The Less Glamourous Side of Massage Therapy

There is nothing glamorous about being a massage therapist when seasonal allergies decide to make an appearance in the middle of a treatment. When your nose starts running uncontrollably, with no tissue box within reach, maintaining a professional demeanor becomes an unexpected challenge.

I spent much of the session hoping my client would keep their eyes closed long enough for me to make a discreet trip across the room to grab a tissue. By the end of the day, I couldn't get out of work fast enough!

Hopefully, we will get some rain soon to clear the dust and allergens out of the air. Until then, massage therapists everywhere can only hope their allergies cooperate as well as their clients do.

Respect Goes Both Ways: The Reality of Being a Massage Therapist

To the client who was disrespectful to both me and the receptionist, this is a reminder that professionalism and courtesy should go both ways.

I understand that many people are trying to be more mindful of their spending these days. However, seeking a discounted service does not entitle anyone to treat the professionals providing that service with disrespect. I am a licensed massage therapist with 15 years of experience, not a personal servant. I have bills to pay, a family of five to support, and responsibilities that extend far beyond the treatment room.

What makes these encounters particularly frustrating is the disparity between how much people assume about service professionals and the realities of our lives. I work hard for everything I have, and much of what I own comes with financial obligations. Financial success and property ownership may be milestones I hope to achieve someday, but I have no illusions that my work is effortless or that my time has no value.

Just yesterday, I was dealing with a migraine that had persisted for two days. Despite feeling unwell, I showed up for work and did my best to fulfill my professional responsibilities. Instead, I found myself dealing with unnecessary frustration over a discounted Groupon appointment because the required voucher had not been printed. The situation wasted valuable time and prevented a walk-in client from receiving a service during that appointment slot.

A discounted massage is still a professional service that requires training, experience, physical effort, and time. The price of a promotion does not diminish the value of the therapist's expertise, nor does it excuse discourteous behavior toward the staff.

I am proud of the work I do, and I believe every client deserves professional care. In return, I expect the same basic courtesy and respect that I extend to others.

Ultimately, not every client is the right fit, and that is perfectly fine. Sometimes, the best outcome is recognizing that a transaction is not going to work out and moving on. In this case, I was relieved when the encounter ended, and I could return my attention to the clients who value the work I do.

Respect is not an optional add-on to a discounted service. It should be part of every professional interaction.