Massage Therapy vs. Physical Therapy: Which Career is Right for You?

Question
Hey Michael,
A friend of mine was considering a career in massage therapy and has recently changed her mind and decided to become a physical therapist.  I think she would be better off as a massage therapist for various reasons.  She says that massage therapists aren't being used as much anymore and she is afraid that she would eventually lose her job or something.  I myself kind of thought that was ridiculous, because people are ALWAYS going to want massages no matter what!  By the way, we both live in a small town in Florida.  What do you think about this?  Is there a chance that there are less massage therapists than before?  Does she have a valid reason to be worrying about this?  Thanks!

Answer
Thanks for your interesting question, Becka.

I believe your friend is correct in trying to determine the stability of a career in massage therapy vs physical therapy. I also believe she probably won't get rich as a massage therapist, but then most people who choose massage therapy do not go into it with thoughts and dreams of becoming wealthy as opposed to a less strenuous way of helping people than PT. I can tell you that both men and women are entering the massage field every year and the attrition rate is high (50%), mainly because they did not research it thoroughly enough, did not have a business plan, and/or get physically injured by not taking care of their bodies while practicing massage with proper body mechanics which they should learn while in massage school.

I recommend that you/she should read each link below from the American Massage Therapy Association which describe how massage therapy has grown for the last 6 years in the eyes & minds of the consumer.

http://www.amtamassage.org/pdf/05consurvey.pdf

http://www.amtamassage.org/news/04consurvey.html

http://www.amtamassage.org/pdf/AMTAdemographics03.pdf

http://www.amtamassage.org/pdf/02demanddraft2.pdf

http://www.amtamassage.org/about/demand01.html

http://www.amtamassage.org/about/demand.html

According to Massage Today.com (monthly newspaper in the industry), at last count they have a circulation of 10,026 MT's who receive their newspaper and 817 massage therapy students all in the state of Florida alone. Also, everything I have read states in one way or another that massage therapy is still in its infancy.

I hope that answers your questions.
Michael, LMT