How to become a massage therapist

If you’ve got good listening skills and enjoy working with your hands and helping people, a career as a massage therapist could be the right path for you.

In this guide we’ll explore the tasks involved in massage therapist jobs, the skills you need for the role, how to get into massage therapy.

What does a massage therapist do?

 Massage therapists give people massages, which involves moving and manipulating people's muscles and soft tissues. The goal is to relieve tension and stress, helping customers (sometimes referred to as 'clients') to relax.

Massage therapists also alleviate pain and help people with different health issues or conditions, like sports injuries. Regular massage treatments can also improve people’s circulation and injury recovery as well as help with mental health problems like stress, depression and anxiety.

Massage therapist jobs could include:

• Speaking to the client to see why they want massage therapy.
• Asking the client about their lifestyle, diet and their medical history, for instance if they’ve had any past injuries.
• Finding out what the client’s problem areas are.
• Planning techniques and course of treatment for the client.
• Give advice about wellbeing, lifestyle and posture.
• Massaging the client using a range of techniques – that might include Swedish massage, shiatsu, Indian head massage, sports and deep tissue.
• Applying pressure to areas of tension.
• Referring clients to medical professionals if required.
• Booking follow-up appointments.

Massage therapists work in a variety of different settings – it could be at a GP practice, a health spa, NHS hospital, private hospital, clinic or even at home. They often wear uniforms.

Massage therapists can also be trained in other therapies like aromatherapy (which uses natural plant extracts to promote health and wellbeing) or reflexology (applying pressure to the hands or feet to relax and relieve stress). Many build up their reputation and clients and go on to launch their own business.

Are massage therapist jobs right for me? What skills does the career require?

Before we look at how to get into massage therapy, it’s important to consider whether it’s the right career path for you. Massage therapists usually have the following skills and personal qualities:

• Very good verbal communication skills.
• Able to actively listen.
• Patient, compassionate and able to stay calm in tense or stressful circumstances.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Able to work well with their hands and comfortable working intimately with people.
• Brilliant people skills: able to put people at ease and make them feel comfortable.
• Confident with a professional and tactful attitude.
• Able to work with clients of all ages from a range of different backgrounds.
• Commitment, dedication and attention to detail.
• Good level of physical fitness.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and business skills (if you’d like to go on to run your own business).

Sound like a good fit for you? If so, here’s how to become a massage therapist 

There are a couple of routes to become a massage therapist. You could take a college course, such as the Level 3 Diploma in Massage or Complementary Therapies.

It’s also possible to follow this career path by doing an apprenticeship, which is a work-based programme where you study and learn on the job. You’ll gain a qualification while also being paid an apprentice salary.

There’s currently an advanced level apprenticeship in beauty therapy massage. You’ll usually need four or five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English and maths – though it’s best to check the apprenticeship or course listing for full entry requirement details.

You can also check The Council for Soft Tissue Therapies for a list of accredited massage therapist courses.

Image credits: Main image and massage therapist via Pexels; learning techniques via Pixabay.