Wondering….massage therapist?
Posted: September 7th, 2011 | Author: admin | Filed under: massage therapy benefits | Tags: Therapist, Wondering....massage | 4 Comments »
Question by Bri: Wondering….massage therapist?
I want to become a massage therapist. BUT! I have heard horror stories. How many years of college do you have to do? Do you get a masters (lol). Do you make some cash? Is it worth it? What do you wear…jeans and a shirt? Scrubs? Nurse outfit? I have no idea!!! Please give me everything you know! Is it fun? Do you have to do those hot rocks or do you just massage people? Do you get tired? Do you have to do laser surgery? Please help! I really want to know!(: AND Do you stand on your feet all the time? Do you have anything to do with Computers? I love people and i LOVE LOVE LOVE talking(: Would you think I am good and sorry for all the questions haha
Best answer:
Answer by Signora Banker
From a reputable site:
http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles/careers/101734.html
Give your answer to this question below!
Don’t expect to get rich off being a massage therapist, but it is an enjoyable profession for someone who likes people and feels rewarded when they see people get better as a direct result of their working with them. A therapist starting out usually finds it necessary to work in a spa/clinic environment at least until they have enough of a reputation to be able to go out on their own. You’ll make more money on your own, but then you also have to cover your own overhead and advertising. There’s a certain amount of safety in working in a spa/clinic too. The “horror” stories usually come from women working on their own.
What you wear depends on what kind of environment you are working in. Spas and clinics tend to have their therapist wear scrubs. If you’re working on your own, casual clothes that allow you to move comfortably is fine… but you don’t want to look TOO casual… need to have a professional appearance.
Another thing you should consider is the wear and tear of massage on your own body. If you are doing deep tissue and other massage techniques that involve real work on your part, there is a toll that your own body takes after awhile. My massage instructor once said that the “average” professional life expectancy of a therapist working full-time is 7 years before she starts to experiences the occupational effects like carpal tunnel, back aches, etc.
just think of all the nasty fat people you would have to touch, is it even possible to do an effective massage through all that lard? and consider all the back-ne acne, boils and crusts. Yeesh why would you want that?
nursing career is much better and attractive then a therapist and you can sit on a handsome salary package with alot of incentives/perks
Good grief, you’ve heard some wild stories!
Massage training is usually a trade school rather than a college course. There are some “business colleges” out there that offer massage therapy as an associate’s degree, but all that means is that they make you take English and math and other general eds alongside the same massage training you’d get from a private trade school. It’s not superior training just because it takes longer to complete. Always weigh your options and do some investigating before deciding on a school.
How long it takes depends on where you live. Every state and province has its own regulations.
What you wear depends on how you work. If you work for a spa or a PT clinic you will likely have a uniform of either scrubs or khakis and a polo shirt. If you are in business for yourself, you can wear whatever you like, but in any case I would not recommend jeans. Too hard to move in, and not very professional looking anyway.
Using “those hot rocks” is a personal choice, unless you work for a spa that offers hot stone massage and wants you to.
Laser surgery? What? Where did that come from?
You are on your feet quite a lot. I do try to sit for part of the time when I am working on the neck and shoulders, and again when I get to the feet. But the rest of it is standing. Wear good supportive shoes and use good posture.
If you own your own business, you are more likely to have to use a computer for your work than if you work for someone else.
If you are a talker, work on not talking so much. Many clients will say that there is nothing more irritating when getting a massage than a therapist who just won’t shut up. Every now and then there’s a chatty client, but mostly they are there to relax and chill out and don’t like to talk much.