Massage Therapy Growing as a Career Opportunity
As public acceptance of massage has grown in Australia and worldwide, the demand for massage therapists has risen dramatically and so has the variety of massage courses and massage trainings on offer. This demand for qualified therapists is being driven by a number of factors -
- Ageing population - There is a need for more hands-on therapists to manage chronic conditions associated with the ageing process.
- Value for money - Perceptions held by the Australian public that they get more value for money by going to a massage therapist for their treatments rather than to some other health professionals who overcharge and under-service.
- High stress levels - The Australian working community is under more stress and, as such, seeking a genuine way to reduce stress levels and maintain health/work life balance. Massage therapies are now seen as a vital part of health maintenance and wellness program.
- Condition-specific treatments - Research has shown many problems are better treated with a specific tactile approach eg Trigger Point therapy for fibromyalgia. This has added to the demand for good therapists.
- Lifestyle factors - High levels of postural problems and repetitive strain injury being experienced by those who sit in front of computer screens at work. This includes school children who are now experiencing postural neck and back problems as a result of this lifestyle. Massage bodywork therapies are particularly suited to help these problems.
- Health fund acceptance - Wide acceptance by health funds and other organisations who now perceive that massage and other bodywork therapies provide effective treatment for a wide variety of complaints and conditions.
- Workcover injuries - Corporations accepting Remedial Massage as an effective therapy for treating work injuries.
All of these factors are driving the expansion of the massage industry and will continue to do so in the future creating a shortage of practitioners.
The main question for you is: “Where do I fit in this picture as a prospective therapist?”
