Careers in Massage Therapy

If you are a people-person, a giver by nature, physically strong and love working with your hands a career in massage may be the perfect fit for you. People that are naturally affectionate and are told by others that they give “the best hugs” have the potential to be great therapists. Throughout their life, these people gave massage to friends and family all on their own years before they stepped foot into a massage training program. Personalities that are calm, enjoy solitude or quality time with one or two people, love nature and often fantasize about or choose to live in more rural areas. Physically, they have strong bones that are well lubricated and don’t crack easily. They are bold, adventurous and are comfortable with taking risks in life. People that have a tendency to dislike others, are easily suspicious, have trust issues or are extremely introverted and fearful, in my experience, struggle with succeeding in massage. “I just don’t like people” if you have ever said these words I do not recommend pursing massage or any other service profession. Those that talk easily with others and have the capacity to be engaging have a much higher chances of going far. Because massage is a personal service, people must perceive that you are open and enjoy their company. If you are a high-energy and nervous individual I do not recommend massage as a career for you. Your energy is picked up by others and if it is a continuously high it will impair your ability to blossom in this field. People are drawn to calmness and reassurance when they seek massage services. If you have a difficult time relaxing, the chances of you helping others to relax will not go well with this career choice.

If you have the traits I described above and want to know if massage is a good career in this economic climate in the United States, the short answer to this question is one hundred percent, yes.

Today, the average person knows much about the mental and physical health benefits of massage. Franchises created a low-budget business model where middle income earners could experience a massage on a regular basis in a clean setting. This means that most people, including the new working class understand massage, are comfortable with it and want to add it to their healthcare and wellness regimen.

Massage is a laborious profession but there are many people that genuinely like people, enjoy serving them and also have great hands-on skill. People that are love texture and are kinesthetic learners are often a good fit for a massage career.

The best jobs in 2022 are nurse practitioner,physcian assistant and health services management. If you notice a pattern, all are in healthcare and massage therapist falls under that category. The global wellness industry is estimated to $66 billion in 2022 and while much of that is being seen in technology, the human touch service sector is in high demand as well.

COVID-19 and the tragic results it brought, shook us into a renewed sense of needing to prioritize our health and massage therapists are one of the top services with no signs of slowing down. A massage therapist that is savvy enough to understand how to connect with their client base will enjoy a rewarding career. This year, we have seen a surge in general respect towards those that work in the service industry. Boundary setting and clear communication is a common practice that most people are beginning to expect when receiving care from a professional within the massage industry.

More workers are also seeking to diversify their income. While remote work from home seems appealing, it can also be incredibly isolating, especially as a young, single person alone. Working as a massage therapist helps introverts to build social and interpersonal skills all while earning an income. Healing others through deep and meaningful work is also a hallmark that attracts many people today.

The internet! Hello! Today there is more support online that every before on social media platforms that are free. Bullying and shaming may be a risk but the right online group can motivate you. Technology allows therapists today to have easy access to anatomy apps and long distance learning is more accessible everyday. Marketing requires time and energy but is much easier than it has ever been.

A limited amount of clientele is a reality that massage professionals have always needed to be aware of. Surgeons, general doctors and nurses experience this limitation as well. That will always be an evergreen aspect of treating people and working with your body. Getting a massage mentor to prevent burn-out and help you enjoy a long career is highly recommended. There are many nuances that are unique to the bodywork profession that you may not realize until you’re in the thick of it. Quitting massage after two to three years is common for therapists without personalized guidance.

Health and wellness has a bright and profitable future and because of this, I know that this one of the best times to become a massage therapist.

Cons

Despite the popularity of massage, licensed therapists are still not given a high level of respect overall. The majority of the public continues to categorize them on the same level as having your nails done or beauty services. Be prepared for a constant effort to demonstrate that you are worthy of professional respect. Because of this general public opinion, no-shows are very common. Unless you enforce a cancellation policy that is clear, most people will assume it’s alright to no show or consecutively arrive late to their appointments.

Pro

Massage therapy is one of the most relaxing careers in existence. If you are fortunate enough to work in a place to gives you sufficient time between sessions and support, giving a massage is truly relaxing. Most people are absolutely thrilled to see you, unlike some other professions. If you are good at what you do, clients are counting down the days until they see you again. It’s a wonderful experience to have people so happy to see you.