Category: Jobs and Employment
Hello, All. I am considering going back to school to become a massage therapist. I am still Looking into it. Trying to decied if it is the right step for me. I was wondering if there were any other blind massage therapists out there that could give me there take on it or give me some more information and ideas. Also if you are considering massage therapy I would like to hear what you think about it and why you thinking that route etc. etc. thank you very much.
I chose to go to massage therapy school a couple of years ago, and I'm so glad that I did. I enjoyed it so very much. I graduated with fantastic grades, but right now, I have to put massage on hold because I developed contact dermatitis at a job I took after graduation. (The place where I was working didn't have anything to do with massage.) I took the job so that I could build up my finances to take the national certification test for massage therapy, and to save up to start my business, but unfortunately, I got the dermatitis. it makes me very sad, because I truly enjoyed massage. It's a great career. If you have a genuine concern for helping others, and you have an interest in health care, you'll enjoy it.
This is all true, but if you're in the UK, I would advise against taking it up as a career. The market is glutted with beauticians who, after going on a weekend course, think they can massage. They offer their massages much cheaper than a real therapist would ever offer them, and although the standard of work between the two is entirely different, the average service user with no experience of massage will not know this, and simply choose the cheaper option.
I have watched 4 friends who studied at one of Europe's leading colleges for massage try and set themselves up as masseurs. Some sought jobs with companies, some rented rooms, others set up their own business. The only one who has partially succeeded furthered his qualifications and, with help from medical professionals, developed courses which he now teaches. None of them massage clients for their primary financial income. Things in America might be different, but this is the state of play in the UK.
It would also be prudent to consider the current financial climate. Massage is a luxury, and in this time of recession, fewer and fewer people can afford to splurge money on such indulgences. Will you have enough work to support yourself? When the bigger spas start closing because only the super rich can attend, and there aren't enough clients to pay their bills, will you even be able to find work with someone else?
I say all this not to put you off, but to give you things in a real life situation. None of the folk I know were told this before they took on their course, and, while none of them regret the loss of the time they spent learning due to the experiences they had, it didn't provide them the job they studied for.
FM
Definitely look into different schools. There are many out there, at least here in the US, that offer guaranteed job placement. I agree with the previous post that you definitely have to consider location when it comes to massage therapy. There are plenty of places out there where massage is a booming business, but there are also those where it just isn't a realistic career.
I'm a massage therapist I work at the biggest dayspa in my town. I've been licens for 6 years now. I own my own home. I made 38000 dollars last year. Give it some time to build up your cliantell nut if you work hard at it and your good and what you do, and most of all if you love it and have a passion for it you will with out a doubt succeed. There are many schools for massage therapy, however do your research first. It wood be wise to visit schools really get to no the saff and see how they respond to your visual chalenge. Wehn you find one with good people a great program then that will ne the one that is for you.
it can also be very expensive so make sure dsb or someone is going to pay for it or you have money saved up. Its about 9000 dollars or more thees days. good luck
Kelly
Enthusiasm and passion for work do not guarantee success. One of the best masseurs i know has a passion for his work, absolutely adores it, is damn good at what he does and has given it 4 years for his clients to build up. They haven't.
Another excellent masseur i know works only part time because she can't get enough clients.
Saying that enthusiasm and competency guarantee success is wrong, in my opinion. There are so many other factors to consider. The area, for one, and the clients you appeal to. In more affluent areas, chances are that you'll have more clients, but how do you get premises there if you come from a working class background and haven't the money to take the risk to get started?
No, success depends more on being in the right place at the right time, and meeting the right people.
FM
Can anyone suggest any good massage oils out there? I don't want to create a whole new thread just for this and I thought some of you might know. I want to buy a collection of them like in a gift basket and give it as a gift. I'd like to spend about 100 dollars on the whole thing but don't know which ones are good to buy and if I can just buy a giftset already made. Any help on this would be truly appreciated. Thank you.
Michelle,
Here are two web sites that came to mind that you can check out. Massage therapists use these sites, among others, to order supplies. I'm not sure if it's what you're looking for, but here you go.
http://www.massagewarehouse.com/parentCategory.asp?menu=104201&cat=104201&src=MGK06&gclid=CI6r_PWwr5gCFQXGsgodgCYOUQ
http://www.biotone.com/
That's very difficult to answer without knowing more about the person you're buying for. Oils have different effects, and I am very against buying pre-mixed scented ones, as they are not tailored for the specific needs of the person they will be used on. Rose hip oil is an excellent non-allergenic one to massage with, and lavender and jasmine are usually universally acceptable to all people. Hahoba *I think that's how it's spelled* is also a nice oil, but the best by far i've ever used is Monai oil. It's made in hawaii and is super expensive, but smells beautiful and can be used on sensitive skin.
Hope this helps.
FM
I am also interested in massage therapy. I live near Palm Springs Ca and really want to specialize in prenatal and infant massage. My concern is whether or not the materials are accessible. I am definitely going to rok in to some schools near me. Thanks for the tips.
If you get a good school, everything should be accessible. If it's not, just drop me a message. I'm teaching in a massage department of a college, so I can easily get you at least some paperwork.
FM
Hi. I'm also interested in massage therapy. I'm hoping to start attending the swedish institute in Nyc in January. What are the courses like? I know it's a demanding field, and I heard it's heavy on the sciences. I'm excited.
If it's anything like here, you'll spend a lot of your time learning about the anatomy and physiology of the body, as well as all of your practical elements. It's a fascinating course. I'd advise taking up Tai Chi in tandem with it if they don't offer this as standard. It's excellent for good posture.
FM
I am a massage therapist too! yea! I just graduated from massage school two weeks ago! It took me two schools and three years later but I did it! My advice for you is to stay away from community colleges and other schools that have a massage program. I started out at my local community college's massage program I passed a few classes but didn't pass one class. The teacher was just stuck in her ways and didn't want to change how she was teaching me so I could still meet the requirements. After failing the class twice I went to a massage school and I had a much better experience! All the teachers I came in contact with wanted to help me! You will learn a lot of anatomy. That for me was the hard part I'm sure the other therapists here would agree with me! Only get in to this field because you love it! and work hard in school!
While I am not a massage therapist myself, I know a lot of states will send people to Lions World Services for the Blind In Little Rock, AR. This was back when they had the massage therapy program, which actually got shut down while I was there.
It was shut down? Why?