My Relaxing Masssage is an out-call business based in Fairfax, Virginia. Out-call massage, as defined by Fairfax County code, "means any massage administered for compensation at a location other than a massage establishment." (Chapter 28.1:Massage Therapy, Establishments, and Services, Section 28.1-1-3. Definitions)
A Brief Discussion of Draping
Many people are worried about getting a massage because of the lack of clothing. Most therapists will say to get down to your comfort level. And therein lies the key. It is most important for you to be comfortable. If you are not comfortable being naked on the table, then don't take everything off. If you have to leave your bra on to be comfortable, then leave it on. Your massage won't be as good as it would be otherwise, however, it will be much better FOR YOU because you will be more relaxed and that's important. Therapists are required to keep draped and covered all body parts that are not currently being worked on. What this means for you is that only one limb will be exposed at a time, it will be undraped in preparation for work and redraped when the therapists is done working on it. Proper draping is an important skill that massage therapy students learn early in their studies and continue practicing.
A Brief Primer on Massage Therapy Laws and Associations
National Level
At the national level, we have the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (www.ncbtmb.com). The board's main purpose is to provide the public with national standard with which to hold massage therapists. There are no national level requirements for massage therapists, those regulations were left up to the states. Not all states require that massage therapists take the national certification exam, but Virginia does. There are two exams, but this paragraph is only talking about therapeutic massage and bodywork (as opposed to just therapeutic massage) because that is what most people take. In order to take the exam, applicants must have attended massage therapy school in a program that has at least 500 hours. In order to pass, massage therapists need to have knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, with an emphasis on muscles, and knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, business laws and practice, and ethics. To maintain a national certification, therapists must recertify every four years by taking continuing education classes, with a specific requirement for ethics training.
Also at the national level, we have our professional organization, the American Massage Therapy Association (www.amtamassage.org), of which our therapists are members. Membership in this organization or the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals is not required, but provides therapists with liability insurance, supports public outreach, and allows therapists to keep up with changes in the field.
State/Commonwealth Level
Virginia is not a difficult state to certify in and they have been known to respond quickly. Massage Therapists are regulated by the Board of Nursing. Virginia requires the national certification exam and proof of education. Therapists recertify every 2 years by taking continuing edudation classes.
County/Independent City Level
Applicants in Fairfax County must apply at the Licensing Office of the Consumer Protection Division. The same place that handles taxicabs and peddlers, but they are very easy to deal with. Applicants have to go through a background check with full criminal history.
Please note that this information is not meant to be advice to would-be massage therapists, but rather to briefly let potential clients know about the requirements.
Certifications
Certifications are important to let clients know that therapists are specially trained in specific fields. All massage therapy schools train therapists in Swedish massage. Most massage schools also train therapists in Deep Tissue and Chair massage. Beyond that, massage therapists take continuing education, and many choose to certify in specialized areas of massage. Think of it as graduate school for massage therapy. Our therapists certifications are as follows.
Reflexologist - Ingham Method of Reflexology - International Institute of Reflexology
We have a therapist currently working on a certification in Reflexology. She has been through the first two stages of classes and now need many many hours of practice before moving on in the certification process. Once she has the proscribed number of hours, she'll take the third class, and then the final exam. For more information on the certification process, please see www.reflexology-usa.net.
Certified Prenatal Massage Therapist - Institute of Somatic Therapies
The Institute of Somatic Therapies offers a home study course in prenatal massage therapy, including practice massages on prenatal clients, that culiminates in a proctored, hands-on exam. For more information on the certification process, please see www.massagedoula.com.
Certified Educator of Infant Massage - Infant Massage USA
Infant Massage USA is the United States branch of the International Association of Infant Massage founded by Vimala Schneider McClure. There is a different organization in the US that goes by the name IAIM, but they are not associated with the international group. This is very confusing, to be sure. Anyway, the certification process involves a four day class, including practice classes with caregivers and babies, followed by a written exam and practical teaching of several sets of caregivers/babies. For more information on the certification process, please see www.infantmassageusa.org.
Certified Happiest Baby Educator - The Happiest Baby on the Block
Though not a massage modality, Dr. Karp's Happiest Baby program recognizes the importance of infant massage in caring for and bonding with babies. There is a mutual respect between the two organizations and we find that they compliment each other very well. The certification process involves home study and a written final exam. For more information on the certification process, please see www.thehappiestbaby.org.
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