Massage Therapists are Good (for) Sports |
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November 14, 2006
by Gabby Hyman
Healthcare Programs Columnist
As world-class cyclists headed off to Europe last summer to compete in the Tour de France, they took along their teams of trainers, bike technicians--and top-notch massage therapists. After a day of intense competition, riders depend on massage therapy to get them back in the saddle. And while they're training between tours, the athletes rely on their massage therapists to manage injury prevention.
Many massage therapy schools offer specialized training in sports massage and preventative therapy--and most sports organizations hire graduates to work with athletes. Competitors in the Boston Marathon, the Olympic Games, and Ironman Triathlons are routinely offered assistance from trained massage therapists.
Athletes performing in this summer's FIFA World Cup counted on massage therapists to keep them on the field. Massage therapists are part of the traveling squads with NCAA football, baseball, and basketball teams. They're employed by players in the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball to foster strength, athletic endurance, and flexibility.
Training for Sports Massage Therapy
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that more than 80 kinds of massage therapy are offered by certified practitioners in the country. If you're interested in going into sports massage, you'll need training in subjects like kinesiology, physiology, anatomy, and body energy.
Each state has its own licensing requirements, so you'll want to select a massage training school that prepares you for exams where you live. You can also take the optional national-certification exam offered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
The BLS reports that employment for massage therapists will increase faster than average over the next decade. That's good news for people engaged in massage training and for the athletes who reply upon them.
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About the Author
Gabby Hyman has created online strategies and written content for Fortune 500 companies including eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK.
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