How to become a massage therapist

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If you have an interest in holistic wellness and are passionate about helping others, working as a massage therapist can be an incredibly rewarding career choice. Here, we’ll explore what a career in massage therapy entails, including the skills you need to succeed, and the necessary training required.

What does a massage therapist do?

A massage therapist's primary goal is to promote relaxation, reduce muscle tension, and enhance overall well-being. During a session, a massage therapist customises treatments based on each client's needs, using techniques that involve applying pressure and manipulating soft tissues with their hands, fingers, and elbows. This helps alleviate stiffness, improve blood circulation, relieve pain, and create a sense of relaxation. Working as a massage therapist can be extremely fulfilling as you have the opportunity to help individuals feel better and enhance their overall quality of life.

On a day-to-day basis, you could be:

assessing the client's medical history, diet and lifestyle
discussing with clients their motivations for seeking massage therapy
applying specialised massage treatments
planning an appropriate course of treatment
providing guidance and advice on stretching, relaxation and exercises to alleviate pain or tension
providing referrals to other professionals if necessary

For an in-depth look into massage therapy, what it can help with and the different forms of massage, visit our massage therapy information page.

Choosing your specialism

When considering a career in massage therapy, it's important to explore the different types of massage therapies available. Shadowing experienced therapists can give you a clearer idea of what specialisms resonate with you. For example, sports massage is geared towards athletes and aids in recovery, while Swedish massage is designed for relaxation and overall well-being. Exploring different specialisms can help you discover the techniques that best reflect your interests as a therapist.

Massage specialisms include:

Aromatherapy massage
Deep tissue massage
Hot stone massage
Indian head massage
Pregnancy massage
Remedial massage
Sports massage
Swedish massage
Thai massage

Who do massage therapists work with?

Massage therapists take on a range of clients, from those suffering from physical pain or tension to individuals who are just looking to relax. Clients may seek massage therapy for various reasons, such as relaxation, rehabilitation after an injury, or managing a long-term health condition. For instance, a therapist might help a client with back pain find relief, assist a runner with tight muscles in preparation for a race, or provide a calming session for someone dealing with high levels of stress.

Where do massage therapists work?

A massage therapist can work in a variety of settings, based on their own preferences, clientele, and area of practice. These may include spas, hospitals, wellness centres, and sports clinics. Many therapists choose to work independently and set up a dedicated area in their home, managing their own client base and schedule. Others may offer mobile services, travelling to clients' homes to provide convenient, personalised sessions.

If you choose to work from home, it’s important to check local regulations and secure any necessary licenses. If you wish to open a clinic or parlour, a massage and special treatments licence is legally required. You could be fined if you don’t have a licence, so it’s important to check and comply with local regulations.

What qualifications do I need?

Massage therapy in the UK is a voluntarily regulated profession with a Core Curriculum and National Occupational Standards (NOS). The NOS outlines the minimum required training and knowledge that a student must obtain to operate a professional practice. These standards focus on the skills practitioners need, as well as the knowledge and understanding required to work effectively. For more information about Core Curriculum and Occupational Standards, you can visit the Federation of Holistic Therapists website.

The minimum requirement to practise massage in the UK is a recognised Level 3 Diploma in a relevant subject. This typically includes studying anatomy, physiology, various massage techniques and hands-on training. This provides a good base understanding of the human body, health and safety in the industry and general client care. From here, individuals can legally practice massage but are restricted to using only basic techniques such as holistic/Swedish-style massage.

You can further your training by pursuing additional certifications, such as a Level 4 qualification. This provides a deeper understanding of anatomy and physiology and allows individuals to practise more advanced techniques and treat a wider range of conditions. This also allows individuals to work in clinical environments.

It's important to note that some employers or professional bodies may require further qualifications or certifications for specific massage techniques. It's always a good idea to check with employers or professional associations for any additional requirements they may have.

For guidance on what to look for when starting therapy training, read our tips for choosing a training course/organisation.

Do I need to join a professional body?

Most employers will require that a massage therapist be registered with a professional body or organisation. Joining a professional body allows you to demonstrate your professionalism and credibility to clients while also staying up-to-date on current industry techniques and trends.

The FHT (Federation of Holistic Therapists) is a voluntary register for therapists who have met certain practitioner standards. Registering with the FHT allows massage therapists to demonstrate that they meet national standards of practice in their work whilst also allowing access to helpful industry updates, resources and advice.

Some other professional organisations to consider joining include:

General Regulatory Council for Complementary Therapies (GRCCT)
Massage Training Institute (MTI)
National Association of Massage and Manipulative Therapy (NAMMT)

Find out more about the role of professional bodies and decide which one may be right for you.

What happens after I’ve qualified?

After qualifying as a massage therapist, you may choose to practice part-time alongside a full-time job, helping you gain experience and build a client base. From here, you may decide to work for an organisation or become a full-time self-employed therapist. It's essential to obtain public liability insurance and comply with legal requirements, such as business registration, to protect both yourself and your clients.

How can I market myself?

To establish a successful career as a massage therapist, it’s important to effectively market yourself. By creating your own website, you can advertise your services and provide additional information to potential clients. Additionally, creating a strong social media presence allows you to connect with a broader audience and grow your client base. Attending face-to-face events such as career fairs and partnering with other health-related businesses is a great way to promote your business whilst also connecting with other like-minded professionals.

Producing regular content in your area of expertise, such as blogs, videos, or podcasts, is also highly recommended. For example, you could create videos demonstrating massage techniques or produce informative articles outlining the benefits of different types of massage therapy for clients. This not only helps promote your content but also allows you to engage with clients on a more personal level. Remember, if you plan to take on clients and charge for your services, it’s important to be adequately qualified and insured. This ensures the protection of both you and your clients.

Joining Therapy Directory is an additional option you may want to consider. With an established site that ranks highly in search engines, the ability to publish articles and events, and support from our dedicated membership services team, we help clients find you. We also help to support your marketing by providing networking opportunities, a sense of community with other members, and resources in our marketing hub. Learn more about joining us and what we have to offer.

What is Continuing Professional Development (CPD)?

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) refers to the enhancement and development of the skills you gained from your initial massage training. This ensures your skills and knowledge are up to date with the latest techniques, rules and regulations of the industry so that you can practise safely. CPD opportunities can either be found through our events section or through other organisations (such as professional bodies and training organisations).

All professional organisations require practitioners to complete CPD after the first year of joining. For example, if you are a registered massage therapist with the FHT you must complete a minimum of 10 CPD points per registration year and keep reflections of your progress. It’s worth noting that CPD does cost money, so it’s advisable to budget for the expense.

Useful resources

If you want to learn more about how to become a massage therapist, the following resources may be useful: