Massage Career: Make People Feel Better As You Enjoy Amazing Rewards

Massage Career Options

Massage therapy is one job where the entire point is to make people feel better, and a massage career can be perfect for someone who is interested in a helping career that nonetheless offers flexibility in terms of work setting and hours.

A massage career offers both flexibility and job security.

By attending massage therapy school, the aspiring massage therapist receives the training and practice necessary to build a successful and rewarding career. Following is further information about this unique profession, types of massage therapy, and job prospects for those who complete massage school.

Settings in Which Massage Therapists Work

Nearly half of Americans who receive massage therapy do so for medical reasons, and 49% of physical therapists recommend that their patients receive massage therapy too. In fact, almost all massage therapists receive referrals from healthcare providers, and the number of referrals they’re getting has been going up in recent years as the benefits of massage therapy become better known.

In addition to private offices and studios, massage therapists may work in any number of settings, some of which you might never have thought of. Some work directly in chiropractic and physical therapy clinics, and some work in nursing homes or sports medicine facilities. Nonmedical settings in which massage therapists work include day spas, fitness centers, cruise ships, airports, resorts, and shopping centers. Some massage therapists work on-site at client homes or offices. In addition to the many settings, there are many different types of massage therapy.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage therapy is often used on people who have chronically tight, painful muscles. It can also be used for those with repetitive strain injuries, problems with posture, or for those who are recovering from an injury. This type of massage targets deep layers of connective tissue and muscle, and is typically done with slow stroke or friction techniques across the grain of the muscle. It’s normal for clients to feel sore for a day or two after experiencing this type of massage.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is the type of massage therapy most people in the United States think of first. When someone refers to “massage therapy” in general, they’re most likely referring to Swedish massage. Techniques involve long, smooth strokes, circular movements, and kneading that addresses superficial muscle layers and employs lotion or oil. This is a relaxing, gentle type of massage that is terrific for relieving everyday stress. People who have never had massage therapy before often choose this type of massage first.

Other Specialty Massage Therapies

Many massage therapy schools train students in specialty massage therapy types. For example, prenatal massage is popular among expectant mothers because when practiced by a properly trained therapist, it helps with relaxation and stress relief while the body is coping with the demands of pregnancy. Sports massage is also taught in massage school, and is used by both casual athletes and professionals. With sports massage, the focus is on preventing and treating injury and improving performance. Chair massage is another specialty massage therapy that is popular in offices, airports, and shopping centers and can be terrific for relieving upper body tension.

Job Prospects for Massage Therapists

Successfully completing massage therapy school can lead to a career that offers a rare combination of job security and flexibility in terms of hours and settings. Through the year 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects this career field to grow faster than average. In 2013, the median annual wage for a massage career was $35,920, with top performing massage therapists earning over $70,000 per year. Demand for massage therapists is everywhere, but is typically higher in larger metropolitan areas or cities with extensive healthcare facilities.

Conclusion

Southern California Health Institute (SOCHi) can prepare you for a massage career that is rewarding in terms of both pay and job satisfaction. With comprehensive training in medical massage and specialty massage techniques, our massage therapy school provides the highest standards of education in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Our goal is to train compassionate and highly competent massage therapists who adhere to the highest ethical standards of the profession and who employ their training in a wide range of settings to improve people’s quality of life. If you’re interested in learning more about how massage school can prepare you for an exciting massage career, call us at 818-980-8990.