Massage therapy has been practiced for thousands of years as referenced in civilizations writings from Egypt, India, and Greece. It became popular during the Renaissance era. American physicians who studied abroad in Sweden introduced it to the United States in the 1850s.
Massage therapy has been practiced in Iowa since the 1990s when several schools offered programs in the state. To practice massage therapy in Iowa, the therapist must obtain a license issued by the Iowa Board of Massage Therapy, which is part of the Department of Public Health.
To become a licensed massage therapist in Iowa, one must have a valid high school diploma or GED and complete an accredited massage therapy program which typically requires a minimum of 600 hours and pass a licensing exam.
Education is a requirement to retain and renew licensure every 2 years. Continuing education may include such classes as ethics, physiology, anatomy, kinesiology, energy work, sanitation, business skills, as well as bodywork modalities and assessments, the proper use of massage equipment, CPR and/or Mandatory Reporting.
It is important that massage therapists are properly trained and qualified to practice safely and effectively. It sets public safety standards and disciplinary actions for non-compliant practitioners. It establishes ethical guidelines and client protection by ensuring that the therapist has the necessary qualifications and will provide quality care.
In my almost 19 years in the profession, I have been a teacher of Ethics at our local Capri College, Dubuque, and I have provided professional advice to students in their spa training program. In addition, I find it crucial to the profession that our massage therapists stand up for higher standards and speak up when changes to our practice may be put at risk. As an American Massage Therapy Association member, I have written many letters to our legislators as well as visited The Des Moines State Capitol to provide chair massage to our legislators and spoke of the importance of licensure and the absolute value of this profession to our healthcare system.
~Julie Haufe, LMT, Reiki Master
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