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Massage therapists say industry's booming

By Codell Rodriguez, The Southern

Monday, December 24, 2007 9:30 AM CST

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but according to area massage therapists, nothing beats a good rubdown.

"In the last five or six years, massage therapy has boomed around here," said E.J. King, owner and massage therapy instructor at E.J.'s Day Spa.

John A. Logan College has seen the results of an increase in interest in massage therapy. The program has 20 spots open and has to turn people away every year. Bill Connell, massage therapy instructor at the college, said the practice has grown in popularity in recent years with people seeing that it's not just a luxury, but a way of being health-conscious too.

"More and more people get massage as part of a healthy lifestyle," Connell said. "It's a wonderful way to get relief from stress and pain."

Connell said the health aspect has been seen by those in the medical field as well. He said more and more doctors are working with and referring people to massage therapists. King said therapists also are developing closer relationships with chiropractors.

"When you work the muscles out, chiropractors are going to do a lot more," King said.

But becoming a massage therapist takes more than a willingness to touch a naked back. Illinois requires massage therapists to be licensed.

Debbie Reiman, general manager of Egyptian Revival Day Spa and Wellness Center in Carterville, said all the massage therapists who work for her have to be licensed and have two to three years of experience. Reiman stressed that it's extremely important to go somewhere with experienced massage therapists.

"I can't stress enough that people need to go to a quality establishment," Reiman said. "With a place that is not well known, you risk lots of things. You risk health issues."

King teaches massage therapy at her spa and said that anyone trying to get a license has a lot of hard work on their hands.

"Our program here is very intense," King said.

In addition to the training, students have to pass a 2,400-question exam. Connell said learning massage therapy can extend beyond learning about muscles and joints. He implements Tai Chi into his teaching to help potential therapists achieve perfect balance when having to stand hours at a time.

King said with massage therapy gaining popularity and more people looking into it, more people will reap its medical and stress-relieving benefits.

"It's so hard to put into words how beneficial it is," she said.

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com

351-5804