Massage Therapy School in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas massage therapists are found many places from the clinic to the hotel casino. Many are in the vacation/ staycation business. Other Las Vegas massage therapists work in healthcare settings. Advanced trainings play a part in determining the positions a particular LMT may be considered for.
Highly Rated Massage Schools in Las Vegas
Northwest Career College offers a 750-hour program. A range of modalities are covered, among them, Swedish massage, chair massage, medical massage, and Shiatsu. Northwest Career College touts its exceptional national board pass rate.
European Massage Therapy School provides training in fundamental and therapeutic massage; acupressure, manual lymphatic drainage, and body mobilization techniques are examples of the therapeutic modalities. The school is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (AHBES).
AMO School boasts a 650-hour program that can be completed in less than five months. The program covers relaxation massage, rehabilitative massage, and Chinese Tui Na.
Serving Special Populations
Day Spa Magazine featured a Las Vegas massage practice, Thérapie, in an article about customized massage treatments. The owner, a breast cancer survivor herself, developed a specialized technique for helping women overcome post-treatment pain and limitations. Oncology massage is itself a specialty area, a complex one with techniques tailored to the individual client. The Thérapie website notes that their LMTs are independent – not uncommon in the world of therapeutic massage.
Massage Magazine, meanwhile, wrote about therapies at The Caring Place and how they were helping cancer patients (https://www.massagemag.com/caring-place-massage-for-cancer-patients-90452/).
Another Las Vegas massage therapist is listed on the “Champions” page of the Society for Oncology Massage (https://www.s4om.org/home/mission/champions). She is affiliated with Body Kinetics Massage. Body Kinetics Massage provides several massages that may be useful for cancer patients and survivors: oncology massage with aromatherapy, post-mastectomy massage, and manual lymphatic drainage. Other specialties are available, including arthritis massage and sports massage.
There are examples throughout the metropolitan area of LMTs serving special populations. Nathan Adelson Hospice’s Bonnie Schreck Memorial Complementary Therapies program helps hospice patients receive services such as massage therapy. Massage therapists may provide on-site services for both healthy and frail older adults. The Club at Madeira Canyon is among the retirements communities that includes massage therapy among its amenities.
Injuries, Pain, and Sports Performance Massage
A number of organizations cite expertise working with patients who suffer from injuries and/ or pain. Massage therapists often work alongside chiropractors. Some work alongside other health professionals. Nevada Advanced Pain Specialists, for example, has one massage therapist with medical massage certification on a team that includes doctors, advanced practice nurses, and physical therapists.
Sports massage is a related, but unique, discipline. Proactive Health Therapeutic Services specializes in sports and sports injury massage. The proprietor, who cites work with pro athletes from Nevada and around the world, also gives sports massage seminars. He notes some sports and athletics practices that have a significant presence in Las Vegas. There are quite a few, from dancing and acrobatics to rock climbing to boxing.
Las Vegas Massage Studios and Spas
Las Vegas boasts a number of highly rated massage studios and days spas, catering to different clientele.
The Spa at Lakeside has a unique menu that includes pre- and postnatal massage, Indian head massage offered alone or in combination with other modalities, and a combination massage described as a ‘spa-shuttle’ between several popular modalities. Guests can purchase spa packages. Some Las Vegas massage practices cater to a budget clientele. This is not one!
Reflecting Hands Massage Therapy offers a number of massage modalities, including myofascial release, prenatal massage, and foot massage. One highlight: monthly get-togethers where staff members practice on each other and offer constructive criticism.
More than one popular Las Vegas massage practice specializes in Thai massage. These practices may offer multiple massage styles. Bangkok Thai Spa, for example, also offers popular western modalities like deep tissue and hot stone.
Massage Therapist Career Outlook and Pay
Massage therapists in the Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise metropolitan area had an average hourly wage of $14.50 in 2017. The median was $10.31 with most making between $8.10 and $28.41.
Massage therapist job concentration is considerably above the national average in the greater Las Vegas metropolitan area.
The Current Market
In the spring of 2019, one will find the following businesses advertising for massage therapists in the Las Vegas metropolitan area: hotels and casinos, day spas, chiropractors and other small healthcare practices.
Many of the hotels in the area are on the massage bandwagon. The following are some of the names:
- MGM Resorts International
- Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
- Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts
- The LINQ Hotel and Casino
- JW Marriott
- Canyon Ranch
Franchises included Hand and Stone, Massage Envy, and Elements Massage. The Centennial Massage Envy advertised a base pay of $15 to $20 an hour with the potential to earn more. Elements-Summerlin advertised $18 to $24 an hour; the hire would also receive a benefits package.