A sports massage therapist is a massage therapist who specializes in helping athletes recover from injuries and improve their performance.
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Job Description
A sports massage therapist is a highly trained and skilled professional who uses massage techniques to treat injuries, relieve pain, and improve an athlete’s performance. A sports massage therapist must have a thorough knowledge of the human body, as well as an understanding of how different types of massage can impact an athlete’s body.
What Does a Sports Massage Therapist Do?
A sports massage therapist is a massage therapist who specializes in working with athletes. They use a variety of techniques to help improve an athlete’s performance, reduce the risk of injury, and speed up the athlete’s recovery time from training or competition.
Sports massage therapists work with athletes of all levels, from amateur to professional. They may work with athletes who are recovering from an injury, or those who are trying to prevent an injury from occurring. Sports massage therapists may also work with coaches and trainers to develop training programs that will help reduce the risk of injuries.
What Are the Duties of a Sports Massage Therapist?
A sports massage therapist is a healthcare professional who helps athletes and active people recover from injuries and pain. Sports massage therapists use a variety of techniques to help their clients understand how to best take care of their bodies. In addition to providing massage therapy, sports massage therapists also may give stretching and strengthening exercises, nutritional advice, and advice on injury prevention.
Education and Training
Although there are no formal education requirements to become a sports massage therapist, most complete a postsecondary education program in massage therapy. These programs typically take about two years to complete and include courses in anatomy, physiology, and massage techniques. Some states require massage therapists to be licensed, and others may require certification.
What Education Do You Need to Become a Sports Massage Therapist?
In order to become a sports massage therapist, you will need to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition, you will need to complete a training program that is certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) or the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). After completing your training, you will be required to pass the NCBTMB or COMTA exams in order to become certified.
What Training Do You Need to Become a Sports Massage Therapist?
In order to become a licensed massage therapist, you will need to complete a training program at an accredited massage school or college. These programs typically last between six and twelve months and include both classroom instruction and hands-on training. Once you have completed your training, you will then need to pass a certification exam in order to become certified and licensed.
There are no specific educational requirements to become a sports massage therapist, but most practitioners have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some also have completed postsecondary education, such as an associate’s degree or certificate program in massage therapy from an accredited institution. In addition to completing a training program, sports massage therapists must also obtain certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).
Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for massage therapists was $39,860 in May 2017. Employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 22 percent from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations.
What Is the Average Salary of a Sports Massage Therapist?
In the United States, the average salary for a sports massage therapist is $47,000 per year. However, salaries can range from $30,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and other factors.
Job outlook for sports massage therapists is good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of massage therapists will grow 22 percent from 2019 to 2029—much faster than the average for all occupations.
What Is the Job Outlook for a Sports Massage Therapist?
The outlook for a career as a sports massage therapist is excellent. Employment of massage therapists is expected to grow by 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth is due in part to an increasing emphasis on the benefits of massage therapy and the fact that more insurance companies are beginning to cover massage services.
As the baby boomer population ages, there will be an increased need for therapeutic treatments, such as massages, to help them deal with pain and injuries. Additionally, as more people become aware of the benefits of massage therapy, they are likely to seek out these services.
In addition to working in private practice, sports massage therapists may find employment with fitness centers, country clubs, resorts, spas and sporting goods stores. Some may also work with professional sports teams or perform contract work on an event-by-event basis.