Licenced massage therapist

JOB

Licenced massage therapist

Licenced massage therapists treat the soft tissues of the body; muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin and membranes. The goal is to alleviate pain and discomfort that can result from stress, abuse, stress symptoms, injuries, illnesses, or injuries. In their work, a licenced massage therapist uses the so-called “Swedish massage”, but also other methods such as stretching and strengthening exercises, connective tissue massage, water treatments, hot and cold water bottles and edema treatment. Massage therapy is a certified healthcare trade.

Licenced massage therapists work in private clinics, public clinics, healthcare centers or public health institutions and specialize in various fields, such as edema treatment, sports injuries, infant massage, birth massage or pregnancy massage, to name a few.

Main tasks

• preventive massage and relaxation treatments
• traditional massage therapy and trigger point therapy
• lymphatic massage
• training and muscle stretching
• education and counselling on prevention, posture and general health promotion

Competence requirements

Licenced massage therapists receive an operating license from the Director of Health and must have completed massage therapy studies at the secondary school level from a recognized educational institution at the university level. A licenced massage therapist must be able to be responsible for the prevention and advice provided, in addition to which it is important to know professional limitations and respect confidentiality.

Study

Massage therapy studies are not available in the Icelandic school system, but they involve two to three years of study at university level abroad. The studies must be attended at accredited schools in Germany or Canada. The studies are based on, among other things, anatomy, etiology, pathology, kinetics, ethics and neurology. Also exercises, instruction in examination and assessment of the patient’s physical condition, hydrotherapy and specialized physiotherapy methods.

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