Massage Therapy School in Jackson, Mississippi
Can Jackson, Mississippi be the number two city for launching a massage therapy career? Massage Magazine, in a 2016 article, presented evidence that it was just that (https://www.massagemag.com/best-u-s-cities-massage-therapists-38500/)! Supply vs. demand was among the considerations. The organizations quoted were also looking at the issue from a business angle (e.g. what a massage therapist could charge for a session, what the going rate was for office space).
It doesn’t hurt that the cost of living is relatively low. What’s more, clients are paying, and paying well. Options are wide open. A skillful LMT can develop a niche in any of many areas that massage therapists have developed in other parts of the nation: senior massage, workplace and event massage, oncology massage, sports massage, pain-relieving medical massage modalities. LMTs can do in-depth training in special populations as well. It can also help to be a savvy marketer. The American Massage Therapy Association and Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals are both good resources.
If one looks at the place from the standpoint of traditional employment data, the picture is not quite as bright. There are not as many massage therapists on a per-population basis in Mississippi as in the average state. Still, massage is on the rise here, too. The big franchises have set up shop, there are some nice spas, and medical massage is gaining a foothold. Organizations are recognizing the value of massage for various healthcare conditions. Baptist Health Systems, for example, advises use of gentle massage for lymphedema, a condition that can occur as a result of cancer treatment (http://mbhs.org/services/cancer-services/support-for-patients). Massage therapy has become commonplace. The Jackson Free Place has included massage therapist in its “best of” publications for a long time; the 2016 best massage therapist was from Baptist Health Systems (http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2016/jan/27/best-jackson-2016-people/).
Popular Massage Schools in Jackson, MS
Antonelli College gives massage therapy students the choice of a diploma or an associate’s degree. The curriculum includes Swedish, sports, and deep tissue modalities. Students can study adjunct modalities like Tai Chi.
The Institute of Health and Technology now has a Jackson campus as an adjunct to its main campus in Hattiesburg. Students may qualify for financial aid.
Massage Therapy Practices and Spas
Well Being Massage in Brandon offers a mini-massage which, the organization notes, can provide lunch hour relief. Mini-massage clients can opt for any of three styles: chair massage, foot massage, or arms and hands. Longer massages are also available, including a therapeutic massage that focuses on particular body areas where the client is having problems; massage therapists use multiple modalities, including acu-cupping. Another option is an all-over relaxation and maintenance massage. Lava shells are among the possible massage add-ons. One gets a sense of professionalism from the website. Well Being Massage provides clients with some information about contra-indications as well as indications.
Aqua the Day Spa in Ridgeland offers a number of common massage styles (http://aquathedayspa.com/services/massage-therapy). The “Relaxenergy Body Massage” utilizes Asian techniques. Aromatherapy is available as an add-on. Spa packages combine massage with other services such as facials.
The Soul Spa offers prenatal, volcanic hot stone, deep tissue, and customized massage. The “muscle reviver” massage is marketed specifically to men.
The Wellness Spa boasts massage for special populations, including cancer patients. It also offers several techniques that are applicable to injuries and muscular issues: trigger point therapy, neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release. Clients can even opt for Shiatsu stretching. As a spa, the facility offers a range of services besides massage. Among the highlights: infrared sauna.
The Soul Synergy Center offers Swedish, deep tissue, and hot stone massages, as well as reflexology. They have a salt cave here: potentially, a big draw. Clients can buy packages that combine massage or reflexology with time in the salt cave. This particular wellness center was featured in the Jackson Free Press in July of 2018 (http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2018/jul/11/salty-kind-relaxation/).
Massage Therapist Wages
The mean hourly wage for a massage therapist in the Jackson, Mississippi area was $14.10 in 2017. In the Hattiesburg area, it was $16.13. Jackson massage therapists at the 90th percentile made well over twice what those at the 10th percentile did. It pays to develop one’s expertise!
Drawing on Prior Training
Massage training programs are relatively short, but massage therapists are often well educated. Some massage therapists draw from experience in other careers, which may or may not be healthcare related. The proprietor of Medical Massage of Mississippi had the opportunity as a nurse to see how massage could benefit patients with chronic and intermittent pain and had already developed some proficiency in massage before returning to school for massage training (https://www.medicalmassagems.com/about/).
Continuing Education and Advanced Certifications
The Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy has provided a list of approved offerings (https://www.msbmt.ms.gov/SitePages/ContinuingEducation.aspx). The range of offerings is wide: headache and pain massage, Tui Na, even how to develop a wellness center. Some offerings are the equivalent of two or more days of full-time study: myofascial release, Ashiatsu basics, Healing Touch, Lomi Lomi. Some, moreover, are offered at multiple levels. One can go deep with myofascial therapies or Healing Touch.