Work as a Massage Therapist

In today’s fast-paced world, we all experience stress. Recent medical research points to stress as a prime factor in life-threatening illnesses such as stroke, cancer, and … We can also experience a lot of chronic pain from stress such as backpain, tight shoulders, stiff neck, and many similar problems.

If you like helping people, as a massage therapist you can be a benefit to many people whose lives are filled with the stress-related problems of this fast paced world we live in. One of the most satisfying aspects of this career it helping clients to reduce stress and ease chronic pain.

This is an exciting time to become a massage therapist. The field of massage therapy is escalating as never before. It is believed that it has tripled in the last decade because more and more people are choosing it as healthcare approach instead of the old idea of using prescription drugs to relieve symptoms of stress, pain or other forms of discomfort.

You will have to decide if Massage Therapy is the right career for you. There are a few simple steps to take to answer your question.

One important question would be is if a Career in Massage Therapy is a match for you?

Is Massage Therapy a Good Career Choice for You?

Before deciding on a career as a massage therapist, you should first ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I a “people person”? In short, does it make me happy to work with people?
• Do I find it rewarding to be a caregiver?
• Can I listen to another person talk about their problems, aches, and pains and not get caught up in it?
• Am I someone who is self-motivated and does not need a supervisor to tell me what I should be doing? In other words, am I a leader or a follower?
• Am I a good listener? Does conversation come easy to me?
• Am I comfortable working on my own for most of the day, without much conversation with fellow workers?
• Am I punctual and able to create and follow a schedule carefully?

Were your answers “yes” to the above questions? If so, you may be one of those who does well as a massage therapist. You may have noticed how much this field is opening up. We now see massage therapists in health-food stores giving massages to weary shoppers, in corporations where they massage works during their coffee and lunch breaks, and even in outdoor markets or malls where short massages can be schedules. Quality hotels and even cruise ships now contract with massage therapists to satisfy their guests’ quest for feeling better during vacations and business travel.

What Are the Requirements to Get Certified or Licensed?

The programs at massage schools vary greatly and required hours of practice may vary from 250 to 1000, depending upon the degree of specialization and the licensing requirements of each state or city / county. This kind of information may be found on the web by searching by state or city and career area, for instance, “California massage therapist license”. Such a search pulls up information that licensing in California is by City and varies from place to place. Do then a search by specific cities where you would like to work.

What Areas of Specialization Are There?

We see advertisements for many varieties of massage therapy, for example, Swedish Massage, Esalen Massage, Shiatsu Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, and Trigger Point Therapy, to name some well-known specialties. One good way to learn more about them to check is to look through the yellow pages and / or contact your local Chamber of Commerce to identify a few successful massage therapists. Phone them and ask for a telephone interview to find out what is their specialty, what kinds of massage their clients favor, where they learned their trade, whether they take additional courses or workshops to learn new techniques, and so forth. First-hand opinions are often our best source of up-to-date information. Call more than one to get a variety of answers.

Choosing a School

Massage therapy schools can be identified online, from yellow pages, and by talking to those already in the business. Write down a list of possibilities and contact a number of them. Ask for written materials. Ask to visit the schools and watch students in classes. Are you comfortable with the teaching style, the setting, and the location? Talk to students, if possible. Are they happy with their program? Is the school recognized by the licensing agency? Does the school have a placement center? Does the curriculum include small business tips and training?

What is Your Goal?

Deciding on an area of expertise, finding a school, and completing requirements are all critical to success. Even so, a relevant aspect of the profession that is often overlooked is clarity about your personal goals. Often, trainees go through all the steps, assuming that a job will be waiting at the other end. Not so most of the time! The more you are definite and clear about what you want to do, including picturing yourself working in a particular area with appreciating and paying customers, the greater your chances of success. Goal setting is a great benefit here, perhaps even specifying the kind of career you want, the day you want to start, the annual pay you expect, and the kinds of clients you want. Those who do this kind of envisioning are a success long before those who “hope for the best.”

Once a Student, Practice, Practice, Practice

The more experience you have, the easier it will be for you to launch your career. In addition to the massages you give at school, practice on friends, relatives, and, if applicable, participate in outside activities such as massages at retirement centers, churches, or whatever is legal and beneficial. This will allow you to work with a variety of people and to polish your professional approach.

The Move from Student to Professional Massage Therapist

This is without a doubt the most critical area, the one that demands concentration and perseverance. Massage therapists who succeed are usually those who easily assess the client’s needs and give them what will reduce stress and send them off feeling good and lighthearted. In addition,

There are several questions to answer:

• Are you looking for a steady job? Which massage schools have good placement success? Are there massage centers or spas in your area that hire regularly?
• Do you have what it takes to set up your own business? Working for someone else for a time may give you excellent training in doing so.
• Do you intend to do massage full time or part time?
• Do you intend to specialize in an area where you may get referrals from the medical community?

Attract Clients and Keep Them!

This is a key to success. Chat with people in the grocery line, the coffee line, wherever you meet them. Ask them about themselves. Avoid talking about yourself until you can say that you are so excited about being a massage therapist and…who do they know who might enjoy a massage? Pass out cards. Get referrals—write down the names and numbers. Market yourself! Talk with medical professionals in your area. Volunteer and ask for referrals. Follow up, follow up, follow up! A medical receptionist noted recently that many people drop by with materials but fewer than 5% of them ever call back or come back.

Remember, whenever you are interacting with a present or potential client, that individual is not there to hear about your life but rather to talk about theirs. A good thing to remember is that most people want to have an enjoyable experience and listening to you talk about yourself, however wittily, is never as enjoyable as them talking about themselves. As that person contemplates getting a massage from you, he or she is thinking, “What’s in it for me?”

There are many books on how to do this: look them over and find one that includes ideas for prospecting clients and for follow-up. This is one of the keys to building success in your business

Be an Advertisement for Good Health

You are your own bet reference—eat well, dress attractively, be rested and properly nourished. You never know where you will run into some of your clients or prospective clients. Follow an exercise program and schedule your own “release” sessions where you can let go of patients’ problems and renew your own goals. Use “automobile university” to listen to CDs or tapes that focus on building success.

Keep Current in Your Business

Your clients will hear about new techniques so make sure you are up to date! Watch for books, lectures, and workshops to expand your expertise. As you grow, your confidence will grow and your clients will notice. And remember to get massages yourself so you get to experience what others are doing.

Sources:
“FabJob Guide to Become a Massage Therapist” by Sharon A. Alfonso, LMT
“You Were Born Rich” by Bob Proctor
“Spiritual Marketing” by Joe Vitale

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