FOR MASSAGE THERAPISTS ONLY: Dealing with burnout

The adage "Healer cure thyself" is good advice for massage therapists. As healers, massage therapists urge their clients to reduce stress, listen to their bodies and take care of themselves, but all too often they do not take their own good advice.

The work is physically challenging. Massage puts great demands on the healer's body, potentially endangering vulnerable hands, arms and shoulders. Part of the solution is to learn proper technique, even if it feels awkward at first.

But what about the client who is an absolute bruiser - a walking slab of dense muscle? For these clients, you will need every trick in the book. Even so, you may also want to explore rotating the client within your circle of therapist colleagues, so that you each see the person only once every few weeks. At a certain point, you may need to consider referring an overwhelming client to someone else - permanently. While wanting to help people is an important part of the job, there may be times when you need to put your own future first.

The psychic and emotional toll

In some ways, the physical challenges are the easiest to handle. It is the psychic and emotional costs that may be the hardest to spot and the most difficult to deal with. Consciously or not, good healers absorb at least some part of their clients' pain and trauma. As with many therapists, healers can suffer from compassion fatique and secondary PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) that results of absorbing other people's pain.

Dealing with the problem first requires identifying the warning signs in yourself. Do you tire more easily? Does life seem less exciting and joyful? Do you find yourself being short with people? Are you experiencing changes in eating and sleeping habits? Does feedback from others suggest you may be burning out?

Your best bet is to structure healing times for yourself, times when you do not perform or think about massage therapy. Even if it's only a weekend, take the time to go for long walks, to look at nature, to play with kids, to enjoy a lingering brunch with friends. Click here to read our article on dealing with Post-Traumatic Disorder (PTSD), since much of the same advice applies.

The stress of business

How many clients per week can you handle? Where will you find them? Have you saved enough to pay your federal income tax next year? How can you find the time and the money to take that new class you need? When should you start putting money away for your retirement?

The bad news about massage therapy is that:

1. It doesn't pay as well as people think - Many clients think their therapist's rate-per-hour is high. But many do not understand how much unpaid downtime the job entails. They also don't understand the additional burden self-employed therapists face in funding their own health insurance and other benefits.
2. The field risks becoming glutted with too many people who want to do the same work - Do you have days when it seems like everyone you meet is a message therapist or they are studying to be one?
3. Practitioners have reason to worry about how to weather illnesses and injuries and their ultimate longevity in the field - Can you afford insurance or a rainy-day fund to carry you through?

The good news is that:

1. You are doing what you love.
2. You truly help people.
3. You can take steps to control your own destiny.

The best strategy to deal with the stress of being an entrepreneur is to focus on gaining practical business knowledge and developing a personal business plan. Some specifics to address when crafting your plan:

• Remember the 40% rule - Self-employed people often find they earn less than they expected. But what they do not always realize is that only a fraction of your hours are billable. For most people, 60% of their time on the job is spent doing something other than direct, paid client service. There's marketing and promotion, as well as accounting and record-keeping. Then there's answering phones, talking with clients and buying services and supplies. Subtract additional time for education and training time. Don't forget doctor's appointments, visits to the dentist and vacations. So if only 40% of your hours generate income, how much can you realistically expect to earn this year? Should you raise your rates? Will the local economic climate allow you to do so?
• Develop and implement a marketing plan - Most small business owners fear the cycle of feast or famine. The thing to remember is that feast is a good problem, while famine is not. If you generate too much business to handle yourself, you can always refer clients to therapists you know and charge those therapists a finder's fee. Or you can hire someone to handle your overflow. Next month we will offer a special article on developing a market plan. Sign up for our newsletter so that we can notify you when it appears.
• Build partnerships and alliances - Word of mouth and referrals from other respected professionals are important business-building tools. Offer to pay a finder's fee to other therapists who refer overflow clients to you. Offer discounts to various clubs whose members might be good clients (bicycle clubs, even garden clubs). Ask areas doctors and other professionals to consider providing you referrals - ask them what they would like in return.
• Develop alternative revenue streams - Many massage therapists are anti-materialistic and motivated by a strong desire to help others. But you shouldn't have to take a vow of poverty. Being smart about money doesn't mean being hard-hearted. You need to remember that you will not be able to help people over a lifetime unless you also take good care of yourself.

If you need to make more money and you have as many clients as you can realistically handle, you have only two alternatives - make more per client or engage in some other kind of part-time work. One way to make more per client is to raise your rates. If you are good, you deserve premium pay and should not feel guilty about asking for what you are worth. Another strategy is to offer quality products and services to your trusted clientele. Think of product lines that make sense for you - vitamins, herbs, natural cosmetics. Perhaps your talents lie in working as a personal trainer, in addition to massage therapy. Or maybe, to avoid burning out, your best bet is to do something different - take a part-time job at the bookstore or to try your hand at catering.

• Learn as much as you can about business, taxes and benefit options - Even if you can afford and already employ a bookkeeper, tax professional and retirement consultant, the more you know, the better your informed choices will be. What can and can't you deduct as home office expense on your income taxes? Do you need disability insurance? What kind of IRA makes sense for you? What associations offer group rates on health insurance? Learn all you can, because good business people will tell you that it is not just what you make, but what you keep.

Information is the key to controlling risks, while planning reminds you of long-term goals that cannot be accomplished overnight. Use the form below to tell us you ideas and advice.

Tuesday, December 8 at 05:30 PM:
mr6067 from michigan wrote:
" Have you checked out the DVD Massage for Life? It really helped me and alot of people I know! www.massageforlife.us.com "

Sunday, September 14 at 09:22 PM:
RedClay7 from Atlanta wrote:
"I did massage for over six years, burned out, and left the profession. I enjoyed it while I did it, but in the end just got tired of touching people and took another path. I admire those who have stayed with it for 10-20+ years. I just wasn't one of those persons. So if you're experiencing burnout, realize that it could be any number of reasons and in the end, you have to make the decision to stay or leave. Its a very personal thing. For me, those six years were incredibly educational personally, spiritually, etc. and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Best wishes to anyone entering the profession! "

Friday, August 29 at 01:43 AM:
akmassager from Juneau, Alaska wrote:
"This is about the fourth time I've burnt out in the massage field. I've been a massage therapist for ten years and in a variety of settings. The other three times I still had a passion for massage and took breaks... to travel... to heal... but this time is different... The fundamental thing is to have passion to do massage and follow up with self care practices be they receiving bodywork regularly (massage, acupuncture, yoga etc) eat well, etc. But, passion is not enough if you don't have balance in your life for other things; friends, family, hobbies. And when massage is too much, too draining, interfering with your hobbies and social life because of odd hours (evenings and weekends) after 10 years it becomes unbearable. Life is NOT massage. Then you lose your passion and you're like a robot. Maybe it's time for another break? Or another profession? I got an email from a fellow therapist the other day and she says she hates doing massage now. She's not interested in more courses...etc. How do you convince someone like that to stay in the profession? I wouldn't."

Tuesday, June 10 at 03:29 PM:
hawaiianhealer from Bear Lake Idaho wrote:
"I do 2-4 hour hawaiian massage. I have also learned that it is best for my patients and myself that I don't do more then 6 hours in a single day doing massage, plus I find that I need at least 30 minutes between each massage and after the second one I want an hour to relax, eat, drink, focus and then refocus on the last client. Taking care of my body with regular massage, stretching, eating better, working out, has kept me helping people heal for 23+ years. You need to take time for yourself with a vacation, get away from where you live, forget your a therapist for a week go see something or do something completely different for you during that week. Your mind, body, spirit and emotions need it"

Saturday, May 24 at 08:52 PM:
massagecorpjaime@aol.com from Tampa, Fl wrote:
"I've been a Massage Therapist for 11 years now and can understand where a lot of you are coming from. Physical and mental burnout are common in this field. I think it all depends on the Therapist and their technique as well as the type of clients they're working on. I find that as a Christian, I have to pray a lot before going into a full day of massage. This I feel helps me protect myself from negative energy coming from people. The other would be a very strict workout program and enough sleep with organic food. I have to be very strict myself in taking care of my physical and emotional well being. I run a Corporate Massage business that is always working on-site in different offices everyday. I see many different types of people and work always a 7 to 8 hour day back to back. It can be very hard on the body, but I do know that my regimens of good food and exercise have kept me in good shape. This type of career isn't for everyone and I believe a true massage therapist will take precautions and know their limits. I don't see how some people who are in terrible shape can even perform this job. You have to be an athlete and train for this as you would a race. It's all about balance. There are many people that I've seen that don't belong in this field. I just think a lot of people think they're going to make loads of money per hour and don't see that you truly have to have a servant's heart in this field. So I think if you have to pay your bills and want to be good at your job, than you must look into seeing what will carry your body for the long haul and be true to yourself to know if you're in the right field. Many blessings to all you Massage Therapists out there. "

Saturday, March 1 at 09:46 AM:
Judy from Florida wrote:
" I think working in a spa can burn you out the most.Especially when you have a 2 hour massage. I have been a LMT for 6 years and have found that working in a medical setting is less stressful on the body. I have worked for both and have been comparing and I personally choose the medical setting.I have no pain at the moment. "

Sunday, March 11 at 09:41 PM:
Calvin from Ottawa Ontario wrote:
"I am 1st year Massage Therapy Student at Algonquin College. We are currently doing a project about the effects of Massage Therapy on the MT and how they cope with the stressors of everyday work life. Any information would be greatly appreciated. E-mail is kissmearseinthebackyard@hotmail.com I apologize for the email name. This website has been a very useful tool for myself and my group members in gathering information on this subject. Thank-you to all who have contributed and to everyone out there take care."

Thursday, February 1 at 08:47 PM:
alckemy from Darwin, Australia wrote:
"I have come close to burn out in my 20+ years of massage. I use techniques that give me abundant energy for work. (1) is that I use Geranium oil on my wrists (at lung 9 point) every Friday evening to take the weight off all client off me, (2) weight training also helps, (3) chi goom in a morning ritual to oxygenate my body and (4) I try to get massages also but I also work on my own body. With massaging techniques, I have found that is better for the therapist to slow down and to think/gauge how long it is going to take to relax a muscle or group of muscles. Sometimes it can 10 minutes and other times it can take up to 6 treatments. With the latter, I will systemically breakdown an area till it is freed up, using points that free up say a shoulder or a hip, or pelvis or neck. I first work and then move around to other areas that releasing. Burnout is avoidable if smart and pragmatic, be caring and a little distant, and always leave something for yourself at the end of the day."

Saturday, June 17 at 06:05 PM:
www.thebodyworker.com from Seattle, WA wrote:
" Burn out in the massage profession is much more than using correct body mechanics, learning about business skills or getting a weekly massage. If you are doing too much with your body you are doing massage wrong and possibly trying to hard. Most burnout - even physical injuries are a result of not having a clear idea about what it is that you do as a massage therapist and not having a clear idea of what brought you to this profession. What brings most is the need to help and make others feel better. It is this same need that actually adds to burnout or even causes it. The need to help has a shadow side to it - that little feeling that many are not wanting to talk about. We help thinking it will make us better people and fill our need to feel good about ourselves. When we try to get this need met through our practices, it doesn't work and the therapist will most likely experience burnout. The reason I think this is because it has happened to me and my writing and researching burnout and peer supervision groups is a result of 17 years in practice as a massage therapist. www.thebodyworker.com www.massagepracticebuilder.com www.peersupervision.com "

Wednesday, November 30 at 10:10 PM:
Monica from Ontario, Canada wrote:
" Hi! Wow! I wish I had read this many years ago when I burnt out (Physically and Emotionally) from practicing massage full-time. After a three years of a break thinking that I was in the wrong profession I returned. I actually was in a profession that I did love, however, the effects of burn out clouded that. Things are going well this time. I realize that despite my improved self-care habits that it is best for me to practice on a part-time basis fromnow on. I'mso glad to have discovered this website and look forward to reading more. Thanks! Monica "

Sunday, October 31 at 04:38 AM:
Touchingpalms@aol.com from Florida wrote:
" I own a School and I find this site very helpful. I use some of your Examples as topics in the discussion part of my class. Thank you for being there. Theresa"

Saturday, April 10 at 11:06 AM:
Harsa Kumar Satapathy from orisssa, India wrote:
"Dear Sir Greetings from the Temple City: Bhubaneswar, India. Let me introduce myself. I am Harsa Kumar Satapathy residing in Bhubaneswar. I am a Tantricist practicing since last seventeen years. I am a tantric ritualist and my practices belong to the tantric traditions of the eastern parts of India. I am a Tantric healer. My healing area combines different methodologies, teletherapautic application, self healing and mass healing. I am an mechanical engineer and self-employed. On my capacity as an expert in the above subjects, I had been recently invited to attend and speak at a number of seminars and symposia organised by some of the most renowned institutions like Bildungshaus ST. Virgil, Salzburg & Bildungshaus St.Arbogast A-6840 Gotzis in Austria and Germany . On some occasions I had also demonstrated the techniques associated with the topics on which I spoke. I am also conducting short term Yoga-Tantric Training Workshops in India. I have come across your institution’s website and found its activities appealing to me. Can I have a more detailed information about the courses your institution is conducting and if the institution has any kind of research or fellowship programme. I have certain topics in my mind on which I want to carry out intensive research and document the findings. I shall send you the details about these after I receive a favourable reply from you. Looking forward to your valued response I remain, With best regards Harsa Kumar Satapathy Plot No-1298/2918,At/Kapilaprasad. Po-Sundarapada, Bhubaneswar. Orissa,India. E-mail: harsasatapathy@yahoo.co.uk "

Tuesday, April 6 at 10:39 AM:
Harsa Kumar Satapathy from India wrote:
" Dear Sir Greetings from the Temple City: Bhubaneswar, India. Let me introduce myself. I am Harsa Kumar Satapathy residing in Bhubaneswar. I am a Tantricist practicing since last seventeen years. I am a tantric ritualist and my practices belong to the tantric traditions of the eastern parts of India. I am a Tantric healer. My healing area combines different methodologies, teletherapautic application, self healing and mass healing. I am an mechanical engineer and self-employed. On my capacity as an expert in the above subjects, I had been recently invited to attend and speak at a number of seminars and symposia organised by some of the most renowned institutions like Bildungshaus ST. Virgil, Salzburg & Bildungshaus St.Arbogast A-6840 Gotzis in Austria and Germany . On some occasions I had also demonstrated the techniques associated with the topics on which I spoke. I am also conducting short term Yoga-Tantric Training Workshops in India. I have come across your institution’s website and found its activities appealing to me. Can I have a more detailed information about the courses your institution is conducting and if the institution has any kind of research or fellowship programme. I have certain topics in my mind on which I want to carry out intensive research and document the findings. I shall send you the details about these after I receive a favourable reply from you. Looking forward to your valued response I remain, With best regards Harsa Kumar Satapathy Plot No-1298/2918,At/Kapilaprasad. Po-Sundarapada, Bhubaneswar. Orissa,India. E-mail: harsasatapathy@yahoo.co.uk "

Sunday, January 18 at 11:11 PM:
Josiehands from Rancho Palos Verdes, CA wrote:
"I began in the healing arts field in 1995 as a massage technician. Since then, I have studied Reiki and Bach flower essences, which I incorporate into my practice. My dream is to transition into doing more Reiki/flower essences, and most recently, am learning Somatic Respiratory Integration (SRI). The best way I know to deal with burnout is (1) GET REGULAR MASSAGE or some type of bodywork; (2) Soak in an EPSOM SALT and SEA SALT bath every night to clear the energy I've picked up from my clients; (3) take Bach Flower Remedy WALNUT to keep my field clear; and SAGE the treatment room between each client to clear the energy; (4) LONG WALKS IN NATURE regularly."

Saturday, December 27 at 02:33 AM:
glispa from australia wrote:
" A few good ways to deal with protecting and clearing your energies are as follows , you can use the bach flower remedy WALNUT, it protects you from outside influences, by smuding yourself and room after each client, which is lighting dried herbs, sage is wonderful, and literaly smoking the room and your aura over each wall, corner and table, askin g for protection before you client comes is a must as well as after asking spirit to clear your physical AND spritual bodies, visualising anything your mind allows you to visualise to clear your bodies, prayer, chants work well and above all , you must cut cords with your clients, after each treatment, hope this helps and if you need any more i can be reached at glispa@yahoo.com ... cheers "

Saturday, October 4 at 04:07 PM:
RToler6575@aol.com from Baton Rouge, LA wrote:
" I really enjoyed reading about your article on burn out. I am an art therapist and this information does indeeed apply to our profession as well. Thanks for providing this service. Robin Toler, ATR-BC"

Monday, May 5 at 06:03 PM:
Caryn from Port Macquarie Australia wrote:
"My partner and I are in a Massage Practice together. We finished up putting our rates up. We lost a few clients, however we have gained some new ones too. We find when people come from a major city (we are in a regional area) that they say how cheap we are. We have reduced the number of clients we see per day to save our hands and have learned Hawaiian Lomi Lomi techniques which we have integrated into our Remedial work. This style of massage relieves the constant pressure on hands and thumbs by using the forearms and elbows and we also use warm rocks - another Hawaiian technique that helps us save our hands. "

Sunday, February 23 at 06:29 AM:
walesong1@aol.com from Louisville Kentucky wrote:
"I have been a massage therapist for 3 years. I worked in a business doing 3-4 90 minute massages per day. I was exhausted physically and mentally. I started an in-home business with an average of 7-12 massages per week. Most were repeat clients. I loved it for the first 2 years however, found myself again, physically and emotionaly exhausted and no enery for self and for family. Unable to sleep was also a big problem. I am currently taking a respit and seeing a DO who says I am expending too much of myself and my clients are walking away with my energy. I really dont want to quit but may have to. Do you have any suggestions? Is it Burn out? Kim in Louisville "

Monday, December 16 at 04:27 PM:
pfields893@aol.com from Louisville KY wrote:
" If someone is very sensitive and knows this , their best bet is not to go into massage! I had a wellness center and taught massage therapy and before I knew it, I became completely disabled , because of my own doings! People don't realize that you can actually "take on" others energy and if you don't know how to clear yourself of it, you can become very ill and die.....as I did. I'm not trying to scare you off, however, one needs to become extremely aware of how energy affects us. Some are not as "Connected" and just want to help folks...that's all good, however, you are literally olaying with your life. I believe that an ebnergy class should be mandatory of rall students wanting to engage in their new adventure of helping others to heal.Take care,P"

Tuesday, July 23 at 08:05 PM:
Shancoco123 from Atlanta wrote:
" GET A MASSAGE!"

Thursday, June 20 at 07:55 PM:
BbarbieK from Las Vegas,Nevada wrote:
" I've been a Physical Therapy Tech for 24 years this year and,when I took my first Massage course,it was 12 years ago in another state,because there weren't any Massage schools here in Las Vegas.I took a 100 hour intensive(10 hrs.per day for 10 days straight) and got a tecnique learned so that,12 years ago,I could take a 6 hr.exam that entitled,if passed,to apply for a massage liscence to practice here in the State. Things have changed,there are now over 6 schools and everyone wants to become a massage therapist,and is becoming a big occupation.Only,I am on my 4th burnout with my job,but,all things considered,I love my massage therapy/tech job at the same time,as I am grateful I have jobs at this point in time.What I am learning now,after all these years in the work force,is taking the time to GET A MASSAGE AS OFTEN AS I CAN,because we give them more than get them as a rule.Take the time to do the things you want to do to destress yourself. It's hard to do sometimes,but,if you aren't good to yourself,you can't be good for your clients. "

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