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Massage Therapy Career Interview
Dolly Wallace is a practicing massage therapist in Michigan. She has worked in the field for 23 years after attending the Health Enrichment Center’s massage therapy degree program.
Massage Therapist Career Path
Dolly didn’t plan on becoming a massage therapist until later in her life.
“I already married with three kids,” she says. “My husband hurt his back and after receiving chiropractic care, he wanted to go into that field. Our family moved out of Michigan for him to attend chiropractic schooling, and we moved back when he started practicing.”
Dolly continues, “While working at the front desk of his office, I fell in love with the profession. I didn’t want to move our family again so that I could pursue chiropractic schooling, but I still wanted to be a part of the field.”
“I discovered the benefits of investigative massage therapy and chose to pursue a career in massage,” she adds. “It is the perfect compliment to chiropractic care. I work the muscular system, and my husband works the skeletal system.”
Experiences of a Massage Therapist
Dolly attended the Health Enrichment Center in Lapeer, Michigan.
“I was taking business administration classes and headed to pre-law until my husband wanted to go into chiropractic,” she says.
Dolly went through a 10-month massage therapy program, and has been practicing for 23 years.
Massage Therapy Degree Information
“The education requirements vary from state to state,” Dolly explains. “For example, here in Michigan, an entry level massage therapy program requires a minimum of 500 hours of practice. Some schools also offer associate’s degrees.”
She continues, “However, massage therapy is not as regulated as it should be. Some states require 750 or 1000 hours for therapists. That means that if you change states, you may have to take new exams and practice extra hours before becoming accredited in that state.”
Massage Therapist Job Description
Dolly is a massage therapist working in Michigan.
“I treat clients every day,” she says. “That includes taking their information, evaluating their condition, and offering treatment. I do some relaxation and some therapeutic massages.”
Massage Therapist Daily Routine
“Your day can be what you want it to be,” Dolly explains. “I choose to work full-time, but you can also do it part-time. I provide 5-8 massages per day, and the massages can be 30, 60, or 90 minutes.”
“My clientele is very diverse,” she adds. “My youngest client was 2 weeks old, and my oldest was 102!”
Massage Therapy: Steps to Success
“Always practice ethically,” Dolly advises. “You need care, compassion and respect for your patients and your work.”
Dolly says that you also need to be flexible when working with your client and to not aim for “perfection.”
“It’s not up to us to fix everybody; we help them to get better.”
“Also, continuing education is a must to be successful. The more diverse you are, the more clients you can service.”
Massage Therapy Job Market
As it is still a young and growing profession, Dolly believes that there are plenty of opportunities out there for interested massage therapists.
“There are three of us working in my office,” she explains. “It is a very diverse field as there is many different settings in which to practice. You can work in spas, at an office, out of your home, or working with professional athletes.”
Dolly adds, “There are so many avenues – you just need to find the right niche.”
Favorite Part about a Massage Therapy Career
“Knowing that I could help make a difference in a person’s life,” Dolly explains, “and knowing the power of touch.”
A Massage Therapist’s Future Ambitions
Wherever her career takes her, Dolly plans on enjoying every step.
“My job right now is so rewarding,” she says. “I’d be happy if my practice stays like it is now, or if it grows and I get to be a part of more people’s lives, that’s even better.”
Dolly also hopes that the world of massage therapy becomes more regulated with uniform rules state-to-state.
Advice for Prospective Massage Therapists
“The smartest thing I did was join the American Massage Therapy Association,” Dolly explains. “It gives you the tools and knowledge to build your practice, and they are your support system. It also provides community, networking, and personal and professional relationships.”
She advises, “Get involved in your community, including outreach work. A little bit of this goes a long way and gets your name known.”
“Embrace your profession and enjoy it,” Dolly adds. “I encourage you to join a professional massage therapy organization and get involved in it. Never quite learning and enhancing your skill.”
