A Career In Massage Therapy

The massage is complete. The client has a huge smile and says, "Thank you so much. I feel wonderful." You and your client are both smiling at this point.

This is a typical response for the massage therapist. What a great career that provides you the opportunity to help someone feel wonderful.

Yes, you can make a positive difference in people improving their lives and developing a life style of health. You can massage people who feel great and want to either keep feeling great and/or prevent injuries and pain from occurring. You can help people who have been injured or hurt from repetitive use. Athletes benefit from massage at all levels – training, post-event, pre-event, and during the event. If you'd like, you can take the luxurious route of massaging at high-end spas. You can help a pregnant woman through her pregnancy. There is a growing field in which massage and psychology are combined to help people with emotional issues.

With any of these options, you feel great at the end of the day knowing that the world is a better place because you have helped people. And you get paid for this!

As shown above, massage therapy benefits people from all walks of life. But it also helps you as the therapist. You will reap the rewards of making a difference.

Options for a Career in Massage

One of the best aspects of a career in massage therapy is having choices. Here are just a few of the opportunities for the professional massage therapist:

• Private Practice
• Spa/Salon
• Chiropractic Office
• Corporate On-Site Massage
• Athletes – from the professional to the "weekend warrior"
• Cruise Ships
• Massage Schools and Programs
• Vacation Destinations
• Hospice
• Home Business – both having an office in your home and/or traveling to other people's homes

Here are just a few of the massage techniques and styles available:

• Swedish
• Relaxation
• Sports
• Deep Tissue
• Seated
• Repetitive Use Injury Treatment
• Medical Massage
• Pregnancy Massage
• Reflexology
• Infant Massage
• Cancer Treatment
• Spa Treatments
• Thai Massage
• Myofascial Therapy
• Shiatsu and other Asian Techniques
• Polarity
• Craniosacral Therapy

What kind of income can you make as a massage therapist?

Here's some more great news! You get to choose the route you would like to take. If you work full time at a high-end spa, you can easily make $50-60,000 per year. If you have your own private practice and work full time, you could make $50,000 + per year. If you are really ambitious and business minded, you may decide to open your own spa, inn, or get-away resort and your income will expand from there.

Many people love the idea of massage therapy as a part time income. If you do as few as 6 massages in a week, you have the potential bring in an extra $15,000+ in a year!

Where to Start

In order to be a licensed massage therapist, you need to go to school. Each state has its own regulations regarding the licensing of a massage therapist. Those states will often state the requirements for education as well as an individual therapist's requirements. Most states require a minimum of 500 hours of training.

What to Consider in Your Search for a Massage Therapy School

There is no quick way or short cut to learn massage therapy adequately.

• While the science and theory of massage may be studied in books, the art of massage takes time to develop, embody and master. This is best done under the guidance and care of experienced, seasoned teachers who are compassionate, kind, intuitive, and professional and who display the highest of academic standards.
• You do get what you pay for. Many programs offer very minimal training and do not prepare graduates to successfully work in the massage therapy field.
• The massage/bodywork field is a vast, rapidly growing profession that can promise opportunities in many directions. The best schools provide a comprehensive foundation in the various aspects of massage.

Does the School's Basic Training Program Offer:

• Experience
  A school with years of experience in training successful, practicing massage therapists including:
  • Advisors, Academic and Student Service directors to assist you in succeeding in your academic path as well as mastering your practical skills.
  • Respected Instructors
  • Learning from people and not DVDs or videos

• Variety of Massage Techniques
  Some of the popular and marketable massage techniques include: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Asian, Spa, Regional work, and Injury treatment.
  

• Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology
  Learn the muscles, body systems, and muscle actions, functions, dysfunctions, etc.

• Other Helpful Courses
  Hydrotherapy, CPR, First Aid, Body Mechanics, etc.
  

• Clinical Experience
  A solid clinic experience that allows you to work on the public under instructor supervision to bring together all that you have learned.
  

• Externships
  Supervised internships at sites outside of the school

• Business Skills and Assistance in Finding Jobs
  Career development and job placement assistance to ensure successful placement in a massage therapy position. Thorough training in business and professional ethics to ensure a smooth transition into the health care industry.
  

• Comfortable Learning Environment
  State of the art learning aids and massage equipment in an updated learning environment with appropriate lecture and massage rooms.
  

• Understanding of Massage State License Regulations
  For both individuals and businesses.
  

• Financial Assistance
  Including a variety and understanding of loans, veteran benefits, unemployment benefits, etc.
  

• Accreditation
  There are different national accreditations and state approvals and licensing. Make sure the school in which you are interested is a legitimate school.
  

• School Pride
  Very high professional standards with students who love their school experience.
  

• Successful Graduates

You're Ready to Start Your Massage Therapy Practice!

As indicated above, the world is open to the massage therapist. There are so many options from which to choose. Whether the economy is booming or sagging, there is always a need for the massage therapist because people always have a need to feel better: physical reasons – overuse, accidents, injuries, exercise soreness, high blood pressure, and other medical concerns; emotional needs – depression, lethargy, disconnectedness, and more; and, as most people have experienced or knows someone who has – stress! A person functions better and can heal when their body can relax (it's connected with the parasympathetic nervous system). Massage therapy can be an integral part of a person's health plan and/or recovery. We work well with doctors, chiropractors, naturopaths, osteopaths, physical therapists, occupational therapist, personal trainers, and pretty much all other health fields.

Massage therapy is more popular than ever. There are national organizations, such as the American Massage Therapy Association and the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals that help massage therapists with liability insurance, business information, website building, and many other benefits. Medical and health professions are increasingly recognizing massage therapy. There is more and more research proving the benefits of massage therapy through organizations such as the Massage Therapy Foundation. Massage is both big business and an individual, compassionate business.

Massage therapy helps people improve their health. As a massage therapist, you are contributing to their well being and therefore contributing to the world. You can do massage therapy full or part-time. You will feel great about the work you do. Massage can open doors to new business opportunities, education, financial rewards, travel, and to opportunities that you don't even know exist. It's great to be a massage therapist.

Editorial provided by Greg Hurd, Director of Career Development & Outreach, Bancroft School of Massage Therapy, Worcester, MA.