If you want a career where you can make a difference in someone’s life, being a massage therapist may be for you. There are other benefits such as flexible hours, the ability to work anywhere, good income potential and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Being a massage therapist in today’s market also continues to be promising. Employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 18 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. [1]
Unique massage therapist problems
But like any profession, there are massage therapist problems or challenges. Some of them are unique. Among them:
Clients who share too much information: Among massage therapist problems are clients who are inclined to share very personal aspects of their lives. One way to discourage communication of this nature is to listen but do not ask questions, provide council or give advice. Hopefully, the client will realize that you do not want to engage.
Bad hygiene: It is not every profession where a client’s hygiene issues can make the job unpleasant or even unsafe. A client may have an issue with a body odor or even more concerning, a rash or foot fungus. If the situation causes you worry, have a polite but direct conversation about rescheduling until the problem clears up.
Inappropriate client behavior: Lewd comments or “seeing more than you need to” of a client can create a very uncomfortable situation. If you deem behavior inappropriate, tell a client to stop. If the behavior continues, end the session and ask the client to leave.
Handling difficult clients
Difficult clients are not unique to being a massage therapist. Clients may be:
- Demanding: Demanding clients tend to only think about their convenience. They may want you to come in early or stay late to accommodate their needs.
- Critical: This type of client can be demoralizing to you and your staff, plus you never know what they are saying to other potential clients.
- Indecisive: No matter how much information you provide, the client can never decide on a treatment. Indecisive clients can be a time drain on your business.
- Always in crisis: Everything is a constant crisis or emergency. Such clients want you to stop everything and deal with their issue right away.
- Looking for something extra: No matter what the service or treatment is, this type of client always wants something extra, such as a slightly longer massage or a special deal.
- In the know: Some clients don’t want your professional advice. They want to tell you how to do things.
To handle difficult clients, try these tactics:
Get control of yourself: Don’t try to deal with a difficult client right when they are doing something that annoys you. Be sure you are in control of yourself so that you can manage the situation.
Listen: Some clients just like to complain. Showing genuine feelings toward a client may be all it takes to end the complaints. Ask them questions, listen to their answers and assure them that you intend to address the problem because you value their business.
Establish boundaries: Let people know nicely when they are encroaching into areas – your schedule, your expertise, even your product and treatment pricing - that conflict with your business operations.
Set expectations: Make sure clients understand what to expect from the treatment and how long the effect will last.
Try to sympathize: Put yourselves in the clients’ shoes for the moment and try to understand what may be motivating them. Your anger or annoyance may go away and instead you’ll feel compassion for the person who may be acting out of hurt, disappointment or worry.
Other non-client massage therapist problems
Physical demands: Massage therapy is physically demanding. It is important to set boundaries and care for yourself to enjoy a long and successful career. Follow ergonomic principles, which also means listening to your body when it tells you to take a break or slow down. Also, get enough sleep, stay hydrated, exercise, and eat right.
Emotional drain: Clients bring their problems to the session. Empathy is powerful and can contribute to healing, but you need to find balance. Being too empathetic can potentially distort your perception of a situation. Avoid getting too connected to any one client at the expense of giving your full attention to the needs of others.
Free service: Friends and family members may try to take advantage of your skills for free and at their convenience. If you decide to provide free service to family and close friends, schedule appointments just as you would with a client.
In the end, the rewards of being a massage therapist outweigh the challenges. But by being aware of massage therapist problems, you can be better prepared to deal with them when they come up.
[1] Occupational Outlook Handbook, BLS August 29, 2024. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/massage-therapists.htm