As a massage therapist, I was once passionate about helping people relax and relieve their pain and stress. However, after years of practice, I realized that I don’t want to be a massage therapist anymore. I regret being a massage therapist and I started searching for alternative careers for massage therapists. In this blog post, I will share the worst things about being a massage therapist, the downside of being a massage therapist, and why too much massage is not good. Additionally, I’ll cover how many times a week is it okay to get a massage, how often is too often for massage therapy, what do massage therapists hate, life after being a massage therapist, what is the lifespan of a massage therapist, and the worth of going to massage therapy school.
The Worst Things About Being a Massage Therapist
While massage therapy may seem like a relaxing and rewarding career, it does have its downsides. Here are some of the worst things about being a massage therapist:
- Low Pay: Most massage therapists make an average of $20-$40 an hour, which is low compared to other healthcare professions. Moreover, it’s harder to increase your income as a massage therapist as there are no promotions or career advancements.
- High Burnout: Massage therapy is a physically demanding job that requires long hours of standing, bending and applying pressure to the clients’ bodies. This can result in early burnout and chronic pain problems.
- Emotional Drain: Being exposed to clients’ personal traumas, stories or challenges in life can take a toll on a massage therapist’s mental and emotional wellbeing.
- Boundaries: Massage therapists often have to deal with clients who cross personal boundaries and make inappropriate requests. This can cause awkward and uncomfortable situations.
Why Too Much Massage is Not Good?
While massage therapy can do wonders for the body, too much massage can have negative effects. Here are some reasons why too much massage is not good:
- Muscle Tissue Damage: Overstimulating the muscle tissues with too much pressure can cause injury, inflammation, and pain.
- Undesirable Elevation of Stress Hormones: Massage therapy is meant to reduce stress hormones (e.g. cortisol), but too much can cause their production to actually increase. This could result in noxious adrenalin fatigue, or musculoskeletal pain.
- Increased Risk of Muscle Spasms and Cramps: Overstimulation of the muscle tissues can cause them to become easily fatigued and strained. This leads to increased risk of muscle spasms and cramps.
- Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness: Overwhelming the muscle tissues with too much pressure could lead to delayed onset muscle soreness and micro tears.
How Many Times a Week is it Okay to Get a Massage? How Often is Too Often for Massage Therapy?
The number of times per week a massage therapy session is fine vary from person to person based on need. Here are some things to consider:
- Most clients get massages every two weeks.
- However, people with chronic pain conditions may need to get massages multiple times per week.
- Massage therapists recommend waiting at least 48 hours before getting another massage. Giving the muscles time to recover.
What Do Massage Therapists Hate?
Working as a massage therapist can be challenging. Here are some things that massage therapists hate:
- Clients who are disrespectful or inappropriate
- Clients who cancel last minute or don’t show up for appointments
- Clients who expect too much emotional connection
- Clients who undervalue the therapist’s service
Life After Being a Massage Therapist
If you’re like me, you may start questioning your career in massage therapy midway through your practice. Don’t fear, there are alternative careers for massage therapists. A few examples are:
- Health and Wellness coach
- Yoga Instructor
- Personal trainer
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational therapy
What is the Lifespan of a Massage Therapist?
Most massage therapists quit the profession within 5-7 years due to physical and emotional burnout, and low income.
Is Going to Massage Therapy School Worth It?
If you’re considering going to massage therapy school, it’s essential to do your research. Here are some things to consider about the profession:
- The profession demands physical and emotional stamina.
- The training requires 500-600 hours of practice which takes about 6-8 months.
- The income is low compared to other healthcare professions.
In conclusion, being a massage therapist may seem like an easy and relaxing job, but it’s physically and emotionally draining. Too much massage can have negative effects on the body. The income is low, and the career may be short-lived due to burnout. However, if you’re passionate about the profession, it’s crucial to take care of yourself, set personal boundaries, and be honest about your limitations. If you’re ready to transition, there are alternative careers for massage therapists that you can explore.