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How to become a Massage Therapist

Massage Therapist jobs

1,564

Massage Therapist courses

Career progression and salary expectations for a Massage Therapist

Massage Therapist

| Up to £20,000

Experienced Massage Therapist

| Up to £30,000

Clinic Manager

| Up to £40,000

The role of a Massage Therapist

What does a Massage Therapist do?

Looking to take your job into your own hands? You should be a Massage Therapist…

Massage Therapists use a range of techniques to manipulate their clients’ muscles and soft body tissue, with the overall aim of improving health and wellbeing.

There are a number of different types of massage therapy they could employ (e.g. Swedish, shiatsu, sports and deep tissue), and benefits of regular treatments could include pain relief, improving circulation, injury recovery and even alleviating the effects of stress, depression and anxiety.

Typical duties for a Massage Therapist could include:

Consulting with clients to determine problem areas
Learning more about medical history & lifestyle, and devising treatment plans
Applying pressure to ease tension areas
Administering specialised treatments, such as deep tissue massages
Advising on how to maintain improvements in life, such as changing posture
Booking follow-up appointments, and completing courses of treatment
Referring to medical professionals if further care is required

Is a career as a Massage Therapist right for me?

Excellent interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to build trust in clients from all walks of life, is essential for anyone looking to become a Massage Therapist.

Regardless of why they’re there, having a massage is an incredibly intimate experience for a client. Being able to put them at ease right away, and having the confidence to deal with their issues personably and professionally, will be similarly key to your success.N.B. Those with intimacy issues need not apply…

Other key skills for a Massage Therapist include:

Manual dexterity
Discretion
Patience
Tact
Empathy
Excellent listening skills
A good level of physical fitness

What's it like to be a Massage Therapist?

"A typical day for me usually consists of performing consultations for new clients, meeting with regulars to assess their treatment plans, and administering treatments. My speciality is deep tissue massages, and a lot of people I see suffer from a lot of sports injury and joint pain, so it’s great for that. And it’s not just calming for the client – it’s actually a relaxing environment to work in too. The best part of the job is definitely meeting new clients, and helping relieve people’s pain and tension, some of which go back years. Oh, and free massages. Those too…"

Get qualified as a Massage Therapist

To become a Massage Therapist, you'll need to complete a recognised massage therapy course from an accredited institution, covering anatomy, physiology, massage techniques, and practical training. Accreditation by bodies like the Massage Training Institute (MTI) or the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) is crucial, and certification may be obtained after passing exams or assessments.

To keep up-to-date with industry standards, you'll additionally need to secure professional liability insurance, and engage in continuous professional development through workshops, seminars, and online courses.

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