If you’re looking for a career that’s both rewarding and in high demand, massage therapy might be the perfect choice for you. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Massage therapists are one of the fastest-growing occupations in the next ten years. And with good reason – massage therapy offers many benefits both to those who receive it and those who provide it.
1. What Is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapists apply pressure to different body parts, using their hands or sometimes with tools, to help relieve muscle tension and stress. This might include massaging your shoulders after a long day at work, applying massage oil before you get a pedicure, having your partner rub your feet at the end of a long day, or getting a deep tissue massage to relieve stress. Massage therapy is usually offered in private sessions at spas, but it’s also available in group classes at some gyms. People who offer massage therapy are called “massage therapists” or “masseuses.” People are also called “mobile massage therapists” who come to your house, workplace, or even on the road if you’re out and about.
2. How Is It Different from a Regular Massage?
People can perform massage therapy for various reasons – to help relax muscles after a long day of work, before and during an athletic event, or just as a way to give back and help others. When you visit a massage therapist, they will ask you specific questions about your problem, such as where the pain is located and how it feels. After this assessment, they’ll then apply different types of pressure according to which technique they’re using – deep tissue or soft-tissue massages are just two examples.
While getting a massage can also give you many of the same benefits, massage therapists are trained to know which techniques are best for the problem they’re trying to address.
3. How Is It Different From Physical Therapy?
Massage therapists are not nearly as medical or scientific as physical therapists are. A physical therapist will likely use similar techniques during a given massage session. Still, they generally will not employ the same pressure or strength level as a massage therapist. Physical therapists are medical practitioners who treat injuries and disabilities using physical medicine. They can be thought of as “the muscle between your doctor’s visit.”
4. How to Become a Massage Therapist?
If you wish to work as a massage therapist, there are a few things you should know. First, you’ll need to find an accredited school that offers a massage therapy program. Many different schools across the country offer these programs, so you should be able to find one near you.
Once you’ve graduated from an accredited program, you’ll need to get a license to practice massage therapy. This generally requires passing an exam and meeting specific requirements, such as completing a certain number of hours of practical experience. More information is available on the licensing board’s website in your state.
After getting your license, you’re ready to start practicing! You can find jobs at spas, gyms, or even start your private practice and work out of your home or office. You might also be able to partner with other massage therapists to create a spa of your own down the line.
As you can see, learning to become a massage therapist is not easy, but it does open up lots of opportunities that only improve the lives of others and give you a chance to help people with their problems.
5. Salary of a Massage Therapist
Massage therapists enjoy a median annual salary of $39,000. However, this can vary greatly depending on the therapist’s experience level and where they practice. For example, those who work in hospitals or nursing homes typically earn more than those in private practices or spas. On average, however, the median annual salary of a massage therapist is $39,000.
There are a lot of factors that determine how much a massage therapist makes, including what state they practice in and their level of education. The following is a list of the highest paying states for a massage therapist and what you can expect to make if you were to become a massage therapist.
Massage Therapist Salary By State (highest paying)
Washington, DC – $68,790 California – $66,610 Alaska – $61,730 New York – $58,870 Nevada – $58,740 District of Columbia – $55,280 New Jersey – $54,990 Connecticut – $52,940 Minnesota – $50,380
Massage Therapy Salary By State (median)
New York – 52000 California – 48310 Alaska – 39400 North Carolina – 36100 Oregon – 35910 Michigan – 34700 Indiana – 33500 Texas – 31920 Massachusetts – 31600 Minnesota – 31000
7. Are Our Massage Therapists in High Demand?
Yes.
Massage therapists are in high demand because they help people to feel better. They work with many different types of patients, from athletes to pregnant women to the elderly to children. Massage treatment is a fantastic approach for them to reduce stress, increase their physical fitness, and relieve discomfort. It can also be used as relaxation therapy or even as part of an overall wellness program that helps individuals live healthier lives. All massages should incorporate pressure on the muscles, stimulating blood flow and releasing tension in these areas. The best aspect about massage treatment is that, unlike pills or surgery, it has no side effects, so you have nothing to lose!
You may learn more about how this treatment can improve your quality of life by visiting the American Massage Therapy Association’s official website.
8. What Are the Disadvantages of Being a Massage Therapist?
Following are some of the disadvantages of being a massage therapist:
* It can be hard to find work, especially if you don’t live in a big city.
* It’s also essential to stay calm and relaxed during massages, which can be difficult if you’re having a bad day.
* Finally, working on people’s muscles can be tiring all day long, especially if you’re working with hefty people or on specific areas (such as the lower back) for long periods.
9. What Are the Advantages of Being a Massage Therapist?
Following are some of the advantages of being a massage therapist:
* You get to help people feel better.
* It can be a relaxing job – especially for those who work part-time and only deal with customers after hours.
* The income is unquestionably decent, but it’s worth remembering that many therapists don’t make as much money as they could if they worked somewhere else.
* Finally, massage therapists are never bored – there’s always something new to learn about the human body and how you can help it feel better.
10. Is Massage Therapy a Stable Career?
Massage Therapy is a very stable profession with growing demand in the United States. That’s because a growing number of people who have never had a massage before are realizing how helpful it can be to their health. It also doesn’t hurt that most insurance companies will reimburse patients for 60-75% of the cost of a session with a massage therapist, and Medicare may even cover 100%.
In addition, when you work as an independent contractor or “freelancer” in this industry, you get to choose your hours and set your schedule. This makes it easy to balance your career with family life without having one side suffer too much from neglect. And if you do want more responsibility, you can always open your massage therapy clinic.
11. Top Recruiting Companies for a Massage Therapist
Many great companies are looking for talented and qualified massage therapists. Some of the top recruiting companies include:
- Massage Envy
- Spa Finder
- Touchstone Employment
- American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)
- New life Wellness Career
12. Best Colleges to Study Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States, and it’s easy to see why. More and more people are turning to this form of healing to relieve stress, improve their health, and reduce pain.
Massage therapy is also an excellent career choice for those who want a job with flexible hours because many clients need treatment at odd times or on weekends. And you can work from home if your state approves it!
At any time, there are about 100 colleges throughout the United States offering training programs in massage therapy. They vary widely by location, specific curriculum offered tuition costs, and other factors such as length of the program or specific degree awarded upon graduation. Here are some of the best colleges to study massage therapy:
- 1. New York Institute of Massage
- 2. Universal College of Healing Arts
- 3. Northwestern Health Sciences University (MSPT)
- 4. West Coast University-Orange County Campus(MST)
- 5. National Holistic Institute (HIT)
- 6. Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
- 7. Southwestern College
13. Conclusion
Massage therapy is a good career because it pays well, and you can work as little or as much as you want. It’s also gratifying to help people feel better, so they have more energy for their daily lives. With the increase in chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, demand for massage therapists has increased over the last decade. If this sounds like something that would interest you, talk with your parents about getting certified through one of our partner schools!
