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The Phenomenal Growth in Number of Massage Schools - By Carl Nelson
Ralph Stephens in the Massage Today, March-July 2002, series of articles entitled “Massage Education Failing” stated, “Seventeen years ago (in 1985), there were about 50 massage schools in the entire country.”
From Martin Ashley, Massage: A Career at Your Fingertips (Barrytown, NY: Station Hill Press, 1992; Carmel, NY: Enterprise Publishing, 2nd Edition, 1995; 3rd Edition, 1999; 4th Edition, 2003), the number of massage schools in the USA is listed as 190 in May 1991, as 316 in January 1995, as 572 in December 1998, and as 875 in June 2002.
From the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals website -- www.massagetherapy.com/careers/training.php (the most comprehensive, reliable, and up-to-date state-by-state Internet listing) – In November 2004 I counted a total 1346 massage schools in the entire 50 states – ranging from one in Wyoming to 232 in California. In September 2006 I counted 262 in California. From the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals press release of April 4, 2007 – The ABMP massage school database peaked at 1582 schools in 2006, but early 2007 survey results showed 52 of those schools were no longer offering massage programs. In May 2007 I counted a total 1550 massage schools in the entire 50 states – ranging from two in Wyoming to 264 in California.
Several leading longtime massage practitioner/teachers share the viewpoint that massage education is slipping in its translation into capabilities of actual practice. Among them is Ralph Stephens whose directness in writing style I enjoy.
----- Carl W. Nelson
Distribution of Massage Schools by State in the USA
Martin Ashley, Massage: A Career at Your Fingertips (Barrytown, NY: Station Hill Press, 1992; Carmel, NY: Enterprise Publishing, 2nd Edition, 1995; 3rd Edition, 1999; 4th Edition, 2003). With respect to the number of massage schools in the USA, the 1st edition listed 190, the 2nd edition 316, the 3rd edition 572, the 4th edition 875. By state, they are distributed as follows:
May 1991
January 1995
December 1998
June 2002
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