Clinical massage therapist inspecting lower back of client experiencing chronic pain

Pursuing a profession in clinical massage therapy opens the door to exciting career paths. Among the many benefits of being a clinical massage therapist, one is the career opportunity. Students can apply their training to forge a career trajectory that aligns with their passions and interests.

The Praxis Institute offers multiple diploma programs geared toward aspiring clinical massage therapists in Miami and Hialeah, Florida. Enrollment times are offered weekly for these courses to make quality education more accessible for those wishing to enter a rewarding career field. Here, we explore the potential career moves for someone certified in clinical massage and highlight the training at The Praxis Institute.

What Is Clinical Massage Therapy?

Clinical massage therapy is a specialized field that focuses on providing relief for clients with medical conditions or traumatic injuries. With an in-depth understanding of physiology and anatomy, as well as a varied arsenal of massage techniques, clinical massage therapists help patients recover, provide pain relief, and empower a higher quality of life.

A clinical massage therapist may provide services alone or in hospitals and clinics with a medical team that consists of various healthcare professionals. To provide clients with desired outcomes, practitioners use a plethora of massage techniques, such as:

  • Deep tissue
  • Electro-stimulation
  • Ultrasound
  • Neuromuscular
  • Lymphatic drainage

These manual massage techniques, combined with other therapeutic devices, supplement the treatment patients receive from doctors for managing conditions and injuries.

Potential Career Paths

Embarking on a career as a clinical massage therapist provides exciting career opportunities. The various career options allow medical massage professionals to choose a career path that suits their interests and skill sets.

When becoming licensed as a clinical massage therapist, you can pursue any of the following professions with additional training:

Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers provide services to all types of active patients, not exclusively athletes participating in sports. Athletic training involves the examination, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions. Services are rendered under the direction of or in collaboration with a medical physician.

Chiropractor

Chiropractic practitioners care for a person’s neuromusculoskeletal system—the bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This profession involves helping clients manage back and neck pain through the use of spinal adjustments to maintain good alignment.

While the profession is most commonly associated with adjustments, chiropractors also incorporate several massage techniques into their services to relax tight muscles, relieve spasms, and release tension in the connective tissue.

Physical Therapist

Physical therapy is an approach to healthcare that aims to improve a person’s physical motion and overcome limitations. Through various practices, physical therapists help clients manage symptoms, such as pain, discomfort, and stiffness. Clients may be recommended to see a physical therapist by a doctor for several conditions or after experiencing a traumatic injury.

Exercise Physiologist

Exercise physiologists analyze a person’s fitness to develop exercise programs that help improve or maintain their health. Not the same as a personal trainer, this profession requires advanced understanding and certification from the American Society of Exercise Physiologists. Patients with heart disease and other chronic conditions like diabetes or lung disease can benefit from the services of an exercise physiologist.

Advanced Training at The Praxis Institute

Aspiring massage therapists will receive hands-on training from experienced teaching staff at The Praxis Institute. Our Advanced Therapeutic and Clinical Massage and Therapeutic Massage Technician programs introduce students to the critical theories and techniques of the profession, as well as different careers to explore, including clinical massage therapy.

To accommodate our students, The Praxis Institute offers competitive pricing and flexible schedules. With the high-quality training they receive, our graduates often find success in their field of choice. Contact us today to learn more about the potential career paths of clinical massage therapists or to enroll in one of our programs in Miami and Hialeah, FL.