How much would studying to be a physical therapists assistant help for the

[jeff rockout]

study of massage therapy? If I wanted to get into massage therapy in the near future and studied for physical therapist assistant now, how much will they cross over or just basically reinforce one another?

I don't quite consitder massage therapy to be an alternative medicine but it seems most people do so I put my question here.

 

[Sabeena]

If you live in the US, I don't see the point in getting into massage after you finish an intensive program like PTA. You don't get a good, solid education based on proven therapy like PTA schools teach. Most massage school education is weak and focuses on pseudo-science like energy work or spa services. They teach just the basic A&P required to pass the licensing exam.

A little will cross over, but most of it will be useless to you. Massage school for me was a total joke. I learned 100% of what I know on my own. You will know so much more as a PTA! Check with your state. You are probably allowed to massage as a regular part of your PTA license without any additional certification.

If you would like to massage after PTA school, just take some continuing education classes that focus on massage techniques. Good luck to you!

 

[mistify]

As Sabeena said, why would you take a step back after becoming a PTA to become an MT? PTAs can use massage, but we focus much more on evidence based treatments and have much more to offer patients.

If you really want to be a massage therapist, you might be disappointed as a PTA...but becoming a massage therapist is academically easier than becoming a PTA. MT just won't have as good of job stability and benefits as a PTA.