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A little advice, if you don't mind...
Hello all,
I have a question about what I should do once I graduate and have my license.
My ultimate goal is to work with athletes providing sports and deep tissue massage, and whatever else that would incorporate. Right now though, I'm strugling with what I should do once I leave school. I'm debating on whether or not I should go to work for one of the massage envy/heights type places just to get the experience, but I don't want to get burned out as I'm a big guy and I'm sure I'd be asked to do lots of deep work continuously in that situation.
I also have a friend that's almost done with his residency to be an orthopedic surgeon. He wants me to move to Nebraska with him to work on his patients, he'll be part of a partnership that works with University of Nebraska's athletic teams. That's awfully tempting since it would put me working with athletes faster, but my wife isn't fond of the cold weather and I would have to go through 500 more hours of school/training once I got there.
The last would be to start my own practice. I would stay at my current job and build up clientele during the evenings by providing out-call massage until I'm able to get my own place set up. The only thing is I don't know how long it will take to build the clientele up and I would be away from my family a lot, but I think it would only be short term.
What would ya'll suggest? I'm constantly going over these in my head and it would be nice to get a fresh perspective. Thanks in advance!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Darcy Neibaur on
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Ray, I woud say to join the group Almost and Newly Licensed Therapist. There are a lot of professionals who have been in the business for many many years in volved in that group and run this by them. I recently began working for a Massage Envy part time, 19 hours a week and they are very respectful to me and how I work. They give me my breaks when I have requested them, I do 2 massages and have a 30-60 minute break and then do 2 more. I personally do not do more than 4 massages in a day. I work 5 hours shifts. That is just my preference. I can say that Massage Envy paid for me to become certifiend in Hot Stones massage and I am doing about 4 of those massages in a week now as we build on that. They also paid for my registrtion to attend the World Massage Conference which offered over 70 CEU hours for which they are a Global Sponsor. Massage Envy is also a sponsor of the World Massage Festival which will be held in Berea, Ky, June 17-21, 2010. I also receive some additional discounts on my cell phone bill and some other businesses because of my employment with Massage Envy. I enjoy working for them and have since May, 2009 when they opened up in Pensacola, FL. So I would not count them out. Just do not let them take advantage of you. It is okay to say NO to Massage Envy as I have learned and they are okay with it. I also have my own private practice which I am building on and do outcalls in the community.
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Permalink Reply by Ray Holden on
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Thank you for for enlightening me on Massage Envy Darcy, I guess my ignorance shined through on the subject, lol. I'll keep them in mind when I'm finished, as they may not be a bad option. I'll also run this by in the group you mentioned, I joined the other day and didn't even think about posting this there. Thanks again! Only 6 more months to go!
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Permalink Reply by Marissa on
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Ray- Private practice is fantastic, but daunting while starting out. Honestly, I would suggest looking in to a few areas....
1) Private practice- contact all high school coaches in your area. So many immediately send their athletes to "jump/speed training" facilities when massage can actually do so much more, w/o the future knee injuries. :) Offer on-site for football, cross country, volleyball... Make sure you get the coaches on the table (1st time free) so they know what the deal is. Parents see that the school "cares" get to know you as well. Future All Stars!
2) Private practice- go to your neighborhood gyms, YMCA, yoga studio, karate.... These are the people who really need some good hands on therapy. Especially your "ultimate fighters". Work out deals with personal trainers, gym owners, possibly rent a room out of the gym? Talk to Choice Kinchen about that! He's a member here, send a message.
3) Talk to the Physical Therapists. You could possibly get on as an Independent Contractor to supplement doing private practice. I did for 7 years and learned a lot. Depending on the place, it's possible that they have connections. My PT worked with the Chicago Bulls and White Sox for years! One of the NY Jets (shall remain nameless, of course) came wandering in one day. That was a trip! You just never know.
4) If you have any local teams (minors) talk to them! Those guys need it too! They probably don't have all those perks handed to them. Work a deal.
Hope this helps!
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Marissa and Patty,
Thank you both for the excellent advice. I've thought about the Gym, but didn't even think about high school teams that are in the area. I also have a "sister in law" who is a Chiro, but I don't know if I'll want to go that route with working with her. We'll see though.
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