Questions about becoming a massage therapist

[bluebug32]

I'm curious if there are any massage therapists here? I'm planning to attend massage school, but am still trying to decide on a school and how quickly to do the program (they range from 7 months to a 1.5 years). Has anyone studied in NY or NJ? I guess I'm just looking for any tips or insights from people who just finished school or who are working in the field. I'm interested more in sports massage, medical massage and pain relief than I am working in a spa.

[rubysoho]

no real advice other than be vigilant about proper form and technique for yourself. Otherwise your career will be short lived.I know a few girls who lasted only five years or so before they had to stop because it became very painful. From my own reading (because I was interested in the field), it may have been form that cut their careers short. It can be good money though!

[Brandi]

Yea I had a friend who lasted maybe 3 years before she got carpel tunnel. So make sure you look into those factors. I have a massage person who uses her elbows and such which I believe will save you from that and also how many clients you take on.

[shootingstar]

My partner's daughter's boyfriend's sister (Got that? :p), was one for a few years. Her fingerpads (yes that lovely natural cushion on our fingertips), got worn down.

[bluebug32]

The schools seem pretty vigilant about teaching self care. I even got a packet of info. on protecting the hands during my first open house.

[Irulan]

Make sure they focus on "serious" massage and not "Spa" massage. There is definitely a difference; how deep someone work (will they cause discomfort that is beneficial?) whether they will teach you to work on areas that typically aren't done by spa masseuses, such as glutes and buttocks, lower abdomen ( think psoas connectors) and inner thighs. Now by spa I just mean fluffy massage for relaxation. None of this refers to so called massage parlors. I just mean the two different styles.

I think I'm spoiled though... We finally have a massage therapist that we love and does incredible deep tissue work. We had to sign a waiver that we understood that deep work doesn't always feel good and may actually be painful. He focuses on the problem area, and doesn't necessarily do a full balanced massage (10 minutes per body area, you know what I mean) I've had horrible hip problems and it kind of sucks when no one will get in there and dig around in your butt. Tim is super professional, but he'll get under the iliac crest to work on my psoas, and he works deep into the glutes. Finally I have relief. It's taken me years to find someone that will do this kind of work. And, he has a hard time finding massage people to work in his offices and meet his standards... they all want to do fluffy massage as a part time gig.

[MillieNZ]

I'm a Hawaii & California licensed massage therapist and have national certification in massage and bodyworks as well.

Make sure that if you what ever state you plan to work in, the school/college that you go to does enough hours for that state licensing requirement. I 'think' NY requires 1000 hours of tuition ! It's difficult to know what sort of massage style you prefer until you start doing it, once you find your 'niche' be prepared to take extra courses outside of school to really cover the area well.

I'm so not a spa MT !! :) But had studied Sports massage in New Zealand before going to Hawaii and school. I also apprenticed at a sports massage clinic. I also learn Thai massage as well, as someone mentioned earlier, to prolong the life as a MT, I needed to know how to use other parts of the body so that I didn't wear out my hands, thumbs and wrists ! Learning the techniques that Irulan's massage therapist uses will set you apart from the 'other' massage therapist if you want to go into sports.

Research the area that you will be working in for conditions and pay.... a lot of places only pay you for the massages you do, not that time in between. And the pay can be low and made up with tips. Unless you are super fit, don't expect to be able to massage 40 hours per week. I can do 15-20 hours tops (again to prolong my 'mt life' as I do a lot of deep work). If you can establish a good client base then working at peoples homes/office is a great way to earn ALL the money :). It takes time to get a good client base and you'll be competing against other established people, but once you are there it's a great life with reasonable pay..... and you can trade massages with people :)

I like that I can combine massaging with my old career.....

Enjoy !

[bluebug32]

Thanks, everyone! This is all good information. Yes, NYS requires 1,000 hours and most schools offer a little more than that, including the one I'm looking at in NJ. I'm hoping to visit the Swedish Institute and the Cortiva Institute in NJ soon. I just don't want to get swept away in a program that's too accelerated when I have the time to devote to learning. I think all of the programs I've looked at are hard core massage, none of that fluffy spa stuff:p

[Kimmyt]

I am in my first quarter of massage school right now. If you have any questions feel free to ask me.

[bluebug32]

Thanks, Kimmyt. I'll keep that in mind. How long is your program? I guess my biggest concern right now is getting into something that's too accelerated, since they all vary so much in length.

[Kimmyt]

Whatever program length you choose, you have to make sure it works for you. I am working on a 9-month program which gives me just shy of 1000 hours. I could have done a 15-month program for the same hours, just less days a week, but it just wasn't right for me. There are lots of options out there, you just have to find the right one!