1997 Massage Therapy Needs Assessment

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to review current industrial needs and educational requirements related to the field of massage therapy. Areas of employment include relaxation and stress management, pain reduction, physical therapy/rehabilitation and fitness. This report was initiated at the request of the exercise science and technology faculty at the Highland Lakes campus of Oakland Community College. The components of the report include a comprehensive literature review, data from national massage therapy associations, information from the Dun and Bradstreet employer database, an analysis of current higher education massage therapy programs in the state, and other relevant external information cited in the reference section of this report. Additional data were acquired from phone interviews with businesses in southeast Michigan (Oakland, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties) and with OCC students currently or recently enrolled in some health-related programs. Part of the objective of this study was to assess those skills, competencies, and educational credentials companies consider essential for future employment opportunities.