I am NCBTMB Certified

For practitioners, NCBTMB certification is much more than a credential. It’s the cornerstone of a successful career. Because even if you work in a state that does not require certification, the NCBTMB credential establishes you as a dedicated professional with the knowledge and skills to uphold high standards of excellence. To become certified, a massage therapist or bodyworker must:

•Complete a minimum of 500 hours of instruction
•Demonstrate mastery of core skills, abilities and knowledge
•Pass a standardized NCBTMB exam
•Uphold NCBTMB’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
•Complete continuing education for recertification
And the benefits are immeasurable, national certification:
•Represents the highest standard in the field
•Communicates a commitment to safe, ethical practice
•Provides a competitive edge
•Gains visibility and credibility
•Increases employment opportunities within/between states
•Allows reimbursement by some insurance companies
•Reassures clients and employers
•Includes a listing in NCBTMB’s Find a Practitioner resource
•Establishes practitioners as healthcare providers on par with other professionals requiring certification

Stretching And Massage

Many people are unaware of the beneficial role that massage can play in both strength training and flexibility training. Massaging a group of muscles, or a single muscle, immediately prior to performing stretching or strength exercises for those muscles, has some of the following benefits:


increased blood flow
The massaging of the muscles helps to warm-up those muscles, increasing their blood flow and improving their circulation.

removal of metabolic waste
The massaging action, and the improved circulation and blood flow which results, helps to remove waste products, such as lactic acid, from the muscles. This is useful for relieving post-exercise soreness.

relaxation of the massaged muscles
The massaged muscles are more relaxed. This is particularly helpful when you are about to stretch those muscles. It can also help relieve painful muscle cramps.

Because of these benefits, you may wish to make massage a regular part of your stretching program: immediately before each stretch you perform, massage the muscles you are about to stretch.