Quote:
“When the body gets working appropriately, the force of gravity can flow through. Then, spontaneously, the body heals itself.” -Ida Rolf
“Massage is the study of anatomy in braille.” -Jack Meagher
“The best pioneers are the ones actually out the doing massage. They get devotees just from having put their hands on them. That’s what keeps the field alive and moving.” -Tiffany Fields
Definition of Profession:
Massage therapists are licensed health professionals who apply a variety of scientifically developed massage techniques to the soft tissue of the body to improve muscle tone and circulation. Massage therapists work to enhance well-being, reduce the physical and mental effects of stress and tension, prevent disease, and restore health.
About the Field:
Employment is expected to grow faster than average over the 2004-2014 period as more people learn about the benefits of massage therapy. Many States require formal training and a national certification in order to practice massage therapy. This occupation contains a large number of part-time and self-employed workers.
Massage therapists held about 97,000 jobs in 2004. About two-thirds were self-employed. Of those self-employed, most owned their own business, and the rest worked as independent contractors. Others found employment in salons and spas; the offices of physicians and chiropractors; fitness and recreational sports centers; and hotels. About three-quarters of all massage therapists worked part-time or had variable schedules, although as mentioned earlier many massage therapists who work 15 to 30 hours per week consider themselves to be full-time workers.
How To Get There:
Training standards and requirements for massage therapists vary greatly by State and locality. In 2004, 33 States and the District of Columbia had passed laws regulating massage therapy in some way. Most of the boards governing massage therapy in these States require practicing massage therapists to complete a formal education program and pass the national certification examination or a State exam. Some State regulations require that therapists keep up on their knowledge and technique through continuing education. It is best to check information on licensing, certification, and accreditation on a State-by-State basis.
On The Job:
Many physicians have been recommending massage therapy for years. Nearly 2,400 years. The medical benefits of “friction” were first documented in Western culture by the Greek physician Hippocrates around 400 BC. Today, massage therapy is being used as a means of treating painful ailments, decompressing tired and overworked muscles, reducing stress, rehabilitating sports injuries, and promoting general health. This is accomplished by manipulating a client’s soft tissues in order to improve the body’s circulation and remove waste products from the muscles.
Massage therapists can specialize in over 80 different types of massage, called modalities. Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, reflexology, acupressure, sports massage, and neuromuscular massage are just a few of the many approaches to massage therapy.
Salary Range:
Median hourly earnings of massage therapists, including gratuities earned, were $15.36 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $9.78 and $23.82. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.16, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $32.21. Generally, massage therapists earn 15 to 20 percent of their income as gratuities. For those who work in a hospital or other clinical setting, however, tipping is not common.
State of the Art:
Employment for massage therapists is expected to increase faster than average over the period from 2004 to 2014 as more people learn about the benefits of massage therapy. In States that regulate massage therapy, therapists who complete formal training programs and pass the national certification exam are likely to have very good job opportunities. Because referrals are a very important source of work for massage therapists, networking will increase the number of job opportunities. Joining a State or local chapter of a professional association can also help build strong contacts and further increase the likelihood of steady work.
Massage is an increasingly popular technique for relaxation and reduction of stress. As workplaces try to distinguish themselves as employee-friendly, providing professional in-office, seated massages for employees is becoming a popular on-the-job benefit.
Tools of the Trade /Lifestyle:
Massage therapists work in an array of settings both private and public: private offices, studios, hospitals, nursing homes, fitness centers, sports medicine facilities, airports, and shopping malls, for example. Some massage therapists also travel to clients’ homes or offices to provide a massage. It is not uncommon for full-time massage therapists to divide their time among several different settings, depending on the clients and locations scheduled.
Most massage therapists give massages in dimly lit settings. Using candles and/or incense is not uncommon. Ambient or other calm, soothing music is often played. The dim lighting, smells, and background noise are meant to put clients at ease. On the other hand, when visiting a client’s office, a massage therapist may not have those amenities. The working conditions depend heavily on a therapist’s location and what the client wants.
You are:
• excellent listening skills
• good communication skills
• good general health and posture
• comfortable sharing personal space for extended periods of time
• interested in wellness issues
• able to work in a standing position for long periods of time and use the body as a tool in administering massage therapy
• critical thinking skills
• friendly, outgoing personality and caring attitude.
Related Professions:
Other workers in the healthcare industry who provide therapy to clients include physical therapists, physical therapists’ assistants and aides, chiropractors, and workers in other occupations that use touch to aid healing or relieve stress.
