Massage Therapy School in Santa Fe, NM
In Santa Fe, massage is about wellness, recovery, and getting away from the cares of the world. Sometimes it’s about all these things, and sometimes getting away means traveling quite a few miles. TOURISM Santa Fe and Santa Fe County collaborated on a blog post in December 2017 about what to do in the winter in Santa Fe. The authors noted that Santa Fe has historically been a place that calls to people who seeks well-being, as it boasts mountains, hot springs, and sacred spots (https://santafe.org/blog/body-mind-and-spirit). In modern Santa Fe one will find “world class” spas.
Santa Fe spas get a mention in travel articles around the country. The Texas Monthly, for example, notes the Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Health Spa among the city’s attractions (https://www.texasmonthly.com/promotion/the-city-different).
The following hotels and resorts were among those seeking massage therapy employees or contractors in the Santa Fe area in late 2019: Eldorado Hotel & Spa, the Inn and Spa at Loretto, The Inn of The Five Graces, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa, and Four Seasons.
People who call the area home also seek out therapeutic bodywork. LMTs can be found in many settings, including private studios, mobile massage companies, small healthcare offices, and even hospital systems.
Top Massage Schools in Santa Fe
The Santa Fe School of Massage has a 40-year history. The school offers a core curriculum of 700 hours and multiple opportunities for advanced study. The Santa Fe School of Massage offers a 150-hour program in integrative palliative care; the curriculum includes massage for hospice. Also available is a 100-hour neuromuscular certification program and a number of shorter courses.
The University of New Mexico-Taos has multiple program options. Students can select a 650-hour basic medical massage program or a 1,000-hour advanced program.
Santa Fe Massage Practices
High Desert Healthcare and Massage is a long-standing practice, co-owned by massage therapists, that boasts a team of 20 (https://www.highdesertsantafe.com/about-us/).
Zeel, well-known nationwide for on-demand mobile massage services, has expanded its market to include Santa Fe. Clients can arrange services using an app. A 2017 press release describes how the process works (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zeel-launches-in-home-massage-app-in-santa-fe-663441903.html).
Many massage therapists are in business for themselves. Studios like Roots of Wellbeing Massage Therapy and Joy’s Hot Stone Massage have built their reputations on the work of one professional.
Massage Therapy Educational Foundations in New Mexico
Massage therapy programs include at least 650 hours of curriculum. Hydrotherapy is included in the curriculum under New Mexico code. A variety of wellness concepts may be included. Learn more about the: massage therapy license requirement in New Mexico.
Massage Therapy Within a Spa Culture
People go to spas to enjoy multiple services and amenities. They enjoy soaks and floats and often buy packages that include more than one service. Some practices have unusual perks. Sunrise Springs Spa Resort has puppies — service dogs in training (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/puppy-spa-santa-fe).
Massage therapists may work at establishments that offer therapies involving salt or water. Sometimes they open their own. The Albuquerque Journal profiled a massage therapist who opened a salt cave in Santa Fe (https://www.abqjournal.com/1244121/opens-in-santa-fe.html).
Spas often have professionals with several types of credential. Some seek dual credentialing in areas like aesthetics. Others draw from the spa industry, incorporating spa-inspired elements that fall within their scope of practice. In New Mexico, massage therapy practice may include salt glows, hot or cold packs, or hydrotherapy.
A one-time employee of Santa Fe’s Ten Thousand Waves, writing for Massage Magazine, describes why massage therapists may want to expand their offerings to include spa services (https://www.massagemag.com/spa-treatment-90523) She notes that they are less demanding on the LMT’s own body. She also describes how they can be therapeutic. At one point, her physical therapist had recommended paraffin as she recovered from a specific condition. Sometimes the therapeutic aspects are subtle. The writer notes that she chooses massage for specific therapeutic purposes and that there can be some associated pain – those other treatments can provide motivation. They can also put her into a better space, relaxing or invigorating, depending on her needs and choices. She describes some of the add-ons she has experienced over the years, including having the experience of listening to sounds made by crystal singing bowl and tingsha cymbals while she was wrapped in warm herbal blankets.
Massage Therapy in Healthcare
Some professionals in the Santa Fe area are working to bring massage to people who have fragile health. The Montecito Santa Fe, a senior living community that provides multiple levels of support, has a spa that includes massage therapy and reflexology services (https://montecitosantafe.com/amenities). CHRISTUS St. Vincent Holistic Health & Wellness includes massage therapy among its palliative care services; these services are intended for people who have multiple serious health issues as well as those with life-limiting illnesses. Santa Fe, notably, is a place where massage therapists can pursue training in palliative massage.
Massage therapists around the nation often work in chiropractic offices. Depending on the state, they may also be found working with naturopathic doctors. New Mexico is one of just two states that licenses naprapaths – a distinct profession with professionals who have a lot of knowledge about connective tissue. They are among the professionals who may work alongside massage therapists. Wellness Naprapathy, Massage, and Acupuncture has practitioners from three disciplines working together to provide holistic care.