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Experiences of Massage Therapists
Hello Everyone :)
I am an aspiring massage therapy student and would like to listen to your most important advice as an experienced MT. Please tell me anything that you think is beneficial, useful, and helpful. Where are the best places to practice? Why? How much commission should a massage therapist receive? What should aspiring MT students watch out for? What do you love most about massage therapy?
I appreciate your time.
Thank you.
Views: 254
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on
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Forget everything they taught in massage school. The average career span for our profession is only six years. You have not a clue as to the reality of your profession...
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Permalink Reply by S.Washburn on
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I've heard of massage therapists practicing for over 10 to 20 years though. You're right about me not having a clue about the reality of this practice, that is why I am asking experienced therapists questions.
Thanks, Gordon.
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It is not the same to talk of bulls as to be in the bullring SPANISH PROVERB.
S.Washburn said:I've heard of massage therapists practicing for over 10 to 20 years though. You're right about me not having a clue about the reality of this practice, that is why I am asking experienced therapists questions.
Thanks, Gordon.
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Very true, Gordon. Your own experience in practice is more important than others expressing theirs in their own words. I'm curious about others experiences as well. I like to hear what others say about it. How long have you been doing this art and where have you practiced?
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Permalink Reply by Therese Schwartz on
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I graduated from MT school 4 years ago. Gordon is absolutely correct - you will need to forget everything they teach you in school. I've not yet found a good use for Swedish massage besides ruining my hands. And Deep Tissue massage generally ends up being an excuse for therapists to be abusive to their clients. And that will also tear up your body.
Look up Val Guin and the Auth Method. They are both focused on using the forearms as tools. I know little about the Auth Method but Guin's Forearm Dance massage saved my body and therefore my practice. That combined with Bamboo Fusion massage has been an outstanding way to do massage.
I've primarily practiced out of my house, but I've also done massage at horse shows, horse clinics, and other people's houses.
I don't have any opinions about commissions because I've always worked for myself, but be willing to be objective about it and look at it from a math/economics point of view. I can tell you that working for myself, I don't get to keep much of what I make during a massage. I prefer it but I do all my own scheduling, laundry, set up, purchasing, continuing ed, etc. What to watch out for:
Do not be a victim or a martyr. Many MT's want to help people and are compassionate by nature but that doesn't mean that you should destroy yourself or allow anyone to take advantage of you in any way. Be willing to stand up for yourself.
Please, please look up massage myths. Learn now what you are being taught that's totally not true.
Listen to your clients, what they say and what they don't say. Listen to what their bodies tell you. They will be your best teachers. Ask questions. Many times it will take a while for people to remember the car accident or the office desk arrangement, or whatever.
Learn other modalities. I do CranioSacral Therapy, Myofascial Release, Bamboo Fusion Massage and Lymph Drainage Therapy. Having more tools to solve problems will be very helpful. Gordon has learned a fabulous way to do Trigger Point Therapy that I know nothing about. There's good stuff out there - find it and learn it.
What do I love most - clearing away the clutter so people can discover who they are underneath the damage we all incur as humans. And empowering my clients to think about how to improve their lives.
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My entire career so far Ive lived in places that didnt require me to get continuing educational credits. Hawaii, New Zealand, and Alaska. So I was not limited or restricted as to what I studied. I studied on my own.. So I have studied chiropractic, osteopathic, physical therapy, and medical books and DVDs. Im now studying Conjugate Gaze Technique(eye movement in relation to muscle tension). As well as massage books and DVDs... The two elbow methods that Therese mentioned are very good(save your thumbs)...Anyway I never have completed any course or DVD series...I took what made sense to me and simple to remember and do at the time. One of the best ways to learn, for me ,was to get massages...I pay close attention to the things they did that I didnt like. The other way, and perhaps the best way I learn is by working on myself...Can I make my own aches and pains go away? If I test out all the stuff Ive learned from books and DVDs, does it work? My own body has been a great learning tool...I have muscles.. When I lift my arm what muscles are getting tight and which ones are getting loose? If my forearms are sore. Whats the best way to work them myself? Several years ago I herniated a disc..Horribly painful...I couldnt walk at all for three months...It took me 14 months to heal myself...I recently found myself ( accidentally) with a group of orthopedic surgeons. They were discussing herniated discs...But I knew that unless one of those Docs had a herniated disc , that I was the only expert in there on herniated discs because I am a herniated disc...lol You can learn a lot by working on your own body.. Learning never stops and we all learn in different ways.. So? Im just telling you some of the things I do is all...Ive basically been self taught....Ive only completed one course, and even then I have no certificate from it...I originally trained in Namikoshi Shiatsu...a non meridian shiatsu...If I was just starting out.. I would learn a really good full body massage like Lomi Lomi, and a simple medical type massage like Soft Tissue Release, and go from there. I worked ten years basically in a chiropractic and medical clinic in Hawaii, two years in New Zealand working on Japanese tourists, and 15 years mostly in a Spa here in Alaska....Ive made tons of money and been on food stamps working pretty much on the same skill level. It has been a very very challenging, difficult, and rewarding career. I feel like Im working at a high level now, but when I look back, even when I first started, Ive always felt that way...lol Good luck.......
S.Washburn said:Very true, Gordon. Your own experience in practice is more important than others expressing theirs in their own words. I'm curious about others experiences as well. I like to hear what others say about it. How long have you been doing this art and where have you practiced?
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