Does anyone feel that there is a division between massage therapists that work in spas or in more of a clinical setting? I think this division does exist and divides our industry. If this is the case do you think this is a problem?

I think Bruce has asked a great question here. While all MTs have some things in common, we also have our differences. I personally believe that massage schools tend to foster certain attitudes about different types of work, and that those attitudes carry over into their alumns' professional lives.

In my interactions with other MTs, I have noticed that "science/evidence-based" MTs tend to pride themselves on updating their technical knowledge and constantly adjust how they practice to reflect their current understanding(s) of anatomy, physiology, pathology, etc. Some of these MTs are extremely openminded, while others are impatient with or even disgusted by concepts or practices that have not withstood the tests of scientific investigation.

I also know many "spa" MTs that don't pay much attention to science or worry about updating their knowledge base. They often feel that, if their clients are happy, they are doing fine with what they know. Some prefer to do more relaxation work, others do mostly "clinical" work. Whether they work in a spa or not, these MTs usually seem to be "live and let live" about how other MTs practice, and can't understand why anyone else would care how they practice.

There is a third group that I am unfairly lumping together strictly for brevity. These are the "intuitive" MTs who place energetic/spiritual concepts on a level equal to/higher than western medical concepts of anatomy, physiology, etc. I know some that are very egalitarian in their beliefs, with utmost respect for the science while enthusiastically pursuing their own intuitive interests. Others have great distrust of science in general, and utterly oppose any form of standardization or regulation, since they believe that healing energies are powerful positive forces that can not possibly be harmful.

You may notice that I do not divide practitioners by their working environments. This is because that MTs of any kind may be found in any type of practice environment. I know of "intuitive" MTs that are working in hospitals, and "science-based" MTs practicing at day spas, and "spa" MTs that are working at chiropractic centers. Our business is a large upscale multi-therapist massage center (we only offer massage/bodywork) and our staff roster contains all three "types" of MTs described above.

Though our MTs have their own opinions on various aspects of the work we do, we have cultivated an atmosphere of professional respect that enables our MTs to practice harmoniously. Our clients come for many reasons, sometimes choosing to see different MTs depending on what they need. Our MTs also refer to one another, recommending other MTs based on differing skill sets for dealing with various client problems.

Unfortunately, I know of hundreds of MTs that work in environments where that mutual professional respect is nonexistent or weak at best. If a positive work attitude (based on mutual respect) is not fostered and guarded by management, it is only a matter of time before respect and professionalism degrade.