Are you considering a career in massage? Beyond building strong hands, there are a number of things you should consider before pursuing this pathway. Read below for an overview of what to expect when you’re getting into the massage industry.
What is it?
Massage can be used for a variety of purposes from addressing musculoskeletal imbalances and pain, aid disease recovery, through to relaxation and meditation practices. So while many techniques you deploy as a masseur are similar in application, they’ll be used for a variety of reasons such as pain relief and the improvement of mobility. Typically using your hands, you will employ a number of manual techniques such as kneading, stroking, rolling, the application of pressure to certain points (trigger point therapy) and stretching. Sometimes this will be done ‘dry’ of with the aid of a liquid such as scented of unscented oils, sports ointments and even hot stones.
Hands on, and what else?
Besides the massage itself, you will develop an in depth knowledge of the human anatomy which extends beyond knowledge of muscles. Knowing about the skeletal system, tendons, fascia and even organs will mean you can address your client’s needs more fully. It can take time to learn all of this, so keep in mind to prioritise your working knowledge of ‘how everything fits together.’
Reciting the names will come as you gain further experience. Massage as a career will also require you to have the ability to communicate with your clients.This is important even if it’s only for a brief period at the beginning and conclusion of a session, especially as the intimacy of a one-on-one environment can be confronting for people new to massage. Even in a remedial session, your ability to help a client relax and get the most out of their treatment is important. As each client will be different, you should develop adaptable interpersonal skills, so you can work with a wider variety of clients.
Once you graduate
When you have completed your massage course in Melbourne, you may use this as a career pathway, or as the basis to undertake further training in Pilates, myotherapy or even physiotherapy. You may choose to remain in the massage field, but specialise further in an area such as pre-natal, shiatsu, myofascial release or elite sports massage.
If you upskill, the practical skills that you will have gained as a masseur will mean that you can deliver a higher quality of service to those who are in pain or seeking remedial therapy. This translates to more repeat clients and you can potentially charge clients for a wider variety of services or consultation types.
Don’t forget that there are many industry bodies that graduates can choose to join to increase their networks, have access to the latest information and provide eligibility for certain types of insurance and Medicare rebates. When you’re starting out, this can be a great way to interact with your fellow massage peers and gain further industry experience and insights.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
