How do I look after myself as a massage therapist?

Author: Ericka Gleason  |  Last update: Thursday, June 26, 2025

Make Self-Care Part of Your Daily Life While on the job, use consistently good body mechanics when you practice to minimize risk of injury. Eat healthy meals and snacks to maintain energy, and drink water. When possible, take quiet breaks throughout the day to rest and reduce stress.

How to take care of yourself as a massage therapist?

Yoga every morning, stretch and warm up before I start the day, light stretching between clients, stretch and cool down and use a massage gun on myself after work. Lots of water, eat clean and take my vitamins, and exchange massages monthly. I also practice meditation and grounding :)

How do I protect myself as a massage therapist?

7 Safety Measures for Massage Therapists to Use
  1. Good Hygiene. Of course, the first thing any massage therapist should do is practice good hygiene. ...
  2. Give Plenty of Time Between Appointments. ...
  3. Prepare Your Room Correctly. ...
  4. Limit What You Touch. ...
  5. Use High-Quality Oils and Lotions. ...
  6. Use Good Ventilation. ...
  7. Don't Overwork Yourself.

How much do you tip for a $100 massage?

A standard tip for a massage therapist typically ranges from 15% to 20% of the total cost of the session. For a one-hour massage, if the session costs $100, you would leave a tip of $15 to $20. If you received exceptional service, you might consider tipping more.

How do massage therapists not get tired?

Comments Section
  • Stretch before every singe client. Do whole body stretches. Take up yoga if you have to and do 5 minutes between clients.
  • Self massage and receiving a massage any chance you get
  • Ice. I hate ice baths but they really do work, especially on the fore arms.
  • Epsom salt baths.

7 Tips for Taking Care of Yourself as a Massage Therapist | The Professional Massage Academy

What is the burnout rate for massage therapists?

In these fields, burnout rates have been shown to range between 30% to 70%, with physical and emotional exhaustion commonly cited. Newer professionals, who are still adjusting to the intensity of the work, often face a heightened risk of burnout.

How do masseuses' hands not get tired?

The best massage techniques to save a therapist's hands focus on leveraging larger muscle groups and using tools to reduce direct hand strain. Techniques like using forearms for long, sweeping strokes in Swedish massage or applying deep pressure with elbows or heel of the hands in deep tissue massage are effective.

How many massages should a therapist do a day?

Massage therapy sessions

How many appointments you have in a day depends on your availability and scheduling preferences, but most full-time therapists will see around five clients a day with massage appointments typically lasting between 60 and 90 minutes.

How much is a 90 minute massage?

Here is a summary of the average cost of massage therapy based on the duration of the session: 30 minutes: $30 to $65. 60 minutes: $50 to $130. 90 minutes: $90 to $175.

What is a fair tip for a 1 hour massage?

A good rule of thumb for tipping in the massage industry is between 15% and 20% of the total service cost, which is the standard practice in the broader service industry. This range is widely accepted as a standard gesture of appreciation for satisfactory to excellent service, and is a perfectly acceptable tip.

What should a massage therapist not do?

15 Rookie Mistakes New Massage Therapists Often Make
  • Not Conducting a Thorough Client Intake.
  • Not Keeping Client Records.
  • Not Developing a Treatment Plan and Goals.
  • Poor Time Management.
  • Ignoring Proper Body Mechanics and Technique.
  • Working Outside of Scope of Practice.
  • Not Customizing the Massage Session.

How do I market myself as a massage therapist?

Relax! 5 Marketing Ideas for Massage Therapists
  1. Share Helpful Information. Whether through social media, email, or even direct mail, providing your clients with helpful information will keep them coming back for more. ...
  2. Create Great Content. ...
  3. Build Your Personal Brand. ...
  4. Offer Exclusive Incentives. ...
  5. Ask for Something in Return.

Is it OK to hug your massage therapist?

A hug with your therapist may be beneficial if it is non-sexual and provides comfort. Hugging is not forbidden, according to the different therapist ethics codes. However, some clients, such as those who have experienced sexual abuse, may be uncomfortable with a hug.

What is the lifespan of a massage therapist?

The average lifespan of a massage career is 5-8 years, according to various reports. That's not very long. The most likely cause of this short lifespan is injury or burnout. Both of these problems are preventable.

What are the most common injuries for massage therapists?

One common nerve impingement injury experienced by massage therapists is thoracic outlet syndrome, which involves the compression of nerves or blood vessels between the collarbone and the first rib. Injuries to tendons or muscles can also result from the repetitive movements involved in performing massages.

What muscles do massage therapists use the most?

After all, your arms and hands are the part of your body you use the most during a massage. Having strong arms and hands is an important part of being a good massage therapist but so too is knowing when to rest your arms and hands. They work hard and deserve some recovery time.

Is $20 a good tip for a 90 minute massage?

Many people tip around 15-20% of the massage cost.

This range is a good starting point and is commonly accepted across different settings: at-home or mobile therapists, franchise spas or clinics, or an individual massage therapist. If you're unsure, it's always a safe bet to stick within this range.

Does insurance cover massages?

Massage therapy can be costly, but your insurance company may help to cover the costs. Additionally, you may be able to use FSA or HSA to cover the cost of medical massage. Either way, you will need a prescription from your primary care doctor for insurance even to consider helping with the costly treatments.

How much does massage therapy school cost?

Typical fees range from $5,000 to $30,000. However, it's essential to recognize that tuition fees are not the only expenses you may encounter during your journey to becoming a massage therapist.

What are the symptoms of burnout in massage therapists?

According to research on the experience of burnout, there are 3 primary symptoms.
  • Exhaustion: wearing out, loss of energy, feeling depleted.
  • Cynicism: irritability, loss of idealism, negative attitude.
  • Inefficacy: reduced productivity, low morale, inability to cope.

How long is a 1 hour massage?

All well known massage franchises offer 50 minutes of hands-on treatment time, and call that a One Hour Massage. At Be Well Bodyworks, our One Hour Massages are 60 minutes of hands-on treatment. That added 10 minutes makes a BIG difference and allows therapists to work on every part of the body, without feeling rushed.

Is there a demand for massage therapists?

Employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 18 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 22,800 openings for massage therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Do masseuses care about weight?

You can be sure that massage therapists all around the world are used with working with extra pounds, so you shouldn't carry any concerns to such a pleasant activity. The only thing you should care about is your own comfort.

How to protect your hands as a massage therapist?

6 Ways to Protect Your Hands as a Massage Therapist
  1. Stretch. Simple stretching can go a long way for the well-being of your hands and wrists. ...
  2. Rest. Be aware of your work schedule, and avoid overbooking. ...
  3. Take Breaks. ...
  4. Body Mechanics. ...
  5. Avoid Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI) ...
  6. Set Limits.

Why do masseuses burp?

It's possible that a masseuse burps because he or she receives the effect of the massage itself. “I mean, masseuses use their energy when applying pressures. So maybe, since they're using their own hands, and the therapy oils, there's a stimulation on their palms.

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