We Asked: Should there be different tiers, or tracks, of massage therapy depending on what you want to practice, such as medical vs. relaxation massage?

Here is what you told us...

Yes. In a perfect world where consumers responsibly make intelligent decisions regarding the care of their bodyminds, no regulation of massage therapy would be needed. [But] in this world I believe we need tracks that categorize training and intention of each practitioner. Currently in most states someone with a basic, general massage training works under the same credential as someone with 1,000+ hours of training. While it will be a large task to define and refine distinctions in training and intention, I believe distinctions need to be made to help our public make better individual choices. We can assist clients in finding whom and what they need if we better articulate what we do as individuals.
Noah Karrasch
via email

You bet there should be different tiers of massage-therapy training and practices! If some middle-aged retiree wants to open up a relaxation practice out of her spare bedroom and simply wants to learn safe massage, give her the option to take a 100-hour curriculum so she can touch people with some knowledge and do no harm. And then allow for the other end of the spectrum, those folks who want to treat the diseased and the injured and want the curriculum and training to back them up. There's room for all of us.
Charlotte Michael Versagi
Oak Park, Michigan

No. When I decided to go to massage school my intention was to be a Swedish massage practitioner, and I was interested in working in a spa atmosphere practicing mainly relaxation massages. However, my school licensing program required that we train in both Swedish and shiatsu and learn relaxation and medical massage. I trained in Eastern medicine, not knowing anything about it and feeling like I would have no interest in it. Today, I practice medical massage in a chiropractic office and incorporate Swedish and shiatsu techniques into my massage session. Had we not been forced to study the different types of massage, I would never have gotten the chance to experience what I felt I wasn’t interested in. I feel all training should do the same because it opens up the therapists' options. As much as I love medical massage now, I always have the choice to fall back on my relaxation training in the future.
Amanda B. Wolff
Mohegan Lake, New York

Absolutely! Touch has such a profound effect on humans. Who is to say who can give this gift and who can't? When rules and structure are put into effect, something is lost in the creativity and expression. To have one standard for all practitioners is extremely limiting and hence so many alternative therapies arise. Schools and governing associations should provide a basic understanding of bodywork, ethics and business practice. Then encourage branching out of styles, abilities and interests, such as medical focus, whole-body relaxation treatment, energy flow, interactive stretch sessions, superficial or deep-tissue work - and as many others as there are ideas. Include, don't restrict.
Claudia Sorensen
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada