How to Become a Massage Therapist

Can you envision yourself becoming a successful massage therapist? Aside from having in-depth knowledge of the human body as well as physical strength and dexterity, below are some ideal qualities you should possess.

You have excellent communication skills.

Each client differs in emotional and physical needs. A great massage therapist should be able to listen closely to his clients in order to determine the best type of treatment. One technique might not work for the other so you must be ready to modify it according to the client’s comfort level. You can ask what exercise or massage brings them pain, as well as what brings them satisfaction. By taking the time to listen to their feedback, you are able to address their concerns and provide appropriate service.

Not only should you be able to listen carefully, but you must also know how to explain thoroughly your treatment. It’s vital to discuss with your client what you will be doing during the session, as well as the reasons why you will be doing it. Moreover, a massage therapist should always be prepared to answer any possible questions their client might raise.

You have a sense of empathy.

The nature of massage therapy requires the massage therapist to be caring and mindful of the client’s experience. You have to create a nurturing environment and provide a service that will heal your client from their stress or pain. When you accomplish this by effectively communicating and delivering a positive experience through a massage, you are creating a rapport and building trust. Not only is this essential for success, but you are also contributing to the wellness of your client.

You have physical strength and stamina.

Massages demand great physical strength and stamina. An efficient massage therapist is one who can stay on his feet and perform massages several times a day, sometimes even consecutively. Each session consists of a variety of movement and pressure so you must be physically able to execute techniques properly without getting tired.

You are committed to maintaining a high standard of professionalism.

Establishing and maintaining your reputation as a massage therapist is crucial for success in the industry. There is no room for your personal problems and stress in life because your priority is your client’s satisfaction. You should be able to set aside any distractions that would potentially affect the quality of your service. They go to a massage therapist with a desire to relax, so you must present yourself in a way that is going to make them feel relaxed, not stressed out and uncomfortable.

Moreover, you should ensure that you stay on top of everything. Be early to appointments and avoid missing calls because small errors like these are deciding factors for your clients. Always remember that the level of your professionalism is proportionate to the quality of your customer service.

You are always curious to learn more.

A competent massage therapist is always hungry for knowledge and improvement. You can expand your skills and stamina through continuous learning, as well as by listening to clients’ feedback. It’s always possible to discover something new every session so you must be open to learning. Aside from this, you can also specialize in a few types of massage instead of limiting yourself to just one. Those who are experienced in different types and techniques of massage are more likely to be an impressive candidate.

To become a massage therapist, you must have knowledge of the following:

Anatomy

You must know and understand the parts of the body, the different structures, and its relationship with one another. With this knowledge, you can identify and heal the muscles that your clients have raised concerns with. It’s not enough to just point out a specific area and start massaging it–you must be aware of how muscles work together and affect one another to effectively treat them.

Physiology

In the simplest terms, physiology is the study of the body’s systems–the skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, and other systems. This goes hand in hand with the study of anatomy to ensure the utmost safety when developing a treatment plan for the client, as well as when giving the massage. Massage therapists need to be informed on any type of sickness or disease the client may have that might have direct or indirect effects on other parts of the body. 

Kinesiology

This study focuses on movement–understanding how and why body parts move and interact. Aside from the relaxing benefits a massage can bring, it can also be aimed to treat conditions such as recurring injuries due to motion, poor posture, or limited movement. Being able to recognize how a certain body part is supposed to move along with other body parts that are involved will help determine the best treatment plan to aid healing and restore proper movement.

Massage therapy styles

Also known as modalities, the most popular types of massage therapy and its benefits are:

• Swedish Massage

  – Known as the standard and most common type of massage, this relieves tension in the muscles and promotes full-body circulation and relaxation. A sequence of strokes called effleurage (long, smooth, and gliding); petrissage (kneading, squeezing, lifting, and rolling); friction (deep movements in circular motion), tapotement (short, rapid striking and tapping); and vibration (rocking and shaking) are involved during the session. A Swedish massage can also aid in recovery from injury.

• Deep Tissue Massage –

  This type of therapeutic massage is focused on “untying” knots in your muscles where tightness or pain is felt. The execution involves more intense pressure, stroking, and friction of the problem areas compared to a Swedish massage. A deep tissue massage can alleviate chronic pain, help treat injuries, and improve mobility.

• Shiatsu Massage

  – Shiatsu means “finger pressure” in Japanese. This type of massage uses techniques that utilize the massage therapist’s fingers, hands, elbows, and sometimes feet. By stimulating acupressure points for two to eight seconds, a Shiatsu massage boosts circulation and increases the energy and balance of the body. This is a great choice for relaxation and de-stressing.

• Thai Massage

  – Similar to Shiatsu, Thai massage also improves the flow of energy throughout the body. This involves movement and stretching – like yoga, but with the assistance of the massage therapist. The benefits of this type of massage include relaxation, improved flexibility, and increased range of motion. 

• Sports Massage

  – This massage is designed specifically for athletes to enhance athletic performance. While the targeted muscle groups and tissues will differ depending on what sport the athlete plays, this massage aims to improve flexibility and range of motion to prevent and treat injuries. Non-athletes can also benefit from this.

• Lymphatic Drainage Massage

  – This light pressure massage promotes the circulation of lymph fluids in the body. Long, gentle strokes are performed along the skin, which helps remove toxins from the tissues.

• Reflexology

  – This foot massage involves the stimulation of certain areas of the feet believed to correlate with other parts of the body and its systems. Applying pressure on these points reduces stress and promotes overall well-being.

• Hot Stone Massage

  –  This massage consists of placing warm basalt stones on the back to loosen tight muscles and improve blood flow. With the heat helping to ease knots, the therapist can easily work on troubled areas of the back.

• Pregnancy Massage

  – As the name implies, this type of massage is aimed for pregnant women. Pregnancy massage, also known as prenatal massage, promotes relaxation and reduces pain such as lower back or joint pain. This is a safe way to alleviate stress and anxiety for expecting mothers.

You can choose to specialize in one or few, however, it is not a requirement to learn all these.

Entrepreneurship

If you intend to start a private practice, it is a must to have knowledge on how to run a business. You need to obtain a business permit and comply with other requirements in order to provide services as a self-employed massage therapist. A well-organized scheduling and management system can streamline your business operations, greatly enhancing your efficiency and client satisfaction.

Aside from the knowledge needed to provide a safe and effective massage, you must also have a specific set of soft skills to create an experience that is valuable to your client. Listed below are additional qualities a massage therapist should possess in addition to the ones mentioned in the ‘Signs You Should Consider Becoming a Massage Therapist’ section.

Cultural understanding

In this industry, you will meet men and women of different cultures and backgrounds. Each of them will also fall under different age brackets and professions. As a massage therapist, you are expected to help all of them feel welcome and at ease right when you first interact. Beyond just putting up a friendly front, you must be able to ‘read’ clients so you can adjust and cater to them accordingly.

Organization

Maintaining a high standard of professionalism calls for outstanding organization. To avoid the risk of being late to an appointment or missing it entirely, you must have your schedule in order especially if you are a self-employed massage therapist. Apart from your massage sessions, you will also have a variety of business-related tasks such as finance, customer service, and more so it’s imperative to be highly organized in this career.

Discernment and decision-making

Prior to performing a massage, you will have an initial consultation with your client. During this consultation, your client will talk about his concerns and his current condition. You must know how to evaluate and decide which type of massage therapy is best for him or if it is even beneficial at all. You are more equipped to determine what type of procedure the client will need and if necessary, you should be able to refer him to the correct medical professional.

Hygienic

Although this is a given, good hygiene is essential in massage therapy. It should start with yourself–make sure your hands are clean, nails are trimmed, and hair is neatly pulled back. You should also be aware of your body odor; avoid any strong perfumes or scented lotions that could possibly bother your clients.

Aside from upholding personal hygiene, you must also see to it that your space is clean and well-maintained. Your sheets, blankets, and pillows should be regularly and properly washed with no traces of stains, as well as scent. Keep in mind that your clients will notice these things. No matter how good your massage service is, slipping up on your area’s cleanliness and comfortability will drive them away.