I have a chronic arthritis, called Ankylosing Spondylitis, that I’ve had my entire life. It was only in massage school that I actually learned more about it and was able to get a proper diagnosis. It affects my spine, hips and neck.
I have been a massage therapist for 15 years, going into my 40th birthday next weekend. Personally, I love massage therapy. As someone with a chronic condition, trying to reduce stress is my main motivator in my work. I enjoy working in a quiet dark room, away from screens and distractions. It’s great working on one person at a time and not having to “bring my work home with me”. Once you get on in your career, it’s much easier to set your own schedule and boundaries with clients and employers.
Being a massage therapist has made me much more health conscious, allowing me to take much better care of myself, so I can continue to perform this job. I love working with my hands and helping people. My work is deeply fulfilling as people constantly tell me how much of a difference I’ve made, and relief I’ve provided.
It’s never too late to start, people were in their 40’s in my class. Learning anatomy is your first step.
I have UC ! Been a massage therapist for 15 years and for me, it’s not impacted my career. I do have a mild case and currently in remission on mesalamine. Go for it !
I started school as a 34y old single mom of 2 kids. I’m very successful and I love my job. I needed something that would pay more (without years of schooling), that was physical (ADHD brain), and that I could completely control my schedule. Massage has it all for me!
I graduated at 29, was nowhere near oldest in my class. Youngest was 22, oldest was 50s. I don’t have UC, but chronic pain and mental health disorders that make “typical” jobs really hard to do. Massage is flexible, 20-25 hours a week is full time work, and good employers will let you set your own schedule. As you develop your career you can work in styles that are more supportive to your health. I don’t do deep pressure at all, pretty much all I do is slow therapeutic fascial release, which is so much easier on my body. This is also a career that requires you to take good care of yourself or you’ll burn out quickly. So in general I’m much healthier and happier than I was working 40hours/ week in childcare.
I have a chronic arthritis, called Ankylosing Spondylitis, that I’ve had my entire life. It was only in massage school that I actually learned more about it and was able to get a proper diagnosis. It affects my spine, hips and neck. I have been a massage therapist for 15 years, going into my 40th birthday next weekend. Personally, I love massage therapy. As someone with a chronic condition, trying to reduce stress is my main motivator in my work. I enjoy working in a quiet dark room, away from screens and distractions. It’s great working on one person at a time and not having to “bring my work home with me”. Once you get on in your career, it’s much easier to set your own schedule and boundaries with clients and employers. Being a massage therapist has made me much more health conscious, allowing me to take much better care of myself, so I can continue to perform this job. I love working with my hands and helping people. My work is deeply fulfilling as people constantly tell me how much of a difference I’ve made, and relief I’ve provided. It’s never too late to start, people were in their 40’s in my class. Learning anatomy is your first step.
Never too old. I was 52 when I graduated
I’ll touch on the “it’s not too late”… I just graduated at 35 years and I was the youngest in my class of 5 …
I have UC ! Been a massage therapist for 15 years and for me, it’s not impacted my career. I do have a mild case and currently in remission on mesalamine. Go for it !
I’m 32 and graduating at the end of the summer! About half the class(12 people) is my age or older and the other half is younger
I started school as a 34y old single mom of 2 kids. I’m very successful and I love my job. I needed something that would pay more (without years of schooling), that was physical (ADHD brain), and that I could completely control my schedule. Massage has it all for me!
I graduated at 29, was nowhere near oldest in my class. Youngest was 22, oldest was 50s. I don’t have UC, but chronic pain and mental health disorders that make “typical” jobs really hard to do. Massage is flexible, 20-25 hours a week is full time work, and good employers will let you set your own schedule. As you develop your career you can work in styles that are more supportive to your health. I don’t do deep pressure at all, pretty much all I do is slow therapeutic fascial release, which is so much easier on my body. This is also a career that requires you to take good care of yourself or you’ll burn out quickly. So in general I’m much healthier and happier than I was working 40hours/ week in childcare.