Archive for the 'massage career' Category

Offer Massage Clients Some Options To Preserve Energy

Published
by
Terry
on July 28, 2009
in massage business, massage career and massage techniques
. 0 Comments

By Courtney Slivka

Anyone who has given a massage can attest to its physical requirements. Depending on the type of massage, the client, and the length of the session, therapists may find that they are frequently facing strenuous exertion on a regular basis. Depending on the work environment, a massage therapist’s day may be packed back to back with appointments. For these reasons, the massage therapist burnout can run on the high side, but adding more services to your menu can actually help to save your sanity and physical health without sacrificing your financial stability or loyal client-base.

Many spa treatments make your clients feel just as relaxed as a deep tissue massage, yet they require much less physical exertion on the part of the therapist. Additionally, learning to perform spa treatments can really set you apart from other massage therapists in your area. There are a number of different options you have as a massage therapist and body-worker to add a spa flair to your services. Some require additional training, but are very worthwhile endeavors to pursue.

To add a unique element to any of your massages, consider exploring aromatherapy. If you have not yet entered school, consider finding one that offers an aromatherapy program as well as the standard massage curriculum. Aromatherapy can help your clients to feel extra pampered, which will earn their respect and loyalty. Additionally, the aromatherapy can also work to soothe your own mind and body even as you apply it to your clients.

You may also want to consider offering specialty treatments to your clients. Body wraps are a great way to provide your clients with a unique experience while exerting very little physical energy. Body scrubs are another way to pamper your clients without leaving the session with sore muscles or physical exhaustion. With the right education and initiative, you can even customize your own scrubs, lotions, and oils for your spa sessions. Some therapists may even choose to bottle and sell their concoctions to their clients.

Remember that if you notice yourself feeling fatigue or exhaustion, consider incorporating a bit more creativity into your massage sessions. You can provide your clients a great deal of options while maintaining your own physical health. Look for massage schools and continuing education classes that provide the proper training for aromatherapy and spa services.

Embracing Challenges in Massage School

Published
by
Terry
on July 2, 2009
in massage career and massage school
. 0 Comments

By Courtney Slivka

Massage school is a new and exciting experience for many people. Though students enroll in the massage programs to learn more about the craft, they often end up with much more insight into themselves, and their own potential. Along with all of the necessary requirements for your massage license, you will graduate with a greater insight into the human experience. However this insight does not come without hardship. There are going to be many times in your massage school career when you find yourself up against a wall.

The challenges that you face in massage school should not discourage you, but rather you should embrace them with an open mind. These difficulties are part of the learning experience, and will help to prepare you for further challenges in life, and the field of massage therapy. How you handle the pressures of school will teach you how to sail through future bumps in your path with ease and grace.

Sometimes you might have problems with your school work. Other times the problems might arise from your interactions with classmates. And other times you will find yourself stuck during a massage. In order to handle any of these situations it is important to stop and take a deep breath. Ask yourself what your intention is. Once you are clear with yourself on what you want to achieve, you can better align your actions to be effective.

It is very important throughout a massage session to set an intention. An example of a great intention is to provide an effective and therapeutic massage. Though seemingly simple, this intention helps you to maintain focus on the task at hand, thus ensuring a pleasant experience for you and your client. Along with helping to sustain a focused approach, setting a proactive intention can help you do any task at hand with kindness and compassion, allowing you to interact more positively with your clients and the rest of the world.

Finding Work as a Student While Attending Massage School

Published
by
Terry
on June 17, 2009
in massage career and massage school
. 0 Comments

By Courtney Slivka

Enrolling in massage school jump-starts new and rewarding careers for many people. However, a number of students need to continue working while attending classes to pay for rent, bills, and living expenses. For many of these students, finding a job while in school can be one of the greatest challenges of their academic career. Luckily, massage students are often at an advantage in the job search.

Many of the work environments that employ licensed massage therapists also welcome students with open arms, and are able to accommodate their non-traditional schedules. And even better, taking an entrance level position as a student can often lead to a full time gig upon graduation.

In the average community there are a number of different businesses where you will find massage therapists. Potential work environments include spas, gyms, health clubs, and more. Good news for massage students: many of these businesses also hire desk staff, receptionists, assistants, and housekeepers. Taking one of the front-of-house or behind-the-scenes positions can be extremely beneficial to you, and your employer.

As a massage school student, working along side massage therapists adds an extra layer to your education. You can approach it as an internship, taking advantage of lessons both in the classroom and in the workplace. Seeking employment among massage professionals also provides a great opportunity to network with others in your field. The potential to build relationships with your colleagues can not only increase your quality of life, but also help to grow your career. You may even find a willing mentor who is more than happy to show you the ropes of the trade.

Students are not the only ones who benefit from taking these positions while enrolled in school. Many employers look forward to the opportunity to get to know their employees before trusting them with valuable clients. It is often easier and more desirable for them to hire full time massage therapists from within their company instead of outsiders to their business. You can prove your professionalism, integrity, and work ethic right from the start, which makes life easier on your employer.

Even if you decide to seek employment elsewhere upon graduation, you can take the connections you have made with you into the future. Many states require letters of recommendation before a graduate can receive their massage license. Co-workers from a natural health based work environment can be great references, and may even be able to provide job leads or client referrals in the future.

If you are truly excited about your massage therapy career, consider investigating your job options right away. Do research on your own to find businesses that are the best fit for your career goals and current situation. If possible, seek help from your career services department at your massage school for further assistance in securing the first job of your massage therapy dreams.

Relax Station Can Provide Inspiration To Massage Students

Published
by
Terry
on May 28, 2009
in chair massage, massage business and massage career
. 0 Comments

When a student makes a decision to embark on a massage career, the motivation may be provided by a variety of factors. But if business and an entrepreneurial spirit are primary drivers then those business-minded massage school attendees would do well to look at Relax Station in Ann Arbor, MI for inspiration.

Owner Eileen Bristol had a feeling that a certain property in Ann Arbor was a good location and when it became available she let her gut tell her what to do with the space. She had seen a massage operation in New York City that inspired her to open Relax Station. The business employs 30 massage therapists and grosses $750,000 annually.

Read about the ground up development of a unique business model and let your massage business imagination run wild.

Massage School in California Expands Dramatically

Published
by
Terry
on May 27, 2009
in massage career, massage school, massage school locations and medical massage
. 0 Comments

If there is one massage school in California from which massage schools around the country should take lessons about PR it is the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville, CA. Once again, the school has garnered some pretty good press lately with a lengthy article in the Oakland Tribune. The piece discusses the increased demand for massage therapists, even in a down economy, and the impressive expansion project currently underway at NHI to accommodate the surge in enrollment.

The article contained encouraging news for all massage schools and aspiring massage therapists. Even as unemployment rates move higher, employment of massage therapists is on a healthy upward trend making a massage career an attractive career option. National Holistic Institute announced that its 2008 placement rate was 87% and expects similar strong results this year. Apparently, more and more people are becoming converts to massage therapy as the benefits become more well known and appreciated. These are stressful times and a professional massage offers relief from the physical and mental strains of daily living. In addition, there is a growing acceptance of massage by the mainstream medical community and medical massage is a growing sector among the various massage disciplines.

This is the second blog post about NHI that we’ve presented. The first was about the free massages offered by the school to police officers and firefighters after the murder of four police officers in Oakland earlier this year. National Holistic Institute does a lot of things right and the growth the massage school is experiencing is one of the rewards.

Medical Massage On The Upswing

Published
by
Gary
on April 24, 2009
in massage and health, massage career, massage specialties, medical massage and types of massage
. 0 Comments

By Gary Eaton, LMT

Most people think of massage as a way for people to relieve stress and relax.  Although that is true, the benefits of massage go far beyond just relaxation.  As a result of this outdated belief, the medical community has been slow to recognize massage as a legitimate form of treatment for patients with injuries and disease.

Lately, however, massage and its many benefits have caught the attention of the medical field.  Thanks to research studies performed over the last decade, massage is starting to be accepted by doctors as a legitimate and effective option for their patients.

As a result, massage schools are starting to respond by offering medical massage curriculum, and there are more continuing education classes available that train massage therapists in medical massage.  But the big question most people have is, “what is medical massage?”

I personally would classify myself as a medical massage practitioner.  But what people need to understand is that medical massage is not a massage technique.  Medical massage is really a unique approach to massage.

Medical massage combines advanced soft-tissue techniques with patient-specific treatment plans.  It isn’t relaxation massage, it isn’t about reducing stress, and it rarely includes a full-body treatments.  Medical massage is region-specific in that we focus on patient complaint areas that are specific to injury or disease.  Sessions are rarely more than one hour, and many ar as short as 15 or 30 minutes.

The goal of medical massage is to treat specific injuries, such as whiplash, or specific regions, such as the lumbar-pelvic region.  In short, medical massage is really just a term to distinguish advanced, condition or injury specific massage from general relaxation massage.

Medical massage can be performed anywhere.  It isn’t exclusive to a hospital or doctors office.  What separates medical massage from relaxation massage is that it isn’t just a one-size-fits-all body treatment that is choreographed.  Rather, it is a treatment massage that is specifically created for each individual patient based on their injury, pain or condition.

As such, medical massage requires more preparation.  The massage therapist must have a complete case history of the patient.  It also requires the therapist to perform postural and movement assessments in addition to soft tissue assessment.  After this initial assessment, a treatment plan is designed and implemented, and there are regular reevaluations and adjustment to the treatment plan.

What makes medical massage different from other forms of massage is the uniqueness of each patient.  Unlike general relaxation massage that may be the same procedure day after day, medical massage is different with every patient.  This requires a better knowledge of the body, but provides much more diversity and variety.  There is no chance of getting bored performing medical massage.

If you are looking to become a massage therapist and are interested in medical massage, be sure to check with your prospective massage schools to find out if they offer medical massage in their curriculum.  More and more massage schools are adding this as an additional option for massage students and as demand grows it is a great career option for new massage therapists.

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 Infant Massage and Career Options

Published
by
Terry
on April 2, 2009
in infant massage, massage career and massage specialties
. 0 Comments

Tina Allen is an internationally renowned expert on infant and pediatric massage therapy. She is a children’s health advocate and has managed and introduced pediatric massage programs at some of the most prestigious hospital on the West coast. in addition, she developed a program of compassionate touch that targets women and children that have experienced domestic abuse.

Ms. Allen has written an article for Massage Schools Guide that focuses on infant massage. In the article, Tina presents the history of this ancient practice and describes the benefits of infant massage. The application of touch in a gentle but systematic manner provides a variety of nourishing and nurturing benefits for a baby. Ms. Allen pasionately believes that touch can provide a myriad of positive experiences for developing babay. Read about the approach to infant massage and the opportunities for massage school students to consider another specialty and career option.

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 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.

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.