Returning to massage after many years - feeling confused

[Nunitak]

Hello Everyone,

I’m thinking about getting back in to massage therapy after a break of about 16 years but I’m finding it rather bewildering! I have found what looks like a good 2 day “refresher” course as I feel rather out of touch with the whole client consultation/contra-indication/business side of things. And I would like to do a number of other short courses to build on my skills.

However the more I research “opportunities”, the more reservations I have about returning to massage. The industry seems to have polarised into "serious" massage - sports/remedial and "pamper" massage - more beauty oriented. There also seems to be a proliferation of “mobile massage companies” for home visits/hotels/corporate which after talking to and interviewing with a couple of them recently has made me think “what on earth am I thinking!” These companies cut the therapist a lousy deal to put it mildly and these were the more professional ones!

Are there still genuine opportunities out there for holistic therapists? When I practiced before, I had the luxury of a spare room, so Clients came to me and occasionally I went to clients’ homes. I no longer have this and am wondering how I can actually reach a viable number of people? I think in the long term I'm ultimately interested in remedial/sports massage and would like to work within an osteo/chiro clinic but most clinics understandably want therapists with specialist remedial qualifications. I had very good training at the Raworth Centre (massage and aromatherapy) and have done some advanced massage training last year, but this isn't enough. I’m reluctant to sign up to an expensive BTEC sports massage course right now as I’m still unsure this is the right thing to do. I was hoping to get back into massage professionally for a few months at least and then take it from there but I feel a bit stuck even before I’ve started!
Sorry for this long post. I guess I’m voicing similar doubts/worries to anyone starting out for the first time, even though I'm older and supposedly wiser! Your opinions/suggestions greatly welcomed. Thank you X

 

[TF+MG=<3]

Hi Smallpanda,

I think your question is one that many would like an answer to. In many ways there is no better time to work in the massage industry as now. However, it's popularity has thrown up many hurdles and barriers that can get in our way. On top of all that the training and qualifications available are confussing with many of them not being worth the paper they're written on.

However, battle through that and have a good idea of what everyone is doing and you will find the right path for you.

Firstly I'd suggest that you find a working massage therapist in your area that you can arrange a few swaps with. This will give you a good idea of where you need to practice rusty skills.

You mentioned 2 routes, sport/remedial or beauty.... This is a 3rd and that's complementary therapy. You should look at each, meet practitioners from each before deciding which way to do. I work on the beauty side, and that's where I wanted to be to start with. However, opportunites showed that was the route for me.

If the financial side is putting you off courses, have a look at your local college of FE because they have schemes to help with finanice and child care etc. Also contact your local business link who will be able to provide free courses and coaching to help you get on your feet.

IMO the most important thing you can do is contact, meet and swap therapies with other working therapist because it will show you directions that you may not know about.

HTH,
Myarka.

 

[jhesed]

Hi SP

One thing I like about massage, that it can be many things to many people. A skilled and sensitive practitioner can vary technique according to the clients needs. By embracing massage as a modality in its only right (like physios, osteos, chiros, acupuncturists, OT's, herbalists etc are self-contained modalities) there is much scope. On a typically working day I might do a pregnancy massage, sports injury massage on a runner, remedial massage for lower back pain and sciatica, and a nice oily massage with warming herbal compresses for a stressed out business lady.

So why not offer a broader professional massage service and make a good living from it. I do see your point though, there does seem to be those that are pampering and nice-y nice-y, and those that want to get in there and sort a problem out. There's a need for both, so why not do both?



Best Wishes

RP

 

[Lauren.]

Thank you for your feedback. When I worked years ago I considered myself to be a complementary therapist and thats what i'd like to do again, combining all my skills. My observation was that it seemed that this approach was out of favour at the moment with people trying to make their business as niche as possible. I'm probably overstating the reality but this is just how its seems to me. I also spoke with a very well established training school last week who said that this is very true of London but not so outside of London. So maybe I'm experiencing a skewed picture of whats really happening. I will build slowly and I think its great advice to connect with other therapists. Thanks.

 

[The Philosopher]

This jumped out at me Myarka ... and it's got me thinking! I've completed my VTCT Swedish Massage which is one of the well respected qualifications I'm told. If I do anything I like to do it to the best of my ability and I put 100% into it which is why I went for this and not a distance/weekend or very short course.

Maybe I'm having an "off" day but I'm wondering whether it IS worth all the extra work and expense. I've spoken to loads of people this last year who have been for massages and asked them what qualifications their massage therapists have and most of them don't even know or care!

I have been to several places myself over the years and can only remember one person doing a case history (and that was an aromatherapy massage). I've been going to a beauty salon for a while and the girl who massages me is pretty good but I had no idea what her qualifications were. I asked her and she said she did massage as part of a full-time beauty course so I don't even know if that means she's done it to the level I have. Very confusing.

 

[jietkmca]

I think you're right, the majority of clients don't understand all the massage qualifications that are available, and I'm sure they don't know if the certificate on the wall is genuine or not. But I am sure sure that our clients care if we are competent, effective and safe.

Massage is a huge discipline and most holistic massage courses only scratch the surface. But it depends on what you want to achieve professionally. I found my remedial massage course a real eye opener because it opened up a whole new world of indirect techniques to deal with issues that I had no idea about. It's now fuelled my hunger to learn more and become more proficient.

Practicing massage is a journey of learning and I don't think I could stop learning something new every day.

Ask the question, where do you want to go with massage and that will give you the answer about which courses to take.

HTH,
Myarka