Craven CC to Launch New Massage Therapy Program in April
NEW BERN – Craven Community College (Craven CC) is rolling out a new Massage Therapy program beginning April 2. A fee-waived orientation session will be held on Tuesday, February 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Naumann Community Room, located in Ward Hall on the New Bern campus.
The orientation will include an overview of the upcoming Therapeutic Massage program, course breakdowns, and information on career options and income potential in the massage therapy field. The program is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of massage, including basic techniques of Swedish massage through hands-on training, as well as education in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, chair massage, and ethical practices in massage therapy.
As the program progresses, students will study advanced therapeutic massage techniques to increase fundamental knowledge of massage therapy. Continued education in kinesiology, introduction to pathology, assessment skills, somatic psychology, and business management skills will be covered, and clinical skills will be assessed in preparation for licensure. There will also be a clinical component that allows students to gain experience working directly with clients.
Upon program completion, students will be eligible to take the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). After passing the MBLEx, students can apply for licensure with the North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy and begin their professional career as a Licensed Massage & Bodywork Therapist (LMBT).
The Massage Therapy program is led by Tracy Lee (LMBT), an approved provider through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. Lee owns Kneaded Yoga Massage off Glenburnie Road, where she offers therapeutic massage services designed to help those needing increased mobility, flexibility, and rehabilitation from injury or trauma, as well as those who just need some personal pampering. She also offers continuing education classes to colleagues.
In addition to providing restorative massages, massage therapists work with different healthcare practitioners, including chiropractors, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. This is because many patients require therapeutic massage in addition to services from the other healthcare professionals to achieve the desired treatment results.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of massage therapy has seen above-average growth in recent years and is expected to skyrocket 18% through 2032. The median annual wage as of May 2022 was $49,860.
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