Massage Therapist Profile

Massage Therapist Career Profile Hi, I'm Jes Shuford, a licensed massage therapist here for About.com. And, today I'm going to show you what it's like to be a massage therapist. Skills Needed for Careers in Massage Therapy I first became interested in becoming a massage therapist because I was a professional dancer, actually. Coming from an environment where I was working with my body a lot. And I got interested in how it worked, how it functioned, how injury happened. How the body heals and recovers from that. A massage therapist really needs to like people a lot. You need to have a deep respect and fascination with the human body. Every person's body is a whole different story and sort of a new book that you're opening and there's always something to learn with each client that you have. You need really good listening skills and sensitivity. You need to be kind of a self starter. It's a profession where you're not going to have as much as others. You need to be self motivated. You need to be able to guide yourself and steer yourself. Educational Requirements for Massage Therapists Each state has different requirements for the amount of education that's necessary to become a massage therapist. New York requires a thousand hours of education, which usually ends up being about 2 years of school. In that time you will study anatomy, physiology, kinesthesiology, all of those sciences, as well as massage technique and business and ethics and those things. And, then there's a lot of practice time, practice clinics involved in there. So, you're actually getting your hands involved on the public people. And then, in New York, after you've completed the education, you apply to take the licensing exam, but it does vary from state to state. I've been a massage therapist for seven years. I really love my job. I really love what I do. It's been really an honor to work so intimately with people and their bodies and help people feel better. Private and Contract Massage Therapist Careers A massage therapist can work for themselves and be in private practice or you can be an employee or an independent contractor and work in a variety of different environments. There's spas, hospitals, health clubs, hotels, maternity centers, chiropractors offices, so, there's a wide range of a lot of different environments that you can be in and each of those environments is going to bring you a sort of different clientele. A different kind of people that you're working with. And, a lot of massage therapists work in more than one environment just for a little variety. So, that you're not always doing the same kind of work on the same population that you've got. So, I do the vast majority of my work as an independent contractor at a spa in Manhattan. And also see occasional private clients in my home office and occasionally do their homes. Creating a Mobile Office The table is portable and it folds up and I pack it all up in a bag with my sheets and linens and oils and music and clock and all of the things that I need to cart on over and set up in their home. You get out of it, what you put into it. So there are some massage therapists who work part time and minimally and there are others who pour a lot of energy into private practice. You can definitely make a respectable living and the more you self promote, the more that you develop what it is that you specifically do. Obviously the greater your income potential. Massage Therapist Time Schedule I'll begin my day by checking voice mail and e-mail and doing any scheduling I need to do with private clients. Frequently then, I'll leave for the spa where I'll spend the bulk of my day. Sometimes I work afternoon and evenings there, sometimes I work morning and afternoon. If there's time on either end of that schedule I may see a client privately.

Massage

What is Massage Therapy? Massage therapy, also known as Swedish massage, is the most common form of massage therapy in the United States. Massage therapists use long, smooth strokes, kneading and other movements focused on superficial layers of muscle using massage oil or lotion. How Does Massage Therapy Work? Massage therapy improves circulation by bringing oxygen and other nutrients to body tissues. It relieves muscle tension and pain, increases flexibility and mobility, and helps clear lactic acid and other waste, which reduces pain and stiffness in muscles and joints. Why Do People Get Massage Therapy? People get massage therapy for relaxation or for a variety of health conditions: Back pain Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and tendinitis Stress relief and stress-related conditions Headaches and migraines Muscle and related conditions such as spasms, strains and sprains Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome Circulatory and respiratory problems Post-injury and post surgical rehabilitation Massage therapy relieves stress. It is thought to help the body's stress response by lowering levels of hormones such as cortisol. Massage therapy also appears to enhance immune function. What a Typical Massage Therapy Session is Like A typical massage therapy session is between 40 and 90 minutes. Your massage will begin with a brief consultation and review of symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. You will be asked to undress (many people keep their underwear on) while the massage therapist is out of the room, and lie face down under a sheet on a padded massage table. The massage therapist will knock on the door to make sure you are ready. The massage therapist re-enters the room and will then adjust the face rest and pillows to ensure that you are comfortable and properly positioned. Tell the massage therapist if you are too warm or cold. The massage therapist uses a light oil or lotion on the skin and begins the massage. A full body massage usually begins on the back and then moves down to the legs. You will then be asked to turn over so you are face up. The massage continues on your arms, legs, neck, and abdomen. You are underneath the sheet at all times, and in North America, only the part of the body being treated at any one time is uncovered. After the massage, the massage therapist leaves the room so you can get changed. Take your time getting up. If you sit or stand too quickly you may feel lightheaded or dizzy. Will Massage Therapy Hurt? Massage therapy shouldn't hurt. Occasionally there is mild aching when the massage therapist applies pressure over "knots" and other areas of muscle tension. If the pressure is too strong for you, let the massage therapist know. How Will I Feel After a Massage? Most people feel calm and relaxed after a treatment. Occasionally, people experience mild temporary aching for a day. Precautions Massage therapy is not recommended for certain people: People with infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds Immediately after surgery Immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor People prone to blood clots. There is a risk of blood clots being dislodged. If you have heart disease, check with your doctor before having a massage Pregnant women should check with their doctor first if they are considering getting a massage. Massage in pregnant women should be done by massage therapists who are certified in pregnancy massage. Massage should not be done directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumors, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures. Additional Massage Tips Don't eat a heavy meal before the massage. If it's your first time at the clinic or spa, arrive at least 10 minutes early to complete the necessary forms. Otherwise, arrive 5 minutes early so you can have a few minutes to rest and relax before starting the massage.