Massage Therapy Schools
There are well over 1500 massage therapy schools in the US today and the
number is constantly increasing with the demand for massage therapy.
If you are considering going to massage school be sure you
read
the section on becoming a massage
therapist to
see if that is what you really want to do.
People are drawn to the massage profession, thinking that they have good
hands and they just want to help others. While both of these things are ok, it
takes more than just good hands to become a massage therapist. It isn't about
helping people - it is about learning to be of service to others.
Being of Service
is different from helping. When we help, we place people in an unequal
relationship, saying that they need us. In reality, they don't need us,
but they want someone to witness their healing.
Listening is the key to
a good massage therapist. Listening to others involves being strong enough
to set ones self aside to really listen. When you reply with advice,
stories about yourself, criticisms or judgments, the session becomes more about
you and takes the focus off of the client.
Massage Therapy Schools don't really teach you that for
the most part. What they do teach you is many massage techniques that can
assist you in listening to the clients body.
In choosing a massage therapy school be sure to ask these
questions:
- What licensing is required where ever you live?
- How many teachers at your school have or have had a
full time massage practice?
- How many of your graduates have found jobs or started
their own business?
- How many of your graduates are still working after
one year? after 2 years? after 5 years?
The other questions everyone wants to know is
how much can you make as a massage
therapist?. As an employee your income is very limited.
Most pay between $12.00-$20.00 per hour which isn't really making a decent
living. Most employers also do not offer great benefits. You can read more about
how to create the ideal job in the
massage therapy job center. If you start your own business as most do,
your earning potential is greater, but it is still limited by the number of
massages you can do in one day.
The best way to maximize your income is to actually set up
a business where you hire massage therapists or rent space to them and then
teach them how to be skilled business people. You don't really have to go
to massage school to do this, but you do need to be aware of what it takes to be
a massage therapist.
To find a good massage school I recommend looking in the
phone book in your area and go visit all of the schools. If you are
planning on moving to where the massage school is the best, it may not be
necessary. Most schools can provide you an adequate amount of information
to start your business or find a job. It is more about what you make of
the school experience. It is also good to go to a few massage therapist in
your area and ask them where they got their training and ask if they would
recommend that school. I am also creating the largest online directory of
massage schools that is just starting out so check back later. You
will be able to rate and review massage schools!
The thing is that it can be a different way. You can
make a great living as a massage therapist and also be very happy doing so.
It can be a rewarding career in all ways when you learn what it is really about.
It is more about learning to take care of yourself - not others.
To find out more about how to choose a massage school you can purchase my Ebook
-The Massage Therapy Career Guide -
The truth about becoming a massage therapist.
