An Enjoyable Career In general, massage therapists report a high level of job satisfaction with the work they do. News 100 Best Jobs survey, massage therapy ranked among the best careers. By earning a degree, you can also enjoy a high level of job satisfaction.
Massage
therapy is a widely accepted wellness and pain management solution within the healthcare community.That's why a licensed massage therapist is such a demanded profession. As a massage therapist, you'll play a critical role in injury recovery, pain management, and overall well-being, as well as providing clients with much-needed relaxation and stress relief procedures. As more healthcare providers understand the benefits of massage, demand will increase as these services become an even larger part of several treatment plans for patients. While some therapy settings offer massage therapists full-time positions Monday through Friday, there are many other work arrangements.
Massage therapists enjoy a safe, low-risk work environment that includes gentle activities throughout the day. While it's true that you'll be able to get a job easily, beware of the lies massage therapy schools tell about expected income. Speaking from first-hand experience, everything I learned in massage school and while working as a massage therapist was very helpful when I decided to go to physical therapy school. In general, massage therapists who work in a typical massage clinic or in an outpatient setting are less likely to be required to receive vaccines, such as the flu vaccine, if they don't want to (compared to someone who works in health care in an inpatient setting).
Sure, some clients will show loyalty in certain markets, but here in Western WA, it's more about the availability and convenience of scheduling, and often a client sees more than one therapist. While a massage therapy career offers significant advantages, such as designing your own schedule, earning high hourly rates, and not spending a fortune in school, there are some downsides to consider. According to a study of 1200 massage therapists, nearly two-thirds of practitioners have experienced unwanted sexual advances from clients. A career in massage therapy can be a great option, especially for those looking for a non-traditional job.
Hotels, hospitals, gyms, beauty salons and massage therapy chains are popular places of employment. According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), massage therapists typically work in approximately two different settings. However, given the high job satisfaction rate that professional massage therapists have, the positives of the job outweigh the negatives. That said, if massage therapy really wants to do with your life, you'll find a way to make it work.
Some of the most popular alternative health strategies include massage and bodywork, mind-body practices such as meditation and progressive relaxation, chiropractic and osteopathic treatments, functional nutrition, Ayurveda and TCM, tai chi, yoga and other movement therapies. Many people interested in a career in massage therapy are also interested in minimizing exposure to pharmaceuticals, radiation, and other medical interventions that contain health risks.
