How to Burn Out in 7 Years... or Less!

A post last week from Massage Table Outlet about the importance of self-care for massage therapists has inspired me to write this post.  Unfortunately, it's a topic that I feel doesn't get enough emphasis in our field. 

- Massage Table Outlet

How to Burn Out in 7 Years... or Less!

Master isolated images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

• Do as many massages a day as humanly possible.
• Only schedule enough time in between clients to change the linens on the table.
• Fuel up on gummi bears and Mt. Dew during your work day.
• Forget everything you ever learned about proper body mechanics.
• Use your thumbs AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE in your work.
• Consider doing massage as your daily requirement for "exercise" and never do anything additional for your body.
• Try to work 7 or 8 days a week.
• Don't stretch - this is for sissies.
• Say YES to everything and everyone - especially clients.
• Never learn any new techniques. Stick to the exact same work you've been doing since massage school so you're sure to be bored out of your mind.
• Play the same massage music every day... for years.
• Charge just enough to feed yourself and possible not make your mortgage or rent payment each month.
• Take on all of your client's emotional and physical baggage yourself - make yourself a martyr.
• Give all of yourself all the time to every one....except yourself.
• Don't learn to work with any kind of tools.
• Spend your off time doing hands-heavy hobbies like playing piano, gardening, kneading dough, etc.
• And last but not least:
  Never receive any bodywork yourself!

Cindy Iwlew is co-founder of Bodywork Buddy Massage Software, a complete online management solution for independent massage therapists that includes online scheduling. She continues to operate her own private massage practice of 13 years, and has been an associate instructor for Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy since 2007.  www.BodyworkBuddy.com