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Male Massage Therapists: Survival of the Fittest

According to surveys by our professional associations, males account for less than 20% of massage therapists. From the personal experiences I’ve had with teaching male students,having male therapists in my own practice, and serving on a state board, I’ve made a few observations. I think males definitely have a harder row to hoe when it comes to making a living in massage therapy.


I’ve employed a couple of male therapists over the years who practiced advanced modalities. I’ve had a therapist who practices Structural Integration traveling from out of town to work at my place for six years. I’ve also in times gone by employed a male who did orthopedic massage. Both of them had a much easier time getting new clients than did the male therapist who didn’t have a specialty.


I live in a small town, and have found that many women don’t feel comfortable getting massage from a male; many women wouldn’t mind getting massaged by a male, but their spouse doesn’t want them to, and a whole lot of homophobic males won’t get a massage from a male.


As for male therapists getting in trouble with the board, in the past four years that I have served our state board, only one woman that I can recall has been brought in for a hearing on an ethics charge, but there are males having disciplinary hearings at nearly every meeting.


There have been several times when I didn’t think a male therapist who had been accused of something was guilty, but I was voted down by other board members. When it’s a sexual offense, I believe there is a tendency to err on the side of caution, and the standard of proof is not what it is in a regular court of law. I also believe there are plenty of women out there who are violating the code of ethics, but a lot of men won’t complain about being offered sex along with their massage.


All that being said, I look at some of the people who are at the top in this profession, and many of them are men. Erik Dalton,Whitney Lowe, James Waslaski, Tom Myers, Benny Vaughan, John Barnes, John Upledger…the list goes on, and if you stack up the women who have that same kind of name recognition, it’s probably about equal–amazing since over 80% of the profession is comprised of women. Maybe there’s a glass ceiling in massage. If you look at their class schedules, a lot of those esteemed fellows are on the road more than they’re at home. We women tend to nest a little more. Somebody has to keep the home fires burning!


I wonder about the percentage of males who leave the profession because they can’t make a living as opposed to the number of females who do that. I feel for them. The males I’m acquainted with who are successful have had a lot of perseverance. I recently had a black gentleman in one of my classes who has been practicing more than 40. I told him I bet he was the first one in North Carolina. I was thrilled he came to my class. After 40 years, you’d think our state board could lighten up on the continuing ed requirement!


To all the male therapists who are trying to contribute to this profession, I salute you. If you really want to do this, I believe you can make your way. Professionalism will eventually overcome outdated perceptions. Don’t give up too soon.


Peace & Prosperity,


Laura Allen

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Comment by Valentine 2013 on December 31, 2012 at 12:23pm

Thank you Laura for the article, I been practicing for last 8 years, have to say that I am trying to leave the  profession now and give a lot of respect to the males in the industry who are sticking around.  It is very exhausting to hear the biases out there when people choose a therapist.  I really feel that its our culture her in the USA, When I did my practical hours for massage i had mainly European's to practice on.  They were comfortable, excited of getting massage both males and females, they often be naked on top of the sheets then had to explain to them that its different here in the USA, they saw massage as massage noting sexual or awkward.  At the same time i have t address that I have encountered male massage therapist being in this position for the wrong intentions or have crossed  the boundaries, i had a female model coming in to get a massage at the spa i work at, she freak out because i am a male and repeatedly apologized which made it worse, she went and got her friend who told me that her last massage the guy assaulted her, this isn't the first one i heard.  I feel that being a male massage therapist we owe it to ourselves, the profession and others who are trying to fight the stereotype to be professional and ethical this will turn the skeptist to our side.  I am proud to say that I have changed several clients POV receiving work from men.  Asto the clients please speak up when your not comfortable, every profession has rotten apples and its up to you to speak up.

Comment by JB Harding, III LMT A.A.S. on July 3, 2010 at 6:27pm
Well, I am glad to see all the positive thoughts in this discussion here because I have been having the worst time with gender preferences and the fears of others about my sex and whatever else. I had to hold my tongue and grit my teeth at the phobias that people have exhibited ,with no discrimination, that they wanted a female or that they would not hire me because I am a male... I will not stop at my pursuit to succeed in this industry, but I will have to state that I have been witness to too many situations where I was undesirable as a therapist because of my gender....
Without struggle there can not be true success - Namaste!
Comment by Chistopher Willey on May 8, 2010 at 9:35pm
Laura, I thank you for discussing this subject. I graduated from MT school four years ago, and after one year of pounding the pavements looking for a job in this field, nothing came up.. I became very discouraged, and went back to corporate America. That decision, though painful on MANY levels, actually may have worked out for the best.. After working for the company that I have been with during the past few years, I decided that I can no longer take the corporate life. I keep reflecting back to how much I enjoyed my MT training, and how determined I was to fine my place in the field. I decided that I spent all that time and money for MT training, and it is a job where I can help others, which makes it more worthwhile and enjoyable than helping to make money for a company that really does not care about its clients, and cares much less for their employees. Rejoining the rat race has been a catalyst in helping me to develop a new attitude. I am once again determined to work in the MT profession where I can feel good about the work that I do because I will be in a position where I can help people in many different ways., an make a difference I their lives. There is a wealth of information available to us on-line, and the AMTA website is an amazing tool to help get one focused and on their way. I am working on a business plan, am narrowing in on what I want to use as my specialty. It is apparent that is a necessary thing to do in order for a male to make in it this business. I know that it is doable, because there are males out there who have made a success out of MT. After I succeed, I hope to be able to use my wisdom and experience to help other males to be a success as well. Thank you for your encouraging comments.
Comment by Aaron Allen on May 2, 2010 at 1:47pm
Here in Portland Oregon in both my private practice and employment in a chiropractic clinic I have experienced very little discrimination and a lot of healthy discussion on the matter of gender preference etc. I have had a potential employer ask during an interview, "How would you handle a client who is uncomfortable working with a male therapist". I felt this was a legitimate and well thought out question, and one which I was prepared to answer though it has happened so little in my experience. For me personally this success has been based upon ownership of my masculine energy, and I have been able to have many comfortable relationships with both men and women as massage clients, though I too utilize the role of a "Deep Tissue Specialist", a role that does not feel unnatural.
It may just be that the clinical/specialist role is in keeping with our long held cultural expectations for masculine behavior, and in my personal experience it has been the path by which I most easily connect with clients.
It is sad though to see therapists, clinics etc. shoot themselves in the foot by creating an issue around gender, and I have worked personally to educate fellow therapists, receptionists and doctors where I have found them prejudicing or leading a client.
Conversely, I feel it is entirely appropriate to disclose the gender of the therapist in such indirect ways as while confirming an appointment, "We have you booked for May 14th at 3pm with Aaron, and he would like to know if you have any special requests such as heat prior to your massage." This should provide any client ample opportunity to request a gender preference if they are predisposed to do so, but in the case that a client at the last minute seems unsure, asks questions regarding the subject or shows signs that they are uncomfortable with the therapist they have been paired with for any reason care must be taken to allow and empower the client to withdraw consent and/or request an alternate therapist or appointment with the most gracious of attitudes and with a full realization that you too would want the opportunity express your choice of therapist without judgment.
Comment by Laura Allen on April 26, 2010 at 4:11am
In my office, I personally have never wanted to put a stigma on the male therapists, but I have also felt that I could not surprise anyone with the fact that they were getting a male after they were already there. The way I have handled this is that when anyone calls and doesn't ask for a therapist by name, I will say "Jack has an opening at 2 pm, or Mary has one at 3." I don't ask if they would prefer a female.
Comment by James Mills on April 25, 2010 at 1:30pm
I've been a carpenter for about 36 years and a martial artist for 20 + years. So when I started training in Zen Bodytherapy with William "Dub" Leigh back in 1997, working with my hands and body already felt natural to me. Construction work was what kept a roof on our heads and everything else it takes to raise a family.
I continued with the bodywork on a part time basis.
Between the economy and construction in general heading a different directions than it was 10 or 20 years ago, I decided that I wanted to do bodywork full time and, if necessary, do carpentry part time. Last year I went through a massage therapy program at a local college, passed the national exams and now a LMT in Illinois. Even though I've still taken several other trainings over the years to keep up on things. I thought that with the career change, the credentials would add credibility to my name.
Even in school, when we would have our clinics where we were working on the public as students, I had several women that said they would prefer a female therapist. Between my years in construction and martial arts, I've learned not to take things too personally, but it it is still a common occurrence.
I currently have an office at our house with a separate entrance and bathroom, but it is still a little slow. I recently interviewed at two midwest chain, health and fitness club locations. I live in between them and figured I could get part time hours at each and at least get my hands on more people so they could experience the work. As I was doing a "technical" massage, as they called it, on the interviewer, he did mention that they had not had good success with male therapists in the past. But he stopped short of saying that they would not hire one. He did say he enjoyed the work I did and preferred to do that type of work himself as opposed to a soft relaxing massage. As yet, I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the opportunity to make myself more available to more people.
I usually rise to a challenge and I know I can make a difference .... so I'm still at it.

Jim
Comment by Julie Onofrio on April 24, 2010 at 1:48pm
I talked about the challenges of being male in this profession from the very beginning of making my websites. I got our beloved Ryan Hoyme (aka massagenerd.com) to write me an article on it for my websites before he had websites!

http://thebodyworker.com/malemassagetherapistissues.htm

I have also been finding articles on the issue and posted them on the page.

I think there is a great need for males in the profession to add to the healing that needs to take place between both men and women and men and men...too many ands there. Yes women who have been abused have male massage therapist issues but with a nurturing male massage therapist there can be a lot of healing going on and also between men. I would love to see men promote this to women and men!

I also think part of the issue is that men shoot themselves in the foot sometimes by just starting to believe that people would prefer a woman. I had a very talented male working in my office many years ago and he himself would ask -would you like a female?! I also would make a long list of successful male massage therapists and men would say 'yea but...' they had more schooling or they were teachers or you fill in the blank. I don't think men are used to being the minority.

I personally go through stages and sometimes prefer a male and sometimes a female. I love both!

Julie
Comment by ASIS Massage Education on April 23, 2010 at 3:03pm
A big problem I've noticed working in renowned spas and health clubs in Sedona, AZ and Marin County, CA is that the receptionist asks, "Would you like a male or female therapist?" upon booking the session. First off, a clinic, spa or health club should have a reputation of simply having highly skilled and qualified massage therapists, regardless of the gender. If I had it my way, I'd like booking agents to say in response to gender requests, "All of our therapists are licensed, highly educated and skilled therapists and we no longer offer gender preference." Conversely, a skilled therapist should be comfortable working on either gender. However, that's never going to be a reality given that we're meeting people where they're at, without judgment with whatever their issues are having them book a massage based on gender. I've offered to wear drag but that that doesn't often go over well either, even though I'm joking.

However, there have been a few times I've worked with women that were abused and witnessed profound transformation in their healing of the trauma by working with a male therapist in a therapeutic and safe environment.


I've had great success in Marin County working on a few mothers and psychotherapists who then let their friends or clients know about my work. Before long, I had a busy practice of mostly mothers and psychotherapists via word of mouth when I lived there. I've never had much luck with ads as massage therapist but word of mouth advertising has worked really well, once someone experiences my work and has excellent results. Once that happens, a reputation for the skill in my work builds, rather than the fact that I'm a male. I think any therapist would rather be known in that light, rather than being booked based on their gender. After all, this is why I studied well, got the education and continue to further my education.

Peace to you,
Bradley Blalock, LMT
ASIS Massage Education
Comment by David Beard on April 22, 2010 at 2:23pm
As a new male therapist, I hope that my small town of Black Mountain, NC will look at my talents and trust my professionalism. And to not think me a sexual predator for ethier sexes.
Comment by Kevin W. Nalley on April 22, 2010 at 9:50am
As a male therapist in Michigan, I also find it hard to get over the "Male Therapist Syndrome" hump... Especially with all the conflicting local laws. In my home city of Wyandotte, they just repealed the same sex massage law, yet made outcall massage illegal, and slapped a boat load of ordinances on having a massage office in the home (which brings up more "male therapist syndrome" issues). I'm finding the best outlet for me is the fact that I tend to focus on clinical massage. I'll be opening the doors to my first office soon, and it happens to be within a medical complex. I find that the homophobic tendencies wane when there is a prescription for massage. Hopefully, once the laws and regulations in Michigan go through (hopefully in January of next year) we can move past the archaic laws of yesteryear and actually practice what we truly love... Helping people! Thanks for the article, Laura. As Jody said... A tremendous vote of confidence.

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