subject: Massage Therapy Career: Helping People Relax [print this page] Do you have a desire to help people? Did you dream of being a doctor or nurse when you were young but now feel that dream is too far out of reach? If so, a career in massage therapy may be just what you're looking for. Massage therapists often feel fortunate to have found a career that enables them to help people in a healing manner. They are able to have a career that is emotionally and professionally rewarding by knowing they are helping others in a therapeutic environment.
It's estimated that over 50% of massage therapists are independent contractors or running their own businesses. If working for yourself interests you, that is a very plausible idea in this field. You are able to set your own rates, choose your own hours, and cater to your own personal clientele in whichever ways work best for you. Just remember that in running your own business you become responsible for all that goes with it including paying taxes, providing your own equipment and supplies, and having liability insurance. Building your clientele is going to be a task but there are more and more people looking for holistic alternatives in healing. As long as you're professional and personable you will probably find this task to be much easier than it would have been ten years ago.
For those of you who aren't interested in all the extra work that goes into running your own business, there are more job placement opportunities now than ever. Retirement homes usually have a massage therapist to help their elderly patients. There are massage therapy clinics that will sometimes pay an hourly rate or that you can rent space from. Many gyms and health clubs and fitness centers are now offering massage therapy to their clients. Sports teams and doctors offices are also offering massage therapy. The possibilities are endless.
There's a mall close to where I live that has a store in it. The front of the store is blacked out with fabric and upon entering the store there is curtained off areas. Imagine my surprise when I was greeted by a very sweet lady offering a deep tissue massage. You could have your own mall massaging center! Never in a million years would I have expected to see that right dab in the middle of a mall but evidently it's quite popular in malls.
One thing you may want to consider before deciding on a career as a massage therapist is that there's not much of a ladder to climb. Independently you can build your clientele and as you improve your techniques you may increase your fee. Working for an office or business there's not much room for advancing your career any further than you have just by getting your position. If you're paid an hourly wage you can expect the normal cost of living and yearly raises, but your base pay per massage will likely remain the same unless you are able to further your education and learn new techniques.
by: Susan Bean
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