I totally agree with all the above posts, but there's another issue I'd like to bring up. I've struggled from time to time in my 5 year massage career to find enough business to get by, since the gender discrimination issue is a very real one here.
However, I've had many world-traveling clients tell me that it's simply because I practice in such a backwater state. They say that if I were to move to the east or west coast I would have more work than I could handle, since there's so many people from other countries and more enlightened backgrounds there.
Too bad my wife is locked in to her land here or I would leave in a heartbeat!
May 30, 2010 Rating
Go to school by: Anonymous
Massage Therapy is a serious profession requiring education in the field (minimum of 500 hours in most states in an approved program), it is not something you just decide to do and go hang out your shingle.
We are struggling to overcome the stigma associating massage with the sex trade, hence the importance of an adequate education. For a male therapist especially, education beyond the minimum required is essential.
If I haven't scared you away, it can be a very rewarding career but it is not just a hobby business.
May 29, 2010 Rating
massage employment by: Raul Alberto
Hello there and thanks for your contribution to this website..
Let me let you know that massage can be a very rewarding career when you are helping someone out and they come out of a session relaxed or with no pain it makes it all worth it in the end.
Let me also let you know that as a male massage therapist it is much more challenging. Many places will not want to take you on as a male lmt, or be apprehensive at first. This does not mean you cannot find employment but if you do decide to take on this venture be ready to hear no quite a few times before someone says yes. And it probably will be best to stick with a clinical or sports type massage,or chair massageand even branch out and get your own clientele.
This is something ive been planning on doing, and it took me about a whole year to get a part time job in this field after not being in the business for a year, not because i did not want to find work, but i could not find work.
