Massage Therapists

Also called: Bodywork Therapist, Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), Clinical Massage Therapist, Deep Tissue Massage Therapist, Integrated Deep Tissue Massage Therapist

Massage Therapists

Varies

estimated salary

Massage therapists perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of a range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.

  • Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
  • Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
  • Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
  • Maintain treatment records.
  • Assess clients' soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion.
  • Treat clients in professional settings or travel to clients' offices and homes.
  • Provide clients with guidance and information about techniques for postural improvement and stretching, strengthening, relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises.
  • Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
  • Refer clients to other types of therapists when necessary.
  • Consult with other health care professionals, such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians, and psychologists, to develop treatment plans for clients.
  • Perform other adjunctive therapies or treatment techniques in addition to massage.
  • Prepare and blend oils and apply the blends to clients' skin.
  • Use complementary aids, such as infrared lamps, wet compresses, ice, and whirlpool baths to promote clients' recovery, relaxation, and well-being.
Work Context
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 80% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 80% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Physical Proximity — 87% responded "Very close (near touching)".
  • Spend Time Standing — 54% responded "Continually or almost continually".
  • Contact With Others — 66% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 80% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 77% responded "Every day".
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Work Activities
  • 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 of materials.
  • 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.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.
  • Interview patients to gather medical information.
  • Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.
  • Administer therapy treatments to patients using hands or physical treatment aids.
  • Maintain medical records.
  • Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
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Knowledge

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.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Biology
  • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Skills

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.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness
  • Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation
  • Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Dynamic Strength
  • The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
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.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
  • Word processing software
Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology
  • Spreadsheet software
Medical software
  • WinCity Custom Software WinCity Massage SOAP Notes
  • Massage Suite
  • Land Software Customer Pro-File
  • ICS Software SammyUSA
Calendar and scheduling software
  • Scheduling software
  • AppointmentQuest Online Appointment Manager