Many MTs have forgotten all they learned, or memorized, of anatomy because it is not relevant to their style of massage.

Not all MTs work in a clinical environment where this knowledge is necessary. Many work as relaxation therapists.

Also, for many this is a second or third career choice, and many do have business and marketing experience which they can draw on, as well as having a lukewarm if not warm market to start building in.

I see that you comment qute a bit on your blog about “underpricing”. I am not sure what you consider “underpricing” I have been a massage therapist going on a year. Pricing has been one of my struggles. I struggle because I read things like you say then my gut tells me another.

I am a big believer of going with your gut( intuition) then your brain(ego). Here is why I will go with my gut on the pricing. In this day and age of managed care, the in and out mentality of medical care. The mentality that you have to wait to see a Dr. 3x longer in the waiting room then you will actually see the Dr.

I, as a therapist, see our profession as the anti managed care that should be affordable to the masses. We offer a client/patient a full hour of one on one care. A successful therapist is compassionate, confident and well intended. Why should we then price these life altering services way out of reach. We go around saying that massage is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Yet we continue to price it as a luxury.

I have had conversations with other therapist about do not undersell yourself. I always thought that was kind of funny. I always responded “yes you charge your high prices and continue sitting around doing nothing” Why not make it affordable so a person can book a couple times a month instead of once every few months.

I live on the east coast, I see some places charging upwards of $85 per hour for swedish and $15 per hour more for deep muscle. I really do believe that not many therapists last because they have these grand illusions of making so much an hour and when they can’t they get frustrated and leave.

I believe we should get a little more uniform with our pricing and make it affordable for the people who need it most. Not only will people book more, we as therapists will be doing society a good thing and will be much busier.

I do not think making massage affordable is a sign of low self-esteem or lack of respect for the industry. I think it is getting a much needed therapy to anyone who wants it. Having confidence and the passion to serve the public.