Massage Therapy School in Omaha

Massage therapists in Omaha are using their skills to help many people, from the very elderly to the very young. There’s a lot that’s positive here, both in terms of the training LMTs receive and the warm reception they are getting out in the community.

The program requirement is longer in Nebraska than in most states: 1,000 hours. It may take a bit longer. It’s important to remember, however, that there are LMTs in cities around the nation who are choosing to accrue hours well above the minimum, whether for the sake of working in healthcare or developing a successful therapeutic massage business. A Nebraska education can prepare a massage therapist for a career in any of many cities.

Popular Omaha Massage Schools

The Universal College of Healing Arts gives massage therapy gives students the choice of a diploma program or an Associate of Applied Science. The AAS program includes two additional semesters: ‘Emersion’ and mastery. During the Emersion semester, students can opt to take advanced coursework and earn specialized certification in areas like sports massage or oncology massage. Also available from the Universal College of Healing Arts is a 1,025 hour program in structural integration. The Universal College of Healing Arts holds institutional accreditation through the Accrediting Bureau for Health Education Schools (ABHES).

The Myotherapy Institute boasts two Nebraska campuses and a range of program options. Here, too, students can opt for a diploma program or an AAS; the latter includes some general coursework. The Myotherapy Institute allows students to complete additional coursework to achieve a “major” or area of specialization; chiro-care and long-term care are among the options.

The Midwest School of Massage allows students to complete their 1,000 hours in nine months. Students practice a range of styles, including reflexology, chair massage, and sports massage.

The Omaha School of Massage Therapy also provides an introduction to specialized careers. The 120-hour theory and practice covers primarily Swedish massage. The 60-hour course in specialty modalities brings in techniques like postural analysis, trigger point therapy, and stretching. The 60-hour course in Eastern wellness draws from traditions around the world. Student clinic is taught over a four-course series.

Utilizing Therapeutic Massage with Special Populations

Some healthcare professionals in the Omaha area are using massage in pioneering ways. Children’s Hospital and Medical Center utilizes massage to soothe very vulnerable children — and also their parents (https://www.wowt.com/content/news/Massage-therapy-offers-healing-to-young-patients-496595651.html). The therapy can yield benefits even in very difficult situations. Researchers from the Children’s Hospital and Medical Center and the University of Nebraska Medical Center looked at the effects of massage on children receiving palliative care for complex conditions (https://www.massagemag.com/massage-study-116716). They found that massage lowered patient scores on a scale designed to measure pain in young children. Parents who received massage also showed benefits – in this case, with lower distress scores.

An article in the Omaha World-Herald noted the positive effects of massage on the elderly (https://www.omaha.com/sponsored/blue-cross/geriatric-massage-takes-my-cares-away-and-relieves-chronic-aches/article_5b620042-2615-57b1-8ba7-c7ab102b5896.html). Among those quoted was a massage therapist at Think Whole Person Healthcare who was certified in geriatric massage. Also quoted was an 81-year-old patient who had more to contend with than her own aging. She was acting as caregiver for her 90-year-old husband; he suffered from memory loss. Here, too, the massage helped ease caregiver stress.

Some senior living communities in the area boast spas. A person can get training here that is specifically focused on utilizing massage therapy in long-term care settings.

Omaha, like many cities, has massage therapists who are certified in oncology massage. Balanced Body Acupuncture and Chiropractic in Omaha has provided the public with an article that summarizes some of the research on the use of massage with cancer patients (https://www.balancedbodyomaha.com/therapeutic-massage-benefits-cancer).

Omaha Massage Practices

On the Spot Massage Therapy is very popular among its patrons. In early 2019, On the Spot has eight massage therapists onboard – and an ad placed for a new massage therapist to join their “work family”. The business was advertising 50% of massage collections and 100% of tips; typical earnings would be about $30 an hour.

Downtown Omaha Massage boasts more than a great location. It’s an LMT-owned business that has six additional massage therapists on its team. Together the therapists are able to offer a wide range of massage services, including Thai massage, Lomi Lomi, Gua Sha, Tui Na, vibrational sound massage, and Comfort Touch.

Oasis Massage and Spa includes neuromuscular therapy, reflexology, and sports massage among its offerings. Patrons can select packages that combine massage with other services; one option is the “pampering pregnancy” which combines prenatal massage with a facial and pedicure. Like many massage practices, Oasis Massage can send its LMTs beyond the spa doors; the business advertises corporate/ chair massage.

Sixth Element Therapeutic Massage places trigger point therapy, lymphatic drainage, and cupping on its massage menu.

Salt and Spa boasts multiple massage styles and spa packages that combine treatments – including, in some cases, time in the salt room.

Palmer Massage Therapy offers massage for multiple purposes including rehabilitation and sports injury management.

One will even see major health systems utilizing massage therapists. Chi Health operates wellness centers that provide massage. According to the CHI Health-Lakeside website, massage is a restorative therapy that can have physical benefits as well as mental ones (https://www.chihealth.com/en/services/weight-management/wellness/lakeside-wellness/massage-therapy.html). Among the possible outcomes is increase in range of motion. Their massage therapy team provides multiple styles of massage, including prenatal. CHI Health was among the organizations advertising for a Licensed Massage Therapist in 2019.

Massage Therapist Wages

The median hourly wage for a massage therapist in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area was $18.84 in 2017. Most had wages were between $15.41 and $32.43.

Additional Resources

Nebraska Massage Therapy License Requirements

Massage Therapy Schools in Nebraska

The Nebraska Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association is an additional resource. AMTA-NE has community service and sports massage committees. The 2019 AMTA-NE convention, held in Omaha, was an opportunity to pursue advanced continuing education trainings.