if you are a massage therapist please let me know if you enjoy your job.
2007-01-04 10:52:19 · 4 answers · asked by play hard 4 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
I have been a certified massage therapist since 1999 and love my field. I have never had a difficult time finding ways to make a living in my field at all. Between Chiropractic offices, physical therapists, day spas, accupuncturists, private clientele and even mainstream medical offices, the jobs are available.
After years doing something so awesome - and having a really hard time finding a therapist I really like to work on me - I became a state certified instructor last year. I have watched my "baby therapists" learn the techniques, grow their passion to heal - and get out there working in the field they truly love.
Don't get me wrong - I would NEVER give up working as a therapist to teach - I am blessed that way. I teach in the morning, before most people WANT a massage - and work for myself the rest of the day.
You may need to "blend" jobs to make it work for you financially - especially at first. Most private clients want evenings - and there are only so many evening hours available.
During the day you can find terrific jobs (with reasonable pay in the $20 - $30 an hour range) working for Chiropractors or Day Spas. That is where peopel tend to get massages during the day. Those who work can get a little time off work for a doctor's appointment, but not for a massage appointment - and yes, Chiropractors will prescribe massage for many patients.
Those who want to be pampered will hit the spas and get their massage and manicure/pedicure/facial during the day.
Then in the evening, you can treat those private clients who pay anywhere from $60 an hour (and up, sometimes way up). I have clients who I charge $120 a session and with tip it goes over that. Those are for specialty massages, or include my having to travel.
There are a couple things you need to know - this is a very physical job - done right, it's not hard on your body at all, but - you can be tired and most therapists cannot do more than about 5 hours of massage in a day - so don't count on these kinds of income amounts at 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. I don't know ANYONE who could remotely do that.
I'm teased for being insane because I will work 5 or sometimes 6 hours in a day - but then I need the next day off usually and plan my schedule accordingly.
Other things to be aware of - most massage jobs come with no benefits and are usually independent contractor jobs - so you have to pay your own taxes - and handle all your own accounting. For some that's no problem but I do know a few therapists who got themselves into a mess that needed professional tax help to figure out what they made and what expenses they could deduct.
Hope all this is helpful and useful to you. It's a wonderful field and if you have a passion for helping people there's nothing better.
Feel free to email if I can help you further.
2007-01-05 06:05:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest getting in touch with your State licensing agency for Massage Therapy...usually the Medical Board. See if they have a listing of schools that offer Massage Therapy courses. That way you cover your bases on both levels...you get a reputable school, plus you know that the listed schools will be able to get you ready for the exams you will need to take in order to be licensed.
2007-01-04 10:55:45 · answer #2 · answered by Brandon W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great, congratulations. But first, find out if there is a need for that field of expertise where you live at. It does no good for you to go to school and not be able to find a job. If there are many openings, then go for it. Best of luck to you.
2007-01-04 10:56:41 · answer #3 · answered by cajunrescuemedic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i really do enjoy what i do, i've praticing for three yrs. it's very relaxing; just knowing that i'm helping someone with their pain makes me happy & proud.
2007-01-04 10:56:05 · answer #4 · answered by shell 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋