massage and bodywork professionals

a community of practitioners

How did your former career help you in the massage & bodywork profession?

We know a lot of people in this profession started their bodywork practice after a previous career in a different industry. If you came to the massage/bodywork profession from somewhere else, how did your former career help you in this profession? What skills or experiences contributed to your current success as a bodyworker?

I'm writing an article on the subject for an upcoming issue of Massage & Bodywork magazine, so comment here, and you just might see yourself in an upcoming publication!

Views: 179

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

I have a BA in music, which qualifies me to do absolutely nothing.  I got tired of dead end jobs for very little pay.  I picked massage because I wanted to help people in pain based on my past experience of repetitive stress injuries from playing the clarinet in college.  I started out majoring in physical therapy before switching to massage. 

I have taught horseback riding for 20 years (English - dressage, jumping, eventing).  I was a local and regional instructor for the United States Pony Club for 18 years, as well as a competition official and examiner.  Through all of that time, I gained valuable experience in communication with students and parents (meaning that I learned from bad experience!).  I worked constantly to be a better teacher.  I learned to develop plans for each student, how to work with (and communicate with) each student differently, and how to make learning fun for all of us.  I also have an unusual appreciation for a job that can be done in a climate-controlled setting!

I believe whatever the previous life experience, as long as we learn to utilize lessons learned, it can be of great value as a massage therapist.

For 32 years I was in the meat processing business. I deboned, skinned, sawed, separated muscles and steaked. Being able to visualize what I am working on under the skin has been invaluable to me and my clients. I also had to deal with crippling arthritis and spent time immobile in a hospital bed. All have been amazing lessons I put to use. That is one of the amazing things in this profession. We get to put our lessons to use for those who can benefit from it.

Reply to Discussion

RSS

© 2024   Created by ABMP.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service