Think you can't afford it? There are tons of loans, grants and scholarships for aspiring spa and beauty professionals.
Learn how to finance a massage school in your geographic area.
In a time when the economy continues to be difficult to navigate and many people are considering their career options, you might be wondering if it’s the right time to start massage school. While there is always a benefit to increasing your education....
One of the best ways to pay for massage school is to earn a scholarship (or several scholarships) to help cover the costs of tuition, fees, and supplies. Scholarships, which don’t have to be repaid and are usually offered based on financial status and personal....
Looking for direction after graduating from massage school? Learn more about a massage therapy career by reading these informative articles below.
It’s Just a Tip…or is it? by Tiffany Cox, LMT Just hearing the word can make us cringe! How many times have you given what you feel is one of the best massages you’ve ever given, only to get a $5 tip on a $100+ service? Having worked in several different service industries myself over the years, I have always been a generous tipper, sometimes even to the point of protest from my wallet. Unfortunately, not all consumers are created Read More…
by Tiffany Cox, LMT We’ve all seen the various acronyms: ABMP, NAMASTA, AMTA, and a few lesser-knows. They are heralding the integration of a National Massage Organization, providing valuable information for marketing and support to therapists nationwide, and…what else do they do again? Oh yeah, insurance. Hmmmm…. ‘I don’t need insurance,’ you think, ‘I work at a very elite spa, and they told me I don’t need liability insurance because they’re covered. So, anything I do is their responsibility…right?!?’ Well, Read More…
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 Read More…
In our last post, we talked about a typical day for a massage business owner. Today, we’ll look at a massage therapist who gives massages in a hospital. Ms. Shirley Vanderbilt wrote an insightful article in the June-July 2000 issue of Massage and Body Work Magazine where she featured two massage therapists – Lynn Daniels and Cynthia Swan. Ms. Daniels starts her day at 7 in the morning and offers her services in Longmont United Hospital in Colorado. Longmont is Read More…
We have to admit that we struggled for a few minutes about choosing an appropriate title for today’s blog. Two reasons: a massage session lasts an hour, so when people come out of the massage room feeling re-invigorated and more optimistic about the future, it’s really the 60 minutes spent under the healing hands of a massage therapist that make the difference. But the intention for this blog was to describe “a day in the life of a massage therapist” Read More…
Everyone agrees: massage promotes rest and relaxation, and wellness. Speak to anyone who has had a massage and you’ll hear only positive comments about their massage experience. It is clearly the “go-to” method for de-stressing because it allows you to close your eyes and be oblivious to the troubles of the outside world – even for just an hour. As you complete your courses in massage school and prepare for your license, some of your instructors who will no Read More…
Overheard in a downtown cafe one day: “I’m booked for the next 3 months. I’ve had to turn away clients and feel bad because I want to help them.” “I’ve just earned my license so I’m relatively new in the field. The place I work for though has a steady stream of clients so I’m slowly building good client relationships. The potential for repeat business is excellent.” When you graduate from massage school and earn your license, you gain experience Read More…
By Courtney Slivka, LMT As a massage therapist, you will be called upon to perform sessions that are both physically and emotionally demanding. Most massage therapists readily embrace the challenges of the profession. After all, there are just as many rewards as there are difficulties. Nevertheless, it is important to maintain a healthy sense of self-care so that you can be the best possible therapist for your clients, and enjoy the highest quality of life. Start practicing healthy habits while Read More…
by Courtney Slivka Do you love the world of sports? Many people believe athletics and fitness to be among the most exciting industries, and they dream about one day participating in this ever changing field. When it comes to sports, competition is often ruthless, and the stress and sacrifice required by professional athletes is certainly not for everyone. However massage therapists can find a profitable and fulfilling way to engage daily with athletics by specializing in sports massage. There are Read More…
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 Read More…
We are pleased to present another article from medical massage therapist and natural health expert, Kathy Gruver, about the ins, outs, ups and downs of the various options available to newly graduated massage therapists. Kathy is a highly experienced massage professional with a down-to-earth, real world perspective on the rewards and challenges of a massage therapy career. In the article she has just written exclusively for Massage Schools Guide, Kathy presents perspective on a number of options available to new Read More…
Today’s post is contributed by guest blogger Kathy Gruver. Kathy has been involved in natural health for nearly two decades and has her Masters in Natural Health and Doctorate in Traditional Naturopathy. Kathy is a Medical Massage Therapist, Natural Health Consultant, Reiki Master, and Birth Assistant. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Natural Health. Kathy owns Healing Circle Massage in Santa Barbara which specializes in medical and therapeutic massage and was chosen as a “Best Practice” by Massage Magazine Read More…
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 Read More…
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 Read More…
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 Read More…
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 Read More…
By Gary Eaton LMT One 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 Read More…
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, Read More…
By Gary Eaton, LMT When deciding whether to make pursue a career in massage therapy, it is important to look at the massage industry as a whole to determine if it is right for you. To help you better understand the “average” massage therapist and who they are, I thought I would throw some statistics at you about current massage therapists. Thankfully, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) has put together a nice compilation of U.S. government statistics, surveys and Read More…
By Gary Eaton, LMT Most people who decide to pursue a career in massage therapy fall into one of two categories; they either had a very specific massage experience that enlightened them and drove them to become a massage therapist, or, frankly, they knew very little to nothing about massage. I’ve known many from both categories (and a few that don’t fall into either). Those that had their lives changed by a massage therapist, usually following a serious injury or Read More…
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