Why did you choose this career?

[oRtEgA]

My question is, what motivated you to pursue a career in massage therapy?

A little background on me: I am an LPN, been licensed for about a year now. Before that I was in the Air Force, but got out because I knew it wasn't the lifestyle for me. However, I knew that I wanted to work in a profession where I could make a difference, which is why I became a nurse. I love what I do, but I am the type of person that needs more than one outlet. Through nursing, I have come to realize how important massage is to overall health. I am looking to expand on my nursing skills through the practice of massage, and vice versa. I hope to one day have my own massage practice. I am not in school yet, but looking at starting in July of this year. Anyway, that is me in a nutshell. Feel free to share any experiences. Can't wait to start on my journey :mrgreen:

 

[[//anti * twilight//]]

Why did you choose this career?

I've been a Reiki and Shamanic practitioner for five years and increasingly I felt a need to have more hand skills. In addition to the body work I have been a cabinetmaker for 15 years, and in the middle of that I owned and operated two artisan bread companies. All that is to say that I am used to taking in information through my hands and then allowing that info to guide my hands to their next task. Massage seemed like a natural move for me, and now 4 months into a 15 month LMT program I am so happy that I followed through with this. I thought about nursing, but after careful consideration I decided that I would have less opportunity to support people in the way I want to in that profession. I have no doubt that bringing massage into your nursing work will be huge benefit to your patients, and fulfilling for you too! Good luck!
Rowan

 

[tessa wessa]

Why did you choose this career?

Very neat. I'm always curious as to why people get into massage therapy. I find it's one of those professions that can turn into a very short career if your not highly motivated. There are plenty other jobs that have similar pay for less work.

For myself I was a elite level marathon runner. I was getting massage, chiro, physio, etc on a daily basis. I love that in most setting MT's could spend 30 to 60min at a with a patients and make so much change just not physically but also through discussion. And I thought my massage therapist was amazing! As well the massage program was only 2yrs, and I was not willing to do 4yrs of chiropractic school LOL.

 

[Mr. Wolf]

Why did you choose this career?

I think the first thing that sparked my interest was a simple fascination with the human body, how it works, why it sometimes doesn't function the way it should, and the effects of that (I took 3 different anatomy classes just in high school because I just couldn't get enough).

I was originally more interested in physical therapy or sports medicine but after spending two weeks shadowing different PTs, I noticed that even though people got positive results, they didn't like being there and a lot felt like it was a completely unpleasant experience for various reasons, chief among those was that it hurt. I didn't want to hurt people! So my high school sports medicine teacher recommended massage to me, I started getting them, and I was hooked :altsmile:

 

[Mr. Artless]

Why did you choose this career?

I think I chose massage therapy out of frustration. I love doing things with my hands and I wanted to be a biologist like my father. I loved helping him collect samples from beautiful field locations in the woods and mountains growing up and even enjoyed the tedious tasks like counting specimens under microscopes and doing data entry. During a summer internship I found out that the courses I was planning on taking in macro-biology subjects at my university were being discontinued and only micro-biology would remain. I was lost. I struggled through the rest of college and ended up with a BA in East Asian Studies and a minor in Biology.

I got a retail job after graduating. After 3 years of dealing with hundreds of people each week who always seemed upset about something (and 3 nervous breakdowns later) I was drained and needed a change. I get my energy from two sources; the sun and smiles.:grin: You don't get much of either working retail. I don't know why massage therapy entered my head as I had never had a massage or even knew anyone who had, but the more I looked into it the more I realized that it was what I needed.

I was looking for a way to earn an income while actually being able to help people one on one. It would give me the opportunity not only to control my environment but also work with folks who WANTED to be there! I wouldn't just be a part of some inconvenient errand they had to squeeze in to their lunch break during a busy work day. :undecided: And of course, it let me use my hands!

I also loved the fact that it was an industry where I would be encouraged to continue learning. I'm the sort of person who would be perfectly happy being a "career student".


*edited for typo

 

[rOcKerO83]

Why did you choose this career?

Akasha, I'm with you I love learning too...In the past four years I have completed a degree in Early Childhood Education, earned a diploma in Practical Nursing, done continuing education in nursing, and now am looking to start my adventure in massage therapy! I can't get enough :grin:

By reading some of the other posts, it seems like our life paths have just lead us to massage, and it is almost more of a calling than a career choice. That's how I feel anyway...I can't wait to start learning and become the best massage therapist I can be. Most of all, I think it will bring some much needed balance to my life!