Whether you want to be a massage therapist, remedial massage therapist or myotherapist, there are all sorts of career pathways you can take.
“The biggest drawcard for a lot of people is to look after the health of others,” Chisholm massage teacher and course co-ordinator Neil Minto says.
“Seeing the improvements in people’s pain and overall health and wellbeing is extremely rewarding.”
Here, Neil explains where massage can take you.
What is the job outlook like?
According to the government’s JobOutlook website, massage therapy is expected to have ‘very strong growth’ in the next five years.
In 2020, there were 18,900 massage therapists. That’s likely to reach 21,800 by 2025.
The industry is skewed towards females – 76% of workers are female in fact.
What skills do you need to work in massage?
Neil says it’s important to be a people person and have good communication skills.
“You need personality and to be coachable, approachable and be able to build trust with people quite quickly,” he says. “Say you need to be able to talk to people about their back pain and whatnot, if they don’t trust you, they won’t really answer your questions.”
You also have to be willing to go above and beyond, says Neil. “If you hit a barrier, you need to be the person to do the research, look into it and try to find the solutions,” he says.
Knowing which course is right for you
At Chisholm, we offer a range of courses to help you get started in a career in massage.
Massage Therapy courses
If you’re looking to learn hands-on relaxation massage techniques, Chisholm’s Certificate IV in Massage Therapy is a great place to start.
This is the kind of course you may need to work at a day spa or multidisciplinary clinic.
Remedial Massage courses
The Diploma of Remedial Massage gives you the skills you need to become a remedial massage therapist treating specific issues.
You’ll learn how to assess clients’ needs and provide remedial massage treatments.
Myotherapy courses
For those looking to take their study to the next level, Chisholm’s Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy is a great choice.
It builds on the skills you learn in the Diploma of Remedial Massage (this is a prerequisite). You’ll learn in-depth theoretical information, advanced skills and learn all about the practical application of those skills.
What’s so great about the course is that it also provides specialist skills such as advanced physical, orthopaedic and neuro-dynamic assessment techniques and treatment planning strategies; evidence-based myotherapy treatment techniques (such as myofascial dry needling, joint mobilisation, cupping and TENS); and functional anatomy and corrective exercise prescription.
Types of jobs you can get
Due to the clinical nature of massage, it’s a highly respected industry known for its professionalism. There are all sorts of jobs you can land with a massage qualification.
From working in a health resort, to running your own remedial massage business or consulting as a myotherapist in a clinic, the options are endless.
Best of all, if you plan to move around, the great thing is your qualification will be nationally recognised.
“Overall, if you’re excited about looking after people with pain, making them feel better or helping them to recover from injuries, a career in massage is absolutely rewarding,” Neil says. “You can help them to reach their goals.”
Are you ready to start your career in massage? Take the first step and apply for a massage course today.
