Whether you’re just getting interested in the massage field or have significant experience and want to learn more about certain treatments, choosing a course or massage school can be challenging. It’s often easiest to start with a general course, unless you already have a specific niche in mind.
Many people begin with a Swedish massage course before moving on to a specialized course for another type of treatment. This way, you ensure you have a broad foundational knowledge and have mastered all the basic techniques. Although this is the most popular path for starting as a massage therapist, it’s not the right fit for everyone.
Let’s assume you’ve already decided on the type of treatment or therapy that suits you best. The next step is to find the nearest school to your home. This is especially important for those without a car or with limited time. However, this is often not the most important factor unless you truly have no other options.
The Reputation And Background of The Massage School
Research the school, its facilities, and its staff. Check online reviews and analyse the information they’ve made public. Is everything clear, or do you still have unanswered questions, leaving you unsure if they can teach you what you need? Is the qualification they offer suitable for long-term goals, like obtaining an NGS license? Or is it just a basic course, meaning you’ll need to take more courses afterwards? If it’s the latter, critically assess the costs to avoid spending more on training than you initially expected.
Look into the school’s mission, vision, and policies. Are there testimonials from graduates available online? Better yet, can you speak with a former student to find out if the course was beneficial for them? If a school genuinely cares about your success as a massage therapist, that will become clear with a few simple questions.
A short phone call can provide insight into potential instructors and their backgrounds. If you believe having additional medical knowledge is crucial for your field (beyond the general medical knowledge often covered in courses), it won’t hurt if the school has a teacher with extensive expertise in this area.
How Many Instructors Does The School Have – And Who Are They?
Some schools can succeed with just a few instructors, especially if massage is more of a hobby for you. However, if you aim to make a career out of it, it’s worth considering whether a few instructors can provide enough expertise and guidance compared to schools with more staff. If you opt for a smaller massage school, it’s a good idea to review the instructors' qualifications, not just the courses they offer.
As a student, you’ll likely have many questions about the field, and it can be difficult to get enough time with your teacher. However, a good instructor will always make time to answer your questions. It’s a good idea to meet the teachers before enrolling in a course to ask about their experience, opinions, and teaching methods.
If a massage school has more instructors, you’re more likely to find one who suits your needs. This also increases your chances of meeting a teacher who has already followed the path you want to take. Also, find out if the instructors are still active in the field outside of teaching. This ensures the knowledge you gain is up-to-date.
Purchasing The Right Materials
Have you decided to enrol in a massage course or program? Then it’s essential to buy the right materials to help you learn the craft. One of the most important items is a portable massage table, as you’ll often work on location in the beginning.
At Zengrowth.com, we offer a wide range of portable massage tables with excellent price-quality ratios and long-term warranties. This way, you can be confident that the materials you invest in now will serve you well in the long run!
