Massage Therapist
What is the work like?
As a massage therapist, you may use your fingers, hands or elbows to stroke, knead and manipulate soft body tissue and bring benefits to clients, such as:
- improved muscle and skin tone
- better circulation
- relief from aches and pains associated with muscle tension, such as headaches
- an increased ability to rid the body of toxins.
Your clients could also include those seeking both physical and emotional healing, for example:
- people who are ill or recovering from a period of sickness
- adults who want to manage stress more effectively
- individuals suffering with anxiety or depression
- people who want to develop their ability to relax.
You could specialise in a particular branch of massage, such as:
- Indian head massage – using particular oils and techniques to relax the neck, shoulders, head and face
- sports massage – treating sports injuries such as sprains, torn ligaments and broken limbs
- baby massage – helping to calm and bond parents and babies
- body massage (also known as Swedish massage) – working on the whole body, especially the limbs and back.
Whichever technique you specialise in, you would usually begin a session by checking the client's medical history, diet and lifestyle. During treatment, you would apply pressure to specific areas to ease tension and you may also use essential oils. After treatment, you may give the client further advice about how to maintain and build upon their general wellbeing.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Massage therapy is currently an unregulated area, however, professional bodies such as the General Council for Massage Therapy (GCMT) suggest you take an in-depth course of at least six months full-time or 12 months part-time, before you begin work as a massage therapist.
The GCMT have also helped create a list of core subjects and competences your training should cover, including:
- anatomy, physiology and pathology
- whole body massage
- health and safety issues (including your own posture when giving massages)
- first aid
- assessing a client's needs
- reviewing client's health and wellbeing over a period of time
- business, professional and ethical standards.
Shorter courses tend to be introductory or for general interest only and are not seen as being suitable as a preparation for professional practice.
Massage qualifications are awarded by several exam bodies, including the Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT), International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC) and CIBTAC (internationally recognised); check their websites for details.
Some courses also meet the criteria for membership of a professional body (like the GCMT) – you should check this before you enrol.
To get on to a course you may need GCSEs (A-C) in English, biology or human biology, or a BTEC, VTCT or ITEC Certificate or Diploma in anatomy and physiology. However, entry requirements can vary so it is important you check with course providers.
You may be able to get into this job through a beauty therapy Apprenticeship scheme. The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
The Prince's Foundation of Integrated Health (PFIH) is working to develop a single, regulatory body for complementary therapies, expected to be launched during 2008. See the PFIH website for details and a link to the new Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).
A driving licence will be useful if you are self-employed.
What further training and development can I do?
As a practising massage therapist you could become a member of a professional body such as:
- the Federation of Holistic Therapists
- the British Register of Complementary Practitioners (see ICM website)
- the General Council for Massage Therapy (this organisation is working with other professional bodies to create a national register of massage practitioners).
Each organisation has details of membership criteria, including acceptable qualifications. As a member, you would have access to continuing professional development programmes and networking opportunities.
To specialise in a particular form of massage, such as baby and infant massage or sports massage, you will need to take additional training in that specific branch. Check the websites of the Guild of Infant and Child Massage, and the Sports Massage Association for details.
The Massage Training Institute provides advice and information on general, holistic massage, but they cannot give details on specialised areas, such as Indian head massage.
Where can I go for more information?
3rd FloorEastleigh House
Upper Market Street
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO50 9FD
Tel: 023 8068 4500
London
EC1V 0BB
Tel: 0203 1193 100
London
N16 0XQ
Tel: 020 7254 7227
Evesham
Worcestershire
WR11 4NL
Tel: 01889 564 555
London
SE16 7QZ
Tel: 020 7231 5855
Broad Plain
Bristol
BS2 0JP
Tel: 0117 922 1155
Chiswick
London
W4 4JE
Tel: 020 8994 4141
Hathaway Close
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO50 4SR
Tel: 0870 420 2022
Lytham
Lancashire
FY8 5QB
Tel: 0870 005 2678
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Many massage therapists are self-employed and charge an hourly rate, which can be between £20 and £60 an hour.
- A newly qualified massage therapist working in a salon may earn around £14,000 a year.
- With experience and skills in a range of therapies you could earn up to £40,000 a year.
You may also receive tips from clients and commission for the sale of beauty products.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would work hours to fit in with your clients, which would usually include evenings and weekends. Part-time hours are often possible.
You could work in a variety of settings, such as beauty salons, health spas and fitness centres. You could also work in a healthcare environment, like a hospice or holistic medical centre.
Sessions could take between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on your client's needs. You would carry out treatments in a quiet room, with a massage table. You may also visit clients in their homes or workplaces.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- the confidence to work closely with clients
- a smart appearance and good personal hygiene
- good communication and listening skills
- the ability to develop empathy with clients
- the ability to recognise when a client needs to be referred to a qualified medical doctor
- physical stamina for carrying out a number of treatments a day
- commercial skills to run a business
- the ability to keep accurate and up-to-date client records.
What opportunities are there?
Interest in massage and other complementary therapies has increased considerably in the last 20 years. Many complementary therapies are now being integrated in to traditional healthcare to complement more conventional treatments.
You may be able to find job opportunities within the NHS, private healthcare, salons, spas and hotels. However, you are likely to find most opportunities as a self-employed massage therapist. To be successful you will need to build up and maintain a sound reputation and client base. You will also need to the ability to market your business, which may involve working long hours at first until you have established your practice.
With qualifications and experience, you could go on to learn other forms of massage such as remedial massage or complementary therapies such as aromatherapy, reiki or reflexology.
Jobs can be advertised through local newspapers and industry press such as Massage World.
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