A massage career is rewarding if you enjoy helping people. As a massage therapist you work closely with patients to relieve stress and pain in muscles, bones and joints. You will work with clients of all sizes, shapes and in different physical conditions. Your knowledge, technical skills and ultimately your touch can help them heal.
A massage therapist is also a healthcare provider working with patients who have different needs. Your patients may be referred by doctors or through other connections.
Here are a few suggestions for a successful massage career practice
- You are doing this physically intensive job because you want to make a difference in the lives of your clients. Adjust your expectations when you start out and concentrate on learning as much as you can even after receiving your certifications and license. Continue to study anatomy and physiology as it relates to your work.
- Get to know your clients personally and show that you care about them. Concentrate on what the client has to say. You should know everything about their current health and medical history to determine what type of massage will be most beneficial for them.
- Understand how your patients will respond to your touch. Ask questions as you work and explain to your clients what you are doing during the massage. You may make suggestions for special exercises for them to do at home to relieve pain and aches.
- Developing a good professional relationship with your clients will bring in repeat business. They will also recommend your services to friends.
- Consider specializing in a type of massage. You may want to work at a spa that offers stress relief therapy. You may prefer to work at a health club or exclusively with athletes. Experience different environments early in your massage career to determine what you like best.
- Expand your massage career if you can by offering different styles of bodywork therapy. This can include hot stones, Ayurvedic, holistic and other therapies.
- Remember to be patient. It takes time to build a personal practice with a massage career.
- Don’t let yourself burn out physically or mentally. This is a very physically demanding profession and you have to keep yourself in good shape while helping others.
The Northwest Academy for the Healing Arts offers several massage therapy programs for a massage career including continuing education.
Learn more about our massage schools here!
Seattle Massage Schools | Bellingham Massage Schools | Tacoma Massage Schools
