1. Birdwing Spa (Litchfield, MN) - This beautiful spa resort has over 300 acres of lush, wooded property to explore, two and a half miles of lake side walking, and a spa that cannot be rivaled. Offering a wide variety of massages, this is a getaway you don’t want to miss.

2. Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa Miami Beach (Miami Beach, FL) - This gorgeous resort hotel boasts stunning design and a peaceful atmosphere, but their spa is where it’s at. Their ashiatsu and Thai massages are to die for.

3. Canyon Ranch Lenox (Lenox, MA) - This pristine, wooded resort contrasts its cutting edge sister resort in Miami Beach with a wide range of traditional massages intended to provide ultimate relaxation.

4. Canyon Ranch Tucson (Tucson, AZ)- The last of the Canyon Beach family, this resort provides a spa with expertise in a variety of different Asian massage techniques that will help you find inner balance.

5. Coastal Trek Health & Fitness Resort (Courtenay, BC) - This Canadian gem combines traditional massage and spa services with guided, outdoor physical activities to help you get the most out of your body and your stay.

6. Deerfield Spa (East Stroudsburg, PA) - Rated as one of the most affordable spa resorts in the country, you receive a free massage with your purchase of a one-week stay on the grounds. Not a bad deal!

7. Echo Valley Ranch & Spa (Clinton, BC) - Set amid a rustic backdrop of log cabins and soaring, lush woods, this ranch resort offers an eclectic menu of both Western and Thai massages.

8. Enchantment Resort, Mii amo Spa (Sedona, AZ) - This resort and spa offers it all- from deep tissue massage to lymphatic draining to hot stones. They are the best at what they do, and there is something for everyone.

9. The Beach Club (Gulf Shores, AL)- A beautiful getaway set in the south, this resort offers fantastic hot stone and therapeutic massages that will give you a nice release from the heat outside.

10. Conttonwood Hot Springs Inn and Spa (Buena Vista, CO) - Everything at this resort is done in conjunction with the use of natural hot springs, and their acupressure massage is amazing.

11. The Mansion on Peachtree (Atlanta Georgia) - Located in the most affluent area of “Hot”-lanta, the spa at this resort is world-renown for its relaxing and rejuvenating massages.

12. The Cloister at Sea Island (Simmons Island, GA) - An exclusive resort, the spa here is known for their massages, because they combine the tissue work with skin treatments as well.

13. Hosteria Las Quintas (Cuernavaca, Mexico) - Set in festive Mexico, this spa resort offers it all. The local nightlife is wonderful, and during the day, you can relax with a nice shiatsu massage.

14. Miraval, Life in Balance (Catalina, AZ) - With massages included as part of total well-being health package, this spa resort focuses on relieving stress. The combination of activities and down time makes the experience well worth the price.

15. New Age Health Spa (Neversink, NY)- Beautiful, charming and private, this spa resort offers one of the best healing stone therapy massages you will ever experience, aimed at balancing chakra and creating relaxation through aromatherapy.

16. Ojai Resort (Ojai, CA) - Though initially classified as a “fat farm” in the 1970’s, this ranch now focuses largely on spa services, with one of the best combination packages in the country for massages.

17. Rancho La Puerta (Tecate, Baja California, Mexico) - They call themselves the first destination fitness resort and spa, and they are good at what they do. Their hydrotherapy massage is fantastic.

18. Regency Health Resort and Spa (Hallandale, FL) - Yards away from the beach, this gorgeous resort offers a fantastic deep tissue massage that will release even the most deep seeded levels of muscular stress.

19. Ste. Anne (Grafton, ON) - Why travel all the way to Canada? To get Saint Anne’s Caribbean Foot Rejuvenation. You’ll leave with the pep in your step of a 16 year old!

20. Tennessee Fitness Spa (Waynesboro, TN) - Literally out in the middle of nowhere, the secluded nature of the location amplifies the sense of well being associated with their impressive massages.

21. Chateau Elan (Braselton, GA)- A country getaway for the elite, this spa boasts a variety of massage options, many of them targeted for couples on a romantic vacation. Certainly worth a look!

22. The Kerr House (Grand Rapids, OH) - This lovely spa resort with Victorian decor that focuses on comfort specializes in providing delicate but thorough prenatal massages to those who are expecting.

23. The Lodge at Woodloch (Hawley, PA) - Consistently rated as one of the top ten spas in the whole world, this resort offers a nice, romantic couple’s massage that will help the two of you unwind together.

24. Las Casitas del Colca  (Samay Spa Arequipa, Peru) - The resort itself is set in one of the deepest canyons in the world, and the aromatherapy massages will give you relaxation just as deep.

25. The Spa at Beverly Wilshire (Beverly Hills, CA) - This incredibly classy hotel boasts a variety of Western and Eastern massages, some of which can be performed in the comfort of your own hotel room.

26. Beverly Hilton (Beverly Hills, CA)- Located in the luxurious Beverly Hilton, this spa offers a variety of new age massage techniques that will help you find your center and feel healthier.

27.  Morongo Resort & Casino (Cabazon, CA)- Not only do you have the ability to blow off steam at the slots, but the exclusive aromatherapy techniques used will help you find your inner peace if you don’t win big.

28. Spa Solage (Calistoga, CA) - Relax movie star style at this one of a kind resort. Their full body massages will make you feel like a millionaire, even if you aren’t.

29. Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort (Calistoga, CA)- This nature based resort gives you the comfort of a five star hotel while allowing you to experience a relaxing massage using the mineral waters and mud on site.

30. Mountain Creek Inn (Callaway Gardens, GA) - This rustic resort getaway features multiple spa options, many where you get to choose the scent of the oils to be utilized in the massage of your choice.

31. La Costa Resort and Spa (Carlsbad, CA)- Enjoy elegant accommodations with top of the line service in addition to one of the most relaxing reflexology massages you will ever receive.

32. The Greenbrier (White Sulphur Springs, WV) - This beautiful resort has a mixture of guest accommodations and permanent homes, as well as an intense relax trio massage technique that you just have to experience.

33. Naples Grande Beach Resort (Naples, FL) - An experience in tranquility, this Japanese style spa provides an excellent therapeutic massage aimed at releasing tension caused by chronic stress.

34. Boca Raton Resort and Club (Boca Raton, FL) - A prize hotel in the Waldorf Astoria collection, this beautiful resort provides an inspiring blend of Swedish and Thai massage techniques for fabulous results.

35. South Seas Island Resort (Captiva Island, FL)- This secluded resort is the perfect getaway for you and your partner, as they offer a sensual, relaxing couples massage you won’t want to miss.

36. Casa Marina Resort and Beach Club- The massages at this location are out of this world. Enjoy a therapeutic massage seaside, designed to target the problem areas that your masseuse finds in your back.

37. Hammock Beach Resort (Palm Coast, FL) - The signature massage incorporates parts of Lomi Lomi, hot stone, aromatherapy and Swedish massage, which is followed up by a relaxing hammock nap.

38. Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center (Kissimmee, FL) - An indoor playland for adults, the spa offers a wide variety of high scale massages, from therapeutic to Thai to hot stone techniques.

39. Pinehurst Resort (Pinehurst, NC) - Offering fantastic views and a rustic getaway, this resort has spa treatments that include several deep tissue massage techniques designed to help you feel comfortable while getting fit.

40. Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa (Asheville, NC) - Combining a log cabin feel with modern design, the spa at this beautiful resort offers a hot towel massage that turns your tense muscles into jello.

41. Old Edwards Inn Spa (Highlands, NC)- Winner of the 2010 Traveler’s Choice Award, this resort provides an excellent hot spring stone massage in a quiet, country setting.

42. The Broadmoor (Colorado Springs, CO) - One of the historic hotel gemstones in the country, the spa at this resort provides what it calls its “Bliss” massage… and the result is truly blissful.

43. The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch (Avon, CO) - In the tradition of the luxurious Ritz-Carlton family, this resort has a castle like setting and a signature massage that will loosen muscles tense from skiing.

44. Park Hyatt Beaver Creek (Avon, CO) - Set among snow capped mountains, the Allegria Spa offers restorative massages that help you defeat problems with chronic pain.

45. The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera (Vail Valley, CO) - Imagine a place where you can receive a custom massage with a view of the Rocky Mountains on all sides. Think you’re dreaming? Nope- that’s just the Lodge and how they do it.

46. El Monte Sagrado Living Resort & Spa (Taos, NM) - This spiritually centered resort in sunny New Mexico offers a Thai massage that will stretch you in ways you never thought possible.

47. Bishops Lodge Sha’Nah Spa and Wellness Center (Santa Fe, NM) - You have to try the Desert Fusion massage. They literally blend oils custom tailored to your stress sources to aid in the process.

48. RockResorts Spa at La Posada de Santa Fe (Santa Fe, NM) - This resort is very in tune with nature. All of their massage treatments are named after the forces of nature that they represent.

49. Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa (Santa Ana Pueblo, NM) - This resort takes “pueblo” and makes it glamorous. Their reflexology massage will have you ready to meditate in the desert.

50. Grand Geneva Resort and Spa (Lake Geneva, WI) - Whether you crave nightlife or a small town atmosphere, the Grand delivers, along with an awesome prenatal massage called “Nirvana Mama.”

The following reasons relate to growth.  A growth in the acceptance of the practice is a good reason why major in massage therapy.  Medical doctors recommend their patients to massage therapists more and more, and the coverage provided by insurance providers encourages a growing number of people to take advantage of the service available to them.  Consequently, this increases the demand for licensed massage therapists, providing you with a greater opportunity to find employment once you graduate.  This is the key ingredient in getting a quality education.  A major does you no good if you cannot put it to use after you complete formal schooling.

Another advantage to this choice of major is that you have a huge number of training facilities to select from around the country.  This allows you to personalize your education, giving you the opportunity to select a school that suits your tastes, educational goals and desired location.  There are nearly 200 different systems of massage in practice and thousands of institutions you can receive your higher education from.  With these many options, you have no shortage of choices concerning where you receive your education and what method you learn.  These are great reasons why major in massage therapy.

The world today is one of numerous dying industries.  Many people choose majors today that can become obsolete within the next few years.  Why major in massage therapy?  The answer is simple.  The fact is that massage has been around for many thousands of years makes it clear that it is evidently here to stay.  The art of massage therapy is certainly not something that a machine can even attempt to match, as human hands have dexterity that simply cannot be rivaled by even the most advanced technology.  The bottom line to the question why major in massage therapy, is that with some effort and determination, you can transform your formal training into a career to benefit countless individuals with your rewarding occupation.

In the United States alone, there are thousands of schools and facilities where you can gain an education in this branch of healthcare science.  There are several aspects that the top massage schools ratings and rankings are generated from.  What makes a top school?  The curriculum is undeniably important.  Look at a description of the classes required for graduation from several schools in your area or around the country that you are interested in enrolling in.  If classes have course numbers available to view, you can judge the difficulty of a class based on how high the number is.  Beginning courses may be 100 and 200 level classes while the last ones may rank in the 300s and 400s.  Keep this in mind as you compare curriculums.

Another way to judge the top massage schools ratings and rankings is based on the number of students who are able to find employment within a year of graduating.  The best schools that offer the most valuable information will have a strong track record of students entering the field shortly after completing their education.  Obviously, you want to choose a school that has a higher proportion of students entering the field quickly if you have expectations to do the same.  If you have a chance, tour the school and speak with alumni who had differing experiences at the school.  Personal accounts are a great way to tell the top massage schools ratings and rankings.

Massage therapy is one of the leading systems in the healthcare industry today.  Your choice to receive this kind of education will benefit you immediately and for years to come if you choose to attend the school that is best for you.  There is not one single massage therapy school that overshadows all the rest.  Individual experience can differ from one to another, but the top massage schools ratings and rankings will be based on the curriculum and the number of students who make it into the field right away.

1. The Four Seasons Resort in the West Indies.  You could have a background in reflexology, hot stone therapy or aroma therapy to work and live in the West Indies!

2. For something possibly a little closer to home, there is the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, California.  This small resort leaves nothing to be desired, as you would quickly learn as an employee there.

3. The Mii Amo Spa at Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona is third on the list of top 10 spas and resorts for massage therapy students.  Located in red rock country, this location has a great holistic program you can join in on.

4. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa in Florida.  Of course a Disney resort makes this list!  Kid-friendly and featuring world-class service, you could provide massages, facials and aromatherapy here.

5. The Las Ventanas Al Paraiso in Los Cabos, Mexico.  Here, you could offer visitors mud body wraps, foot reflexology treatments or a healing crystal massage.

6. The Four Seasons Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii is next on the top 10 spas and resorts for massage therapy students list.  Here your specialties might include body treatments, facials, acupressure and Ayurvedic foot treatment.

7. The aptly named Topnotch Resort and Spa located in Stowe, Vermont is next on the list of top 10 spas and resorts for massage therapy students.  After visitors have an exciting day on the slopes or playing tennis, they need your experienced hands to work out the stress in their shoulders and back.  You could offer body treatments, Chinese medicine consultations, and facials as an employee here.

8. The Shibui Spa at the Five Pine Lodge in Sisters, Oregon.  The specialty here is something called a Thai Bandle massage, which you can receive full training in.

9. The Spa Gaia in Napa Valley, California is worth mentioning next.  This spa is connected to the eco-friendly Gaia Hotel and gives guests a unique chance to experience wonderful massages in an environmentally friendly way. 

10. Burke Williams in Mission Viejo, California is the tenth resort on the list of the top 10 spas and resorts for massage therapy students.  Facials and body treatments are only the beginning at this resort.  Clearly, no matter where you hope to reside, there is a spa awaiting your practiced hands to join the team.

1.  The first is the option to work in a resort.  This is a great career pathway because you can live for weeks or months at a time at or near the resort.

2. This one is a similar job, that of working on a cruise ship.  Again, with this option, you have the chance to live on the cruise ship for weeks at a time, enjoying the scenery, helping people feel great and getting paid at the same time.

3. Third on the list of the top 10 massage therapy jobs and career pathways is working in a health spa.  In this situation, people come straight to you for a cure to their ailments.  Many times you will be one of many massage therapists on duty.

4. The next item is working as a physical therapist.  For this career, you will work out of a rehabilitation clinic helping those who suffered from extensive injuries to gain feeling and movement back in their limbs.  This is an excellent career path if you are dedicated to helping patients heal with your help.

5. A career path working in a hospital as a massage therapist is the next on the list.  This is similar to being employed at a rehab center, but the patients may be slightly different.

6. Next on the list of top 10 massage therapy jobs and career pathways is in a natural health care facility.  Many people consider massage therapy to be a holistic approach to an aching body.  While in the past people were accustomed to taking prescription drugs to solve their problems, many people today are grasping the concept of natural healing.  You can assist those who need it with this career path.

7. The seventh item of the top 10 massage therapy jobs and career pathways is as a sports massage therapist.  Many sports players face injuries quite often and you can greatly decrease their recovery time with this job.

8. Then, being an acupuncturist goes a little away from the norm expected of massage therapists, but with some additional training and certification, you could definitely take that option.

9. Another job you could obtain as a massage therapist is as a teacher in the classroom.  Just like yourself, other future massage therapists need the right training to get certified.  If you enjoy teaching, this could be right for you.

10. Last on the list of top 10 massage therapy jobs and career pathways is to open your own practice in whichever field you enjoy the most.  Whatever you choose, you can expect to make upwards of $65 an hour for your work.

Without tips to apply to massage therapy school, many students may find themselves at a loss as to where to attend school to get their degree and how to pay for it.  The first tip when you apply to schools is to do plenty of research on the schools in your state first.  In-state tuition is significantly lower than prestigious out-of-state private schools.  Staying close to your roots is also beneficial if you want to live at home to save money on rent.  At least at the start of the process, ignore the “brand name” schools, as they do not equip you with a better education than the lesser known institutions, but they can get away with racking up the tuition costs because of their name.  You will quickly learn that when it comes to tips to apply to massage therapy school, the name of the school means very little.

However, you may be highly interested in a private school.  There is no reason you should not apply to ones with huge endowment opportunities.  Many private universities have need-based loans that you can receive if your educational standing is adequate.  On the other hand, tips to apply to massage therapy school often include attending a school close by that allows you to live at home.  This will be much cheaper and allow you to build your savings until your financial situation is such that you could live on your own.  If you are older and returning to school for your massage therapy degree, you will obviously want to attend close to where you live now.

The basic tips to apply to massage therapy school encompass applying to many places and not limiting yourself to only a couple of options.  Fresh out of high school, you will have direct access to documents like official transcripts and test scores.  If you are returning after years off, you may or may not be required to obtain such documentation, depending on the school you apply to.  Wherever you end up attending to complete your higher education and receive a useful degree, you will be ready to start your rewarding career right after graduation.

Tuition is usually, and incorrectly, the only thing that prospective students consider.  This amount alone can run up to thousands of dollars or even more at some institutions.  On top of the cost of tuition, however, is the need to buy supplementary educational tools like textbooks and supplies.  If you are living away from home, rent is an added cost as well.  Clearly, there is a need to know how to get scholarships for massage therapy school as well as other means for paying for your higher education.  The most prominent piece of advice that can be given is to begin your scholarship search online.

There are countless scholarship websites that can inform you about how to get scholarships for massage therapy school.  There are many scholarship programs offered by institutions around the country.  Some apply directly to specific massage therapy schools while others target massage therapy students in general.  Still others are awarded based on need and merit regardless of your major or institution you plan to attend.  New scholarships are posted every day and their award amounts vary greatly, from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.  The only way to learn how to get scholarships for massage therapy school is to sign up for a scholarship website and begin your search today.

The school you choose to attend may have additional resources for your scholarship search as well.  Reference librarians often have access to resources that can help you fund your education.  The truth is that scholarships specifically for massage therapy students can sometimes be difficult to locate and receive.  Plan on supplementing the cost of your education, even if you learn how to get scholarships for massage therapy school, with another source like a student loan or federal financial aid.  College students often graduate in debt, but with dedication while in school, you can be hired shortly following graduation and begin a repayment plan if scholarships alone are not enough to fund your massage therapy education.

The first tip of how to choose among massage therapy schools is to collect as much information as you can about various programs being offered.  There are close to 200 different massage practice methods and you want to ensure that you learn the one that is the most viable for you.  You can combine your search for the right program with a desirable location.  Perhaps you want to attend massage therapy school close to home so you can live with your parents and avoid paying rent.  If you can, attend a few orientation courses or open houses at the top schools in your area.  Asking questions can provide you with details about the school you may not be able to locate with a simple online search.

Next, going over the curriculums is a way to know how to choose among massage therapy schools you find the most interest in.  The style and method of massage that they teach should match up with what you hope to gain from your education.  Examine the credentials of the instructors and their level of experience in the field.  When you have the opportunity to be taught by practicing professionals, you have the benefit of learning more practical information even in a classroom setting.  To get an idea of how honorable the school’s standing is, look into the percentage of graduates that get into the field within a year of completing their education there.  Such statistics will aid you in learning how to choose among massage therapy schools.

Even if you have found a credible school with skilled instructors and a great percentage of hired students post-graduation, you must make sure you have enough time to spend getting your education.  Enrollment in a school only to find it impossible to fit everything into your schedule will not only be overwhelming and discouraging, but a potential waste of money as well.  Do not sign up for more classes and extracurricular activities than you can manage.  You want to master what you are being taught by your instructors outside the classroom.  These helpful tips should aid you in determining how to choose among massage therapy schools.

In order to earn a degree, students are required to take several science classes in the realm of anatomy and physiology, including medical terminology, orthopedics, advanced anatomy, movement therapies and clinical analysis.  Other classes might include aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, reflexology, Chinese medical massage, sports massage and essential oils.  All the skills you master, either in an online or physical classroom setting, can be put to the test on fellow students and volunteer patients.  This will be the case even if you decide to take online courses.  Answering the question, how long does it take to finish a massage therapy degree, must be taken one step further to determine how many credits you must take.

In general, an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences with a massage therapy focus takes 60 credit hours.  This can be accomplished in two years, or four semesters, for people willing to take 15 credit hours every semester.  This is possible for many, but unlikely for others to achieve in such a short period of time.  You can space out your classes as much as you need to, though, changing the answer to the question how long does it take to finish a massage therapy degree?  As long as you take any required prerequisites first and meet all academic requirements, including having been certified in CPR and First Aid, you are good to go.

Also, in general, you must finish your college career with a 2.0 out of 4.0 GPA to sit for the National Certification exam.  This is how you gain your licensing to turn your dedication in the classroom into a viable career.  You may choose to work in a resort, health spa, physical therapy center, hospital or wellness center.  Many students today are investing in a continuing education because it is required of most states to have a degree in addition to national certification.  Essentially, the answer to how long does it take to finish a massage therapy degree is decided by you, with two years being the minimum.