Massage Therapists

Attributes required for a career in massage therapy include having a calm & composed personality, empathy, friendly nature, trustworthiness and an ability to put others at ease. Individuals interested in this career should be able to maintain a positive energy around them and have exceptional dexterity.

This job requires commitment, dedication and physical endurance because of the manual work involved- giving a massage can be physically challenging. Personal appearance, including hygiene and self care must be given utmost importance. Because this profession involves a high degree of personal contact, a massage therapist should be able to maintain a rapport with his clients and aim to build a trusting relationship by trying his best to make them feel comfortable.

Strong communication & organizational skills are core to being successful in this career path. If you feel you have a genuine desire to help others feel better, then a career in massage therapy is definitely the right choice for you.

A massage therapist or masseur by using touch manipulates soft tissues of the body for a variety of reasons including reducing stress, easing pain, treating or rehabilitating injury, decompressing fatigued muscles or just promoting overall well-being. A massage can be sought for either medicinal or recreational purposes and is a well known method of de-stressing and relaxation.

Specialization in massage therapy is becoming increasingly common in today’s world. Different types include Swedish massage- a form of body massage incorporating kneading the muscles with hands and elbows, Sports massage- tackling sports injuries or preparing athletes who are training for a competition, Thai massage- involving stretching, pressure point maneuvering & deep tissue massage, and lastly acupuncture.

Usually, the client’s needs and physical condition are assessed before determining the type of massage he requires. Some kinds of massage are for a particular type of client, for example prenatal massage is given to pregnant women, while some techniques are solely used on the elderly or on those with injuries. Some massage therapists use extensive, long strokes while others use quick strokes with cupped hands. Tools of trade include oils, body lotions, aromatherapy & creams for rubbing and a massage table/chair, sheets & pillows.

A massage therapist needs to keep detailed records of his clients or patients and refer them to other health professionals like physiotherapists if the need arises.

Since most massage therapists are self-employed they earn a fixed fee per service. The more clients they see, the greater their income. A new-level massage therapist may earn from £12,000 - £18,000 per year. As a massage therapist gains experience and popularity, he can charge more per treatment and earn approximately £22,000 - £50,000 per annum depending on the magnitude of his client base.

In 2008, the average hourly wage of a masseur was $16. A major portion of the income consists of tips and gratuities.

Massage therapists work in both, the public and private sector, from a range of settings: private offices, spa resorts, rehabilitation centers, sports clinics, hospitals, hotels, shopping malls etc. Some also visit clients’ houses to provide their services.

The ambience of the workplace is usually given immense significance to provide a relaxed atmosphere to the clients. The use of candles, fragrance, dim light, and soothing music is common-place except when the masseur is visiting the client’s preferred location. A massage can be given for as long as 1 or 2 hours, or as short as 10 minutes. Several modalities of massage require the client to be exposed or wear loose clothing.

Services are usually offered by appointment. Masseurs work on an average of 40 hours per week but most have variable schedules depending on whether they work full-time or part-time. Weekends, early morning and late evening sessions are extremely common.

A high school degree is usually required for admission into a massage therapy program in the US. Massage therapy programs usually cover subjects like anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, the study of motion and body mechanics; business management; ethics; and the effects of massage & it’s contraindications. Right from the start, students are usually instructed to perform massage on each other and practice various techniques as part of the hands-on curriculum. As training continues they are also required to perform case studies on private trial patients which help in gaining valuable insight into what the job is all about. Additional work experience with charity NGOs or counseling, or working with the elderly could also be tremendously beneficial in the application process.

In the US, with the upcoming massage therapy regulations, prior to practicing, therapists must obtain a license by passing an examination after graduating from a training program.

In the UK, to practice as a massage therapist one will need to take a course and the examinations set by one of the nationally acknowledged bodies of massage therapy. This course is usually a year long and can be done on a part time or full time basis. To gain admission in such a course you may need to have completed some GCSEs, particularly in Biology or Science.

Although massage therapy is hard work, at the end of the day it is satisfying. By being able to help people relax, de-stress and overcome problems, a masseur gains a sense of accomplishment. Masseurs work with different kinds of people almost on a daily basis which they may look forward to doing. They take great pleasure in being appreciated by clients and have a high self-respect.

Massage therapists benefit by flexibility in work schedules by choosing hours according to their availability- there is a great deal of independence in this profession. They also get to enjoy working in a clean, relaxed environment. Part-time therapists have the liberty of having a second job hence adding to their income.

Because of the physical nature of the job, massage therapy is extremely tiring for the masseur, so proper technique and working posture must be maintained to prevent succumbing to any kind of injury. Proper spacing and rest between sessions must also be given importance in order to work well.

Workload may be intense, and working with a large number of clients may prove to be frustrating especially if the hours are long. An enormous amount of willpower and dedication are required because at times while going through a rough patch, the pay may be unreliable. Moreover, massage therapy has a high attrition rate- with many practitioners burning out or quitting within a few years of practice.

Independent & self employed massage therapists need to manage marketing, sales and other administrative processes which may be time and energy consuming.

With economies blooming and countries developing, the demand for leisure and luxury are increasing, calling for a continued need for massage services. The number of spas, resorts, clinics is drastically rising, creating openings for a large number of therapists. Therefore, employment is projected to grow faster than average. Opportunities are more readily available to those who undertake formal training and pass professional examinations.

Physiotherapists & sports clinics are the largest employers of masseurs. However, new therapists should aim at working part-time until they build a client database of their own. Statistics suggest that in 2008,

massage therapists

held around 122,000 jobs out of which 57% were self employed.

Developed countries offer more opportunities to aspiring massage therapists. USA, Australia, Europe, Canada are some examples. Additionally, many countries like Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, China, India and Sri Lanka are steering towards an increased trend of such services