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Why do people become a massage therapist? What brings people to the profession?

Most come wanting/thinking they are just want to help others. Some may come because they got worked on by a massage therapist and got relief for some condition that they had for a long time. Some are looking for more freedom in their life/schedule and the ability to work where they want and when. The massage schools make becoming a massage therapist look glamorous with people getting this soothing massage at the spa or resort.

While helping others or having more meaningful connections with people seem to be a big part of it, helping has such a deep shadow part of it – a hidden side to helping. Helping is a very co-dependent response and really can bring up core beliefs about yourself. Helping hurts people more than it helps.

Oprah had a show last week that talked about this in a different way. They were talking about raising kids with high self esteem. The only way to do that is to have high self esteem yourself. Showing kids you have a life and that you come first shows them that they need to come first too in their life. Kids learn from watching what others do not really what they are told to do.

I think the same applies to creating a healing relationship. People will respect you more when you have boundaries around yourself and take care of yourself more than others.

My favorite article on this that I have referenced often is of course “In the Service of Life” by Rachel Remen.

Find out more about careers in massage and finding a massage school on my other website – www.massage-career-guides.com

I have been doing some research on massage schools and stopped by two local schools and just walked in unannounced. I just wanted to see what kind of atmosphere there was and see what they were telling potential students. I asked for a catalog or whatever information they had on going to their school.

The materials that they gave me were pathetic. One was a hyped up marketing piece on really nice stock paper all put neatly in a impressive looking folder – but there was no real information. The other handed me a tri-fold brochure in an envelope with a business card.

Both suggested that I talk to someone in person. Neither had any real information to give out. I wonder if they are just trying to get people in to the school so they can do a sales pitch on people and tell them things like ‘they can make $70 per hour’.

I am starting to investigate massage schools to see just what it is that they are telling potential students and see what kind of students they are attracting. From what I hear in emails from students it is a nightmare. The schools just accept anyone – some without any post high school education or people being retrained from job injuries as construction workers. While I am not saying these people couldn’t one day be successful massage therapists but I would think their chances are less.

What kind of students massage schools are putting through massage school influences the profession. If students are not able to be successful and make it in this profession what exactly is going wrong? Is it that people are not being told the truth about what it will be like? Is it that the people going to massage school don’t really want to be there or aren’t as passionate about it? Is it that the massage schools just take anyone so that they can stay in business?

What do you want to know about massage schools and a career in massage?
If you are a massage therapist what do you want to tell others about setting up an running your own business or working as a massage therapist?

Choosing a massage school can be a major influence on the success or failure of your career in massage.  It is important to know what you are looking for in a school so that you can find one that will best meet your needs.  There are so many different kinds of massage schools.  Many focus on the technical aspects of doing massage- the muscles, anatomy and the massage techniques.  Others will focus on the emotional or spiritual side of the work.  The best schools will be a combination of the two and allow you to discover and follow your passion.

There are many things to consider when choosing a school:

1. How much can you afford?
2. How many hours of training are needed for you to get your license?
3. How long do you want to spend at school?
4. What is your learning style?
5. How self motivated are you to find work or start a business when you graduate?

A quality massage school will offer you the support you need from beginning to the end of your career.  Massage school is a very life changing experience for most people.  Becoming a massage therapist will often bring up your own issues about touch or success.  But there are many things that the schools are not up front about as far as careers go.  Things like the pay rate and job availability and the fact that most massage therapists start their own business, but these are all explained in my Ebook – The Massage Therapy Career Guide.   You can also find a list of massage schools on my other website.

You can find out more about all of these things at

www.massage-career-guides.com in the becoming a massage therapist section and www.thebodyworker.com in the massage therapy careers section