The Right Choice

[Jackie Pooh]

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I am currently a high school senior and I am trying to decide whether I want to go to school to be a massage therapist or a physical therapist. How do I decide which one is best for me?

 

[DPTnotMD]

I believe you should shadow both professionals to see which on you like the most. It would be a lot easier to become a massage therapist. You can always do both!!!

 

[sjlamb77]

I believe you should shadow both professionals to see which on you like the most. It would be a lot easier to become a massage therapist. You can always do both!!!

Shadow shadow shadow! I'm sure people on here can give you great advice for specific questions, but the only way you can know what is truly for you is to shadow both professions. There are a lot of PTs and MTs out there that love their work and would be glad to have someone come along for a few days. I've found the best way to do this, if you don't have any personal contacts, is just to Google local businesses and either shoot an email or call them. Good luck!

 

[Seatown87]

You are looking at two VERY different paths...

6-9 ish months to get your massage therapy cert.

4 years in undergrad and then 3 years to get your doctorate in physical therapy.

You'll be working as a massage therapist at 19 years old and 25 at the earliest as a PT.

I would agree with everyone else. Call up some massage therapy and PT clinics and try and do some shadowing. Find out what each profession is like. Talk with the people that work there and find out what would fit you best.

 

[HHCPT]

I received my PT Doctorate when I was 23.

I suggest enrolling in BS/DPT and dual MPH or PhD program if you're someone who would like to pursue academia careers in the future. Definitely shadow as everyone has had said. A massage therapist uses his or hands to "heal". A physical therapist uses evidence-based interventions and outcome-based measures in treating his/her patients.

 

[Jackie Pooh]

I believe you should shadow both professionals to see which on you like the most. It would be a lot easier to become a massage therapist. You can always do both!!!

I was thinking about doing both. But I will probably do Massage therapy first to help assist in my physical therapy schooling. Thanks for the help.

 

[Jackie Pooh]

Shadow shadow shadow! I'm sure people on here can give you great advice for specific questions, but the only way you can know what is truly for you is to shadow both professions. There are a lot of PTs and MTs out there that love their work and would be glad to have someone come along for a few days. I've found the best way to do this, if you don't have any personal contacts, is just to Google local businesses and either shoot an email or call them. Good luck!

I appreciate your info. Thank you for helping me.

 

[Jackie Pooh]

Thanks to all of you who have given me such wonderful information on which career path I should follow. I really appreciate it. It has really helped me in my decision.