Massage Therapy – the career with options and control

It's not a big secret in Colorado: Massage therapy school is a popular destination for students who feel they're more independent and unique than the normal college-bound kid. But massage therapy schools are also quite popular with older professionals who are thinking of leaving a career for something that offers good earning options through more flexible working hours.

"How was work today?" Have you ever been unable to come up with an interesting way to answer this common question? Perhaps this means that it's time to look for a new career because the same old job just doesn't cut it anymore. You're not alone. If there's one thing to say about a career in massage therapy, it's that there is no such thing as "a typical day." One of the reasons individuals choose this profession is because of the flexibility it offers in terms of work hours, independence and choice of practice locations.

Location isn't everything; it's the only thing

Make a snap judgment: What type of work environment sounds fulfilling?

• The deck of a cruise ship sailing from island to island in the tropics
• A warm room with lots of fresh scents and soft music playing in the background
• An exclusive day spa with happy clients and an energetic atmosphere
• An office cubicle with a computer and rolling chair underneath harsh fluorescent lights

You probably chose one of the first three. You're starting to get the picture. Massage therapy is an extremely popular profession for people who wish to make decisions that determine not only when they work, but more importantly where they work. Because more than half of all the massage therapists in the country work independently, this means that they choose their clients, their schedule and their work environment according to what they feel is important. So – where do you want to work today?

A career that encourages you to keep learning so you can keep earning

Massage therapy is an ancient healing art, but it is taught according to certain standards. It is also a very broad profession with lots of room for specialization. In Colorado, massage therapy schools may instruct students to perform over 80 different types of massage that are referred to as "modalities." These are variations of techniques performed under more common types of massage disciplines. The five most commonly practiced massage types are:

• Swedish
• Trigger point/neuromuscular
• Deep tissue
• Sports Massage
• Shiatsu

Because massage therapists tend to specialize in certain types of massage, customers will often seek a therapist who concentrates on a specific area, and they may also pay more for the privilege.

Who makes a good massage therapist?

Simply put – honest, motivated people. People who do well in the massage therapy field share these basic traits:

• A desire to serve
• A dedication to success
• A strong emphasis on professionalism
• A commitment to caring customer service

What does a typical day for a massage therapist look like?

Again, because so many massage therapists' days are based around variables like clients' needs, scheduling and locations, it's hard to actually say what a "typical day" will be. One of the great things about a massage therapist's job is that often they have a high level of control over how they experience their day. But one thing is consistent for all massage therapists: Everything they do is centered around the needs and well-being of their clients.

What do massage therapists earn?

The national average earning for massage therapists is around $22.00 an hour. (Earnings may actually be higher in your area, depending on certain factors.) So if you consistently schedule 18 hours of client time each week, this works out to nearly $1,600 a month. And 18 hours is far less than a typical 40-hour work week. So make the change to a career that offers options and control. You deserve it. Learn more about the Massage Therapy training program at IntelliTec today!