Massage Therapy Business Tips
August 24, 2024
There’s a lot you can do with a massage therapy license, whether you want to provide luxury experiences in a tranquil setting or have a clinical practice. Any and everything in between is possible, as there are many job opportunities in the massage therapy industry.
This article covers:
Let’s dive in!
The career outlook for massage therapists is promising. The demand for massage therapists is growing rapidly. The massage therapy profession offers a wide range of job opportunities and areas of specialty, which allows massage therapists to choose their own career path.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can do with a massage therapy license.
Once you get your massage therapy license, there’s a diverse array of career options available to you. Places you can work as a massage therapist include:
Many massage therapists go into private practice. Starting a massage business isn’t how most therapists start their career in massage therapy, but it’s where most successful therapists end up. The path is different for everyone. Breaking free from traditional employment to be an independent massage therapist can take many forms. Here’s how therapists generally do it.
Before you jump into starting your own business, consider getting a bit of experience in one of the following work settings first. This will help you create a solid business plan, gain valuable skills, and get a feel for the type of massage therapist you want to be.
If you’re an athlete, you might enjoy working with sports teams. Many professional and college teams hire massage therapists to keep their team in top shape. Massage therapy is used for recovery as well as to treat sport-related injuries. You can make a name for yourself, working in this industry.
Love to travel? Getting a job as a massage therapist on a cruise ship could fulfill that wanderlust. You’ll work with a wide variety of people, upsell clients by selling retail products, earn a good commission, and help make people’s vacation a relaxing and indulgent experience.
If you want to be a healthcare provider, a chiropractic office is a good place to start your career as a massage therapist. Chiropractic and massage therapy work well in tandem; so teaming up with a chiropractor can accentuate the benefits of massage therapy. You’ll be an integral part of the patient's path to pain relief and overall wellness.
If you live in an area where many people vacation, working at a resort may prove to be a lucrative massage career. Resorts charge some of the highest fees for service in the massage industry, and therapists earn a hefty commission, according to the latest research conducted by the AMTA.
If you want to work in an environment of peers, with a shared mission of improving the quality of lives, a health center might be the place for you. Careers in the health and wellness industry are abundant, and many cross paths at health centers, where multiple services are offered to members of the community.
Do you have a scientific mind and imagine a clinical massage practice? Massage therapy is used to help patients recover from surgeries and injuries. At the clinic, you may work alongside physical therapists and occupational therapists, and you’ll definitely have a front row seat to seeing patient progress in real-time.
If you’re looking for someplace local whose members need your services, reach out to country clubs in the area. Country clubs offer many perks and member benefits, including massage therapy. You can build a regular clientele in this setting, with the possibility of good tips too.
If you’re into fitness, working at a gym could be a natural fit for your massage practice. Gym members don’t just know it’s important to take care of their bodies, they’re doing it. As a massage therapist, you can be an extension of that care.
If you want to create the ultimate relaxation experience, a salon and spa is the place to be. Spas are designed to pamper their clients with luxurious services. Plus, a major perk of working in this setting is making friends with your colleagues and trading services.
Do you know a lot of people working in the corporate world? Getting a gig offering corporate chair massage might be an option for you. Massage therapy in the workplace is becoming a common employee benefit. You’ll be the best part of someone’s workday and contribute to the overall positive morale and productivity of the office.
If you want to work in a medical setting, consider a job at a medical practice or hospital. Massage therapists working in these settings treat patients, as well as provide employee benefits. The pay isn’t as high as some other workplaces, but the impact you make is huge.
Just want to get some experience before you start your own business? There’s an abundance of massage jobs available at massage chains. These franchises are a good place to get your hands on a variety of clients, learn the ropes, and understand what it’s really like to be a massage therapist.
After getting your massage therapy license, you can opt to specialize in a massage modality or learn several. There are 100s of options. Some of the most sought after modalities include:
In most states, a requirement for maintaining your massage therapy license is completing annual continuing education. In the massage therapy industry there are a vast array of CEUs available, and your education can take you many different directions.
The massage modalities you practice will somewhat dictate what work setting is best for you. For instance, if you practice prenatal massage, you might work in a medical office or private practice. Whereas, a therapist who specializes in sports massage may work at a gym, as well as with local sports teams.
Your massage therapy career can go any number of directions. Whether you dream of building your own clinic one day or traveling the world on a cruise ship, it’s all possible with a massage therapy license.
Wish you could talk to other massage therapists about opportunities available to massage therapists? Join our community! The ClinicSense Community Hub is a supportive space for health and wellness practitioners. We share ideas, resources, help each other through challenges and celebrate triumphs. Join our community today!
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