| What do you think about first when you think | | | | business in growth mode. |
| about becoming a massage therapist? Learning | | | | While many massage therapy graduates work for |
| about how the human structure works, and how | | | | spas, medical clinics, or sports facilities and don't |
| to work out aches and pains? How about the | | | | need to look for their own client base it's |
| human interaction you'll receive working with | | | | important to know that you have that option |
| different clients day in and day out? We've put | | | | down the road if you want to go out on your |
| together a list of 4 questions to ask yourself to | | | | own. |
| determine if you have the right stuff to consider | | | | 4.) Are you able to empathize with a person's |
| a career in massage therapy. | | | | problem, and keep work separate from your |
| 1.) Do you like caring for and helping other people? | | | | emotions? |
| It makes sense that this is the number one | | | | Often a massage therapy client will be suffering |
| question to ask yourself, if you're not interested | | | | from an accident or medical situation. This can |
| in helping others (while of course none of us | | | | sometimes be difficult to deal with, as our first |
| would admit it) a career in massage therapy | | | | instinct maybe to feel bad for the person. It's |
| probably isn't for you. Based on the fact that | | | | important to be able to empathize with them but |
| 95% of your job is spent interacting and caring | | | | not feel bad for them. Separating our personal |
| for clients if you don't want to help them, you | | | | feelings about a situation like this from our |
| won't enjoy your time. | | | | professional atmosphere is a must to be able to |
| 2.) Do you mind working silently, without the | | | | handle the many different types of patients and |
| normal office chatter? | | | | clients you'll encounter during your career as a |
| A massage therapist while they care for many | | | | massage therapist. |
| clients in the run of week, don't get into the same | | | | Beyond these questions, it's important that you |
| banter as say a hairdresser would with their | | | | know you enjoy working with the public, and a |
| clients. Often a client is there for a relaxing | | | | strong communicator. Whether you're working for |
| experience receiving their massage, and would like | | | | a spa or for yourself in the massage therapy |
| to lay in silence forgetting about the outside world | | | | business one thing is consistent you will be |
| for 30-60 minutes. It's important that you're able | | | | working with members of the public, and you will |
| to work silently, and not let this get to you. | | | | be supplying them with a service. You must be |
| 3.) Do you work well alone? Or do you require | | | | able to feel comfortable with the situation, and |
| supervision | | | | understand what the entire career entails before |
| Being able to manage your own time properly | | | | making your decision. |
| both while with a client, and booking appointments | | | | Massage therapy is a very rewarding career, and |
| etc. is important to being a successful massage | | | | can allow a person great flexability in their |
| therapist. Since the majority of time is spent | | | | schedule especially if they choose to work for |
| one-on-one with the client there are no direct | | | | themselves, but it is not a lazy job. It brings great |
| supervisors ensuring you're doing your job | | | | pride to know your helping others, and making a |
| correctly. Also if you work for yourself, there is | | | | difference. I hope this article has shed a little more |
| no one around ensuring your looking for new | | | | light on what it takes to become a massage |
| business, and booking appointments to keep your | | | | therapist besides the certificate and education. |