An Interview with a Massage Therapist

This month, we’re interviewing Eric Reff of Corporate Chair-man, a licensed massage therapist in Salt Lake City, Utah.  We’ll be asking him a few questions about his career to provide information for those of you who may be considering it as a career.

TC - How long have you been a massage therapist? 
ER - It will be 3 years this August.

TC - Why did you choose to be a massage therapist? 
ER - I wanted a 100 day ski season and this career is a real flexible job.  It was also an opportunity to re-tool after nearly a decade in a sales based career in the medical devices field.  With my knowledge of the healthcare field, I saw the opportunity to join in the growing popularity of “alternative healthcare” and to meet the needs of our aging population with a non medical choice to relieve chronic tension (muscular and skeletal) that also would afford me the opportunity to allow me to build a business and help people out at the same time. 

TC - What do you like about it? 
ER - I like the fact that most people leave the table or chair with a look of relaxation and HOPE.  One woman told me that a week before we started our service in their office, she said, “ I HOPE MY HEADACHE (that plagues me DAILY at my desk) GOES AWAY.”  After an hour of the headache, she broke down to take 4 extra strength Ibuprofin.  We were on site that next week and she had no headaches that afternoon or the next day at her desk.  Others have told me that her RSI’s (repetitive stress injuries) have diminished greatly and she credits the 15 minute weekly massages for the reversal in symptoms.

TC - Anything you don't like? 
ER - I don’t like the fact that many people look at massage as a “pampering.”  Many scientific studies have proven that massage does much more than just make you feel good.  These studies show massage increases functions of the body that help you perform better in so many ways!  But that is another reason for what I do.  I want people to know the benefits of massage through our work and educational programs we offer.  If you want to know more about the benefits of massage, visit the consumer version of my Professional associations website www.massagetherapy.com.

TC - What challenges do you face that you didn't expect while you were in school? 
ER - Developing and building my practice.  I guess they had taught us more about the marketing side of the business in school. Keeping people committed to improving their health using massage/stretching & quality lifestyle choices is so hard.  But that comes with education.  You know there is a saying I live by.  If “they” knew what we knew, they would do what we do!  The only way they get to know what we do is education and a good exchange for my energy or services and their energy (money & time commitment).

TC - If you had it to do over again, would you make the same career choice? 
ER - Yes Top-Colleges!  And I would recommend it to a friend or family member that also has the desire to start their own practice.  If they had the drive to help others, take the time to build a clientele and business, and have the personality that could make it possible for the entrepreneur to come out in them so that they can make a success at starting, developing and profiting at their own venture.

Spas or healthcare facilities often hire massage therapists for those who like the stability of a steady paycheck and benefits.  With our aging population, the need for good therapists will always be there!

TC - If you don't mind, what is the approximate annual income and any benefits you receive? 
ER A good therapist working for someone on a 30-hour week could make 30K.  An entrepreneur can have the sky be the limit.  Paul Zane Pilzner,a best selling author and Ivy league grad & professor, wrote in his book “The Wellness Revolution”  the next TRILLION dollar industry will be based around goods and services that cater to the well-being of our aging population.  So I expect the income to rise as the demand for these services become more mainstream.

Thanks Eric for your input about your job!  We appreciate your time and comments and I hope our subscribers find this information helpful in making their career decisions.

Eric Reff is a Nationally certified LMT (licensed massage therapist) that has a growing corporate on site massage practice and off site table business.  He is also available for existing LMT’s to consult on marketing and gaining access to the corporate massage market.  Visit his website at www.chair-man.com