Massage Therapy as a Career
Massage Therapy is one of the fastest growing careers in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, with above average employment growth projected through the year 2014**. The spa & resort industry reported that employment of massage therapists doubled in a recent two year period.
Employment growth is fueled by a continued year-over-year growth in demand for massage therapy services. The percent of adult Americans having a massage in the last 12 months reached 16% in 2006, according to the Harstad Strategic Reseach 2007 National Consumer Survey. Consumers visited massage therapists over 241,000 times and increased their spending to more than $11 billion during this period according the same study.
This growth in demand for massage is fueled by several factors:
- Increased demand among the aging baby boomer segment of population.
- Increased awareness of the effects of stress on health and wellness.
- Growing acceptance of massage among a broader clientele...it's not just for elite professionals and athletes.
- Growing recognition by traditional medicine of the benefits of integrating natural therapies.
** Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos295.htm#outlook)
Employment for massage therapists is expected to increase faster than average over the period from 2004 to 2014 as more people learn about the benefits of massage therapy. In States that regulate massage therapy, therapists who complete formal training programs and pass the national certification exam are likely to have very good job opportunities. Because referrals are a very important source of work for massage therapists, networking will increase the number of job opportunities. Joining a State or local chapter of a professional association can also help build strong contacts and further increase the likelihood of steady work.
Massage is an increasingly popular technique for relaxation and reduction of stress. As workplaces try to distinguish themselves as employee-friendly, providing professional in-office, seated massages for employees is becoming a popular on-the-job benefit.
Increased interest in alternative medicine and holistic healing will mean increased opportunities for those skilled in massage therapy. Healthcare providers and medical insurance companies are beginning to recognize massage therapy as a legitimate treatment and preventative measure for several types of injuries and illnesses. The health care industry is using massage therapy more often as a supplement to conventional medical techniques for ailments such as muscle problems, some sicknesses and diseases, and stress-related health problems. Massage therapy’s growing acceptance as a medical tool, particularly by the medical provider and insurance industries, will greatly increase employment opportunities.
Older citizens who are in nursing homes or assisted living homes are also finding benefits from massage, such as increased energy levels and reduced health problems. Demand for massage therapy should grow among older age groups because they increasingly enjoy longer, more active lives and persons age 55 and older are projected to be the most rapidly growing segment of the U.S. population over the next decade. However, demand for massage therapy is presently greatest among young adults, and they are likely to continue to enjoy the benefits of massage therapy as they age.
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