Find A Professional
Massage therapy in Vermont is an unregulated profession. That’s right, anyone can hang up a shingle and start offering massage in our Green Mountains. Most states in the U.S. regulate massage therapy and require licenses and board examinations before someone can offer massage but not in Vermont. What is the benefit of regulating massage? Public safety. While the risks of receiving massage are low, you still want your massage therapist to know what to do when they see a rash, whether or not to massage over swelling, and which direction to go when massaging the digestive system. A trained professional knows these details and much more and you can rest assured you’re in good hands.
Training Programs
Professional massage therapists in Vermont often hold licensure in other states to prove their education and competency. State laws vary, but the national recommendation set by the American Massage Therapy Association is a 500 hour certification. Massage therapist often extend their training far beyond this minimum and continue to take additional courses after graduating massage school. Finding a massage therapist who has additional training shows his/her dedication and passion for the field.
Board Certification
Since their is no national standard for licensure, the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) is available for graduates of massage therapy training programs. This national board certification again shows a professional’s dedication to their career.
Professional Associations
Just like other careers, massage professionals have the opportunity to join their colleagues in Vermont at a chapter of the AMTA
Integrative Health Care
Massage therapy is a valued part of any integrative wellness team. It’s benefits to reduce pain, increase range of motion and reduce inflammation are a crucial component to pain management. Stress and anxiety reduction from massage also benefit many diseases. If you are looking to incorporate massage therapy into your wellness plan, you may look for a massage therapist working with an integrative model of healthcare. They will be able to discuss your treatment plan with your other providers and relay any findings they have come across during your massage.
Integrative Acupuncture in Montpelier and Williston offers medical massage therapy from a NY state licensed massage therapist, board certified and a member of the VT association. Our massage therapist, Kim Costin, collaborates on your healthcare plan to provide an integrative wellness experience.
