Transcription
Your Massage & Bodywork Career
Page 2Did you know?Massage can help reduce:Source: Mayo Clinic Anxiety Fibromyalgia Headaches Insomnia Muscle tension Pain Sports injuries Stress
Page 3WelcomeThis booklet is the first step on your path toward a career in massageand bodywork. Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals(ABMP) has created this guide to help you decide whether a career inmassage and bodywork is right for you and to provide you with all thesupport you need to get started on the right track.Why choosea career inmassagebodywork?The benefits of a career inmassage and bodywork: Freedom: Many therapistsASSOCIATEDBODYWORK& MASSAGEPROFESSIONALSchoose a career in bodyworkbecause they enjoy the freedomof not being stuck in a cubicleor an office all day. Being amassage therapist allows youto work in a variety of locationsand meet a wide range ofpeople. A team-orientedmassage clinic, a tranquil dayspa, a chair massage boothoutdoors at a festival or fair,a therapeutic massage in amedical health-care setting—the options are endless! Flexibility: If you choose to bean employee of a clinic or spa,the manager can work with youto help you find a schedule andclients that are right for you.If you choose to become anindependent contractor or owna private practice, you’ll enjoythe flexibility to make your ownhours, choose your own careerpath, and be your own boss! Rewarding: If you have apassion for helping others,you’ve come to the right place.Because there’s nothing morerewarding than helping toreduce someone’s pain andstress. Massage therapistsmake a positive impact onpeople’s lives every day!
Page 4300 bodywork modalitiesare listed in the glossary atwww.massagetherapy.com
Page 5How Can You Help Others?What type of bodywork speaks to you? Do you see yourself working ina clinical environment, using the latest medical research to guide yourapproach? Or do you seek to reduce stress and be an important part ofsomeone’s healthy lifestyle? Do you imagine a little of each?In massage school, you’ll learn about Pregnancy massage: Pregnancy massagethe many different ways people usespecialists help mothers through the painmassage to support their healthand discomfort of pregnancy. There’s nothinggoals. You’ll learn about the muscleslike seeing the smile on a mother’s face andand joints in the body and how to useknowing you helped not only her, but herhands-on techniques to promote balance,growing baby as well.flexibility, and fluidity in the body’s Geriatric massage: More seniors arestructures. Massage helps people rest anddiscovering the joys and benefits ofrecover, supporting their natural healingmassage. Putting your skills to use tomechanisms. In a massage career, youaid the aging population is a rewardingnever stop growing and learning. Withexperience for all involved.300-plus modalities, there’s an approach Corporate chair massage: Companiesto massage that fits every client and everyknow that happy workers equal productivepractitioner.workers, and savvy CEOs have been bringingHere are just a few of the ways youmight use your skills in your career: Sports massage: Massage therapists arein chair massage specialists to keep theiremployees healthy and injury-free for years. Relaxation massage: Perhaps the mostincreasingly being included as integraltraditional setting for massage is withincomponents of athletes’ training teams.a spa setting. Working in a calm, tranquilSports massage can be done in a spaenvironment, enveloped by soothing aromasor clinic setting or performed on-site atand serene music sounds pretty good,athletic events, in a chair or on a table.doesn’t it?
Page 6Choose your pathDoes the security and structure of being an employee of a massage clinic or spafranchise appeal to you? Or do you want to enjoy the freedom (and are you ready forthe responsibility) of owning your own practice? The beauty of a career in massageand bodywork is the wide range of options from which you have to choose.Career Opportunities Work in a franchise location: Working in a Work in a medical or health-caresetting: Massage therapists are employedmassage franchise or clinic offers stability,in many hospitals and private physiciansecurity, and structure. Every location isor chiropractic offices. These therapistsdifferent, but in general, you can expect to enjoywork in a clinical setting as one part of aa consistent schedule and regular income.team of health-care professionals. Work in a spa: Massage is one of the most Work as an independent therapist:requested services at luxury spas, which meansSelf-employment allows you to set your ownmassage therapists are always in demand.schedule, create your own work environment,Working in a spa setting allows you to enjoyand choose the modalities you practice.working alongside a variety of health andHowever, you are also responsible forwellness specialists and apply a variety ofattracting and retaining clients, performingcreative body treatments in a luxurious setting.bookkeeping, and everything else thatcomes with running a business.
Page 7Resources to get you started today: Explore the latest research, techniques, and trends in the profession by reading the free digitaledition of Massage & Bodywork magazine online at www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com Visit www.massagetherapy.com, your one stop shop, to learn more about massage, nd outhoto become a massage therapist, and nd a massage therapist near youI love being a massage therapist!I get to help people every day.(Katie Esper, LMT)
Page 8
Page 9What to ExpectIn this exciting time, as you ponder your future in massage andbodywork, make sure you ask the right questions to ensure you haveall the information you need to make an informed decision.Questions to Ask Your School AdvisorSince every school and every program is different, we encourage you to meet with your school’sadmissions advisor for specific answers to any questions you have. Some of the questions youmight ask include: What is the total cost of your school’s program? How many hours of study and/or hands-on practice are required? What is the ratio of traditional classroom instruction to hands-on practice? What are the rules and regulations governing massage in your state? What are the financial expectations for graduates of your program?Sternocleidomastoid?You’ll learn this and more than2,500 other anatomical termsand bodywork-related conceptsin your massage training.TIP!Going for anadmissions interview?Dress professionally,make eye contact, and smile!
Page 10Support from ABMPWhat is ABMP?Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) is a membership organization servingthe massage, bodywork, and somatic professions. ABMP partners with students, schools,instructors, and professionals to foster the growth and development of the massage andbodywork profession. When you join ABMP as a student, you get the support and resources ofthe largest bodywork association in the nation.
Page 11From Student to ProfessionalFrom your first day in massageschool through your successfulcareer as a professional therapist,wealth of support resources,Massage & BodyworkMagazineABMP has you covered with aincluding student success guides,Massage & Bodywork is ABMP’sexam prep materials, educationalaward-winning publication,newsletters, and comprehensiveproviding massage therapistsliability insurance.and bodyworkers with thelatest research, techniques,perspectives, and trends inLiability Insurancethe industry.ABMP offers comprehensiveinsurance coverage that protectsyou from liability claims in andout of the classroom while you’rea student, and throughout yourcareer as a professional therapist.Free ProfessionalWebsiteEnjoy a free website withSupportour easy-to-use WebsitePersonal support isBuilder, which includesavailable from our friendlydozens of professionallymembership team todesigned templates thatanswer any questionslet you start building youryou may have. Call us atprofessional presence in a800-458-2267 or emailmatter of minutes.expectmore@abmp.com.
GET YOUR MASSAGE ANDBODYWORK CAREER STARTEDON THE RIGHT FOOT800-458-2267expectmore@abmp.comwww.abmp.com
Sports massage: Massage therapists are increasingly being included as integral components of athletes’ training teams. Sports massage can be done in a spa or clinic setting or performed on-site at athletic events, in a chair or on a table. Pregnancy massage: Pregnancy m
