Any massage therapists?

[Mary-Beth]

I'm thinking of going back to school to be a massage therapist...I have three kids and currently I'm home with them. I was a social worker before having kids. I just don't see myself going back to that work. I homeschool my kids as well. If all goes well I'd like to continue homeschooling and schedule massages part time. So I want something flexible-- where I can set my schedule. So any advice? What are the pro's and con's of this profession? Any advice from a massage therapist?

Someday I'd like to focus on prenatal and postpartum massage. I love the birth culture and want to work with women to help support them but still not be on call all hours like a midwife or doula. Maybe someday I could become a lactation consultant as well!

[sapientia]

I'm an LMT-was licensed in 2000. I've worked from home (traveling to people's homes) in spas and in offices, used it in labor and birth situations (i'm also a doula)I also worked on some of my fave musicians and toured a bit with them-that is an almost untapped area-get in with the local entertainment industry (like the labor co's that hire the riggers and stage hands, or call local civic centers) a lot of dancers/musicians come into a town really needing a great therapist. In those cases I've found that I make more money working for tips only. You do give away some massages to get your name out there, but don't undersell your skills.
I don't do so much anymore-five kids and a level of burnout. it's a great field, though.
One little tip: learn how to address sciatica. I'm telling you, I have had more people with that problem, both young and old.

[paakbaak]

subbing...
i´m doing massage and various other therapies like raindrop and polarity. starting is slow though. single mom, very little help, need lots of money but also someone to take care of my son and not charge millions!!! but i work in a spa close by.

let´s see if more therapists stop by!

[gabbyraja]

I've also been giving this a bit of thought lately. My one big leg up is that my fil is a chiro with an unused exam room... He's just been itching to get another masseuse in there...Problem is, I can't stand my fil, lol. But I'm sure he would send people my way. I prefer the idea of traveling to people's homes, or possibly having a separate entrance to a room in my home. But, my 5 kids screaming in other parts of the house may not be very soothing, rofl.

I'd love to revive this thread and hear from others! I need all the advice I can get!

[miss_nikki]

I'm currently a student. I graduate in July, so I don't have much to share, but plenty to learn! I have 4 kids. I'd love to homeschool them as well and have my practice work for me, but I know that it will take time for that to happen.

[cakemama579]

I was torn between massage therapy (to focus mainly on prenatal massage work) and becoming an RN (exclusively working in labor and delivery).  I ended up choosing the RN path, feeling it was a more serious career choice, and now I strongly regret it.  I am pregnant with my 2nd child, and just had to drop the whole program b/c things got too complicated with scheduling child care for my 3 yr old DS (who is in a wonderful preschool with very, very limited hours). 

So now I'm working part time and caring for my DS and preparing for baby.  I'm thinking that when the new baby arrives, if and when I return to school it will be to pursue what I'd have more fun doing, regardless of the pay-- massage therapy!!  Because they are similar programs in a way, I have all prereqs done and even a couple of massage courses done so all I will need to do is 3 more massage classes! woohoo!  Too bad you can't be preggers and do the program, b/c I think it would be a great stress reliever for me to be able to get a free massage twice a week. lol

Good luck to everyone!

[gabbyraja]

Yeah, why is that you can't do the program while pg? Is it really that physically demanding? I know people who work harder jobs through their pgcies.

[cakemama579]

Originally Posted by gabbyraja 

Yeah, why is that you can't do the program while pg? Is it really that physically demanding? I know people who work harder jobs through their pgcies.

Oh, had nothing to do with being pg.  Had to do with losing my childcare at the last minute for my 3 year old son.  Put a cramp in things for sure.  And since I'll be taking next year off anyway, we figured my time is better spent working part time earning a little $$ and also just preparing for the new little one.