Massage Therapists
What is a Massage Therapist?
A massage therapist is a trained professional who uses manual techniques to manipulate muscles and soft tissues in the body. Their primary goal is to promote relaxation, alleviate pain, and enhance the overall well-being of their clients. Massage therapists may work in various settings, including spas, wellness centers, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, or as independent practitioners. They utilize a variety of massage techniques, such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, and aromatherapy, each tailored to meet the individual needs of their clients. Many massage therapists also focus on educating their clients about overall health and wellness, providing advice on stress management, posture, and injury prevention. To practice, they typically require certification and licensing, as well as a deep understanding of human anatomy and physiology to ensure safe and effective treatments.
Tasks
- Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
- Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.
- Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
- Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
Technology Skills
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Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
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Medical software
- ICS Software SammyUSA
- Land Software Customer Pro-File
- Massage Suite
- WinCity Custom Software WinCity Massage SOAP Notes
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Word processing software
- Microsoft Word
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Calendar and scheduling software
- AppointmentQuest Online Appointment Manager
- Scheduling software
Tools Used
- Mats or platforms for rehabilitation or therapy
- Therapeutic heating or cooling pads or compresses or packs
- Balance beams or boards or bolsters or rockers for rehabilitation or therapy
- Full body immersion hydrotherapy baths or tanks
- Medical heat lamps
Knowledge
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
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Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Skills
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Abilities
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Dynamic Strength
The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
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Trunk Strength
The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
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Associate's degree
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Some college, no degree
Work Activities
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Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
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Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Detailed Work Activities
- Interview patients to gather medical information.
- Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.
- Clean facilities or equipment.
- Stock supplies or merchandise.
- Develop patient therapy programs.
Work Interests
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Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
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Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$32240.0 - $95700.0
This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.