therapy help clients detox from stress, it’s also a great career option for anyone who wants to find a flexible, fun way to help others feel well and make money. Here at Raphael’s School of Massage Therapy, we strive to provide the best massage therapy education possible.
Keep reading to find out what you can learn by enrolling in our massage therapy program, or check out our video to see what makes us so unique!
What Will You Learn?
Under the supervision of a currently practicing LMT (licensed massage therapist), our students learn various massage modalities and movements to provide a relaxing and restorative experience for their clients. Basic techniques include effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (tapping) and friction. In addition to these basic techniques, we also provide hands-on education with several other unique techniques you may be hard-pressed to find at other schools:
- Cupping: Heated cups are applied to the skin to create suction and encourage good blood flow.
- Essential Oils: Aromatherapy couples with unique restorative characteristics of different oils to provide a relaxing experience
- CBD Massages: Swap out traditional massage oils with CBD oil for an anti-inflammatory and calming massage
- Hot Stone: Encourage muscles to relax and release tension with hot stones placed along the body
- Pregnancy Massage: Understand the dos and don’ts of massage during pregnancy and help the mother-to-be relax and find good health
Aside from learning about different techniques and movements in massage therapy, our students also receive an oversight in professional, ethical, and legal best practices according to the American Massage Therapy Code of Ethics. This includes understanding how to apply emergency, safety, and sanitation protocols according to OSHA and CDC regulatory standards for a clinic setting.
Curriculum
In addition to learning a variety of massage techniques and modalities, we provide a robust curriculum to help our students receive a well-rounded education. Our students can expect to learn about and apply themselves in the following subjects:
- Anatomy: The study and structure of the body.
- Physiology: The study of the function of the body.
- Massage Theory: The history, ethics, benefits, and effects of massage, body mechanics, techniques and modalities.
- Kinesiology: The musculature of the body.
- Pharmacology: The study of drugs, their properties, uses, application, and effects.
- Pathophysiology: The study of diseases and how they affect the body.
Between learning different restorative massage techniques and receiving an education in the above subjects, our students will learn how to use observation, consultation and other assessment tools to plan and perform a therapeutic massage. In other words, you will learn how to have the “magic touch”! We also make sure to provide knowledge on how to retain clientele to help students find success as a solo-practitioner (or other position) after school.
What Material is Included in the Program
We want our students to succeed. That’s why we provide as many of the best educational resources as we can. Here is what you’ll receive after enrolling in our massage therapy program to help you learn and apply the techniques of massage therapy:
- Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Manual Therapists
- Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Manual Therapists Study Guide
- Theory & Practice of Therapeutic Massage, 6th Edition
- Trail Guide Series Essentials (Textbook & Workbook)
- Trail Guide to the Body Flashcards Volume 1
- Trail Guide to the Body Flashcards Volume 2
- iPad with access to www.cengage.com
- Access to online review materials for MBLEx
Once you graduate, you’ll receive your graduation kit from us to help you succeed in whatever endeavor you choose to take for yourself! Included in the graduation kit are a massage table, head rest, bolster, carrying case, set of massage sheets, fleece pad, and massage lotion. Be forewarned—your friends will be dying to have you come to them with your kit and give them at-home massages!
Benefits of a Raphael Massage Therapy Education
Not only does our program teach a variety of modalities and movements you may not find at other schools, we also have the added benefit of small class sizes to make learning more personalized for our students. At Raphael, your raised hand will never get lost in the crowd.
We also are excited to announce our brand new massage facility opening in 2021. With classes starting monthly, you won’t need to wait long to apply for the program and have the opportunity to learn your practice in a fully up-to-date environment.
Most importantly, we do all we can to set our students up for successful licensure as a massage therapist, and that means providing good training to sit for the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) MBLEx exam. With this goal in mind, we provide weekly review sessions to help students study for and pass their exams.
We help students develop a business plan that will address principles of small business management, entrepreneurship, and marketing for a Massage Therapy practice. For graduates, we also keep a job board with updated listings to help our alumni find their perfect job. We want you to be successful, even after you leave our school!
What Career Options Do You Have?
Unless otherwise stated by a different state massage board, our program provides everything you will need to become eligible for licensure as a massage therapist. After licensure, you are able to work in a variety of professional settings:
- Chiropractic Offices
- Spas
- Rehabilitation Facilities
- Private Practice
- Cruise Ship
- Resort
- Wellness Center
- Gym
Massage therapy is a growing industry. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job outlooks for massage therapists are expected to grow 21% from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the average (between 5%-8% is considered average growth).
Want to find out if massage therapy is suited to your talents and personality? Take our career readiness quiz to find out!
How Long is the Program?
Our program can be completed in as little as 12.5 months. We have two schedules to help you start your journey to your new career while accommodating your busy schedule:
- Day: Monday 9am-5pm; Wednesday 12pm-4pm; Thursday 10am-2pm; Saturday either 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm
- Evening: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 5pm-9pm; Saturday either 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. To estimate your net price, use our online calculator to get an idea of what kind of investment enrolling in a massage therapy program will be.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Does massage therapy sound like your dream job? Contact us to speak to a Raphael’s School of Massage Therapy admissions advisor today, and get the answers to your questions. You can also go online to book a tour of our school and see how unique it is for yourself! We can’t wait to see you there!