How to start a
career as a massage therapist
Earn a
Living Through the power of Touch
by Ashish
Bhattacharya
The healing
power of touch is not unknown. A personalized massage regimen not
only relieves the body of the toxics generated within, but also
helps the person regain vitality emotionally and mentally. A career
as a massage or spa therapist can be particularly rewarding for this
very reason. If assisting people relax and find peace through touch
therapy thrills you to bits, there could not be a better career
option. And since what you give away comes back to you, you can
revel in the satisfaction that comes from doing a job well. A career
in massage and spa therapy would ideally be perfect for a person who
rejoices in others' relief. A pleasurable job comes sans work
related stresses and hence increases the chances of you enjoying it
manifold.
The present
scenario The spa and massage industry has experienced an
unprecedented high in the last decade. Several trends in massage
suggest that the opportunities for massage therapy careers are
exponentially rising, with an increasing number of people opting for
massage and spa relaxation to relieve themselves of stress and
pressure. A spa therapist hardly ever faces a dearth of job
opportunities, which makes this area of study one of the most
rewarding fields in current times.
Massage and
spa therapies have come a full circle and are today known to
supplement traditional medicine. The myriad specializations that can
be pursued have only made the profession more organized and hence,
respectable. From relaxation massages to specialized clinical
applications that require rigorous training, students of this
vocation can choose to work with medical offices, clinics, spas, or
varied segments of clients including athletes, infants, elderly or
people with injuries, sicknesses or handicaps. The most preferred
option, though, is the setting up of a massage saloon.
Massage
therapy as a career option The decision of whether or not to take up
massage therapy as a career depends upon a number of factors.
Answering a few basic questions - such as 1) Do I like interacting
with people? 2) Am I satisfied with the smile on their faces at the
end of a session? 3) Do I believe in the power of touch therapy to
cure illnesses? 4)Do I love contributing in my own way to the
overall well being of an individual through personalized care? -
would put to rest the dilemma. Deciding whether this field is the
right choice as a career goal is not as difficult as pursuing this
goal.
The training
required Recognizing the needs of the growing spa industry, many
institutions have come up with courses on massage therapy. These
dwell upon the overall anatomy of the human body with detailed
emphasis on muscles and their particular functions in the body.
Apart from this, the certification courses involve giving and
receiving massage to learn about the intricacies of touch therapy.
Choose a
course keeping in mind the requirements of the industry. A course
that is in conjunction with the industry standards will help enhance
your prospects as a massage and spa therapist. A certification
course or a degree that is recognized by a national accreditation
agency and offering a minimum 500 instruction hours is a good
option. Many states that regulate massage and spa therapies ask for
these criteria from the practitioner. Taking up the national
certificate exam for therapeutic massage and bodywork is the next
step towards a career. Meeting the requirements of the local body
governing or regulating such therapies is imperative. Be aware of
their requirements and stand in compliance of them.
A massage
therapy is both an art and a science. See if your chosen program
offers both theoretical and particle knowledge. Make sure that the
basic of massage therapy is covered by the curriculum in depth. Try
to find out if the course encourages the development of your touch
skills. The importance of continuing education cannot be pooh-poohed
either. Advanced training in the departments of therapies for
sports, orthopedic, neuromuscular therapy, therapeutic touch and
polarity and Shiatsu proves to be an added advantage and decreases
the competition you might face in your career as a massage
therapist.
Marketing or
business administration courses, though not essential, will
definitely add value to your basic course. These will be of immense
help in targeting the niche clientele your business focuses on, and
retaining them.
Making a
career Once you are armed with the necessary degrees and
certifications, its time to contemplate what exact option would you
like to plunge in. Do your home work and decide whether you want to
set up your own saloon or work in association with other businesses?
Are you looking for a full time career or do you want this career to
supplement your other income generating work?
If you decide
to work in conjunction with some other businesses or want to get
employed at a spa as a therapist, choose the type of spa you would
like to work in - be it a day spa, resort spa, destination spa or a
medical spa. Writing a good resume listing your qualifications and
experiences along with a precise cover letter is half the battle
won. Since it is the first communication from your side, avoid
spelling mistakes, and grammatical errors in the document. Speaking
up with the managers of spas that you intend to wok in will give you
an idea of the ambience and work culture there. Forward your resume
to all the businesses you intend to work with.
A personal
interview is the best opportunity to convince the manager of your
strengths. Explain in what way you could contribute to the growth of
the spa. Reaching a little while early than the scheduled time will
not only help you prepare for the discussion, but will also help you
gauge the ways of the employees and superiors.
A career in
massage therapy is a way to help people overcome personal anxieties
and allows the practitioner a unique personal interaction with
fellow beings. Even though money can be the motivating factor in the
choice of this career, majority prefer being a practitioner solely
for the joy of personal connection.
About the
author: Ashish Bhattacharya is an exponent of oriental and
alternative medicine. Armed with a degree in East Asian Therapies
from China, he is a proponent of
spa therapies
in general and
thallassotherapy
in particular, which aim at holistic well being.
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