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It wasn’t until the 1900s that massage therapy became respected as its own field. Schools began to open that trained massage therapists in how to perform massages effectively and safely. Today, massage therapists must pass a test in order to become licensed. “The test isn’t easy,” Karen explains. “It makes sense

MODALITIES

What do you imagine when you think of a massage? The truth is not all are the same. In fact, some types don’t even involve the massage therapist physically touching the body at all! Massages are sometimes named after their place of origin. For example, the Swedish massage was devel- oped in Sweden and involves kneading the muscles and rubbing them in long strokes

Hot-stone massage is just one type of therapy modality.

and circular motions. A hot-stone massage is named after the stones that are used to rub against the body, and they may be heated or cooled to enhance the experience. The premise behind hot-stone massage therapy is that the direct heat of the stones relaxes muscles, allowing the therapist access to deeper muscle layers. Depending on whom you ask, there are almost fifty different types, or modalities, of massage. If you ever go to a massage therapist, be sure to ask which modal- ities they are trained in, or check their website before your visit. You may be advised to find a therapist who can perform a specific modality for your needs.

12 CAREERS WITH EARNING POTENTIAL: MASSAGE THERAPIST