If you live in the asheville area, I just saw in the Mountain Xpress that 6 local business will be talking about how to achieve success in business at the Chamber of Commerce meeting. Check your local chamber meetings

Hi Darcy,

It's very important to me to talk to other massage therapists and to teach the work that I do. I'm currently creating a certification course in Julstro Muscular Therapy because I work with people all over the world through the forum on my website (http://www.julstro.com) and they are constantly asking me for certified local massage therapists who can do my techniques.

Congratulations on your decision to join our healing profession. As a new massage therapist I believe you'll learn a lot by just going to the forum and reading some of the threads. Start at the beginning of the thread and read the back and forth discussions. As you read their initial question, think about which muscles could be causing their problem, and then read my response to see if you came to the same conclusion.

My time is extremely limited right now because I'm in the middle of writing 27 short books with titles such as "Stop Shoulder Pain FAST!" and "Stop Hip Pain FAST!" etc., and I'm also co-authoring four books titled "The Pain Free Cyclist," "The Pain Free Race-Walker," "The Pain Free Musician," and "Pain Free Horsemanship." I have already written seven books, one that would help you help yourself and your clients is "Treat Yourself to Pain Free Living," where I demonstrate how to self-treat muscles so you can stop pain quickly, especially in the middle of a race or when a person is unable to get to a massage therapist. It is also used as information a massage therapist can give to their clients so the person will be able to continue their therapy at home.

When I add in the four forums that I moderate on the internet, and other business commitments, I'm not sure how frequently I can come to this website, but I will do my best. I'm determined to share my information with other massage therapists.

Wishing you well,
Julie Donnelly

Thanks for asking me to join!! Im sure I will find this a valuable place to share. Also I wanted to add that I am interested in persueing a career in equine massage as well. Any tips would be awsome!!

Glad you are here Rachel.

Hi Rachel,
Contact Megan at http://www.massageprofessionals.com/profile/MeganAyrault here is a place online to start
http://allaboutanimalmassage.com/education/schools-certification/

And I started a discussion on the front page that may bring some more contacts for you. Good luck!

Rachel also check out http://www.massageprofessionals.com/profile/JacquelineFreeman

Thank you for inviting me to join you , Good Luck to All you have made a great choice to be Massage Therapists ...........

Ask your questions, guys!

I keep being asked how to prevent hand injuries--- this is for all of you! Check out this video I made. You can also view it at www.massagenetworknews.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54vh11cNBwQ

Love the video, Gloria!

Hey All! Mike HInkle has inspired me to create another video. I NEED YOUR HELP! Have any of you had a funny or interesting story to tell about your experience in massage school? Or perhaps setting up your practice? How long did it take you to actually take your test ? Did you over study? or under study? Where did you think you'd find work? What was your experience? Thanks. I look forward to your comments , ideas and fun experiences

Hello to all! I just graduate from a certified massage school in Puerto Rico. I'm planning to move back to Newark, NJ. What test i should take when I get to NJ?

We recommend the MBLEx Test. It is the preferred test of AMTA and ABMP. It has a higher pass rate as well. And is closer to what will bring a more unified effort to the profession.

For anyone who is interested I will share with you what it takes to succeed in setting up a prosperous massage therapy practise. You may not like everything you hear but it will ALL be from the lions mouth - how to catch a client. Been there done that, so to speak. NO coddling. straight up, quit your whining kinda stuff that leads to a long successfull career. Warning - I'm not always nice.

Ok so I have a bit of a dilema and i hope im writing this in the right group. Im open to all suggestions.
I have been a massage therapist for over three years, but it is all still very new to me. Right after school I worked in a gym and loved that atmosphere. I moved away and had to leave that job. At the same time i became a single parent with bills and everything else. So my dreams of had to be put on hold for a regular 9-5 job.
Things have gotten better and i just need advice on how to start "over again".. Should I leave my steady pay for the not so steady pay of a massage therapist, especially in this economy?
I am licensed massage therapist in Massachusetts and I do massage's when I can find the time.

Hi Yessica,

Yes, this is a good group to address the issue.

As a single parent, please do not quit a job you have in hand, until you have a clientel built up that is "pushing" that job to the side. Figure your bills, how many clients you would have to have to equal what you are bringing in from the other job and then add a few more clients. Don't look at a week. Look at a month. Good luck and let us know how it works out!

Thanks Mike.. Thats great advice. I def. have alot to think about.

Yessica,

I was a single mom with two kids when I started my massage practice.
Actually I quit a "career" I had as a business manager for a neurologist after 8 years. Sure the pay was great, but I was always stressed and didn't have much time for my kids.

I found a chiropractor who was very willing to provide me with a space for free to start out and when I built a clientele he would take a percentage or I can move somewhere else. Within 4 months, I was able to rent a small private office in the same building and my business boomed quickly.

I believe in what I did and manifested new clients all the time. I also got my butt "out there" at EVERY event in town. Health fairs, craft fairs etc. I went up to the Chiro's office and did free chair massage as a marketing tool, I offered other MD's, etc free massages in hopes I would get referrals. I offered Intro Specials for 1st time customers.

Within one year I was practicing full time and making enough to support myself and kids easily. The practice/ reputation grew and within 2 years I opened a Holistic Health Center and started hiring massage therapists for the overflow.

Questions? I 'd love to help you out.
Much Success and GO FOR IT

Jay
NJ isn't a licensed state yet and they have voluntary registration.
If MBLex is accepted in NJ you might find it more accessible and easier to understand.
Many people in the past took the NCBTMB in NJ. I used to own a school in NJ so I know first hand.

Good Luck!

i am a currently a student i have a year to go in school but i was wanting to know about setting up a moble massage business. if it could be done or do i need to start in a spa or clinic ?? thank in advance for any advice

Kevin
A former student of mine has a VERY successful mobile business. She is on this network. Her name is Bridget Turnback. Look for her on my network and contact her. She is awesome and hugely successful. She'd be THE one to ask. Good Luck

Hi all,
I'm happy to announced the release of my new massage DVD. Get started right. I teach continuing education courses and many of my students complain about the pain in their hands. This DVD teaches how to massage the whole body using your forearms. It also teaches simple Chi Gong exercises for better body mechanics. To watch a preview please visit shariauth.com/DVD.html or just go to shariauth.com and click DVD.
Good luck,
Shari

Way to go, Shari! Looking forward to checking it out!

Thanks Mike!

Congrats Shari!

Hello all,
I have kind of a dumb question. So I purchased a paraffin bath and I love it besides the point that it's messy when taking it off if it is applied to the back. I work in a spa and had training with parafango and loved it even more because it comes off clean and without little flakes.
So my question is can I buy the parafango and put it in my paraffin therabath or do I actually have to buy a completely new unit just for parafango?
Thank you :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsAc6tEAjsk

Tips for MT's going on an interview!

Marketing Massage? New student explains her concerns to her teacher.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpCW3_cpszY

Marketing Tips for new LMT's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzNG_NAIKvI

Just moved to a new area and left all of my clients behind :( What sort of information should I include in a cover letter and resume to really catch an employeer's attention?

how can i improve the number of clientele with an employer that does not advertise? i have worked at a hair salon now for almost two years , but have had little or no success in getting my employer to advertise .

Hi Everyone! If you are preparing or know anyone getting ready to take their massage exam, I have created a New online review course that teaches you how to study, how to decipher the types of questions along with what to study. The course will be "live" on Dec. 2nd. You can access it through my website. Contact me if you are interested.

Whats your website address Gloria? I am adding test resources to my website.

http://www.massage-career-guides.com/massage-therapy-exams.html

Julie

www.MassageProCe.com

Thanks Julie

Amanda- I recently put in my resignation with a company that had similar issues. The only thing you really can do is take matters into your own hands. Get your employer's permission to list their name and address on your marketing strategies. They should not have any issues, because it may bring in clientele to their business as well.
Talk to the stylists. I rent a room out of a salon right now and the stylists are my biggest referral resources. Work out a deal with them that every person that comes in saying that "stylist" sent them to you, that stylist will get a free 30 minutes or 1/2 price massage. Some kind of incentive for them to rave about you to their clients.
Don't give up! I hope this helps.

Thanks to Mike for starting this group - excellent idea! Self-care is a vitally important issue for all those starting to work in massage therapy. You want to start out with healthy work habits from the start, since it's much more difficult to undo bad habits later. I invite you all to discuss self-care, injury prevention and ergonomics strategies here, visit or join our group on this web site, Save Your Hands, or let me know if I can be of assistance. Best of luck to you all! Best regards, Lauriann Greene, CEAS www.saveyourhands.com.

For those of you preparing for a massage exam or ready to take your National Certification or MBLex; I have created a review course for you online! It consists of study skills, deciphering the 3 levels of cognitive thinking to answer your questions, what to study, quizzes and practice exam!
You must have speakers on your computer to listen to the power point presentation/audio. Much Success!
To sign up for an online course please
follow these directions


Click Here:
http://massagepro.digitalchalk.com

2. Create an Account
3. Log In
4. Registration
Pick your course, Add to the cart, pay and get started.
5. Print your certificate once you have passed

This is fantastic Gloria! Do you have flyers? I am about to contact about 1700 schools. We are going to feed students and schools at the Festival on Friday. Would love to have a flyer there for them too.

Gloria, Mike!!! This is AWESOME!!!
I want to be more involved with what you are doing at festival for students as well Mike.

You will be Angie. The students and schools are going to have a great time!

I received an email post from an Aisha today, but do not see the comment here on the site?
Anyway, you were asking for help on your test taking. I understand your concern and anxiety.
As a result of hearing this story very often Aisha, I created an online course specifically to help individuals like yourself.
I go through study techniques, stress reducing methods, 3 cognitive levels of thinking and how to answer questions. I break the questions and answers down to teach you how to look for what they are asking etc. There are quizzes and a practice exam. It is in a powerpoint format with my audio guiding you.
You can find the link to the online training at my site www.massageproce.com
Hope this helps and Much Success. YOU CAN DO IT!

Good stuff, Gloria! I love the way you will help with either test, Thanks!

Another great video for therapists nervous about taking the test! www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPwLUw4WHRA">http://www.facebook.com/l/c3f54;www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPwLUw4WHRA

re you still looking for a massage school?
Ring in the New Year with an Educational Stimulus Package for a massage or esthetics program. Learn in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of W. No. Carolina. If you qualify for tax credits you can get your training for less than $4000. Inquire at Privai Academy or contact me. Bonus: Free Oakworks massage table for massage enrollees!! Offer valid until Jan. 30, 2010.

Here' a blog I Wrote for you all! A day in the life of massage. Follow me!

http://massagecareers.blogspot.com/2010/01/day-in-life-of-massage.html

Great article, Gloria!

Today's Blog! How do I get a job?

http://massagecareers.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-do-i-find-job.html

remember to follow my blog and ask questions too!

Nice Blog Gloria

Today's Blog Post!

http://massagecareers.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-do-i-know-how-much-p...

What continuing education courses should you take?

http://massagecareers.blogspot.com/2010/01/what-type-of-continuing-...