Monthly Archive for March, 2009

Massage School in California Offers Free Massage to Police Officers

Published
by
Terry
on March 31, 2009
in massage school
. 0 Comments

The entire nation was stunned by the brutal slaying of four police officers in Oakland, CA on March 21. The tragic killings brought renewed respect and appreciation for those who serve in law enforcement. To demonstrate appreciation for police officers, a massage school in California is offering them a free massage.

The National Holistic Institute in Emeryville, CA is offering a free massage to all officers that work in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The school is offering each police officer a 50-minute massage session at its student clinic from April 1 through April 30. The National Holistic Institute was the first accredited massage therapy school in California.

Massage – Job or Career?

Published
by
Gary
on March 29, 2009
in compensation and massage career
. 0 Comments

By Gary Eaton LMT

Most people today have jobs.  Very few of us have careers.  What is the difference?

Well, I am sure there are experts out there that could give you exact definitions, but as far as I’m concerned, the difference is your mindset.  A job is something you do in exchange for money.  It is where you trade hours for dollars, you aren’t particularly attached to the job, and if something better comes along you would jump in a second.

A career, on the other hand, is much more than just a job.  Yes, you are still working for money, but that isn’t the only reason.  A career is something you are interested in, are passionate about, something that provides more than just financial reward.

So, what is massage going to be for you?  A job or a career?  My suggestion is, if you make it just a job you will be sadly disappointed.

To me, massage is a career and so much more.  Massage certainly provides dollars in exchange for my time, but it also offers additional benefits and rewards.  The many rewards of a massage career can far surpass the monetary gain.

First, to be a successful massage therapist it is important to love what you do.  Passion for helping others is important, but you must also enjoy the act of providing massage.  If you look at massage as a job you will quickly become bored and dissatisfied.  That will negatively affect your performance and the result will be unhappy clients and you will struggle to keep them coming through the doors.

Massage offers an opportunity to change peoples’ lives in very positive ways.  I have clients that I have worked with for two years and I have seen their lives change in very dramatic ways.  I had a little something to do with those changes and the rewards for my efforts are priceless.

Making massage therapy a career and lifestyle brings you into contact with a wonderful variety of people, it provides incredible personal growth opportunities, and it is a career that is always evolving.  As a massage therapist you are constantly learning.  Massage school is just the beginning.  The real learning begins when you start your massage career, and continues every day.

Despite the faltering economy there are many jobs out there to be had.  But how many of them will bring you personal satisfaction.  In massage, when you do your best your clients reward you with much more than money.  Their appreciation and love for what you do and how you help them is something most people can’t get from their ordinary jobs.

Don’t make the mistake of looking at massage as just another job that pays better then minimum wage.  If you make massage therapy a career choice and invest in it for the long haul, you will find the rewards will be much bigger than a normal job.  And the monetary gain, which can be substantial, will ultimately be much less a reward then the satisfaction of changing peoples lives in positive, tangible ways.

If you are considering a career in massage make sure you take this into consideration.  Massage as a job will probably be as disappointing as any other ordinary job.  But massage as a career, approached with the right attitude, might just be the most satisfying endeavor you could ever choose.

Gary Eaton is a licensed massage therapist and writer living and working in Portland, Oregon. He manages a thriving therapeutic massage practice and is a featured writer for Massage Schools Guide.

Massage Therapy Schools in Chicago

Published
by
Terry
on March 28, 2009
in massage school and massage school locations
. 0 Comments

One thing that we are always paying attention to here at Massage Schools Guide is what people online are searching for. It is really helpful to know what we should focus on when we are clued into what people interested in attending massage school or beginning a career as a massage therapist are looking for online. One thing that is particularly intriguing to me is that the most searched term related to massage school in a particular city is that the #1 search is “massage school Chicago.”

I am wondering what it is in particular about the Windy City that commands so much interest in massage schools there. Is there such a market and a need for a massage therapists in Chicago that individuals are interested in capitalizing on this? Or are residents of Chicago simply tuned into the benefits and opportunities associated with massage therapy and have a desire to be involved in a constructive way? Or have the massage schools in the Chicago metro area done a particularly good job of marketing?

Any thoughts?

Massage Career Options – Cruise Ships

Published
by
Gary
on March 26, 2009
in massage career
. 0 Comments

By Gary Eaton LMT

cruise-shipOne of the great things about a career in massage therapy is the flexibility.  If you aren’t a morning person (like me) you can choose to start work at 10am, or noon, or even later.

Another great advantage of this flexibility is the opportunity to work just about anywhere in the world.  When I was in massage school I had several classmates that were determined to start their careers working on cruise ships.  This wasn’t an option for me personally, mostly because I have children and I didn’t like the idea of being away from them for long periods of time.  Had I been younger, single and more interested in relaxation massage, I may have jumped at the chance to work on a cruise ship.

However, before you get too excited about the prospect of traveling the world for free giving massage to cruise ship passengers, it is important to understand the reality of this kind of work.

Cruise ship massage can be a great opportunity to see the world, but it won’t be like actually taking a cruise and seeing the sites.  You won’t have a lot of time to see the sites when you hit different ports because you will actually be working during a lot of the stops.  On top of that, the pay is lower than average and the lifestyle won’t be quite as posh as you might think.

For starters, if you sign on with a cruise line you will be away from home for an extended period of time.  Contracts vary by cruise line, but you can expect to be on board for 6-8 months.  You will spend the entire time on the ship with no breaks to go home.

As for living on the ship, massage therapists live amongst the rest of the cruise ship crew.  Living arrangements are dorm style, usually cramped quarters near the bottom of the ship, out of sight of the passengers.  And don’t expect to be enjoying the amazing buffets they serve to guests.  The food reserved for workers is not nearly as good as guests receive.

As for the work, like I said, the pay is much less.  Again this varies, but you won’t get rich performing cruise ship massage.  Of course, you don’t have any living expenses either, which helps.  Tips will be the make-or-break for this career choice, and those will vary widely.

The hours can also be very long on cruise ships.  You may be expected to work as much as 10-12 hours a day.  This can be very physically and mentally demanding, and burnout is not uncommon for some cruise ship massage therapists.

As for seeing the world, yes, you will have the opportunity to stop in ports around the globe, but you won’t really have much of an opportunity to see the sights.  Again, cruise ship policies vary, but most of the time you won’t be allowed to leave the ship, and when you can it will be for very short periods of time.

I had a friend work a cruise line in the Mexican Riviera.  He enjoyed his time, but was very disappointed in that he rarely got to get off the ship and explore.  He did come back with a fabulous tan though!

Despite some of the obvious disadvantages, there are some advantages to this kind of work.

First, you will be performing a lot of massage.  For a new therapist this is a great way to build experience and confidence.  You will also be living and working with other therapist and many will become lifelong friends.  And since you don’t have living expenses it is a great way to save some money to start your own practice back home or just to pay off your massage school loans or other bills.

Cruise ship massage is not for everyone.  You must be able to handle living in a small space and working long hours for six or more months.  But if you have an adventurous spirit, the freedom to get away from your everyday life, and the desire and fortitude to work hard, you will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience and see parts of the world that you otherwise would never see.

If cruise ship massage is something you are interested in, make sure to do your own research while in massage school.  There are many websites that promote cruise ship massage jobs, so check them out understand the industry so you aren’t jumping blindly into something that might not be the right massage job for you.

Gary Eaton is a licensed massage therapist and writer living and working in Portland, Oregon. He manages a thriving therapeutic massage practice and is a featured writer for Massage Schools Guide.

New Massage Chair Article Added

Published
by
Terry
on March 25, 2009
in massage chairs, massage equipment and massage specialties
. 0 Comments

We have recently published a new article about massage chairs on our main website. In this article we explain the growing attraction of chair massage and some of the factors that are contributing to the increased popularity of this practice. We’ll also explain the specific therapeutic benefits of chair massage, the different styles of chair massage bodywork, the types of massage chairs and the advantages and challenges of this approach to massage.

Finding A Mentor Is Key To A Successful Massage Career

Published
by
Gary
on March 25, 2009
in continuing education and massage career
. 1 Comment

By Gary Eaton LMT

Like many professions, finding someone who is an expert in the field that is willing to share their knowledge and experience can make the difference between success and failure as a massage therapist.  Being a successful massage therapist is not impossible without a mentor, but having that guiding hand will certainly help move your career forward at a much faster pace.

When I attended massage school I made a great connection with one of my instructors, who ultimately became my mentor.  This relationship was an integral part of my school experience, and played an even bigger role in my successful transition into a professional massage therapist.

The positive impacts of a mentor can’t be overstated.  If you really want to succeed, do your best to find a massage therapist that would be willing to be your mentor.  I was lucky enough to find one even though I wasn’t exactly looking for it.  But I benefited greatly from her insight and advice.

A mentor brings much more than just technical knowledge about massage.  My mentor actually practices a completely different style of massage, and yet she has given me more relevant information and advice about my massage career than I could have received from any massage school class.

One of the best nuggets of advice I received from my mentor was about motivation.  She instilled in me the importance of having the right motivation in becoming a successful therapist.  Basically she told me that if I looked at massage as a means to an end – i.e. just about the money – I would be very disappointed.  Massage would just become a job like any other.  She instilled in me the passion for helping others.  This advice helped me stay focused on why I wanted to be a massage therapist in the first place.

Aside from the obvious advantages of a mentor, such as career advice, learning from their experiences – both successes and failures, a mentor can provide the emotional support we need to succeed in an industry that can be very demanding.  People who don’t practice as massage therapist don’t understand the demands -  physical, mental and emotional – that are required to be a successful massage therapist.  A great mentor will understand those demands, and through their wisdom they can impart advice that you won’t find from anyone else.

If you are getting ready to start your massage training, or are thinking about going to massage school, keep in mind how important a mentor can be to your success.  If you have a chance to connect with other massage therapists or massage instructors, don’t be afraid to ask one of them to be your mentor.  Most therapists are already helpers by nature, and would be honored to help another massage therapist to succeed.

Gary Eaton is a licensed massage therapist and writer living and working in Portland, Oregon. He manages a thriving therapeutic massage practice and is a featured writer for Massage Schools Guide.

Continuing Education for Massage Therapists – Why It Is Important

Published
by
Terry
on March 24, 2009
in continuing education, massage certification, massage licensing and massage school
. 1 Comment

By Gary Eaton LMT

One of the first things you learn when you become a licensed massage therapist is that your training never ends.  Or at least it probably won’t end for many years to come.

The reality is that there is so much to learn about our bodies and how massage can positively impact them, and there are so many techniques and different modalities out there, but there just isn’t enough time for anyone to learn it all.

Once I was done with massage school and started working in the profession I realized that, although I received a good education, I didn’t know nearly as much as I would have liked.  I am the type of person that loves to learn, and massage is a profession that I can never know it all.  This continual, lifelong learning was very appealing to me, and was one of the many reasons I chose massage therapy as a career.

For many people, hearing that you are required to get a certain amount of continuing education after getting your license is a negative.  But the reality is that continuing education is not only great for learning new techniques that will help your clients, but it also provides a great way to connect with other therapists as well as energize your practice.

The amount of continuing education required for licensed massage therapists varies by state.  In Oregon, where I practice, it is 25 hours every two years.  In reality, this isn’t very many hours.  And although some continuing education classes can be expensive, if you pick the right ones they will more than pay for themselves.

For many massage therapists, continuing education classes is where they really learn their craft.  After massage school, many therapists are unsure what type of massage they want to practice.  After a year or two in practice they have a better feel for what type of career they want, and it is at this point that they are able to take continuing education classes in a specific modality.

When it comes to choosing a class, a lot will depend on what you can afford and where your interests lay.  If you aren’t near a major city it can be more difficult to find classes.  However, most massage schools offer classes.

If you want to learn a specific technique, like cranio-sacral therapy, lymphatic drainage techniques, or even shiatsu or thai massage, there are classes held all year round all across the country.

The great thing about these continuing education classes is it allows you to grow as a practitioner.  You can take your knowledge and experience, and then add in some new techniques.  You will learn how better to serve your clients and this will result in happier customers, more referrals and a more financially successful practice.

Gary Eaton is a licensed massage therapist and writer living and working in Portland, Oregon. He manages a thriving therapeutic massage practice and is a featured writer for Massage Schools Guide.

Massage School Curriculum Blends Theory and Practical

Published
by
Gary
on March 21, 2009
in massage and health, massage career, massage school and massage specialties
. 0 Comments

When some people think of massage school, they envision spending their days giving and receiving massage.  But the fact is, to get a proper massage education it is important to have a balance of both hands-on clinical massage training as well as theoretical classroom training.

Although massage schools vary greatly, quality programs will properly blend the hands-on training with a proper amount of theory.  The bottom line is you can’t safely lay hands on clients without knowing what you are doing.

So what is the difference between theory and practical hands-on training?  Simple.  The classroom theory part of your schooling is like the who, what, where, when and why of massage.  The hands-on clinical training is the how.

The foundation for your massage school training will be the how, in the form of basic massage techniques.  You will learn the technical aspects of Swedish Massage, as well as other techniques such as deep tissue massage, maybe some lymphatic drainage techniques, as well as many other specific modalities.  Again, every school is different in what and how they train their massage students.  But Swedish Massage is the foundation of all massage, and you will spend many hours learning and perfecting these techniques.

However, without the proper classroom theory, the who, what, where, when and why part, you will be hard-pressed to become a truly skilled massage therapist.  Most states regulate the massage industry, and for good reason.  It is important for massage practitioners to have a thorough understanding of the body and how to properly administer a massage.  Without that knowledge people can get hurt, or at the least receive a very ineffective massage.

When it comes to the classroom training, you will be learning all about the body, and specifically the muscles and joints.  This study of muscles and joint movement is called kinesiology.  For those wanting to practice more therapeutic or treatment massage, kinesiology will be a very important course for you.

Another critical aspect of leaning massage theory is what we call contraindication.  Contraindicated basically means that in certain circumstances or with certain conditions, specific massage techniques (or all massage) should be avoided.  For instance, if a client has an open wound, massage would be contraindicated for that specific area of the body.

There are a lot of contraindications, and it is an important part of any massage therapists’ education to learn these.  For instance, massage is contraindicated for people recovering from open heart surgery.  There are also contraindications for diabetics.

Gary Eaton is a licensed massage therapist and writer living and working in Portland, Oregon. He manages a thriving therapeutic massage practice and is a featured writer for Massage Schools Guide.

New Article About Thai Massage Schools Added

Published
by
Terry
on March 18, 2009
in massage specialties and thai massage
. 0 Comments

We have noticed a dramatic increase in inquiries about Thai massage and the availability of Thai massage schools in the United States. Consequently, we have written an article that addresses the topic of Thai massage schools which is available in the articles section of our main site.

Thai massage is not classic massage therapy as we would understand it. It is more a combination of techniques. While the overall goal is still physical, mental and spiritual wellness, the techniques are varied and include versions of acupressure, stretching, posing and more. It is mentioned in the article that Thai massage is considered by some to be “yoga for lazy people” due to the sometimes passivity of the recipient and the activity and involvement of the practitioner.

You can read more about this rather exotic cousin of massage therapy and discover the availability of  Thai massage schools and the trends in domestic and international training programs.

Which Massage School Is Right For Me?

Published
by
Gary
on March 17, 2009
in compensation, health issues, infant massage, massage blogs, massage career, massage school and sports massage
. 1 Comment

By Gary Eaton, LMT

Deciding to become a massage therapist is a life changing decision. After weighing all the pros and cons of a career in massage and determining that massage therapy is the right decision, the next step is finding a massage school. But how do you choose? Which one is best?

Those aren’t always easy questions to answer, but there are ways to narrow it down and make an informed decision. But first, let’s try and understand the actual role of massage school.

Unlike some careers, where you go to school is less important then than other factors. I have never once been asked where I went to massage school by a client. That isn’t to say you won’t get a better education from School A then School B, but in the end it isn’t the most important factor.

When I decided to become a massage therapist I had four schools to choose from in my area. So I started by finding a few licensed massage therapists from each school who graduated in the last couple of years and asked their opinion. Not surprisingly, all of the therapists I talked with recommended their school over the others. That didn’t help much.

Next, I visited each school, met with admissions counselors, checked out their facilities and studied their programs. There were advantages to each, depending on where your interests were. So how did I choose? How can you choose?

There are several things you need to consider that will help you decide on a school. The first is cost. Although all four schools were close in costs, a couple of them offered better financing options. Most massage schools are expensive (but worth the investment in my opinion), so finding the best value is important. So the first question is can you financially afford the school?

The second thing on the list for me was schedule. I was working full-time, so I needed classes to be available in the evenings. I also didn’t want to go for two or three years. I was committed to working full-time and going to school full-time for a year. That eliminated two schools for me, as their programs took longer to complete even though actual class hours were about the same.

Another factor I considered was the success rate of graduates in passing the state board exams. I live, and massage school, in Oregon, which has some of highest requirements to become a therapist. Not only do you have to complete a certain number of class hours (these vary by state) but you also have to pass the national exam and a hands-on state board exam. These requirements are topped by just a couple of states, so I wanted to know how well graduates of the two schools did when it came to passing the state boards. The result? It wasn’t even close.

The school I chose had over 90% pass rate, compared to about 75% for the other school. That was what did it for me. You see, I believe I would be just as good of a massage therapist regardless of the school I went to. But in the end, the massage school’s job is to teach you the basics and prepare you to pass the national and state exams.

Learning to become the best massage therapist is great, but if the school doesn’t prepare you to pass the tests you might never become licensed and it will be a big waste of time and money.

Of course there were other factors involved in my decision process. I had a good feeling about the school I chose from the first moment I walked in the door. It was in a good location, the facility was clean and professional, and the people were friendly and helpful. But when it came down to decision time, for me, it was all about the knowledge. Did I feel confident that they were going to be able to help me do my best at getting licensed as well as being a knowledgeable, skilled massage therapist?

The truth is, you will learn more about being a massage therapist AFTER you graduate and become licensed. Those first few months working full-time will teach you much more then school. Massage school will give you the foundation necessary to build your career. But that career won’t get off the ground if they don’t prepare you for the licensing tests.

So when considering a school and all of the needs and requirements you have, don’t forget to check the success rate of their graduates. All things being equal, that becomes an important statistic.

If you are struggling with where to go to school or whether massage is right for you, drop me an email or comment on this or other posts. I am open to answering all of your questions, and I know you have many. So ask away!

Gary Eaton is a licensed massage therapist and writer living and working in Portland, Oregon. He manages a thriving therapeutic massage practice and is a featured writer for Massage Schools Guide.