GA Massage Therapist

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Comment by Jazmine Anderson on February 8, 2013 at 8:31pm

Hi everyone!! I just wanted to introduce myself to the group. I'm jazmine and I have been a therapist since August 2012. I work for Sunday's Day Spa and also Massage Envy. I look forward to getting to know you all.

Comment by Shawnda Kettles on December 7, 2011 at 4:45pm

Gary....I would beg to differ with you about your instructor. My NMT instructor is THE absolute best in the south....PERIOD!!!! No argument needed. LOL!!

Comment by Shawnda Kettles on December 7, 2011 at 4:43pm

I totally understand the surprise Nadia. I'm actually in Augusta, GA but the region is called the CSRA area and it includes 3 or 4 counties in SC as well. The "spa" industry here is truly that....SPA....from my experience with talking and unofficially surveying people, many people think of massage still as a luxury and that you have to have a lot of money to have one. They aren't educated on the health and wellness benefits that massage can give them and I enjoy educating them about it. Congratulations on your success in a spa that you love to be in. I hope that if I come to work in one, I should be as lucky as you are (fingers crossed).

Have you tried Robins AFB there for new clients? Could be good for you and them. Good luck!

Comment by Gary W Addis, LMT on December 7, 2011 at 12:15pm

Daniel, you're right, of course.  I recognize that States will never surrender any of their power.  For the most part, that has been good for all of us.  But this license portability is commonsense.   Some states should increase entry level requirement, some should lower theirs.  And, yeah, there should be separation of pure relaxation massage from medical massage from energy work from erotic massage.  But that won't happen either.  Again too much money wants things to remain as they are

Comment by Nadia on December 7, 2011 at 12:12pm

Hi Shawnda, glad to hear that the Savannah  area is strongly  hiring MTs, you are absolutely right about that fact that some areas has such and such to offer. It behooves you to adapt or move. I wish my area (Warner robins) had more integrated holistic medical centers but that is not the case. As a result, I ended up working in a spa that I happened to adore. Lucky me. But guess what, 2/3 of my clients requests are pain relief! Therefore, I end up giving DT A LOT and I happily integrate MFR, reciprocal inhibition, Active/passive engagement broadening/stripping etc...all the tools I used when working for chiropractors in the state I was in before. And I have a good deal of repeat customers for pain management...in a SPA!! that, Gary and Shawnda, was totally unexpected.

Comment by Daniel Cohen on December 7, 2011 at 10:48am

Gary it aint gonna happen because it isn't in the constitution. professional licensing is not designated as a federal right therefor it falls to the states. The best you can hope for is that states recognize portability. That worries me because it would probably lead to higher entry level requirements which I regard as ludicrous. More and more I am leaning towards 3 tiers; medical massage, wellness massage, and erotic massage. clear requirements, clear separation, and ending the massage/prostitution confusion.

Comment by Gary W Addis, LMT on December 7, 2011 at 10:02am

Thank you, Shawnda for your detailed response. 

It's about time, isn't it, that we have a truly national license, permitting us to work in all 50 states w/o a separate license for all.  Bit that ain't gonna happen-- MDs and lawyers still run into the licensing issue.  States Rights is just another way of local fat cats keeping the power and the money in their own hands.

Comment by Gary W Addis, LMT on December 7, 2011 at 9:48am

Thanks, Nadia.  There's a massage envy in pensacola, but not too interested in living and working in FL.  I'll probably stay here after graduation. 

Actually, I give a great NMT massage already-- for 15 months I've been browsing and studying online.  And my DT/NMT instructor is arguably the best in the South.

Wait! The above sounds arrogant, doesn't it-- I'm blushing.  No one knows better than I how much I still have to learn.  My one saving grace is that I am eager to learn from whatever source that's willing to provide it. 

My class toured the casinos yesterday.  Beau Rivage is pricey, absolutely.  Not the best spa on the coast, however.  Grand Casino spa is much larger, better equipped.  30% of $115-$200 is nice pay, but I'd rather work for less relieving pain vs pampering of high rollers.

Comment by Shawnda Kettles on December 7, 2011 at 9:36am

Hi Gary, I live in Augusta, GA and have lived in Atlanta and I haven't had the same experiences that Nadia has had. In my area (CSRA...Central Savannah River Area) I am surrounded by a medical community. We have 5 or 6 hospitals, chiropractors, health spas, and Georgia Health Sciences University, formerly known as Medical College of Georgia. For the most part, I have seen a lot more need for massage therapist than not. For me, because I recently graduated with a degree in Therapeutic Massage, and have no desire to do spa work, when I interview, I have very few MT's interviewing for the same position. If they are, they usually have several years of experience in this career and have had the experience of working in the spa industry. I want to do clinical work and have been seeking chiropractors, doctors, physical therapist, and other medical personnell to work with.

Also, be aware of your environment. I feel fortunate to be on the GA/SC stateline (because I can work in either state), surrounded by a military base and town (Fort Gordon and Augusta), and be surrounded by a medical community. The more your area has to offer, the better your chances. In Atlanta, your have a corporate and entertainment community, professional sports, and you are not too far from the academic community as well.

If you want to start your own business, try doing some outcalls while having a steady job someplace like Massage Envy. They are a wonderful way to grow and learn in your career. Send letters to businesses about the benefits of chair massages for their employees. A small chair massage business can  work great for you in areas like MS and in GA.

 

GOOD LUCK!!!

Comment by Nadia on December 7, 2011 at 8:33am

Well I have not been in GA for very long but I can tell you the job market is pretty saturated. I was in Beau Rivage Casino last month for leisure and when I saw the prices for a massage ($$$$) at their spa, I decided  to hit the gym instead...

I have known of several massage envy franchises around Atlanta where you could hone your skills. Starting your own business without experience is very risky. I would not do it. Give yourself a least 1 year to learn more. If medical massage is your preference, then buy Art Riggs 7-DVD set on DT or/and Withney Lowe 3-DVD set on ortho massage. They are my all time favorite. Good luck!

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