What is being a massage therapist like?

What is being a massage therapist like?

For me my work is worship. I enjoy being an massage therapist. I am doing this work to follow my passion.

Being a massage therapist is like doing a hard physical job. Sometimes I have to work for long hours continue, If I got 2–3 clients non stop back to back. One client takes minimum 2–3 hours. So I have to work hard continue 8–9 hours. I believe in providing service till client gets satisfaction.

It is tuf job because I have to stand continue for long hours during therapy including my hands and body work continually. Some female clients demands extra services also so, I have to take care of that also. I have to keep my energy full with every new client and also to look fresh, energetic and good in appearance. But I enjoy doing my work.

Being a massage therapist can be a fulfilling and dynamic career. Here’s an overview of what it typically involves:

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Client Interaction: Massage therapists meet with clients to discuss their needs, medical history, and preferences. This helps tailor the massage to each individual.
Techniques and Modalities: Therapists use various techniques, such as Swedish, deep tissue, sports massage, and more, depending on the client’s goals.
Physical Demands: The job can be physically demanding, requiring good stamina, strength, and body mechanics to avoid injury.
Sanitation and Safety: Maintaining a clean and safe environment is crucial, including disinfecting tables and using clean linens.

Skills Required

Anatomy Knowledge: Understanding human anatomy and physiology is essential for effective treatment.
Communication Skills: Good communication helps in understanding client needs and providing a comfortable experience.
Empathy and Intuition: Being able to read clients’ responses during a session is important for adjusting techniques on the fly.

Work Environment

Variety of Settings: Massage therapists can work in spas, wellness centers, clinics, or even run their own practices. Some also offer mobile services.
Flexible Hours: Many therapists work part-time or have flexible schedules, which can be appealing for work-life balance.

Rewards and Challenges

Benefits: Many therapists find satisfaction in helping clients relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being.
Challenges: The physical nature of the job can lead to fatigue, and building a steady client base can take time, especially for those starting their own practice.

Licensing and Certification

Most regions require massage therapists to be licensed or certified, which involves completing a training program and passing an exam.

Overall, being a massage therapist can be rewarding for those who are passionate about health and wellness and enjoy working closely with people.

I was very young when I started and more or less lead into it by a pretty lustful cheating woman. I can’t say anything bad about her for she was the first woman I ever loved, even though she was married and ten years my senior, but then again I was only 11 and she got me into to the point where I loved giving massages. Even though it was considered child abuse it was the best that I had experience while I was growing up. Lynda would pass me around and I made calls on many women in apartments, homes and several trailer of the abundant trailer parks of the area for about a year, until her husband came back from Korea.

My next gig so to speak was when was 17 and I spent all my money in a chicken ranch of Vegas in the 70s right out of boot camp, I had to stay at the whore house and give free massages for room and board, while at the same time taking time to go to hotels whenever called to give private massages to wives or the big wigs themselves for tips. I was trying to get cash and traveling money, I had to get to my home town and say goodbye to my family, before going to my next duty station.

My next was in a geisha house in Japan where the ladies taught me many things about the nervous system and it’s workings of how the mind can over come, I had broken both my ankles and the girls did wonders for my recovery, after which I stayed on with them until they threw me into another unit and cut me orders to go in country.

My next practicing situation was in the 34th battalion hospital in FL, I was medevac’d in himself, but by the time I was released I was one of the therapists, masseur and pain manager counselors for the hospital. Since then I’ve been in everything from chiropractor’s offices, massage parlors, spas, bath houses, swing clubs and hotel or motel or private homes for massages.

As far as what’s it like it really all depends on if you like what your doing, there will be easier patients from one time to the next and even the surroundings will be different and some time uneasy, but that is one thing you have to brake yourself of that and shyness is the biggest problem for a masseur.

One time you’ll be giving a slow and calming rub down to a slender young lady and the next you’ll have to ease the lower back pain of a 300+ pound man that could brake you in half with a ugly thought. One is much easier then the other and you definitely work doing it. I’ve sweated buckets while pushing and manipulating the muscles of someone that resembles a buffalo, my brother was one.

I’ve worked in terminal cancer wards, amputee wards and therapy centers and to compensate for these people I’ve found that learning other things, like reflexology, pressure points, tens units, chakra alignment or anything that you can find to learn more. Swedish massage, American massage, Oriental massage or any other massage that you an come up with is worth learning, I fell into mine mostly by mistake, so it going be hard to find the training that I had back then.

All I can say is you have to love what your doing~!

What is being a massage therapist like?

I started doing massage in 1994, in NJ. I worked in MANY spas (large & small) worked for myself with private clients at their houses (occasionally at my home). I preferred going to peoples’ houses best, it was always the most fun. I had many weekly clients that way. Some would even feed me dinner!

I moved to San Francisco about 10 years ago, thinking I’d just keep on doing all of that, and worked in a few places. It was all fine, but I realized there wasn’t anywhere to buy the products I needed to DO massage, so I ended up opening the only massage supply store in the Bay Area. (selfless plug, sorry!)

Anyway….massage can be really really fun! People simply LOVE it! It’s a very useful barter tool. I’ve traded it for everything from haircuts to paying off debt. That being said, I never made a great salary as a full time MT. I wasn’t great at marketing myself, and I think the only way you can make money w/massage is by being your own company, or maybe heading a group of MTs which you can take a portion of the proceeds.

Spa work is grueling, long, hard and you get paid crap. You’re on you feet all day, bending or lunging at the side of a table. The spa owners generally expect you to do 8 massages in a little over 8 hours. This is impossible! When do you wash your hands, change the sheets, use the bathroom, eat lunch? Many times the folks at a spa will tip you something, a lot of times they don’t. You live and breathe tips. If you start getting repeat clients, that is great! I always suggest that keeping a list of clients, just in case. As a hairdresser does when they move to a different salon, that way you can let any regulars know where you are.

It is terrific to be able to help people and make them feel good. But you also need to take care of yourself. A friend said to a group recently “Don’t ever need a massage more that the person on your table.” 100% true, but hardly anyone does that. Most MTs don’t take the best care of themselves and they end up getting hurt. It’s a ton of repetitive motion, so it’s not hard to injure yourself.

Male MTs have it more difficult than females (in MOST situations!) Men don’t usually want a guy to massage them, and women are worried about being basically naked with a guy they don’t know. But then again, I have had situations with male clients when I had to say “We are DONE!” after multiple requests for sexual massage. Remember, in general, you’ll be alone in a softly lit room with someone you don’t know.

All in all, I have enjoyed my years as a massage therapist, I made waves with spa owners who refused to let us have breaks or eat lunch, I was usually the oldest on staff, so I made it my responsibility to ensure the others got fair treatment. Some people love to talk, I’ve had incredible conversations with people while massaging them, I’ve had people who barely say hello and proceed to fall asleep in 5 minutes. Other conversations were sad, like the woman who told me her husband beat her often, and he was in the next room getting a massage – what was I supposed to do with that info? I was crying, and tried to help her understand that she needed to seek help. But I never knew if she did or not….
It’s definitely NOT boring, that I can say.

There’s also the small things, like always making sure your fingernails are smooth and short, hoping that you never cut your finger or hand while not at work, having mints to be sure your breath doesn’t stink, deodorant, etc. The clients will notice, even if they aren’t as fresh themselves.

Massage is something you can take with you everywhere, and I bet it would be easy to get work in different countries doing massage. But, yes, it IS hard work, physically and mentally. So if you are thinking of going into it, take all of that into account.

Conclusion

First, I need to let you know that those of us who are licensed professionals prefer the term massage therapist when you refer to anyone who practices massage therapy. If you refer to us differently it implies that you disrespectfully consuder us no different than a sex worker that gives a lame aporoximation of a ‘massage’ as part of their service.

If you have an enthusiasm and a desire for helping people feel better and get better so that they can continue working in their line of work or improve the quality of their life, then being a massage therapist is a very rewarding experience.

There is starting to be a shift in how massage therapy is received among other Healthcare workers and health and wellness professionals. But it’s still a struggle to gain acceptance and recognition of the good work we do and the benefits massage treatments offer when the majority of the population still associates massage as an indulgence or a thinly veiled act of prostitution. Being referred to as a masseuse only reinforces this misconception/stigma.

Being a massage therapist can be a rewarding and fulfilling career. It often involves:

Physical Demands: The job can be physically intensive, requiring good stamina and strength, as you might be on your feet for long periods and using your hands and arms extensively.
Client Interaction: Building rapport with clients is crucial. You’ll need to understand their needs, assess their conditions, and adapt your techniques accordingly.
Variety of Techniques: There are many types of massage, from Swedish to deep tissue, sports, and more. This variety allows therapists to specialize in different areas based on their interests and client needs.
Work Environment: Massage therapists work in various settings, including spas, wellness centers, clinics, and even private practices. Each environment has its own vibe and clientele.
Emotional Reward: Helping clients relieve pain, reduce stress, and promote relaxation can be very satisfying. Many therapists find joy in seeing their clients improve over time.
Continuous Learning: The field is always evolving, so continuing education and staying updated on new techniques and research is important.
Flexibility: Many massage therapists have flexible schedules, which can be a plus for work-life balance.

Overall, it’s a profession that combines physical skill with empathy and communication, making it unique and impactful.

First, although it is true that massage is a profession you can take anywhere, each state requires it’s own license and charges for that. It can take months to get that license, so one is not able to move about as freely as one might think.

In order to thrive in this profession, like any other, you must begin with the right reasons behind your decision. You have to like people. You must have a general desire to help others. You must be willing to serve, even if the person you are serving is rude, smells either from coming straight from work or from some nasty perfume. You must be absolutely okay with touching all sorts of people with dignity and professionalism; without judgement.

My only spa experience was a little better than the one described below. Where I worked, tipping was normal and could pretty much be counted on on top of the not-great hourly wage/commission. The average full time therapist in this spa could earn about $40,000. a year. But it is at a burn-out rate with high, fast turnover of clients.

What is being a massage therapist like?