What it’s like to be a successful massage therapist
Stress, pain and discomfort symptoms affect most of us at some point in our lives. Therapeutic massage practitioners use their training and skills to relieve their patient’s day-to-day stress or pain. A career as a therapeutic massage therapist is a rapidly growing one. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the massage therapist field will grow 26% by 2026.
This growing field is exciting for those who yearn for a career where they can utilize their practical skills and knowledge to help others live a more pain and stress-free life.
What are the duties of a therapeutic massage therapist?
Therapeutic massage therapists help people relieve their discomfort and lead a more relaxed and balanced life. Communication skills are important for this career, because as a therapeutic massage therapist, you will hold consultations with your clients to understand what they are feeling, their medical history, symptoms and what their desired results are.
77% of people experience physical symptoms from the stress in their lives. Through the techniques you learn in school, you’ll help patients relieve this stress, as well as recover from injuries, improve circulation, and guide them on proper stretching and posture methods.
Where can they work?
A career in therapeutic massage can take you to a variety of different work environments. While 39% of therapeutic massage therapists are self-employed and visit their clients’ homes or offices to provide their services, forty-one percent work in personal care and within the offices of health care practitioners, including chiropractors. Working within these settings can provide new graduates with additional experience in the field and help them learn more about the business. The spa industry also relies on the help of therapeutic massage therapists to provide their customers with relief and healing from pain, such as from an accident or injury, or from chronic conditions, like arthritis. Therapeutic massage can also improve a patient or customer’s range of motion, improve blood circulation, and can also lower anxiety.
One of the lesser-known paths for therapeutic massage therapists is through the world of fitness and sports. As more athletes look to the benefits of massage, many professional teams and colleges are integrating massage therapy into their fitness and recovery programs.
Whether it’s being an independent contractor or working in a gym, a career as a massage therapist will provide you a variety of opportunities depending on your interests. This freedom allows you to test the waters and see where you see yourself as a best fit.
How can you become one?
Therapeutic massage therapists are required to complete a massage therapy program and some states require additional licensing in order to practice. It’s important to garner as much experience as possible before you begin seeking employment in the massage therapy field.
At Dawn Career Institute, we are committed to providing our Therapeutic Massage Practitioner students with real-world experiences before they start their first day on the job. That’s why we require our students to spend time outside of the classroom and work in the field before they can complete their program. We offer extensive training in New Beginnings Spa, our in-house, fully-equipped spa.
Are you interested in learning more about a career as a therapeutic massage therapist? We have the team that can help you. Visit DawnCareerInstitute.edu or give us a call at 1-800-490-9135 to schedule a visit today.
