About Me

Recovering from Addiction to Prescription Medications

I never thought of myself as an addict, but I did end up addicted to anti-anxiety medication after developing Generalized Anxiety Disorder. At some point, the medicine stopped being a way to deal with the nervousness and panic attacks, and became something my body craved. I knew that I needed help fast. Fortunately, a local drug rehab program includes support for people like me. They helped me wean off the medication, use methods like massage therapy to help my nerves heal, and even provided ongoing counseling for our family. I don't know how I would have made it without their help. If you suspect that your medication has crossed the line from being helpful to hurtful, take heart. Let me tell you about my journey out of addiction and back to wholeness.

Latest Posts

Search

Recovering from Addiction to Prescription Medications

3 Steps To Kick Starting Your Career As A Massage Therapist

by Valerie Stevens

These days, the demand for licensed and certified massage therapist is quite high. After all, a massage therapist can help reduce a person's muscle tension, relieve pain, and help a person to achieve a better overall quality of life. If working as a massage therapist is something you're interested in doing for a living, the good news is that there are a few steps you can take to kick start your career.

1. Become Licensed and Certified

The first thing you'll need to do is to begin working towards your massage therapy license and certification. Generally, the best way to do this is to enroll in a school that's accredited by the United States Department of Education (USDS) in addition to at least one of the following:

  • The Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)
  • The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHBS)
  • The National Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)

Depending on the course load you're willing to take on, you could finish your program in as little as a year. To become licensed and certified, you'll most likely need to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Exam. Upon passing this exam, you'll be licensed and certified to work across the United States.

2. Join Professional Organizations

Even once you're licensed and certified, it's in your best interest to join at least one professional organization. This way, you can assure your clients that you're part of an organization that's constantly working towards advancements in massage therapy (and that you have a strict code of ethics by which to abide). Membership in a professional organization can also help you build your client base and practice. One of the most well known organizations in the massage therapy industry is the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), so it may be worth looking into joining.

3. Branch Out with Private Clients

Finally, while it may initially make more sense to find a traditional massage therapy job with an established employer as you're starting out, you may also want to consider branching out by taking on private clients over time. Ultimately, you may even be able to open your own business or work full-time as a freelancer, which means you'll be able to set your own hours and earn all of your own wages. Just be sure that, if you plan on taking on private clients, you check with your employer to ensure this is allowed.

Share