Author: Lyndon

Some people enter massage school to help others through the power of healing touch. Some attend massage school to work in a particular field such as sports medicine or in a spa environment. Others receive massage training to satisfy a different ambition. They want to:

– Own their own business
– Be their own boss
– Make a lot of money

The massage industry is not immune to capitalistic instincts. Nor should it be.

Many massage schools tout the income potential of a career as a massage therapist. Income projections for a good massage therapist range from $50-$75 per hour. That translates to about $65,000-$100,000 a year depending on the number of clients served each day. This also requires that you are working independently and managing your own client base.

As attractive as a six-figure salary for providing massage therapy may be, the reality is that the median income for a massage therapist is $35,000. Many massage therapists only work part-time and quite a few are working in spas or health clubs as an employee or sub-contractor. So apparently, the big money in massage therapy goes to those that own their own business and practice full time.

So can you make big bucks as a massage therapist?

It is definitely possible to make a quite decent living as a massage therapist. But don’t expect to strike it rich right out of massage school. You will have to build up a fairly substantial client base and that doesn’t happen overnight. Many new massage therapists go to work in a spa or health club to gain experience and build a reputation. Others perform massages for a very low fee or even for free just to get some buzz going about their capabilities. It can be a slow go once a therapist is out on their own and quite a few massage therapists call it quits as a full time enterprise early on.

As in any business it is usually the person that works the hardest and provides the best service that becomes successful. It takes patience and perseverance to build a business from scratch. It also takes some decent business skills. A self-employed massage therapist should be prepared to spend time managing financial records, keeping licenses current, filing taxes appropriately and treating their massage therapy practice like the business enterprise it is.

If starting at square one and taking the slow road to success is not appealing you may want to consider jump-starting your massage business by making an investment in a currently known massage franchise.

There is no doubt that the demand for massage is growing rapidly and the need for massage therapists will grow right along with it. Those therapists with excellent massage skills, good business sense and a dedication to service can expect to make a comfortable living. Others can take satisfaction in helping others to deal with pain and stress while making some decent part-time income.

Massage, a revered form of healing is in practice since decades. Touch which is a vitally important to human well being takes the form of skilled and sensitive massage. Beside relaxing and revitalizing an ailing or tired body, it communicates warmth, reassurance and a sense of self worth. Massage is an ideal way to ease anxiety, worries and soothe tight muscles resulting from tension and stress. There are many kinds, variations, styles and sequences of massage, influenced by local traditions, used in different parts of the world.

Indian head massage is one of the most popular forms of head massage also known as “Champissage” is characterized by a sequence of massage movements.

Originated over thousands of years ago in India, Indian head massage, traditionally began as family grooming with mothers massaging their daughter’s hair with oils for long lustrous locks.

Over a period of time, Indian head massage has included massage of the neck, shoulder and face with a blend of shiatsu and acupressure to relax tense areas, rebalance the energy and clear any concentrated areas of negativity.

Since there are several acupressure points on the head, a Champissage is felt throughout the entire body. The massage may be dry or oils may be used. The advantage of using oils for massage is that besides nourishing the hair, it calms the nervous system, as the roots of one’s hair are connected to nerve fibers.

Indian head massage is beneficial to those who are affected by mental and emotional stress. It helps to improve circulation in head, enhance the senses, improve memory and promote clear thinking.

If you’re suffering from headaches, migraines, insomnia, vertigo and depression, Champissage will work wonders. Air conditioning, artificial lightening, slouching in front of the PC, etc often cause stress in the neck and shoulder region. Massaging the neck and shoulder areas in addition to the head massage will bring relief from stress.

Reduces hair loss, premature balding & graying, improves eyesight and concentration due to massage of the temples, eyebrows and forehead. People with chronic spinal disorders such as osteoporosis and arthritis require a more gentle massage. The pressure should be applied according to the need of the individual.

Massage is a form of complementary or alternative medicine treatment that manipulates the muscles and deep tissue to acheive a release of toxins from the muscles, relaxation, stress reduction, and numerous other documented benefits. Shiatsu is one of those massage techniques.

Shiatsu is also known as acupressure and is a finger pressure massage technique which was founded on the system of Chinese meridians. Unlike the massages of Western cultures where the therapist uses kneading, the Shiatsu practitioner uses pressure and stretching.

Using their fingers, palms, thumbs, knuckles, elbows and knees the therapist works on the body’s acupuncture points and energy channels. It is considered a form of touch communication and is a safe and effective means of preventative medicine.

Shiatsu practitioners believe that diseases are the result of blocked or unbalanced energy, the same view as Chinese acupuncture. Using the belief that there are two energy forces in the body and that the human body is a microcosm of the universe the practitioner works to unblock or rebalance energy levels so no disease can take over. Practitioners believe that shiatsu works the whole being so it is not unusual for people to have reactions either during or after the massage. Some people will cry, laugh, experience joy or stillness. These are reactions that the body is breaking through old energy patterns and emerging into a healthier side.

Practitioners also use shiatsu massage to treat common psychological and physical complaints. Proponents believe that it alleviates disorders such as depression, anxiety, nausea, stiffness, headaches, cramps or arthritis. Sometimes called zen shiatsu, practitioners believe that by affecting the chi or energy levels. When a participant suffers from sleeplessness, indigestion, swollen joints, headaches or depression they believe it is not a source of discomfort but as a symptom of hyperactive or underproductive chi.

The shiatsu masseuse will make a first diagnosis by assessing where the chi flow is healthy and where it may be obstructed. The practitioner will ask about symptoms, ailments and then do a light massage to feel where there are pressure points which are tight or tender.

Once the diagnosis is completed the shiatsu practitioner will apply firm pressure using fingers, knuckles, thumbs, palms, toes, feet, knees or elbows. There are 14 different meridians which the therapist will address during the treatment. Two are central, drawing through the torso – one down the back and one down the front. There are 12 others that are in mirrored pairs along the symmetrical halves of the body. They are associated with function of organs in the body.

Many people enjoy shiatsu massage. It has some similarities to deep tissue massage. Shiatsu will involve deep breathing, rotating and stretching joints and manipulating pressure points. When these points are pressed the participants describe the feelings as different from other types of massage. Afterwards they usually describe that they feel strange, but not feel the soreness that those who experience deep tissue massage will describe.

Shiatsu treatments are best done on a regular basis in order to experience the most benefits. Eastern medicine uses shiatsu for a variety of ailments (respiratory, digestive, headache or leg cramps) and today it is gaining popularity in the West.