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Massage Stimulates Growth In Sacramento's Health Care Sector

The art and health benefits of massage have been chronicled for thousands of years from around the world. Now, this profession is undergoing a massive resurgence that promises to enhance Sacramento's own local health care sector.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the field of massage therapy is expected to grow at a rate of 23 percent, which is much faster than the national average, between 2010-2020. U.S. News & World Report's article on the profession, cited the advantage of becoming skilled in a certain area of massage. "Massage therapists can specialize in deep-tissue, acupressure, reflexology, orthopedic, sports massage and other areas." Those specialties, according to U.S. News, can result in an overabundance of work, "If the practice pays off, and you provide a good service to your clients, people will begin to refer friends, family and co-workers."

These statistics more than align with the over 100 unfilled job openings at local Massage Envy Spa says Steve Pearce, owner and operator of five locations in Sacramento, already employing over 200 in the River City.

Massage therapy program director for Carrington College Sacramento Courtney Payton asserts, "We are seeing trends where more and more massage therapists are being hired into hospitals to work on doctors and nurses on their breaks, for pain management and stress relief, as well as for senior citizens in nursing homes as an added benefit."

"Anatomy and physiology are the most important components of a massage therapy education that often surprises students," remarks Payton. "First and foremost, you have to know the body; then students need to learn business practices and professionalism. As a massage therapist you need to know how to market yourself and build relationships with your clients. Students also should learn self-care techniques, because you need to know how to take care of yourself to do this type of work."

Payton is a massage therapist success story, she has been teaching massage therapy in different capacities for the last 18 years, and has also served as the regional manager for Massage Envy. "Massage changes people," Payton says, "If more people received massages regularly the world would be a happier place."

Karen Hansen M.S. Earth Sciences, has been an educator and consultant who is currently an analyst regarding land and other public information records. She lives and works in Sacramento, CA. She has been writing about earth and the environmental sciences for Examiner.com since May of 2010. Find her work in several sections of the publication. You can find her work at SF Solar Energy Examiner, SF Environmental News Examiner and Environmental News Examiner 

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