| You do not have to experience burn out. You do | | | | or relaxation massages the trend today is more |
| not have to retire in four to five years due to | | | | therapeutically focus. Deep tissue, Sports, Trigger |
| low back pain, carpal tunnel, or some other | | | | Point Work, and Neuromuscular Therapy are the |
| repetitive stress injury. You do not have to | | | | more popular types of requested massages. |
| struggle financially, working a full-time day job | | | | Asian modalities, such as Thai-yoga, Shiatsu, and |
| while moonlighting as a massage therapist. The | | | | Acupressure are becoming increasingly popular. No |
| truth is, with the right preparation and planning | | | | matter your focus, as a professional therapist, |
| you can have a long and prosperous career in | | | | you will want to make sure you are always |
| massage therapy. | | | | learning and building new skills. Take at least one |
| The first step is to start off with a firm | | | | continuing education course each year. Most |
| foundation. Picking the right massage therapy | | | | massage schools offer National Certification Board |
| school is critical because your initial education | | | | for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork approved |
| determines your philosophy and attitude towards | | | | Continuing Education courses. Check with your |
| bodywork. Understanding the fundamentals of | | | | local school or on NCBTMB's website for a current |
| Swedish massage, body mechanics, draping, | | | | listing of available classes. |
| anatomy and physiology, pathology, and business | | | | Lastly, look to diversify your skills and offer |
| is important to your long-term success. | | | | complimentary services to your clients. Many |
| Once you graduate and begin working, either | | | | massage therapist combine other areas of |
| independently or for someone else, self-care is | | | | expertise such as personal training, group |
| extremely important. Using proper body | | | | exercise, yoga, skin care, life coaching, energy |
| mechanics during every session will protect your | | | | work, and aromatherapy to their practice. Clients |
| body from injury and allow for longevity in the | | | | that are interested in the benefits of massage |
| field. Making sure to keep your body in great | | | | therapy are often interested in natural healing, as |
| shape by eating right and exercising is a must. A | | | | well as other personal care services. What better |
| personal yoga practice is a perfect way to keep | | | | way to ensure a long and prosperous career than |
| your body flexible and strong while renewing your | | | | to offer the full spectrum of services that your |
| spirit. | | | | clients desire? |
| Remember as a therapist you need to be | | | | Partner with other professionals. Create a referral |
| nurtured as well. Regular massage is extremely | | | | system so that you can adequately meet the |
| beneficial. If a trip to the local spa is too costly | | | | needs of your clients while keeping them in your |
| find a fellow therapist and trade off. The extra | | | | network. Because it's more than twice as hard to |
| benefit of this is that you can receive feedback | | | | get a new client than to maintain a current one |
| on your work from an experienced colleague. You | | | | you should place a high focus on client satisfaction. |
| will improve your skills while "paying" for your | | | | Keeping your clients happy is the ultimate secret |
| much needed massage. | | | | to a long career. Happy clients equal returning |
| Although massage therapy techniques do not | | | | clients and referring clients: the two ingredients |
| change frequently clients' needs and preferences | | | | needed for a professional prosperity. |
| do. Where at one point, clients preferred Swedish | | | | |