Virtual Massage Therapy Provides New Business Opportunity

Just as “every cloud has a silver lining,” so did Covid. What we learned is that when faced with a challenge, we are resourceful as evidenced by the use of digital technologies to enable us to continue day-to-day activities during the pandemic. Covid took remote working, telehealth and virtual learning and coaching to a new level.

As it pertains to massage therapy, while most clients have opted to return to traditional in-person sessions, there continues to be a considerable number of people who a prefer virtual wellness experience. So much so that as 2025 got underway one of the massage trends noted for the year was the demand for virtual massage therapy experiences, of which there are several that a massage therapy can offer to clients in the comfort of their own home. Virtual services accommodate clients who prefer a more-arm length therapy and provide massage therapists a new revenue stream.[1]

How do virtual massage therapy services work?

Virtual massage therapy and other wellness services include those provided through electronic devices. Digital options, which provide convenience and flexibility, include:

·         Communicating with a client via videoconferencing software, such as Zoom

·         A specially created app clients can use to augment sessions.

·         Guided videos uploaded on a YouTube channel.

·         Phone and email-based therapies to offer guidance on self-massage or exercise.

·         Time-saving text messaging or online chat with clients versus phone calls.

Conducting a virtual massage therapy session

If the client chooses to videoconference over a virtual massage therapy session, you first will discuss their specific needs, much the same as you would during an intake session. You then will design a guided massage treatment to address specific problems, whether the need is relaxation, sore and tense muscles or neck and back stiffness. Over video conference, you can demonstrate the various protocols the client should take. After that, you can observe the client practicing your suggestions, so that you can provide feedback. Some clients may prefer to turn off video cameras and practice on their own. You can continue communication through chat, email and text and/or you can direct clients to your online videos for additional practice sessions.

Other wellness services to offer virtually

In addition to virtual massage therapy self-care sessions, you can offer other wellness experiences, including:[2]

Virtual breathwork: Breathwork refers to breathing techniques that may help move the body into a more relaxed and stress-free state. Over thousands of years, Eastern medicine practices have employed breathing techniques to calm the body and the mind. Breathwork helps move the body and mind out of fight-or-flight mode.

Meditation: When you meditate you focus your attention and clear your mind of thoughts to give you a sense of calm and peace and achieve balance. Physically, the response to relaxation from meditation has many benefits. It can help decrease metabolism, lower blood pressure and improve heart rate, breathing and brain waves. The body receives a quiet message to relax and that helps alleviate muscle tension and tightness.[3]

Visualization: Visualization can be a powerful tool for healing and personal growth. With visualization, you create a compelling and detailed image of yourself participating in an activity or in an outcome you desire. When you envision a healed, calm, and happy version of yourself, you tap into the power of the mind to manifest positive change. By creating mental images, you can reduce pain and symptoms that pertain to a particular condition.

Energy work: Energy work taps into the body’s frequences to promote healing and well-being. Energy work includes Reiki, breathwork, reflexology, acupuncture, tapping (involves tapping on specific points of the body while focusing on a particular issue or emotion you want to release to help reduce stress and anxiety), and even healing crystals.

Benefits of offering virtual care

As with all markets, massage therapy and wellness in general is evolving. Clients have new expectations about how professionals meet their wellness needs and provide more customized and convenient service options. Massage therapists who embrace virtual care and offer it as an additional service have a new avenue to attract new clients, many of whom may already be using technology to monitor their health and manage their fitness. Virtual massage therapy and other wellness services will be attractive to them.

Virtual care also enables you to attract clients out of the area who may not have the services you offer in their local marketplace. Once you have the technology in place, you can expand your business in very little time, meeting client needs for convenience, flexibility and fast access to the latest services in health care and wellness.

About concern over taking the human touch out of your practice, with so many touch points including check ins and reminders, your connection to clients will be as strong and possibly stronger through virtual care than traditional in person treatments.

The availability of technology to offer a fully integrated online presence complete with video conferencing consultation as well as online payment processing and appointment scheduling means you can cost-effectively expand your service to provide virtual care to augment your in-person practice.