We live in an age where gender in the workplace has become less and less of an issue. Some of this is based on legislation which prevents discrimination but much of the advances are due to changing attitudes regarding gender. There are generally less hangups and prejudices among the general population. But when it comes to massage therapy, gender can be an issue.
Massage, by its nature, is an intimate experience. Touching someone all over their body, even in a therapeutic manner, requires a level of trust and confidence between therapist and client. How clients feel about the gender of their massage therapist and the whole notion of male vs. female massage therapists and how that affects career options is the subject of our most recent article.
Check out the article about massage therapist gender issues by clicking here. I think you will find it informative and helpful.
An article published in FSView, an online version of the Florida State University newspaper, touts the therapeutic benefits of massage therapy beyond stress reduction. A number of athletes are quoted and the consensus is that massage helps with performance and reduces injuries.
The article states that the number of Americans receiving massage regularly is at 40% while the rest of the world is at 80%. While these numbers seem a bit overstated and there is no source presented for these statistics, it is obvious that the trend for massage therapy is up. And as the benefits of massage, especially for athletes, become more apparent, the demand for well-trained, highly qualified massage therapists will only increase.
This trend elevates the profile of massage beyond simple self-indulgence and pampering to mainstream health maintenance. Attending a reputable massage school with good instructors is more critical than ever. Do your research and make a good choice. The future is wide open.
