It was just the other day that I picked up a book on “Reflexology” from Borders. I checked it out – on myself and anyone else who was willing to let me – and it worked like magic!
Reflexology involves knowing how the body’s nerve endings map in the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet and massaging them to achieve tremendous benefits. Based on the list of most-searched jobs, Salary.com indicates that massage therapy is one of the hottest emerging job titles.
So, why is it that a 4,000 year-old healing method is still so popular?
Everyone needs a bit of kneading!
Most people know that with old age comes pain – back-pain, foot-pain, that crick in the neck and, the list goes on. But massages are not for seniors alone. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) reports that children suffering from leukemia, cerebral palsy and autism show improvements when massaged every day. In the last Olympics in Athens, massage therapy was used successfully with competitors at pre-event rubs. In addition to reducing physical pain, massage therapy has been used to increase flexibility, treat Alzheimer’s patients, relieve high blood pressure from stress, and alleviate depression.
Not just us humans, our pets may also need a massage. Massage therapists work with vets’ offices, animal shelters, or police departments. Animals such as Golden Retrievers, commonly suffer from muscle pain and arthritis in their old age and massage therapy can save man’s best friend from that pain he can’t tell us about.
Massage Therapy as a career choice
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, there will be a 20 percent employment growth in the industry between 2006 and 2016. This is faster than the average for all occupations.
Flexible hours, growing employment opportunities, and the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping people influence people into making a career choice out of massage therapy. A survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) showed that a massage therapist working 15 hours per week in 2008 earned an average of $31,500 while full-time health care support workers and medical assistants earned an average of $28,170 and $27,190, respectively, in 2006.
As of 2005, there has been an increase in the number of massage therapists in America – from 24,000 to well over 100,000. Massage therapy licensing programs are quickly filling up. Jim Miller, Campus that Director at the Apollo College in Arizona, feels that the ability of a massage therapist to build a business and design it for their own needs, while helping people to enjoy life and improve their lifestyles is one of the compelling reasons why massage therapy is gaining popularity as a career choice.
Factors that influence your massage therapy salary
•The number of hours at work
•Location
•Type of employer
•Level of education and experience
Tips are a substantial portion of earnings for massage therapists.
Getting Started
To get started, you may want to research for good programs in this field and contact a good massage therapy school in your local area.
Starting your own business
For those thinking about establishing their own practice, the following are the costs that need to be considered.
•Advertising/marketing
•Aromatherapy supplies
•Association dues and fees
•Health insurance
•Laundry
•Liability insurance
•Massage chair
•Massage oils
•Massage table
•Space rental
Good Luck!