Learn. Massage. Repeat.
As a new massage therapy graduate, one important thing to understand is that school only taught you the basics. You learned how to provide safe and effective massage treatments, but real growth happens out in the field. That’s where you’ll develop the skills that truly define your career.
You’ll learn how to be an effective communicator, how to understand business, and how to refine your treatment techniques.
Communicate Effectively
Interpersonal communication is a vital part of massage therapy. It’s not just about what you say—it’s about how you listen, resolve conflicts, show empathy, and connect with others. These skills help build trust and rapport with your clients.
In my classes, I teach students simple yet powerful ways to connect, starting from something as basic as a handshake to meaningful conversations with patients. These little things are important, especially in the initial meeting. Why? Because the first impression is the key to a long-term relationship.
It’s also important to remember that we work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Be mindful of how you speak and interact with everyone. Cultural sensitivity and respectful communication go a long way in building lasting professional relationships.
Understand Business
When I was in school, no one taught me how to run a business. I had to learn on my own—through reading, conversations with industry peers, and trial and error.
One of the best things you can do is find a mentor—someone who can guide your decisions and help shape your mindset. Surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you. That support is essential when you’re starting out.
I didn’t have a big network, but the few people I did have in my corner gave me the courage to move forward. I didn’t want to look back with regret. Sure, I feared failure. But I realized that failing and regretting are both hard pills to swallow. I chose to take the chance—because at least if I failed, I could say I tried. In my view, not trying at all is worse than failing.
Refine Your Massage Techniques
You’ll continue to grow as a massage therapist by learning new techniques—through courses, workshops, and most importantly, from your peers. Personally, I’ve learned so much from exchanging massage treatments with colleagues over the years. I discovered what worked for them, what didn’t work for me, and what I preferred as a patient.
These experiences shaped my approach and helped me find my niche: chronic pain. Once I focused on that, I realized I didn’t need to be great at everything. You don’t need to do sports massage if your passion is pregnancy or chronic care. Find your area of focus and become an expert in it.
If you’re unsure where your passion lies, start by treating a wide range of clients—from infants to seniors, from relaxation-based care to complex pain conditions. Eventually, you’ll find what you enjoy most. Once you do, build your brand around it.
When you become known for doing one thing really well, clients will seek you out—sometimes even from far away.
So keep learning especially from your peers. Go to workshops and take courses to enhance your skills.
I hope you find this helpful. Send me a message when you are ready to kick start your career in massage therapy.
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