If you decide to become a massage therapist, you’ll definitely be faced with the challenge of how to choose a good school. Every school says they are the best, yet they each offer different options, courses, prices and benefits. But how can you be sure that you’ll get the right skills and knowledge? Or that this diploma will be a convincing proof of your proficiency? The answer is to choose a professional massage school. Why? Here are 9 points to consider…

Good reputation

It takes a lot of time and effort to win the trust of people. That’s why students of recognised schools have a higher chance of getting good jobs. Their certificates persuade employers even before meeting and testing because the program is well known for producing individuals with a high level of skill and knowledge. But how does one find out about the school’s reputation?

The easiest way is to read reviews. The students who have studied at the school know best about the experience. They have no reason to lie or embellish the facts. Bodyology is proud to receive many positive comments and responses from its graduates. You can read them here. Some schools have connections with agencies, clinics or spa centres. Since companies want to have workers with good grounding, they cooperate mostly with well-trusted massage schools. Bodyology is one of them in the UK. You can find reviews from Urban Massage, the biggest UK agency and Citylux agency.

Our graduates also get help with employment. In what way? We regularly receive job offers from clinics and massage centres and pass them to our students. To contribute to their employment even more, we call and send letters of recommendation to the hiring companies. During the course, we also teach students to develop their own business. They graduate prepared to start a clinic. Whatever the case, nobody is left alone and without a job!

School accreditation

What does it mean? It’s a confirmation by a public or government organisation that the school complies with standards and provides high-quality services. Carrying accreditation ensures the proper competence of teachers at a massage school. In other words, you know that you’ll get the right knowledge and skills at this massage school. At Bodyology we believe that quality always comes first. That’s why we carry dual accreditation.

‘Active learning’ methods of teaching

Learning must be interesting! Agree? And massage school isn’t an exception. It’s important to find a school where you’ll get a complete understanding of body structure, how muscles work, causes of pain and the ways to reduce it, quality of touch, etc. Professional schools use modern methods of teaching: real-life scenarios, practical tasks, learning in small groups, discussions, etc. It makes studying more interesting and efficient, while students become passionate about what they do.

Active learning methods are approved by students and demonstrated to be effective in the way that they practice and how they progress in learning. Bodyology’s students are excited about classes and the process of studying. We teach using real-life examples and interactive forms, allowing everyone to express their opinion. And it’s not only about basic disciplines! Our tutors instruct in how to determine the needs of a client and use a proper technique, how to communicate with people to create trust-based relationships, how to start a business in this area, etc. But what about practice? Students give massages to each other using gained knowledge. These methods help our graduates get the most out of studying and become well-rounded specialists.

Teaching a wide range of massage techniques

Another advantage of professional massage schools is that they teach beyond a narrow range of techniques. The competence of their tutors makes them proficient even in advanced-level and specific methods. But why do you need to master more than a few techniques?

Massage clients are different and need an individual approach. For example, if your client has back pain but deep tissue massage is too painful, the therapist needs to find an alternative method (such as mobilisation or trigger point). That’s why a toolbox of various techniques will be a great benefit and increase your competitiveness.

Depending on your treatment’s purpose, you’ll have to choose the right techniques, skills and knowledge to treat each client. Professional schools give this option. Bodyology, for example, offers introduction, professional and advanced massage courses. After completing a basic program, students can go deeper and learn techniques for better neck or back massage, relaxation, hot stone therapy, postural analysis, etc. It helps them stand out among other specialists and provide tailored services.

Teaching without cutting corners

It’s tempting to teach ‘fast track’ or ‘quick/short’ diploma courses. But according to the UK government’s National Career Service recommendations, massage courses should last from 6 to 12 months. What for? High-end therapists in this area must have a complete understanding of body and muscle structure, master various techniques and practice enough. All this takes some time. So, if students want to find a good job, there is no way but to take a proper course. It’s like in healthcare: do you know any fast way to become a doctor?

Enrolment process

Professional massage schools care more about quality and results than money. It is important to get as much information as possible to determine if massage is the right path for you and if this school is the right choice. That’s why we give potential students an opportunity to take a closer look at the program before deciding to enroll. At Bodyology, for example, it is possible to meet teachers and observe a ‘real course’. If English is not your first language, then Bodyology can administer a language assessment to determine if the program is appropriate for you. You can learn more about these and other options here.

It’s all about tutors

A school without teachers is like tea without water. Practising and teaching massage is an art that requires someone with many years of expertise, not a novice who just ‘knows it’. Working in some area for a long time gives a better understanding of many processes, trends and factors. Years of teaching experience helps to create an understanding of what students really need, what is useful, and what pays off. That’s why we encourage you to take time to meet your future tutors and look at their expertise and experience.

Did someone say quality?

Does the school ‘think quality’? Or just tries to ‘teach the material’? One of the hardest things to measure is the quality of the massage school. It’s not only about grades, awards and achievements. It’s also about the school’s attitude toward students, students involvement in the process of learning and readiness for professional work, the devotion of teachers, result-orientation, etc. This is why it’s important to visit your future school before you study there.

When words become actions

Do the school’s promises to you make sense? A lot of schools assure you can ‘get a diploma and lots of techniques after a two-day course’. Others offer to become an expert just for 5 days. Do you believe that? It takes time to become good at anything. You can’t become a physiotherapist in one month or a car mechanic in 2 weeks. Will you trust a doctor who finished a fast track course? That’s why only professional schools give proper knowledge and make real specialists. They spend a lot of time on education and training, promising and providing quality first.

The decision to become a massage therapist is a good one but requires preparation. If it goes beyond the wish to treat your family members and friends, it’s better to choose a professional massage school. And don’t forget, its benefits will soon become your advantages as a specialist.