A Career as Massage Therapist: Pros and Cons

The size of the massage industry in the US is much larger than you might think. With an increase in the popularity of alternative medicine, there has been an ever increasing demand for massage therapy, and as a result, massage therapists. A certified massage therapist can find a good job in various sectors such as spas, hospitals, hotels and physiotherapy centres. What’s more, a massage therapist can even work as an independent professional and operate from home. Sounds interesting? Please go through this article and make an informed decision.

1. Becoming a certified massage therapist

You might have come across various programs that offer courses in massage therapy. What is important to consider here is whether the institute is nationally accredited. National accreditation means that the program (and the institute) has been evaluated by a competent authority to ensure that it offers high quality learning opportunities. Some questions you could ask before enrolling for a program are: Will I qualify to practice massage following my graduation? What are the steps to get licensed? Do I qualify to take the national certification exam after graduation? What is your placements statistics?

2. After graduation

After completing your course you need to make a choice – would you work for a third party (a spa, a cruise, a hotel, a hospital) or start your own practise.

Pros: if you really enjoy this work, you will never tire of working. It can be really encouraging when a client is visibly satisfied by your service and tells you how much s/he loves the style of your massaging. The hours of work are more often than not flexible. The pay is much better than the average, and can potentially increase beyond limits depending on your own skills, experience and location. And if you are working on your own, there is practically no investment and 100% profit!

Cons: After a few years of practise, you might start finding the work monotonous, and just not feel like doing it anymore. Apart from this “burn-out”, you might develop certain physical discomfort that might prevent you from practising – the Carpel Tunnel syndrome or a backache problem due to continuous bending for long periods of time. After all, there is a lot of physical effort that goes into practising massage therapy. The work might not be steady at all times, and you may take a hit during bad economic times – luxuries cannot prevail when the wallet is not as full.

3. Misconceptions about a massage therapist

At times, massage therapists may be mistaken for people who perform for pleasure only. This can be a sensitive issue for some. However, with an increase in state training and degree programs, and licensing requirements, massage therapists are now receiving more “official” recognition and enjoy more credibility with doctors. Physicians today are regularly recommending massage therapy for their patients, and recognizing the healing benefits of massage therapy.

In the end, it’s all about your personal preferences and priorities in life. If you feel comfortable with the profession as a massage therapist, do go ahead with it, and see your dreams fulfilled! You are most likely to start a career that will make you happy and satisfied for the rest of your life.