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If you are approaching retirement and considering how to remain active
whilst bringing in some extra cash, have you considered a career in
massage therapy? Being a massage therapist can be emotionally and
financially rewarding.
It can help to keep you active, both physically and intellectually, and because this is a growing industry, there is no lack of potential clients.
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The earliest written records of massage date back to 3000BC – this is indeed an ancient art! Cultural shifts have periodically lent the therapy a disreputable air but it has experienced a great resurgence in modern times. And with the National Health Service increasingly referring patients for additional treatment in the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) sector, massage therapies are becoming more and more mainstream.
From Swedish massage to aromatherapy and from acupressure to Hot Stone Massage, there are a range of therapies to suit every inclination. And whilst delivering a full 90 minute Swedish massage can be physically demanding for the masseuse, gentler therapies such as reflexology and Indian Head Massage offer a less strenuous alternative.
Part of the appeal of this satisfying career is the ability to work from home, adapting your hours around other commitments to generate the required level of income. If you only want to work mornings or afternoons, for example, you could target stay-at-home mothers whose schedules might match your own - particularly once their children are at school.
Massage therapy can be a wonderfully fulfilling career. A client who arrives at your treatment table (or chair) suffering from muscle tension, pain in their neck, back or shoulders or simply general stress, can leave transformed. You may choose to specialise in working with clients with particular illnesses or disabilities or those who live in sheltered accommodation or residential care and this too can be hugely rewarding and fit in around your schedule.
Before you get started, it is vital to train properly with a recognised and accredited training provider. ITEC is an international examination board offering a range of qualifications worldwide. An ITEC qualification entitles you to work in the UK but will also be recognised abroad if your longer term plans involve a move to sunnier climes. Take a look at www.itecworld.co.uk for more information about the qualifications on offer and to find a registered college near you.
Once you are qualified, it is worth joining a professional body such as the Complementary Therapists Association (CThA). You will then be able to access discounts on further training and, crucially, insurance. For example, joining the CThA (www.complementary.assoc.org.uk) costs £102 per year but this includes a comprehensive insurance package and will give you access to a 24 hour legal helpline and a host of other benefits.
If you are going to work from home you must notify your buildings and contents insurance companies and your mortgage provider. Generally speaking, you shouldn’t need to inform the Local Authority or apply for planning permission or a licence. However, if in doubt, speak to your Local Authority and check the rules with them.
Being a massage therapist can be emotionally and financially rewarding. It can help to keep you active, both physically and intellectually, and as this is a growing industry, there is no lack of potential clients. Just look around you at the Baby Boomer generation who love the relaxing benefits that a good massage can provide!
If you would like more information about a career as a massage therapist, click here.
If you're interested in further study, Here are four of the best books on the subject: