Professional and legal requirements
Here in the District of Columbia, the practice of massage therapy is licensed by the District government. Massage therapists must have graduated from an approved massage therapy school that provides at least 500 hours of training in anatomy, physiology, and practical application. Only a nationally certified massage therapist may become licensed in DC. A licensed massage therapist is required to take continuing education classes, including classes in first aid, CPR, and ethics. In order to maintain licensure, every two years, they must prove that they meet these requirements. The premier professional association for this field is the American Massage Therapy Association. It’s requirements for professional membership are similar to those for certification and licensure. I am a professional member of the AMTA, served for six years on the Board of the DC chapter, and currently advise the Board as a past president.
Efficacy
There have been many studies done on the efficacy of massage. It has been proven to be beneficial for back pain and stress relief, among other conditions. If you would like to learn more about this and other research, please see AMTA's research pages. I also invite you to look at the the valuable research done at the the University of Miami's Touch Institute.
Some types of massage
There are many different forms of massage therapy. The most common are Swedish and Deep Tissue massage, which are very relaxing, and ideal for relieving both stress and muscle soreness. Cranio-sacral therapy, another modality that I practice, gently addresses the body’s deep rhythm to allow the body’s natural healing. Massage therapy promotes healing of injuries, relaxation, and ease and comfort during pregnancy. I welcome you to contact me with questions about massage therapy.
What to expect
All of the work is done with the greatest of consideration for the client’s comfort, well-being, and modesty. The client’s body remains covered at all times, with only an arm, leg, or the back uncovered separately for the work. This is your time to relax, to have your aches or problems addressed in a careful way, so that you can leave feeling more refreshed, at ease and vibrant. You are encouraged to let me know at anytime if there is anything that would make you more comfortable. I spend time with each client before starting a session to find out where she or he is that day, and how life has been lately. Then, I tailor the session to meet the person where s/he is at that time.
Want more information?
AMTA, the American Massage Therapy Association, has a lot of useful information on their website that I do not need to replicate, so I will direct you there.