Monday!

I love Monday.  I work 9am to 5pm with a 90 minute lunch break... sometimes we come back a little earlier than that.

Monday is my day to go over everything I have earned and what business purchases I've made.  I make sure it's all recorded on two different charts with details and dates.  I compare it to the office chart as well to make sure we have the same info.  I count my money and I receive my pay for last week's office work.  (I help out as a receptionist when not massaging.)

I love Monday because my bank account gets refreshed and I get to do the math.  I like the math.

Tomorrow is my shopping day because we are only open for work in the morning 9am-noon so I use the whole afternoon for getting groceries and whatever else I want to do.  I like Tuesday too.

Dressing the Part

As a Massage Therapist there are some  necessary sacrifices as with all professions. If you have a schedule like mine, you might sit around at work for hours if you have no clients.  You will have to leave your loud, crazy or stressed out side at home because you're here to help others relax.

 I doubt that in any massage setting you will be able to wear what you want.  In my case I have made it the standard for myself to wear scrubs as it makes me look more professional and healthcare-related.  Plus, I work at a Doctor of Chiropractor's office.  Sometimes I wish I didn't have to dress so unlike me every day, but the career choices I have made impel me to do so.  If I worked at a boutique or something of that fashion (pun), I could wear skirts, jewelry and let my hair down.

Another thing is your arms and hands are your tools, you have to take care of them.  I've found that my nails have to be cut till no white shows that way, my clients can't feel my claws.

I don't wear rings or bracelets when at work.  I can't massage with them on so why put them on for work just to take them off again? It's physical labor and requires plain, practical attire which is a little bit of a sacrifice.  One can polish one's nails, but I would go for a low-key "work appropriate" color.  Also don't forget classic clear or that lovely, gel, french manicure <3.
 I love rings.  One day if I get married I will probably get a tattoo wedding band, that way it will be practical and creative.

Draping Your First Massage

Remember what it was like getting your first professional massage?  What did you like?  What didn't you like?

My first one was in Boston at my uncle's chiropractor office.  It was a while ago but I remember it being mostly nice.  Unfortunately it's easier to remember the negative.  I didn't like when she did my scalp because it felt like she used her fingernails really hard.  It hurt and I hated the idea of all my dandruff being under her fingernails when she finished.

I guess at that point in my experience with massage I didn't know it was okay for me to tell her it hurt.  I did like when she used lavender oil and had me breath it in from her hands when I was face down (prone).

When it was time for me to turn face up or supine, it was super awkward for me because she lifted the sheet up into the air without much communication and asked me to turn.  I was like "what?" Then when I realized she wasn't actually looking, I went ahead and turned over.

So fast forward to when I was in school.  I think I went to a good school because they encouraged communication and putting the client's needs first.  They taught us to simply lean on one side of the table while "tenting" up the other side a little so the client could turn - so much better than my experience where the therapist lifted the sheet all the way up exposing me.

In school we had hands-on "clinical" in the afternoon.  In the beginning we massaged each other and then later on in the program we did the public.

When getting massaged, I remember feeling insecure about my breast being exposed when they worked on my arms (while supine) unless the sheet was good and tucked under.  I always make sure it is well tucked in for my female clients.

When draping the back of the leg, don't underestimate how far up you can drape and work.  Try to drape just below the Gluteus Maximus. As long as you aren't seeing butt cheek, you're all set because the hamstring bellies and attachments go all the way up to the Ischiums or "sit bones".  Some people actually expose more butt in exclusion of the "butt crack", BUT (pun) I prefer to work on the glutes with the sheet covering them.  That is how I was taught at school.

Becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist #2

Be sure to read post #1 first!

Every state varies as to its requirements so you have to research to find out:

• How many hours of schooling your state requires
• What state-approved test you have to take

I suggest going online to find out the number to your state's board of health.  From there you can find out who to call for information for massage therapists.

You have to learn about the human body and you have to learn your state's laws for licensed massage therapists.  The laws might be available online as Tennessee's are.  

Don't be misled, my massage school only covered the basics.  It is focused on educating you on the human body.  You will most likely not come out of massage school certified in anything special like Trigger Point, Prenatal massage etc. even though they introduce you to these. 

Think of it as getting your driver's permit.  You take a written test, prove that you can stay in your lane and use your turn signal and you get a permit to drive.  It doesn't end there!  You have to keep learning and being critiqued.  If you want to drive trucks, motorcycles or machinery you have to get special training.  

Massage school is just like that.  You get the basics and then you have to go out, practice, learn and take Continuing Education.

My original dream was to become certified in prenatal massage and maybe be a Doula as well.  I really want to advise people in healthy living in spite of drugs.  Lately I have been hoping to learn Manual Lymph Drainage, Deep Tissue and Trigger Point.  For all of these I have to keep a lookout for class opportunities near me.  

That brings me to my next point.  I am apart of the AMTA which is nice because they offer liability insurance, updates on continuing education opportunities, online courses, the Massage Therapy Journal Magazine etc.  You have to pay a yearly fee and the price is different for what kind of membership you have, Student, Graduate, Professional.  Follow this link for more information:   amtamassage.org 

Becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist #1

Becoming a LMT -

To become a Licensed Massage Therapist you will need:

• Courage (not a lack of fear, just a will to do what's best for others in spite of fear)
• A genuine desire to help people and to make sacrifices to give to people
• Schooling/Testing
• Licensing

Something I have learned lately is that when making big decisions and big changes in your life, it's a good idea to know who you are.  Draw a pie chart of the most important parts of who you are.  Consider if this new direction for your life will be true to nurturing the biggest parts of who you are.

I have been massaging friends and family since I was about eight years old.  This really helped direct me to the career choice.  They were wonderful to encourage me and critique me in ways that prove to be invaluable today! Everyone was impressed by my growing strength and that motivated me to keep giving.

If you have not had this background of practice that is okay.
Practice as often as possible and take Anatomy and Physiology classes if that is available to you.
It helped me a lot to be involved in those kinds of classes as well as health class and health club.

Yes, massage therapy is a great profession and pays well, but don't be like me and forget that you have to build clientele.  Depending on the environment you will be working in, you might not make even $200 a week starting out, so some kind of back-up would be advisable to pay the bills until you have enough customers to cover your needs.