Massage Therapy as Health Care

massage therapy students in clinic

Massage therapy is a form of health care. The School of Massage Therapy prepares professional massage therapists to work with healthcare providers in a variety of settings. Most massage therapists (76%) receive referrals from healthcare professionals (American Massage Therapy Association).

We offer training in basic relaxation massage in preparation for more specific therapeutic and rehabilitative techniques. Wherever you choose to practice – hospital, sports facility, or spa – this approach prepares you to respond to a broader range of patients’ needs.

Clinical experiences are also an integral part of Northwestern’s massage therapy program.

A profession in demand

Employment of massage therapists is expected to grow 20 percent through 2020 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Massage therapy is widely used and increasingly accepted as a beneficial form of health care.

Medical providers are increasingly working with massage therapists for the benefit of their patients. From 2005 to 2010, the percentage of massage therapists working in a healthcare setting more than doubled, from 10% to 25%.

Professional massage therapists are now employed in:

  • Chiropractic offices
  • Hospitals
  • Rehabilitation centers
  • Sports facilities
  • Elderly care facilities
  • Hospices
  • Wellness centers
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