URGENT HELP/ADVICE REQUIRED....PLEASE...

[BlakeSenna]

Hi Guys,

Just a quick post...im a newbie on the forum and Im really just looking for some advice regarding a possible career change.

At the moment i work full time a recruitment consultant and part time as a fitness instructor - however, i want to get myself out of the rat race and pursue a career more 'holistic'. Therefore, I am currently trying to decide wether or not to sign up for a ITEC Massage course so that i can do this part time and instruct at gyms part time. My only reservation is...im male...and this apparently appears to be a hinderance (No offence to any male therapists reading this - these are other people words, not mine) due to the fact that most guys would not want a guy to massage them and neither would most women?!? Also, with the recent news about court cases popping up everywhere it appears it may get worse.

Would you suggest still taking this course or maybe trying to do a degree in Physiotherapy / training to be a sports masseuse? This may be a poblem as i would have to leave work and become a student...but i would prefer this than spend hundreds of pounds on a course that will in effect, get me nowhere.

Can anybody help/advise/offer their opinion. It would particulary helpful and encouraging to hear from male therapists who have attained success in this field.

Many thanks for listening,

Wayne.

PS..i am suppossed to let the Middlesex School of Complementary Medicine tomorrow as they are holding me a place - i have only just discovered this forum...so apologies for the urgency!

 

[nene2007]

Hiya

I only have 2 people who I let anywhere near my body in terms of massage...and one of those is male, you get people who are shy but once they know you its no problem, also if you rent a room from an established place your gender is not an issue as people will go off the reputation of the club etc etc....

would write more but its late....if its something you want to do and have the opportunity then you have nothing to lose....except your dreams...

Tigs
x

 

[pseudonym]

Thanks Tigerbee...i would love to go ahead and just book the course - but it aint cheap (As you probably know) so i need to make sure its worthy investment of my time and money.
I have called a few local companies and will wait for them to get back to me - but if anyone else can offer some advice in the meantime please do as IM DESPERATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks,

MM23

 

[tjoxnxjc]

I've just seen this MM23, I am a male therapist myself and know several others who have thriving practices!

The Fitness Instructor and Massage Therapist roles would go together really well, and once qualified training in Sports Therapy would be an excellent bonus. You have a great client base to start with.

I'm not going to say being a male therapist is easy, it isn't - but once you build your reputation as a good professional therapist you'll have plenty of clients I'm sure.

Good luck!
Mat xxx

 

[rjp3526]

What Fozzyo said. There was a recent thread on (male) masseurs getting in trouble etc.

 

[Meleloake]

giggle neither is starting out as a female one!!!! its still hard building your base but well worth it!
[/quote]
Tigs
x

 

[May Contain Nuts]

Thanks for your help guys - and thanks for the confidence boost Mat...Holistic massage is definately a path I wish to pursue - even if i decide to study a degree in Physiotherapy.

How long did it take to build up your practice Mat and what marketing did you find sucessful in gaining clients? Hope you dont mind me asking.

Finally, can anybody advise if the ITEC massage is a good course and well recognised?

Again, thanks for all your help.

MM23

 

[AHM]

i dithered so much over whether to sign up for the Holistic Massage ITEC, but in the end (apart from spinning off into insanity), decided to go for it. there are no guarantees. unfortunately! don't start til sept, so can't advise you further except to say that it's an internationally recognised qualification.

wonder what you (have) decided?? i'm feeling a kindred spirit thing - i always like to have someone (& preferably someone with credentials & wisdom) give me a little push, validate me if you like.

it's risky, but what's the worst thing that can happen as a result of getting the decision 'wrong', ie if it's not your path??

hope to hear more from you, & am also very interested in how people who have made careers in practice reply. by the way i'm a girl but have only ever had a male masseur. although many people have gender issues, preferences or even prejudices, you will be in the minority as a male massage therapist so perhaps it all balances out most holistically??

good luck xxxx

 

[Ransom]

You may find this thread interesting.

http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=97205&mpage=1&key=male&#177404

You may want to have a chat with some of the tutors at MSCM. I don't know who is taking your course, but David Godfrey (one of their tutors)has considerable experience as a therapist. I think he will be honest with you as I know their courses are often over subscribed, so don't think he'll be on a sales mission.

And of course, if you see your future as a therapist of any kind, the massage course, along with the anatomy and physiology, would be a great foundation.

Lesley

 

[lyalfevl]

Wow - that's a coincidence melodymaker, I'm also a recruitment consultant who wants to get out of that and into complementary health. I have also decided to do a massage course to get started.

I've signed up to the ITEC course. I want to be an Osteopath and the school of osteopathy recommended I did this course before applying. So they recognise it.

There doesn't seem to be any overriding massage therapy body in the UK that you have to be recognised by. It's different for Sports Massage and Sports Therapy - they only recognise certain courses which happen to be the most expensive too. The sports massage body doesn't recognise the ITEC Sports Massage course for some reason.

It looks like a good enough course to me that is recognised by spas, salons etc all over.

 

[Dalton Barnes]

Perhaps a physio degree and then divergence to holistic therapies might be an option - at least you can virtually guarantee a job as a physio, and if you have the energy, do an ITEC course at the same time! If I had my time again, I would go that way - it took me a long time to get established and to pay off loans etc, if I didn't have a supportive partner, I would have been forced back to driving a desk long ago. I have been a therapist for 29 years and make enough to pay off a loan for a car (needed an estate to get my couch in!) and room rent - not managed enough for a cruise yet!

 

[ihpbcadf]

Hi there (I'm female)

When you look at Sport massage etc. I recently noticed with my insurance that there was an extra premium for working with sportman or actors. I presume this is because if they make a claim it will be larger because they can accuse you of ruining their career . We know that that would be difficult but the claim would be large and the legal costs expensive. So the point there is I think that is why the qualifications for Sport massage etc is more expensive.

I took my Holistic Massage ITEC last year. There were four men out of sixteen and they made such good massuers. I have been going to a male masseur for years (albeit he is gay).

I think that once you have your ITEC qualification you will gain the confidence to go forward with it and feel different about yourself. Its all about attitude, if you are embarrassed about treating certain clients then they will be. At the end of the day it is down to professionalism. Most of my clients have come via recommendations and believe you me when I have finished they are so zonked out and happy with the treatment they would recommend me even if I was green, transvestite with two heads. Its all about confidence and going for it.

Go for It!!!

Much love and good luck.

Tracy