How To Become a Massage Therapist in the UK

A job that is aimed at improving other people’s well-being is always a winning game. A massage therapist is one of them. If you’ve ever thought about pursuing this useful and rewarding career but stopped yourself for some reason, this article may be your sign. We’ve collected the most relevant information about this occupation regarding what training and certification one needs to obtain, what skills and qualities one should cultivate for it, and what career prospects massage therapists in the UK have.

The Path to Becoming a Massage Therapist

Since ancient times, massage has been a form of medical art. A massage therapist’s hands can ease physical pain, promote relaxation, and improve a person’s overall well-being. At the same time, by doing it unprofessionally, a massage therapist can easily harm their patient and even trigger long-term implications. For this reason, a person willing to become a massage therapist must be absolutely responsible and serious about the training they receive before beginning their practice.

To help you understand if massage therapy is the right choice for you, we’ve prepared a comprehensive overview of the occupation and career prospects it brings.

Introduction to Massage Therapy

The first association that pops up in people’s minds when they hear ‘massage’ is relaxation. It’s undoubtedly important, however, massage has another equally significant function – rehabilitation. By manipulating muscles and soft tissues, massage therapists alleviate pain and tension in the body and help their patients recover from sports injuries and illnesses faster.

Depending on your interests and desires, you may pick either one or several types of massage therapy to specialise in:

• If it’s massage for relaxation or maintaining well-being, consider mastering such popular techniques as aromatherapy massage, Indian head massage, Thai massage, or Swedish massage;
• Some massages pursue beauty goals, for instance, anti-cellulite massages, face-lifting massages;
• Finally, it’s massages that heal various medical conditions and eliminate muscle tension, including deep tissue massages, sports massage therapies, pregnancy massage, or post-natal massage.

Career Prospects

What about the massage therapy business and the career prospects it offers to massage therapists in the UK? Massage therapists work in hotels, cruise ships, spa centres, resorts, fitness centres, and all kinds of healthcare facilities. One can combine working in two different places with specialisation in several massage techniques.

You can also consider becoming a self-employed massage therapist, especially if you have already worked in a facility for some time and gained experience and a client base. Setting up your own massage therapy business gives you such advantages as your own pricing and flexibility. On the flip side, it brings about questions such as:

• Should I rent premises or travel around the city to visit my clients in their homes?
• How should I promote my services and facility? Should I promote it on my own or hire a professional to establish a social media presence?
• What permits or licences should I have to be able to set up my own massage therapy business legally?

Educational Requirements and Training

If you are planning on developing as a massage professional in the UK, here is information about what type of learning you have to undertake to become one.

Qualifications Needed

There are several ways to start a career path in massage therapy. It’s great if you have GCSE in biology and physical education, grades A*-C (or 9 – 4). It will serve as a good basis for your further education.

The good news is that you don’t need to obtain a degree to become a massage therapist, a special Level 3 Diploma in Massage Therapy course is enough. There are multiple options for where one can take up a massage therapy course, therefore, it’s crucial to find accredited training providers in the first place. For instance, the course has to be recognized by reputable organisations such as the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) or the Federation of Holistic Therapists.

Accredited Training Programs

Here are some examples of widely recognised organisations and awarding bodies that offer accredited massage therapy training programs in massage:

1. ITEC or International Therapy Examination Council offers Level 3 Diplomas in Body Massage, Indian Head Massage, Massage Therapies, and others;
2. VTCT or Vocational Training Charitable Trust provides various training programs in massage, including Level 3 Diploma in Swedish Massage, Holistic Massage, Reflexology Treatments, and others;
3. CIBTAC or Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology, offers such courses as Level 3 Certificate in Body Massage and Body Therapy Treatments;
4. City and Guilds offers Level 3 Diploma in Beauty and Complementary Therapies;
5. ABC Awards is an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, and the Welsh Government provides training with Level 3 Diplomas in Body Massage, Indian Head Massage, and Reflexology;
6. YMCA Awards, the UK’s leading health and fitness charity provides globally recognised qualifications in Performance Massage (Level 3 Diploma) and Sports Massage Certificate (Level 4);
7. Sports Therapy UK is approved by VCTC and offers Level 4 Sports Massage qualification;
8. Finally, the Federation of Holistic Therapists, a professional association that offers a wide range of courses including Deep Tissue Massage, Hot Stones for Sports Massage, Massage for Pregnancy, and many more.

Skills and Qualities of a Successful Massage Therapist

To succeed in the massage therapy career, you should understand that it’s not only massage techniques and certificates that make a good and in-demand specialist. Let’s dig into it.

Empathy and Communication

When it comes to health issues, people tend to choose a doctor who is empathetic and trustworthy. They don’t want a doctor who sees their patients as walking wallets. If you want to have a reputation as a considerate and reliable specialist, you should never allow them to feel like they’re ‘just another patient’. Personalised attention works wonders. Create a friendly atmosphere, always smile at them, and inquire about their well-being. Keep in mind their preferences and specific concerns, therefore, you’ll help them feel valued and cared for. Be always ready to answer their questions and provide explanations regarding the therapy process.

Business Skills for Your Own Practice

Having worked at a facility for some time, many massage therapists choose to switch to self-employment. It’s a great idea for those who have reached a certain level of professionalism and seek new challenges. Being a business person implies developing a number of skills, such as:

• Strategic planning. To survive and thrive in the conditions of a competitive market, a business needs a growth and sustainability plan.
• Self-promotion. Of course, you can rely on word of mouth at the beginning of your way. If you are interested in growing your business, you should resort to more powerful marketing techniques. They include a solid social media presence, a professional website, and even promotional events.
• Time-management. Being late or allowing scheduling conflicts is an absolute no-go. Your clients should feel that you respect their time. If you have issues with it, it’s better to take up a time management course.
• Record keeping. Treatment records, progress notes, and any other information relevant to the therapy have to be well-organised. It’s essential for both ethical and legal reasons.
• Financial management. Effective financial management is one of the ‘whales’ on which a successful business is built. One has to master such aspects as long-term or short-term budgeting, managing expenses, and keeping track of income. Neglecting those can be a dead end.
• Billing. To ensure a steady income stream, a business owner must be familiar with billing processes such as creating invoices and accepting payments.
• Knowledge of the law. Knowing and complying with local and national laws regarding massage therapy will save you from unwelcome expenses and fines.
• Networking. The more highly professional specialists you have in your surrounding, the better for your own professionalism. Furthermore, such acquaintances can lead to referrals and various collaborative opportunities that can bring your business to a new level.

Ethics and Regulations

The last but no less important thing that will make you a qualified massage therapist is being familiar with the principles of appropriate and professional conduct.

Code of Ethics

There is no universal code of ethics for massage therapists in the UK, each professional organisation or regulatory body tends to have its own code and expects all the members to comply with it.

Regulatory Bodies

Among the most recognised bodies that set standards for massage therapists in the UK, there are:

1. Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC)
2. Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT)
3. General Council for Massage Therapies (GCMT)
4. Institute for Complementary and Natural Medicine (ICNM)
5. International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC)
6. National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)
7. Massage Training Institute (MTI)
8. British Complementary Medicine Association (BCMA)

Professional Credentials

Professional credentials play a crucial role for those who aim to establish themselves as reliable experts. By providing a framework for accountability, competence, and ethical conduct, professional credentials help maintain high standards of practice. Here are some ideas for massage therapists to consider:

1. Obtain professional liability insurance and First Aid/CRP Certification;
2. Join a professional association like the Council for Soft Tissue Therapies;
3. Register with one of the regulatory bodies for complementary healthcare practitioners in the UK mentioned in the previous unit.