One of the things many people want out of their careers is the ability to connect with others in a meaningful way. There’s perhaps no better way to do that than as a massage therapy specialist. This is a career that’s truly hands-on!

As a massage therapist, you’ll be working with people directly to help conquer some of their most difficult battles with stress or pain. Some 92% of people agree that a massage is effective for relieving pain, while 54% of massage clients are using massage therapy for relief from medical conditions like injury rehabilitation, muscle soreness, stiffness, or spasms, pain management, or overall wellness. Another 23% go simply for the relaxation and stress reduction benefits.

So you want to be a massage therapy specialist. Where do you start?

1. Research
   Before you sign up for a school or training program, make sure that massage is definitely where you want to be by reading up on massage techniques, fields, specializations, and therapy options. You might even be able to find some friends who are willing to let you practice on them!
2. Consider a Specialty
   Do you want to be a sports massage therapy specialist, or a wellness one? Do you want to work with clients in a spa setting or a medical one? There are even massage schools for people who want to work with dogs and pets! Before you decide on a program or school, think about the area of work where you’d eventually like to end up.
3. Get Certified
   Finding steady work as a massage therapist requires a license and certification, especially if you want to work in a clinical setting. The place you choose may depend on your location, specialty, budget, and time commitment, but you simply can’t run an official massage business without certification of some kind.
4. Start Working!
   Once you’ve completed your training program, you can get right to work. Even if your goal is to set up a business of your own, you may want to gain some experience by working in established massage clinics before you take the plunge by yourself.

Massage therapy is an incredibly rewarding career choice for people who like helping other people. With so many areas of specialization, you’ll be sure to find your true calling with the touch of a hand.