How to Decide if a Massage Therapy Career is For YOU

People go through many transitions in their lives and one of the biggest is starting or changing occupations. I am frequently asked about the massage profession and why (and how) I do what I do. Here is some food for thought on the massage and bodywork field and whether it may, or may not, be right for you.....

Things You'll Need

• the ability to be honest with yourself.

Instructions

1. BE HONEST with yourself as you answer the following questions. If most are yes, then the massage profession may be perfect for you.

2. SINCERELY CONSIDER the following questions: Do you love to touch, and be touched ? Are you comfortable with solitude? (Massage space is mostly a quiet zone). Do you see excess body hair, weight, or other "imperfections" as no particular concern ?
   Can you be flexible with scheduling your time ? Can you be reasonably understanding when someone cancels a massage appointment at the last minute or doesn't show up at all ? Can you form, and firmly implement, massage business policies and procedures ? Do you have good hygiene etiquette (both personal and in your work space) ?

3. DETERMINE if you have the following traits, desires, and abilities: Do you enjoy nurturing the wellness process in people ? Do you have the willingness to continue to learn new massage skills and techniques ? Do you have the desire to "practice what you preach" ? (Meaning you can't tell others to take care of themselves if you don't do so). Can you maintain professional boundaries in the intimate setting of massage ?
   Can you leave your personal issues at the massage room door and allow this next hour to be all about your client & his/her needs ?
   Are you in moderate to excellent health ? (Massage & bodywork requires a LOT of stamina and endurance.)

Tips & Warnings

• Be very honest with yourself when answering these questions.

• Realize that you have to see more than just the pay scale of this occupation. People come for massage for a broad range of reasons; you must be prepared to truly care for their needs. If you don't, it will show and your client retention rate (how often, or if, they come back) will suffer.

• Often people enter this field of employment dreaming of the big bucks. I am your reality check. Massage is very physical work; therefore, a 40 hour work week is an improbability due to risk of repetitive strain type injuries from performing the same movements over and over, day after day.

• It also most often entails more work than just the hands on massage: Including - paperwork, set up and clean up of your space, marketing, consulting, continuing education, and lest I forget, A TON of laundry to do !!! (Depending on if you work for yourself or another business.) Your hourly wage is NOT your hourly wage; whether you are self employed or work for someone else. Though you can make a decent living; I recommend to not get into this business solely for the money; or your career will probably be short lived.