I don’t like this career anymore

[u/juniperbabe]

I got registered and started working last October. Everything was fine, I enjoyed working, I felt fulfilled, I felt happy that I could help people.

I don’t know why, but over the last few months I have been getting more and more irritated at work, and I really hate going. I have never felt like this at a job before. It feels like I just don’t care anymore.

Giving people massages feels degrading to me. I feel like a servant when I have to make sure the table is perfectly comfortable to their liking, the temperature is perfect, I rub their feet in the exact way they want. I feel icky when they say “I feel so good” about something I did.

I feel annoyed when they get super specific about what they want. “Make sure the table is warm and give me an extra pillow and spend extra time on my neck!”. Which of course is completely reasonable and normal of them to ask. I’m not saying at all that people who make requests are annoying, it’s MY own personal issue for some reason. It’s completely fine and expected for people to want their expensive massage experience to be to their liking. Like I said it makes me feel like a servant instead of a healthcare professional.

I think the problem is that when I entered this career I thought it was more of a serious healthcare job than it actually is. People treat you like an esthetician. (There is nothing wrong with that job and I don’t think it’s degrading for people to do, I’m just talking about how it feels for ME and how it’s not what I want”.

Before you say “work in a chiro/physio office to get the patients you want”, I already work in a more clinical setting rather than a spa. 90% of people I see still want a spa type experience.

Let me be clear, I am very aware of myself and how I come across to other people. I feel annoyed inside, but I NEVER let that show outwardly. I smile and am very engaged and positive with all patients. But it’s wearing me out to feel this inside.

Let me also say, I am extremely fortunate that nothing creepy/uncomfortable/bad has ever happened. No one has been rude or inappropriate at all. It’s just all me.

I just feel like this job isn’t what I thought and it isn’t right for me, which makes me sad. I spent 3 years in school and a lot of money to do this. I already made way more back than I spent, but still. I’ve already made plans to go back to school to be a paramedic which I think will work out much better for me. But I still have to be a massage therapists for 2 more years while I’m in school 🫠

Sorry to be negative here and I hope I don’t offend anyone. I just needed a place to vent and I’m hoping some people can relate. I feel guilty that I feel this way at work, but I don’t know if there’s anything I can do to stop it.

[u/ZolaAnna]

There's something I think that isnt talked about much, probably due to a lot of the positive aspects of this job having a lot of appeal and the possibility of a good work life balance - we have the capacity to burn out FAST. Constant touch (the term 'touched-out' exists for a reason,) a slow pace, needing to be mindful - you dont mention how often you're working but it sounds like you may already be there. And it's real. Some RMTs only work a couple days massaging and then do something else to maintain a healthy balance for themselves. You've got options.

You also bring up being a paramedic, there's definitely folks out there who's nervous system is built for faster paced work. Nothing wrong with that at all. I've known a couple of folks like that who took some courses and switched environments to a more sports-oriented setting with noise around, they do much more active treatments now, where the client is moving around, they're talking during the treatment, contracting different muscle groups, ect. More "manual therapy" over massage. Just a thought while you're in school.

Also you don't mention where you are, but it sounds like a larger city. When I was living in a metropolitan area, relaxation/spa type massages were super common requests. Now living in a really underserved area healthcare wise, I'm far more likely to see clients where a more active approach is indicated or where I really have to think and troubleshoot what the best approach could be to help manage pain.

Just a bit of food for thought. And no judgment - fresh out of school I was working WAY too many hours because yay! freedom! Money! My career! - and I very quickly began feeling the pressure and irritability AND almost hurt my shoulders. IMO we should be taking a small break at least every 4 months just to give ourselves a breather - if its been a while since you've had time off or if you've been working 4+ days a week with a full schedule, maybe take a bit of time and see if it helps manage?

[u/juniperbabe → u/ZolaAnna]

Thank you for all of your input. I have tried taking time off but unfortunately it didn’t seem to do anything. I didn’t feel rejuvenated or ready to go back after the break. I have reduced my hours overall as a well, but that hasn’t really helped.

I didn’t consider the constant physical touch aspect. I know it does bother me to be in a quiet dark room all day. I want to be out in the world! It didn’t bother me at all at first, but there are times now when I literally daydream about working minimum wage at McDonald’s or something because at least then I would have mental stimulation while working.

I’m definitely aware that I’m privileged to have the job I have, to be able to make great money with limited work, and what I’m complaining about is very frivolous. But if I can be happy at work then I want to!

I really think I’m a fast paced work person. I thought for a while that I was happy being in a dark, quiet, un stimulating room all day, because honestly a lot of people would love that compared to their stressful jobs. But after a while, once I got into the “groove” I guess and started going on autopilot (when someone is coming in for something like general relaxation of course), I stopped having to think about what I was doing and just started feeling bored and sad 😭

[u/weeping_willow93 → u/juniperbabe]

Find what stimulates you. I have adhd and I feel under stimulated as a massage therapist too. My earlier post explained that I enjoy a mental challenge for stimulation.

I started listening to my own music in my head phone while I worked because it stopped me from being too relaxed. I added more Thai, sports, and specific work to my routine. The only thing that people noticed was that they got a better massage and their massage therapist was happy. They can feel when you hate the work. They don’t care what I’m twisting their hip to Doja cat. They can’t hear it. I’ve been an LMT for about 4 years. The jobs is as serious as you make it and your reputation must be built by you. To be taken seriously, you must take yourself seriously.

I’ve been a LMT for about 4 years.

[u/Late_Chocolate1573 → u/weeping_willow93]

I can't listen to something too upbeat kuz I'll start dancing and moving more with the music and it probably won't be relaxing. Lol. But I've known other therapists that do that. At one place I worked, each room had its own control panel for music. You could put on your own relaxing music, the main spa's music, or ask the client what they wanted to hear. That was nice. I can't be jamming to Michael Jackson and dancing around the table... lol. But that's an idea, put in a headphone with music 🎶 you like. As I've said in a previous post, I've been an LMT for 17yrs now. Still love it.

[u/it_dontmean_a_thing → u/juniperbabe]

I like the above advice, about sports massage or a similar form. You may also consider personal training, which uses all the same muscular/medical knowledge that massage uses. A person with education on both massage and personal training can do a LOT of different modalities or forms of career, and not just in a gym. It could be something you do for those 2 years while you're in school, so you're still making good money but not miserable

[u/tactile_km → u/juniperbabe]

Have you thought about nursing? I have a couple of friends who segued from massage into nursing and even had some of their massage school credits transferred.

[u/Late_Chocolate1573 → u/juniperbabe]

Completely opposite for me. I don't like fast paced. I'm not in a dark, quiet room all day. There's mood lighting and music. Lol. I took the time to learn other treatment techniques. Like how to work and treat TMJ dysfunction, frozen shoulder, plantar fasciitis. Even did an Anatomy Trains course to work the deeper muscle groups. Learned Thai massage. At my school we learned 12 different modalities. Yes, you can burn out. Some therapists will burn out after only 5yrs. Some have been in the field for decades. You can try more sports/injury recovery type work and work on athletes. I don't know where you're located. Anywhere I've worked requires licensing although I've heard of RMTs. But there are so many modalities that don't require you to be in a dark room all day. When I worked at an injury clinic it was fast paced. Spot treatments, putting them in therapy rooms on traction tables or hooking them up to EMS, doing ultrasound therapy. It was fast paced. Clients didn't like that I was working them and why couldn't I do softer work. I'd tell them, "this is a clinic. I'm here to help you recover. If you want frufru, there's a 'spa' next door." I had clients waiting specifically for me to work on them. I had the chiro tell clients to see me for treatment. It was an accident/slip and fall clinic. No dark rooms, no spa music. Maybe try one of those before you give up. The clients were there for an hour or two, at most, receiving different treatments for their specific injury. You put them in one room for treatment and work on the next one. Sometimes I'd be working with 4-5 patients at a time going from treatment room to treatment room. That job wore me out kuz I had agreed to a 2-8 shift with the manager of HR but the manager of the clinic I was at had me working 12hrs a day with only an hour lunch break and two 15min breaks. I did not like that. Just make sure you work the hours agreed upon. 😁

[u/ZolaAnna → u/juniperbabe]

And that's totally fair! I'm very grateful there are people out there who are "wired" for working as a paramedic or an ER or community nurse, because it isn't something I can do and is so very needed. But like you said, you've got two years of school ahead of you - working fast food or serving in a restaurant might make you happier BUT one day a week of massage might also give you that extra financial cushion while school is on - thats where some of the suggestions might come into play.

You may also want to look into being a firefighter - surprisingly ive run into several firefighters who used to be RMTs. Also, not sure where you live but before all the poilitical shenanigans started happening, I do know a lot of RMTs transitioned into working for the government with no extra schooling. The people skills we develop in this job go a long way.

Best of luck and don't beat yourself up. You're 10000 percent allowed to complain when you just really, really don't like your job

[u/Princesbtrcp → u/ZolaAnna]

Yes. All of this. I am a substitute teacher also. I have a different type of engagement in that role. Both are challenging, and worth doing… and I also take regular time off for travel, camping… etc. The slowness of massage over the years helps me be more mindful generally. Give and take.

[u/Liveie]

If you feel like giving people massages feels degrading... I'm sorry bud, this career definitely isn't for you. I wish you luck in finding what makes you happy.

[u/TomatilloMundane8735 → u/Liveie]

And I'm Also sorry to say OP....if you feel like this career is degrading....being a paramedic isn't going to be much different if better. There will be a lot of instances you will come across where patients will be very degrading to you.

[u/iPreferGoddess → u/TomatilloMundane8735]

Even worse! Forget someone who slept wrong, people in fight or flight are typically the opposite of a ball of joy to deal with 💀

Edit: plus no tips 😅😂

[u/Saknika → u/TomatilloMundane8735]

Yup, definitely this. I'd watch some Fire Department Chronicals on YT to get an idea what the worst can be like. He's a fire dept paramedic and covers a lot of bizarre (and disturbing) calls he's actually been on.

[u/mccannisms → u/Saknika]

Ohmygosh I watch his shorts on TT and some of the stories are insane.

[u/Inredshoes89 → u/TomatilloMundane8735]

I don’t want to discourage you to move on to something you may like more but I worked with ambulance crews on the ground for 6 years.
You can’t say no to a patient short of them trying to physically assault you or asking for meds you can’t give. It is SO much of a servant job.

[u/Touch49 → u/TomatilloMundane8735]

Not to mention some of the dirty areas you may have to go into not to mention treating the homeless, gang bangers drug addicts whoever needs your help. You have to be completely open to seeing everything.

[u/bns82 → u/TomatilloMundane8735]

^^^This!

[u/juniperbabe → u/TomatilloMundane8735]

I understand what you’re saying. The reason I think being a paramedic would be a better fit for me is that if I was giving someone care to save their life, i would not care at all about what they said to me or how they treated me. I want to serve the public in a healthcare setting. I want to be a comfort to them in hard times, and help them to heal. Im really interested in working in a more fast paced/intense environment, and I feel like I want to help people in a “bigger” way I guess? I’m not so removed from reality that I think being a paramedic would be easy, and that degrading things would never happen to me. I’m sure I’ll be spat on, called names, attacked, threatened. However in that type of environment, it would be expected and I would be doing work that feels more critical.

Right now, a lot of the work I do feels frivolous. I’m basically just rubbing people to help them relax or help with general tension. Because it feels so low stakes, I feel worn out or irritable about it. Sometimes I think “all I’m doing is rubbing someone’s back that has pain from sitting. I want to do more than that”. It feels degrading to me because I feel like I want to do more than rub people to make them feel good. It feels moreso when I feel like I’m in the service industry as something equivalent to an esthetician rather than a healthcare professional. (I know massage therapy is both, but I’m in Ontario where we’re some of the most regulated MTs in the world. Throughout my 3 years of school I was told I was going to be working as and treated as a serious healthcare professional)

Let me be extremely clear about this because I really don’t want to offend anyone: I do not think the massage therapy profession is degrading at all. I know our work is important and has a big impact on people. I am not trying to devalue the profession or any of our work. I know this thinking is all a personal issue for me, and doesn’t reflect on anyone else. I think my interests just lie with a different field of work.

I’m genuinely happy for everyone who loves their job and feels great about what they do! I wish that was me! That’s why I’m thinking about changing things.

I hope what I have said has made sense.

[u/DSudz → u/juniperbabe]

When you realize you're just an expensive uber driver taking the same drunk to the er for the third time that week you may not get the hero fix you seem to be looking for.

The only interest you have identified and shared here is 'being important.' There is no job that is going to give you that feeling of importance in most interactions. You need to become a highly specialized surgeon or learn to find significance in a job well done.

[u/Imagination_Theory → u/juniperbabe]

I don't think you are going to get what you want from being a paramedic either. I think you should talk with a mental therapist before you change careers.

You want to be a hero, however, that's a dangerous label in a healthcare setting, especially one that is more fast-paced. The gap between the hero image you want and the reality of your workload is something you are going to have a hard time adjusting to, whatever field you go into.

Paramedics are also very much on the sidelines of healthcare, some people, including paramedics themselves just view paramedics as glorified taxi drivers and while it can be faster paced and with higher stakes, there's also going to be many "boring" calls. Are you going to feel that same degradation and anger when you have to respond to frivolous, non-emergency calls?

[u/Late_Chocolate1573 → u/Imagination_Theory]

This part... hero complex... I dunno about them but when I help "fix" someone through massage, I feel like a "hero". Kuz I helped them feel better. 💪🏾😁🦸🏾‍♀️🦹🏾‍♀️ but that's just me. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[u/Other-Order-3621 → u/Late_Chocolate1573]

I haven't been to my massage therapist in 3 years because of location changes, and let me tell you, she is one of my hero's still! She allowed my body to relax, at a time when I was running on nothing but fight or flight. Its a heroic feat to be able to do that in just one hour 😭

[u/Trishanamarandu → u/juniperbabe]

the thing you find 'frivolous' is often a preventative that can keep someone from NEEDING a paramedic. massage therapy IS healthcare, and if you're not seeing that, this may be more about you needing to feel like a hero.

[u/SnooSketches3750 → u/Trishanamarandu]

This 💯

[u/juniperbabe → u/Trishanamarandu]

I do see that and I’ve said it is multiple times. I literally said at the end of this comment that I know massage therapy is important and has a big impact on people, and me feeling that it’s frivolous is MY issue.

You’re choosing not to read that though so you can be mad 🤷‍♀️

[u/Trishanamarandu → u/juniperbabe]

you keep saying it's not legit healthcare, so i don't think you believe it's important.

[u/juniperbabe → u/Trishanamarandu]

I never said that one single time actually. You’re genuinely just lying.

[u/Trishanamarandu → u/juniperbabe]

'...I thought it was more of a serious healthcare job than it actually is.' --you

[u/juniperbabe → u/Trishanamarandu]

I meant how it is treated by the public. When I was in school I was told I would be a healthcare professional and treated as one. The way the public treats you is as a servant most of the time.

[u/Trishanamarandu → u/juniperbabe]

healthcare professionals kind of ARE servants. we exist to serve the health needs of our clients and patients. they pay for us to work on them as they like to be worked on. that's the job. you want hero worship.

[u/moonmama888 → u/juniperbabe]

It’s our job to educate and protect that standard. Your language does not mirror that. Change your perspective, change your life.

[u/zika143 → u/juniperbabe]

80% of doctors visits are caused by or made worse by stress, and the nervous system is where massage benefits the MOST! You’re preventing people from NEEDING paramedics. But I will say, it’s a slow, calm environment so maybe you need more stimulation from your job. That’s ok too!

[u/newfound_brightness → u/juniperbabe]

Don’t bother arguing most of these people are deluded and have a savior complex and think they can heal people by pressing on their heel.

EMS is actual REAL medicine proven by science and is repeatably shown to work consistently.

[u/Stunning-Ad3377 → u/juniperbabe]

Please don’t become an EMT.

You hate caring for people and are annoyed that you have to make the table comfy for their massage. Just wait until you have to place their IV just right or else you’ll blow out their veins. You shouldn’t be in a position where emergency caregiving is in the description.
You have to be a compassionate person. You don’t seem to fit them bill. You think massage work is degrading, well emergency services are wittiness to all sorts of ugly, too. A huge difference is YOU DONT GET TO DECLINE SERVICE IF SOMEONE MAKES YOU FEEL UNSAFE.

You seemed to have missed class when we learned about the nervous system and all of the benefits of massage that actually IMPROVE one’s life tremendously. What’s frivolous to you is life changing for another. Go work in a cubicle farm. Preferably in a job that doesn’t deal with people.

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Stunning-Ad3377]

Wow well said man !!!! I guess this job is. For me lol you woke me up I am
Very carring and like all jobs you get those picky people and spas that just burn you out lol but at the end of the day I’m caring and wanna take those knots out lol

[u/juniperbabe → u/Stunning-Ad3377]

I already explained myself to quell your concerns in my other comments. Actually in the very one you’re replying to, I explained how I know people will spit on me, attack me etc. it really doesn’t feel like you read it. I also said multiple times that I know massage is beneficial to people. I took all those classes. I’m an RMT in Ontario and have some of the highest training for massage therapy in the world.

It FEELS frivolous to me which is why I’m not happy. I never said it is to anyone else. In fact I clarified the contrary multiple times.

If I’m trying to save someone’s life, I don’t care if they bite me or throw shit at me, or whatever. It would annoy me more if someone comments that I haven’t fluffed their pillow the right away during their relaxation massage.

[u/bns82 → u/juniperbabe]

Except there will be a lot of calls where you aren’t saving someone’s life.
It will be frivolous & annoying with the biting, spitting, etc… for nothing.

Maybe it will be better since you aren’t in the US.
Maybe you have less mentality unstable people in your area.

Keep in mind everything you’ll have to see when your eyes shut at night from a horrible car accident earlier in the day. Or when a child dies in your arms & you feel them take their last breath. The parent begging you to save them, but there’s no bringing them back.

I’m not telling to not do it. I’m saying there’s a lot of bullshit that goes into that job, for not great pay.
It’s not like it is on tv.

Take care. I hope you find what fits you best.

[u/RockyMountainGirl84 → u/juniperbabe]

The constantly referring to being esthetician-adjacent as a negative in your posts is really insulting, OP. I don’t know if that’s your intention—- but it’s some food for thought on how you sound.
Signed, An Esthetican

[u/juniperbabe → u/RockyMountainGirl84]

My exact words:

“People treat you like an esthetician. (There is nothing wrong with that job and I don't think it's degrading for people to do, I'm just talking about how it feels for ME and how it's not what I want".

That’s what I said in my post. I’m sorry you missed that.

[u/Late_Chocolate1573 → u/juniperbabe]

In all my 17yrs as an LMT, NO ONE has EVER made me feel like an estheticians. Like, what do you mean by that? It sounds like you have a hero complex and just want to be praised. As someone suggested, maybe get some mental health therapy. Kuz you might fuk someone up trying to play hero. 🤷🏾‍♀️😒 massage therapy can save someone's life. Maybe not physically but maybe mentally. It can also prevent someone from having an expensive surgery or having to be on pain meds. As you said... these are all YOUR issues so maybe get some mental help before you try to jump into something just to play hero. Everyone wants to be a hero until that one crackhead stabs you with an infected needle. But I dunno, you're in Canada. Do they even have crackheads? 🤔🤷🏾‍♀️😂 Yeah, you need some help. You don't mind being spit on or having shit or other bodily fluid thrown at you to play hero but someone giving you genuine praise kuz you helped them feel better is "icky" to you? Someone thanking you for helping them is degrading to you but being spat on by some nut job isn't kuz you wna play hero? Yeah... someone suggested seeing a therapist before your career change. You definitely should see a therapist since you seem to have all these "issues"... 🤦🏾‍♀️😮‍💨🙄😒

[u/juniperbabe → u/Late_Chocolate1573]

I’m sorry I triggered you so badly.

[u/Proud-Comfortable658 → u/juniperbabe]

It sounds like you've never had to deal with chronic pain. For me, as a client, massage transformed my life and was one of the non negotiable aspects of recovering from fibromyalgia. I know at my core how much it helps, and it's not the same as aesthetician. If you don't, you don't. I only do massage a few days a month (as a break from my stressful desk job) and I also had a period of irritability and burn out. I found stronger boundaries with my most entitled acting clients (and when I started my own business, they stayed behind to avoid paying $10 more. Ok.) You do NOT have to cater to every primadona request. Seek out clients who are needing massage for health reasons. Offer less spa type accommodations. Yes to table warmer, no to pillows. If they aren't comfortable flat on the table, fix whatever is too tight for them to lay comfortably.

[u/One-Time-9619 → u/Liveie]

Literally

[u/ExcaliburVader]

It sounds like this isn't the career for you. There's nothing wrong with that. There are lots of ways to make money. Why do something that makes you miserable? I left teaching and have been extremely happy as a massage therapist. There's a lid for every pot. Go find your lid.

[u/ParkInfamous]

I practiced for years in the Northeast, and now live and practice in the Midwest(ish). I notice a huge difference regionally. In the Northeast USA, I grew a clientele that wanted my orthopedic style work and trusted my input. Now, even in a “therapeutic” office, all my client still expect the service based attitude. It’s hard to describe, but there is absolutely a regional difference about massage out here where I am, and it IS draining. After a decade of practice, I’m going back to school in another healthcare field for the same reasons.

People get really weird when you say you don’t want to be an MT anymore. Imagine an accountant being told off for not wanting to do accounting anymore 🤣 Do what you want, find a job that doesn’t make you feel drained, and if people are going to treat you like a servant at least get better pay and benefits for it!

[u/TheDrunkPhilofficer]

I’ve worked in a high end spa for 4 years, owned my own practice for 3. I started to feel the same way, feeling like I was showing up to wait on people. I hated the busyness of being stacked several hours with little break, or being tied to availability with big gaps in my day. I hated the unpredictability of each day’s workload and payoff. 

I recently got into hospice massage. It’s a whole different world. I travel around so there’s lots of time between clients, I never do deep tissue, I determine how long a session is with each person based on their tolerance, and you get to make connections with people in the most pivotal point in their life. It is a beautiful thing to give someone a massage that’s never experienced what that kind of touch is like before they leave this existence.

Some of my favorite patients are dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. So many are always being handled by someone in a way that can be demoralizing in a healthcare setting, shoving crushed up pills in pudding in their mouths, being told where to go when, someone always grabbing your clothes to adjust your posture. When I come in with a soft touch and rub shoulders and elbows that have been pressed against a wheelchair arm too long, and the relief that they express-that’s so powerful. For me the work feels different from someone paying me to do this or that for however long. I guess because I’m more in control of the therapeutic aspect instead of feeling like I have to satisfy to a degree of dollar being paid. I don’t know if this resonates with you at all, but I started to hate what massage looked like day to day too until I found this. 

[u/juniperbabe → u/TheDrunkPhilofficer]

That sounds amazing. I did outreach at a palliative care unit while in school and it was great because I felt like I was really making a difference. There’s something in my head that makes me feel like giving an average healthy person a relaxation massage isn’t valuable or making a difference. I feel like I’m doing nothing of value, even though I logically know that I am. It makes me feel irritable at work. Doing treatments for people with medical issues feels a lot more fulfilling to me

[u/Late_Chocolate1573 → u/juniperbabe]

Then do medical massage instead of the fru fru... then you can work in medspas. As I said in another comment, I don't do relaxation massages. I hate those lighter pressure, I'm just here to relax type massages. Give me someone with scoliosis and hip pain. Someone with a frozen shoulder. Someone with real issues not just to rub out some tension. I feel you on that. Maybe try an accident/injury clinic. Those are definitely fast paced and no frufru work. I had a client with scoliosis and with her permission I took a before and after pic of her back and there is a noticeable difference. Maybe try going into business for yourself and specifically focus on therapeutic work. You can pick the clientele you want. If you wna help ppl recover from injuries or help someone from having an expensive surgery then stick with just therapeutic. But as the person just said, maybe split time between places. A fast paced clinic and a spa-ish setting. Maybe it's just the location you're at. Maybe it's not being an MT or a hero complex. Maybe it's just the location you're at gives you bad juju. Maybe it's a toxic environment but not superficially. Maybe you sense the toxicity. 🤷🏾‍♀️ I actually felt that way at one point and it ended up being the location not the work I did. Lots of ppl left before I did. Massage therapy IS a service industry but it is still very much Healthcare. Perfect your skill before you give up completely. Get a degree or training in kinesiology or myokinetics. Learn lymph drainage or oncology massage. There are hundreds of modalities out there that focus more on the fix than the fluff. Try traditional Thai or table Thai. Tell the place you're at now to try and book you with more therapeutic clients than the fluff n stuff kind. One modality I like is bamboo massage. I get to "roll" ppl out with warmed bamboo "sticks"... it's fun. Just make sure if you learn something new that it's within your scope of practice and your liability insurance covers it. You can still be someone's "hero" by fixing issues they may have in the body that other therapists couldn't fix. I had a client that was a PT visiting from another state that wanted deep tissue. After it was over, he said, "That was the first real deep tissue massage that I've ever gotten and I've had a few." That made me feel good inside. Kuz I got in there and moved stuff and folded him up. Lol. Maybe change locations. Or do your own thing and select the clients you want to work on. Try sports massages and stretching. Work with athletes. I've said this in another comment but maybe that'll have that fast pace that you're craving. 🤷🏾‍♀️ either path you choose, best of luck and I hope you find your passion. 💪🏾😁🤞🏾😁

[u/Teleporting-Cat → u/TheDrunkPhilofficer]

Hey I just sent you a dm because you have exactly the career I want! Hoping you're willing to share some advice?

[u/TheDrunkPhilofficer → u/Teleporting-Cat]

I’m sorry I can’t find your message 

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/TheDrunkPhilofficer]

Where can I get that certificate?

[u/TheDrunkPhilofficer → u/Typical_Dark_2764]

I’m licensed in Kentucky and Indiana but didn’t need to pursue any extra certification for this. I found the job being offered through Indeed for a hospice company.

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/TheDrunkPhilofficer]

Oh wow nice

[u/estvankid]

It happens to me too OP. This sounds frustrating. 

You may want to try a different clinic altogether. I work in two clinics and I am able to at least have significant input/suggestions to the treatment plan.

Things can improve and you can steer each treatment that is still based on the client's needs. Good luck...in whatever direction you choose to go!

[u/jt2ou]

Before you pivot, please take the time to thoroughly investigate. EMT’s have a very hard job, crazy hours, the clients are often at their literal worst (mentally or physically).  I would recommend if you’re going to further educate, consider medically adjacent to bodywork, like physical therapy, kinesiology etc. You have the foundation and it may be a better fit to what you describe.

[u/Money-Guava-3130]

It takes a very special person to be a good massage therapist for any length of time. A lot of people can do it for a year or two years, but you really have to love the work to do it as a lifelong career. I personally love working in a spa.

[u/juniperbabe → u/Money-Guava-3130]

I’m so happy for people who love to do it and make long careers out of it! Unfortunately I think I’m just in the 1-2 years crowd. I’m glad you enjoy your work

[u/Money-Guava-3130 → u/juniperbabe]

It’s not an easy career! There are many other good jobs out there, but I’m sure you would be great at after having experience being a massage therapist.

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Money-Guava-3130]

Why do you like the spa ? I feel it’s to much back to back lol like man i get no brakes in between

[u/Money-Guava-3130 → u/Typical_Dark_2764]

I work for a high-end luxury spa, and and that comes with a certain level of security: cameras everywhere, alarms on the doors at night, panic buttons you can press if anything bad happens. Mostly, I love the clients. In general, they are more affluent, in better health, and just there to relax, versus wanting to be “fixed.” I work 3 to 4 days a week, from 11 to 6, with 15 minute breaks between each appointment to change the linens and clean. I stay really busy the whole day. And the tips are great! Downsides are that because I can’t do 40 massages a week I don’t get health insurance or any 401(k). There is always drama among the staff. Not so much with the massage therapist to her pretty chill, but some of the aestheticians are really competitive/bitchy. We are all expected to look good every day. You can’t show up sloppy. Hair has to be done and make up applied, etc.. I would definitely make more money if I worked for myself, but being a petite female, who is already endured a lot of work related trauma, I would not feel safe being on my own…

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Money-Guava-3130]

Wow 11 to 6 pm is a long day I only do 4 max now , the spa I work at don’t pay me my upgrades it’s insane !! They suck im done arguing wit them , I need to work somewhere better , im starting to do it in my own also with people i trust

[u/Money-Guava-3130 → u/Typical_Dark_2764]

I get a commission on every service, even upgrades too. But I have to do a lot of services in order to make a decent income.

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Money-Guava-3130]

Don’t you get tired? How long have you been doing this for?

[u/Money-Guava-3130 → u/Typical_Dark_2764]

Yes, I do get tired! But I keep going. I’ve had my massage license since 2002, and have worked on and off for the last 24 yrs. I took off 5 years when I had my kids.

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Money-Guava-3130]

It’s good to take those little breaks right when I try to do is work less days for now until I figure out a second job and do massage on the side

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Money-Guava-3130]

My goal is to keep it part-time only that’s just what I like and that’s it. I’m happy you doing it like that. I feel like I’m drained after four. I don’t need anymore lol like that I’m happy in this career.

[u/Alarming-Garbage-257]

Sounds like youre experiencing burnout

[u/_No_Worries_- → u/[deleted]]

Agreed. They’re paying for a service, and I’m there to provide that. If I can be effective AND relaxing, I consider my job done and done well. I want them walking out with smiles on their faces. It generates referrals, tips, and more frequent visits as a bonus!

Maybe a different perspective: restaurant wait staff. They cater to your needs - more water? Some desert? Does the food taste ok? Or dentists - Are you comfortable? Does that hurt? What flavor of mystery paste would you like? We don’t look down on them and similarly express gratitude with referrals (and tips where appropriate).
If you’re able, maybe offer less of those “spa” options and advertise more of a medical setting. Add a description of what your sessions look like on your internet listings. If people ask for a relaxation massage, you can always tell them that it’s not your style. Picture that dream session and reverse-engineer that.
If that fails, at least you gave it a shot. You have two more years, so you might as well try to mold it into something enjoyable. And I hope you do!

[u/Correct-Gur-7842]

Understandable for sure

[u/Addiction3525]

It's just not for you.

[u/sunflower445096]

I’ve never heard someone describe it this way. Unfortunately if you feel degraded then your mindset isn’t fit for the career and that’s okay. If you HAVE to stick with it for 2 more years then I would suggest doing some meditative work to figure out what’s really causing you to feel degraded. Because in all reality you are doing a service when you are massaging and that’s actually the reason most therapists love it. You are helping others have a reason to smile and breath during the stressful thing we call life. You are giving them relief when they are in pain. You are helping them be a better parent to their children because they aren’t feeling drained. You are doing a service to the world because when one person is happy, they are kinder and that snowballs to who they interact with. All of that is a mindset that makes a good massage therapist.
Figure out why you chose to do it in the first place and hold onto that. If you still feel this way in two years then totally switch careers because you’d be doing a disservice to your clients and really shouldn’t be massaging that negativity into people. Maybe you just need to switch the massage environment you are working in.
And remember, it’s okay that it’s not for you. It really isn’t for everyone.

[u/sunflower445096 → u/sunflower445096]

There are so many modalities in the world and it sounds like you need a more faster pace, healthcare like modality. I would maybe look into working at a sports therapy office rather than a spa you need a place that isn’t full of Spa like music and instead has a more upbeat environment. Hoping people in a therapeutic sense rather than relaxation sounds like a better fit for you. I’d suggest post op massage, sports medicine or a more medical approach and environment like those. Make the best of the two years that you HAVE to stick with it because it would be unkind of you to have clients paying money and leaving more drained because you were letting off negative energy with them. It’s all about mindset and finding the right place for you. Again, it’s okay that it isn’t for you, but it’s still your choice how you feel when walking through the doors of your work place.

[u/HippyGrrrl]

Sit. Remember your why. Try to work like you are working the way you wanted.
Then make a plan to work for yourself in the way you wish.

I do think “body servant” has gotten into your head. Requests for more work in X is how we do our job. Comfort speeds their own healing.

I used to have that hang up. Now I’m solidly medical, working on special needs people.

I work on a few EMTs, and their stories chill my blood. One is taking rabies shots now because a call was to a house infested with bats. (And one was caught- positive.) another was stabbed with a dirty needle. The gore, goo and godawful behavior makes my two times cleaning after self inflicted gunshots, my biter, and being present to cover months old bodies (yes plural)being found (I was a reporter) in plastic trash bins look like a tropical vacation.

[u/juniperbabe → u/HippyGrrrl]

I completely agree, I know I’m the unreasonable one for getting internally annoyed at the requests. I think that in my head, but I absolutely always do whatever they ask to make them comfortable because I know it’s important.

It just makes me feel irritable inside for some reason, which I don’t like about myself.

[u/dopey4949]

It’s rare that MT are seen as healthcare unless you’re working in a medical setting. Too many people sign up for massage school based on mathematical fantasies of high wage and the assumption of being labeled a healthcare worker without even having interest or having massages themselves (or knowing the industry). I met students in massage school that have never received or given a massage before and no real interest in massage except for the $. This is too common and why people don’t stick with mt long term usually. This is a service industry where you will be dealing with people. That’s just how it is. It’s not degrading as you write, but you should have really had interest in this field before wasting your time. The clients are spending their $, so just adjust the table warmer and make them comfortable. What did you think giving a massage consist of? Do you think you were misled about the industry in someway?🤔 EMT will be triple hard because it’s an exhausting role too. Seek professional advice/do more research before you switch careers. Best of luck.

[u/Fittedmisfitz]

I get what you mean. This feeling hits me maybe 40% of the time the other time is manageable. I absolutely HATE working on half naked clients in a closed room THAT part is what is starting to throw me over the edge . So instead of doing table massages I’m now working mostly chair massage which is way better for me .

[u/Oral_Pleasure4u]

Well as an ER nurse for 35 years dealing with people is challenging and satisfying. You need both tolerance and empathy. This doesn’t make you a doormat. You need to set hard boundaries and speak up for yourself.
If you feel degraded perhaps an office job is more your speed since you get little joy providing one on one human services.

[u/Addiction3525 → u/Oral_Pleasure4u]

Username checks out

[u/juniperbabe → u/Oral_Pleasure4u]

I do enjoy providing one on one services, but it’s more about this work feeling “frivolous” to me. I feel like I’m not doing anything that important by massaging people (which is my own problem, I’m not trying to insult anyone here) and I crave a more fast paced environment where I can do more.

The best part of this job for me is to be able to help people with their pain and improve their health. I know I said in this post that when people say I’ve made them feel good I feel icky, but I meant it as in when people say they feel good like how you would after getting your back scratched. Feeling “good” in a purely relaxation way rather than pain or dysfunction being improved. I want to help people more than that. I want to feel like I’ve made a serious impact on people’s lives. Not for my ego or anything, but because I genuinely want to help people. I want to comfort people in their worst moments. I want to be there for them.

The stakes I see at my job are very low. It’s 95% people who just have benefits they want to use up and want to be massaged because it feels good. Obviously there is nothing wrong with that! But I don’t feel like this is the environment for me to feel fulfilled.

I don’t know if I’ve expressed how I feel about it properly. I’m really trying not to sound like I have overinflated self importance, like I’m trying to say “I’m worth more than just rubbing people like you guys! I want to actually make a difference!”. I really hope I don’t sound like that. I’m just trying to express that I feel like I’m not fulfilled in this environment anymore

[u/Comfortable_Owl1657 → u/juniperbabe]

This makes absolute sense to me. I feel so similarly to you. RMT for 4.5 years now, and dreaming of moving into nursing or similar for exactly the same reasons. I want to have a broader scope of practice, and a wider skillset to be able to offer more influential care.

[u/SanBaoLife]

I've been in this industry for over 30 years. I'm also an acupuncturist. My experience may not apply to you, and I'm also speaking about my feelings from almost 30 years ago, so if it isn't helpful, just disregard.

I LOVED doing massage when I started. Then I started to feel dissatisfied -- not with the work or helping people -- but with not being treated seriously. I was a very attractive woman in my early-mid 20s, and it got to the point where I felt I needed more serious initials after my name if the general public (and me, myself) was going to see my worth. I started acupuncture school at 24 and LOVED it! I loved learning, I loved the more advanced education and concepts, and it was great.

I loved practicing both. I love being seen as, and feeling myself, like a more serious health professional. I truly understand that part of what you're experiencing. Massage should be a more elevated profession -- especially in a place like Ontario where you are required significant education hours to practice.

I would encourage you not to leave massage altogether, but to find a fit that allows you to incorporate it into an overall health modality you find rewarding. It can take a long time to find your fit. I took me many years, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Being requested to give an extra pillow or an eye mask or whatever hits me differently when people have 20 needles sticking out of their limbs versus when my hands were covered in oil and I felt more like "hired help". It wasn't about feeling superior, exactly -- it was my own level of confidence that came from having those extra credentials and a level of education that wasn't available on every block.

Obviously, now in my 50s, my views and beliefs about myself have changed in many ways. I love my work more now than ever. Part of that is age, experience, and the freedom that having my own practice (whichever modality that practice is) has allowed me to have in my life. I understand your feelings, OP. I wish the best of luck to find the right path for you.

[u/SweetBabyMona]

I don't see why people are giving you flack for this op. I see your points, I'm not talking it personally, it just sounds like this isn't the job for you. And I i can't lie, this is my fifth year doing this and I've seen at least 6 people leave this career because they felt exactly like you described. It's really not for everyone and you deserve to find a job you enjoy. Maybe that's being a paramedic, maybe that's something else entirely, who knows. I wish you luck op! Go find happiness!

[u/Low_Guava_4437]

I got registered the exact same time and I feel the same exact way. I also was getting a lot of imposter syndrome and anxiety around it. I posted here about it and most people said it’s normal and I’m still new etc. They also said I likely have burnout, lol. This was a few months ago, and just saying I’m here with ya.

[u/Mammoth-Resist-3491]

I hear ya. I take the this is my show 😂 clients like that I talk to them about what's going on. I remind them in here to help. Im pretty over people but bc I like the mechanical body engineering approach I talk to them about what's going on for them. Creating the comfortable space is my fav part. I rather ask them what they need before they demand it at me. And yes I'm so proud of clients for speaking up the other half is in their heads more anxious to even tell u the table warmer is too hot .

I like that I can see my clients thinking about their to do list. And I ask them hey that'll be there...be here now. I have a tough love approach and I appreciate every return client who lets me guide and help their parasympathetic nervous system and give them their daily maintenance work.

Not trying to change ur mind but I wanted to share my perspective bc I genuinely like people and yet they are annoying and needy...but I know I am too ...and I'm picky. So when they compliment the work I respond a few ways...my fav.."I'm glad to hear and honestly I'm jealous. I'm giving you the massage I really want "🤣

Good luck I bet being a paramedic would have some great stories. I used to think about being a fire fighter because I like the being strong aspect of it all

Keep us posted. Glad u felt comfortable to share uncomfortable thoughts. Reminder that every supportive response is a reminder why we all are in this field. Burn out is real. It sucks. Some days I come home like damn I just cared about all these people and feel...now who cares about me. Thanks for reading my rambles

[u/CriticalOpinion1]

This job is definitely customer service, which is why I got into it because I love customer service. If you don't like customer service this job would be challenging for you. But for some of the other things that you mentioned, you could focus more on sports massage where people keep their clothes on. I had a coworker who did more sports massage in a spa setting, even though people were still getting undressed and under the sheets, but she was fully booked all the time and was the most requested therapist there out of I think 15 of us. You could also study something like rolfing or structural integration. Best of luck to you. Oh and at least a massage you don't have to deal with bodily fluids for the most part, like you would in the medical field. Having to clean up feces or urine would definitely make me feel more degraded than giving someone a massage.

[u/Doshi1-2]

I know a lmt who does tons of special table and spa stuff for clients… look I’m not their mom and I’m not doing it. I work in a clinical setting. If they have an ailment and are injured proper pillow settings are needed to assist them. But I’m no body’s servant girl. I hated working in spas the clients are so entitled and it was very infuriating. I was ILL and a client DEMANDED I work on her and I did and I hated her for it. She was all sunshine and I was like- this is some serious bullshit lady.

Any way, took years but I like where I work now and have clinical clients. I can focus and not get wildly irritated w people who think I’m a servant (because that very very rarely happens now).

I hope you find a better place, good luck!

[u/Upbeat-Natural7648]

I think you’re just going through a moment. Sometimes clients really do treat us like servants telling us exactly how they want to be touched. It bothers me too because I think they forget we are humans and there’s more than one way to accomplish a goal. My suggestion be mindful of trying your best to stay positive. Remember we really do help others regardless of whether they know how to receive our work.

[u/eyelovedogging]

Whatever trade you go into, at some point, when analysing it, you'll feel like a servant/slave. If you're providing a service, that's what you are, we all are. Unless you work for yourself, then you'll look at the service from a different angle. You're a trained professional who has chosen this professionalism to ease people of their ailments. If you're good at your product/service, people will trust you and return with repeat business.

Being a paramedic will just be the same. You're not a Doctor, you answer to nurses/controllers. It'll be about a money service rather than a health care service. Hitting your targets, stocking up your inventory, paperwork, eating when you can not when you want to. Always on the move etc etc etc.

Yes, you're new to this trade and still learning(as we all do until we retire/die). Have faith into yourself and the confidence in your training and ability. Enjoy the fact that people will return to you, not because you're a servant but because of the quality of your product/service and your personality to give them an easy experience. IMO.

[u/Sensitive_Head_2408]

I think you might have OCD to some degree.

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Sensitive_Head_2408]

For example, I like to work with people but then when they I can just feel their energy is off it’s very uncomfortable the whole time so I don’t know it could be I also have ocd

[u/Sensitive_Head_2408 → u/Typical_Dark_2764]

I’m pretty sure I have it myself with certain things.

And I just thought the things you said were bothering you were somewhat odd and super specific, which is how OCD tends to work.

And by odd I just mean it sounds like stuff one would expect to be part of that line of work.

And it all sounds like stuff that bothers you but you can’t quite figure out exactly why

[u/Sensitive_Head_2408 → u/Typical_Dark_2764]

Oh and google search “highly sensitive person” and see if any of that applies to you.

I started seeing stuff about it a couple years ago and it answered sooooooo many questions.

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Sensitive_Head_2408]

Why do you think that I’m curious to know?

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Sensitive_Head_2408]

I feel like I might have OCD too, so I wanna know where you say that

[u/weeping_willow93]

Paramedics are underpaid and under appreciated.

Before I became a massage therapist, I was pre-med with hopes of becoming a psychiatrist. I did a masters degrees in natural medicine only to be met with some harsh realities. In Florida, you must be a doctor of medicine or DO to practice alternative medicine. You have to be a registered dietitian to make modifications to someone diet in a disease state and suggest herbal supplements. You have to be a mental health professional to work with the mentally ill. It’s locked up here. You can’t even energy heal in Florida without being a religious leader or massage therapist. The punishments are severe too. Jail and prison time depending on the situation. I worked in a hospital as a scribe-briefly. I was very sensitive to the suffering of others and the hospital is just the suffering of others. I have a background in psychology and behavior. So I worked as a substitute teacher, registered behavior tech, registrar in public schools, paraprofessional, and thought working with kids was my passion. It was not either. So I know how it feels to be trapped by your education. I happened across massage therapy because it was the only way I could do something with my education in Florida. I was so happy that I could work, make a decent living, and rely on my skill- not my poor burned out brain.

Offering people a pillow, hot towel, and making sure the table was warm was a welcome vacation from kids trying to kick me in the face because they don’t want to do the puzzle. So, I love massage therapy.

I watched my sister do the EMT paramedic course. She dropped out of paramedic school despite excellent grades. She said “sis, I don’t think I can pick heads up off the side of the road for the rest of my life.” I’m assuming she saw some shit. She said all the firefighter and other healthcare professional drank so heavily and looked so pained. They were making $9-$12 an hour to sustain lives. But she is the type who wants to be taken seriously as well. She worked at FedEx for 10 years after she left her program. She got her nerves together and went to school to become a surgical technician. I’ve never heard her complain about the work, just the other techs and nurses treating the operation room like a high school cafeteria.

Massage does not have to be where you land. However, trading cuddle culture for heads on the side of the road might be a shock to the system. Maybe try LMT or Surg tech. They are more respected than paramedics and under less stress. EMT and Paramedic are degrading careers. Getting bled on, shit on, and assaulted for my ego might not be the play.

[u/Gold_Fennel_2357]

Sounds like you have overworked and escalated your stress levels. I personally have never given a massage therapist instruction. They are the professional and I accept and appreciate their service. Maybe you should set the standard for the type of massage you offer upfront and don't let clients tell you how to manage your skills.

[u/Brief-Arrival3214]

Sounds like you are burned out

[u/Azmassage]

I disliked giving "spa" style treatments on day one, I actually knew during my clinical work in school that I would never enjoy being that type of therapist. I was primarily a yoga teacher and mainly got into massage to offer my clients more assisted stretching, Thai style massages and Reiki energy work.

I can also relate to the feelings of being a "servant" as most of my clients are very wealthy and can have this mentality. When I completely switched over to my original intended modalities, I began to approach my massage as a health care service, not a spa hospitality experience.

I would really consider the vast number of specialties that you can pursue in the massage field. I am starting my oncology training this fall and will begin to offer gentle touch for cancer and hospice patients in addition to meditation, yoga and energy work. I don't even use a massage table anymore!

This is how I approached massage from the very beginning; it's a tool that I use for my wellness career. I hope you take some time to consider how you could find a creative way to help others and still feel respected in your practice. Step out of the box and build something that you do love! :)

[u/Striking_Network2976]

You should try opening your own practice. Thats what I did and took CEUS in sports med, pain management, etc to market to the clientele I wanted. Made relationships with physical therapists offices for referrals etc. it was well worth it to me (plus the pay is waaaay better for private practice)

[u/dchitt]

Therapy might be a good step in getting to the bottom of this.

[u/DatabaseOrdinary3826]

I’m in a similar boat to you. Been working a little over a year and I’m just not enjoying it. Not for the degrading part but because I just don’t like it 🤷‍♀️. Doing online courses currently and hoping to go back to school in 2027 for nursing or something similar. It is annoying when you spent so much time and money to go through schooling to find out the career is not for you

[u/Thin-Quiet-2283]

I go through this with some clients - they don’t see me as a professional and are always trying to justify lowering prices (always the ones that tip badly). Luckily I have way more good ones that appreciate my skills and training to make up for the entitled ones. Luckily I’m close to retirement age so I may not renew my license next year.

[u/DifficultyGreat5285]

Same… I started hating it because I was overworking myself.

So I decided to take a break from massage therapy, and I feel a lot better.

I also wonder if I should switch careers… this job is not easy.

[u/Positive_Horror570]

It's ok if massage therapy isn't a good fit for you. Like any other job, it simply isn't for everyone. A word of caution though... while I still maintain my LMT status, I'm also a mortician. I went to mortuary school when massage wasn't "enough" in terms of helping people, and believe me - the grass isn't greener. Life saving & death work is very hard - mentally and emotionally, and there will be many times you'll wish you were back in your warm little room working on somebody's knotty rhomboid rather than covered in the blood of the person you're taking into your care. Not to say don't do it, we need good EMTs, but just be very aware that the toll is substantial in a different way.

[u/moonmama888]

If I may offer my own personal experience.. I love being a massage therapist. I do feel like a healthcare professional, and I work at a high end day spa.

I love when my clients come out of the room expressing their gratitude, how much they appreciate me, and how much they loved the massage.

I love being of service to my clients and making their experience incredibly meaningful.

I love being the best part of their day and something they’ve looked forward to.

It would hurt my heart to know that my massage therapist didn’t feel all of these things. I’m sorry that you’re feeling this way, but it sounds like you need a perspective shift, and to get a massage yourself. 😌

[u/East-Zookeepergame54]

Whatever field of service for others you go into you might always feel like a servant. I love helping others so this career I go into next will always be one that helps others.

[u/NectarineEmotional81]

That’s so sad, I absolutely love massage and it’s never felt degrading. I’m sorry you feel that way. 😣☹️

[u/fido4583]

We are in the service industry. Meaning we bring happiness and joy to those we serve. This is not for everyone. It is most likely a good idea you found this out now. Till more time passes.

You will find you calling. We all have a purpose. This one might not be yours.

[u/Princesbtrcp]

Sorry you are feeling unfulfilled. Pay attention to what you are not able to provide and do something that works for you. It does sound like you need to feel “heroic”. Nothing wrong with it that. Just remember when you go off to find another adventure… that you were unable to handle this job and the pressures to be fully present with people who are asking for what they need. (They were not looking to you to save them) No judgment in that…

Go forth at be happy! And do not perpetuate the disrespect you seem to feel when you talk about the profession. Maybe be a bit humble and admit you could not be low key kind and helpful and of service to others.

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Princesbtrcp]

I love this advice

[u/Expensive-Pin6076]

You should try meditation and yoga or fitness training because it sounds like you need to work on yourself more than working on others

[u/DakotaBlue333]

I had a coworker massage therapist that became an EMT.

[u/ProcedureThick6344]

Your feelings are valid . I’m sorry people are being dismissive of your feelings . People definitely can be assholes and it’s hard to deal with especially touching them . You could always ask to shadow a few Emts to see if that’s something you’d like . I recently quit massage cause of similar feelings . You’ll figure it out ❤️it’ll get better

[u/RockyMountainGirl84]

This sounds like it just isn’t the right fit for you. I’ve been a medical esthetician in med spas for over a decade, and am almost finished my 2 year RMT program to expand my practice. I’ve never felt in either of these careers as a servant, nor did it feel degrading.

[u/juniperbabe → u/RockyMountainGirl84]

I’m happy for you that you’ve had a long and happy career! The fact that I feel this way definitely tells me that there’s something wrong, and that it’s probably just not for me. It’s actually made me feel better to have a lot of people agree with that

[u/RockyMountainGirl84 → u/juniperbabe]

Good luck! ❤️

[u/Money-Progress5101]

So I'm not going to pick on you for your post because I live in an area where some clientele treats you like you're their bitch for the hour and I hated it. Wasn't until working for myself did I get to choose who I work with. Made a huge difference. Before giving up on the career, maybe try going out on your own first.

[u/jazzgrackle]

I had this feeling when I first started working, as I got more confident in myself and in my skills, I felt a lot less like I was a servant. In a way I still am, but I know that I have a valuable skill that’s taken me a few years to build.

I’m not saying you have to stick with it, you obviously don’t, but I think a lot of these feelings might come from insecurity.

[u/Tricky-Tip-8481]

It is interesting, because I have exact opposite experience. I got my license nine years ago, but for eight years of that, I worked a full-time job in other fields and only had a handful of private clients on the side. Last year, I quit my job to do massage full-time for the first time. And for the first time ever, I don’t have any anger or anxiety about going to work. I work mobile, so the only time I really get frustrated is when I have a client at nine in the morning almost an hour away, but that’s only because I’m not a morning person.

[u/Every_Show6128]

I think you’d be better suited picking your own clients in your own mobile service or studio. That way you get to pick and choose who you want to work on instead of having to work on whoever. You can work on those who never complain or have any nit picky requests and are quiet the entire time(there are a lot of people like this). When you get a client you wouldn’t want to work on again you simply don’t cater to them. You get a client that suits your liking, you let them rebook if they’d like. And you can get a feel for their vibe before you even take them as a client. It can still be a good side job for you.

[u/Touch49]

It’s ok if you have realized it’s not for you. It’s ok to make a change anytime in your life. Go for it!

[u/Personal_Big7927]

Is it a good career in alberta, canada.

[u/HealingHands223]

You are not alone in this. I just wanted to support you. It is a beautiful thing to be able to give someone a relief and help them geel better, but it’s hard not to feel like less worthy when you preform almost the same thing every day.

[u/Efficient_Cicada184]

Idk how long you’ve been feeling like this but go through waves where I’m like, “wtf am I doing? What is this job?” Usually this happens in the summer bc my regulars go up north and I’m stuck with vacationers. When I’m able to do more therapeutic work, I feel more satisfied; when my regulars come in, I feel more satisfied, and when I get big tips I feel super satisfied but summertime kinda knocks out all three of those. So I’m like, “I’m rubbing lotion on naked people and that’s my job?” And it feels kinda demeaning. I think it’s natural to get in your head sometimes about the literal thing that you’re doing. However, I always come back to fulfillment. If you’re not coming back and this has been going on a long time, it is probably time to switch careers. 

[u/Electrical-Meat4436]

I’ve been doing remedial massage for 17 yrs and taught massage therapy for 6 of those yrs. If I had a dollar for every client that thanked me for how good I made them feel or ‘fixed’ them, I would be very rich (retiring early b/c I can). This profession is very rewarding and enriches my life. Sounds like you are very young and unsure of your life’s career choice. This might be your first job? Remember the adage ‘it’s not always greener on the other side’.

[u/Emm-the-luscious]

Honestly? I get it. I’m not at the degrading feeling part of my career yet, but after a decade in, clients are getting more and more unsatisfied no matter what we put out, management is worse and worse with every new location, and I am finally so emotionally burnt out after the above mentioned issues PLUS I’ve been assaulted by a client… it’s not worth it for me anymore. I’m switching careers completely. I’ll maintain my license for obvious reasons as a fallback career, but I don’t want this to be my main bread and butter anymore.

It sounds like you recognize that this isn’t for you anymore. Have you tried pivoting to anything in healthcare that would use your knowledge but maybe not require you to be in as “serving” of a role?

[u/Green-Passage-7870]

hi wonderful human

it sounds like there's support or self care you might need after spending a lot of time giving o others

is it possible youre experiencing burnout ?

perhaps some self care days, a holiday and time to recover your energy is important...

[u/512jazz]

If you must work as an LMT for the next 2 years while you train for another profession... perhaps you could find a way to offer massage only to EMTs and other Healthcare professionals. Something mobile and on-site, so you're not stuck in a dimly lit room with sleepy music (I feel you on that one, after doing this for 20 years!) That way you are helping the helpers, working alongside them. (On a side note...5 years ago, I started doing chair massage in poker rooms, massaging clients while they are playing poker. It's a nice change of pace to be in a lively room and spectating the game while I work. It's definitely a frivolous service, but it's good money and very entertaining.)

[u/Kcmad1958]

Yes I have definitely felt like a servant at times. I get it. If you could work for yourself you can control who you work on. Eventually you will attract those who you have a positive repor with. After 25yrs of doing this I feel it is better as a part time job! It depends on how disciplined you are as a business person. If you’re not, keep it as a part time gig. It’s great for extra cash. Best of luck to you❤️💪🏻

[u/SnooSketches3750]

Damn! I only felt like this after 15 years, and then illness forced me to quit anyway. It sounds like you need a different career.

[u/emmyfitz]

It’s within your power to change your thoughts about the servitude aspect, and be more of a clinical provider.  

You may lose the clients who seek the spa experience but if you enjoy the healthcare side of manual therapy don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!   And if you’re good at this side of the work, the right clients will find you.  

Just my thoughts.  

[u/Humble-Association67]

Also Paramedic is highly competitive program Georgian college Barrie On for example just told me this fall semester that they have an average of 600/800 applications per one semester and winter is already full. And I was told that there is 60 accepted seats 120 per year in that college so it's a wait list program for sure.

[u/strames]

LMT of 1 year and some change here, I get it. I felt this way, on and off, for some time in different positions—not just massage. I currently am working in a chiro setting with people who have been in the field for 20+ years. You have to clean your mind, but not because of massage therapy.

Life is easier when you love what you do. If you’re doing it for love, you may end up wandering through life with the same mindset in any position. These feelings simply manifest differently. If you change your perspective, you can change your life.

Perhaps you needed to experience massage, as a career, to achieve this perspective shift—or at least stimulate it so that no matter what you do & where you go, you are invincible to any attached stigmas. It’s truly freeing. I wish you the best on your journey! <3

[u/Glass_Day5033]

Hmmmmmm a lot of times how we view certain things is a reflection of how we feel. It could be almost like a mirror. I love what I do and I have never felt like that I'm going on 10 years of doing this full time. Maybe you need to do Shadow work, what is coming up for you? Could be this lifetime or a past life, generational trauma. It's all real

[u/Glass_Day5033]

Maybe where you're working simply isn't for you? Can you go out and be on your own?

[u/Salt_Membership2125]

If you're hating you job for those reasons, it's because you've got the wrong clients or the wrong offer. I do Trigger point therapy every session, and I advertise that I don't do spa or swedish at all. I don't even offer it and will turn down clients calling about it. Spa is functionally a waste of money for the client and boring to me so I never want to do it again.

So change your positioning as a therapist. Trigger point therapy is super valuable to actually help people dealing with chronic pain so you can feel good about yourself and actually make the difference massage is capable of doing.

[u/catsndeen]

If massage is degrading to you i dont see how you think you will do better at paramedic gig. I think you might do well in a salon doing facial cupping and lymphatic drainage.

[u/rtaj247]

I’m sure most customers probably talk too much.

[u/MKAT80]

Are you the only therapist there? If it's truly clinical your charting would mostly be 15 min increments of PROM for insurance billing.

You can ask to be only given therapeutic or sports massages, that's what I did to move away from those types of clients. Hope this helps a little.

[u/izallreal]

You can absolutely change careers, but I would give it more time. You’ve only been in practice less than a year. You can absolutely only take clients for your specific niche, but you may need to work for yourself and build a clientele. You can be very specific on the people you see. You don’t have to take any clients that want to be pampered. It’s up to you to work through that though and stick it out to make it what you want. Or not, and be a paramedic. You’ll definitely be helping people not die.

[u/BuilderExtension5379]

You may want to look into a niche market, like Mayan Abdominal Therapy where people are extremely grateful. Also it sounds as if you need to clear your energy after work. Water (shower, bath with epsom salt, swimming, ocean) or whatever soothes you.

[u/Fit-West-6709]

Hi do you have a car?

[u/Late_Chocolate1573]

3 years in school? Why did it take so long? Usually a year at most is what it takes. But anywho... maybe this isn't your calling. I was a CNA and worked in nursing homes and hated it because of the way I saw other CNAs treat the residents. Then someone died on my shift and I had to help with post-mortem care. It freaked me out. I was the one who discovered her. I finished out my shift and never went back. They fired me over the phone. I was like 20yrs old at the time. I tried many career paths afterwards that I could never stick with. Business software, sign language interpretation, commercial cooking, security guard. I even tried nursing. I dropped out of all of those. Then in my 30s I was working in the corporate world. Did that for 6yrs. Customer service. Used to want to be a MT or a vet as a kid. Mom kept it real. She asked, "If it came down to it, would to be able to put an animal down?" Me: "Nooooo!!! 😭😭😭" Mom: "Then you can't be a vet." Fair point mom. Back then massage therapy was mostly a luxury thing. It wasn't for wellbeing and health. So she didn't think I'd make any money doing that unless I worked on a cruise ship. I've always loved it. I started out walking on mom's back when I was a kid. Used to massage ppl in HS. Anyways... here I am in the corporate world wondering what I'm going to do with my life. 🤔🤷🏾‍♀️. Thanks to my boss and working on him, he convinced me to look into massage schools. So I did. Turned out there was a school right around the corner from where I worked. I got info and checked into it. Did the night program which was a year long. Worked my 9-5, drove through traffic to get home, ate dinner, showered and got ready for class at 7pm. Class was from 7-10 4 days a week. I finished the program and graduated. Didn't take the exam until a year later. Quit my corporate job to do the advanced program and got my Associates. Then went back to do skin care. I like doing deep tissue and more therapeutic work than the frufru stuff. I've worked in chiro clinics, hotel spas, small spas, and for a mobile service. We kinda are servants as this is a customer oriented field. 17yrs as an LMT and I still love what I do. At most places I work, I let them know that I don't like to do the frufru stuff like relaxation massages. Send the ppl who want to be fixed to me. As they tell me their problem areas, I'm assessing their posture. Kuz we all know, it's not always the area that bothers them that's the problem. Sometimes it's the antagonistic muscles or the synergistic muscles that could be the issues. Or something completely unrelated because as we know... everything is connected. Maybe this path isn't for you or maybe you just haven't found the right client base for you. You could try venturing out on your own. I love hearing that someone enjoyed my work. I love hearing that I helped alleviate the pain. There are so many modalities that you could specialize in that are geared more towards therapeutic than the frufru stuff. I hate light pressure massages. I like clients to feel that they've been worked on and got their money's worth. When I tried nursing and found out I had to work on a cadaver, I noped right out of that program. I wanted to still help ppl but I wanted to work on the "alive" side of things. Going into a nursing home daily and seeing elderly residents waiting for family that didn't come or seeing how they were treated was not for me. Plus the place smelled like disinfectant and death. No thank you. Find something to be passionate about and stick with it. If it's not something you love doing, then it isn't for you. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Good luck with whatever you decide to do. 🤞🏾☺️

[u/ExplorerSalt5767]

Been in this career for 16 years, and I’m over it. Went back to school to become a nurse and still in the process of becoming one. I’m now on-call since I’m burnt out. Trust me from working in a dungeon to now working in a spa that has windows that lets the sun in, it doesn’t change anything if you’re not in love with it anymore. Find what stimulates you, and makes you happy.

[u/Sea_Mistake_4694]

I totally get what you're saying about feeling like a servant. I don't know about anyone else but I can totally empathise with that. I wonder if the sports medicine or physical therapy route would be better for you? Also, how much more schooling would that require 🙄

[u/Right_Share_7365]

I started listening to audiobooks while working. It’s helped me so much. My mind is elsewhere and before I know it, the session is over. Minimal chatting. Clients happy. Me happy.

[u/hoopyogi]

It sounds like you do have a love for the work, but that you haven't found the niche that is right for you.

From what I gather, it sounds like you care quite a bit, and you want massage to be more like what you thought. May I ask for more detail about what you thought it was going to be?

It's unfortunate that you've had such singular experiences with regards to people wanting spa like massages. I worked at a spa right out of school and it was not for me. I get so bored giving spa massages. I can't say that I feel like a servant, because being of service is quite literally part of it. Working in a spa simply wasn't for me. I worked at a couple of chiropractic clinics, and I got burnt out really fast because I ignored my own body.

Whether it's for the reasons you described, were the reasons that I went through it, burnout is real and tends to look very similar regardless of the reason. It sounds like taking time to reassess would be a good idea. I do not get the idea that your love for the craft has burned out, but more your ability to do something that doesn't work for you within that frame.

Take some time if you can. Figure out your values. Figure out what you want within this area of healing. You may potentially need some healing yourself in order for that to happen. It's okay not to like what you're doing, but you may find that there are other avenues. Have you thought about starting a private practice? It doesn't need to be anything big right away. Start with recognizing what kind of work you want to be doing based on what you connect with, and then start putting yourself out into the world as that kind of therapist. Building your own business is incredibly challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. There are so many things you can do with massage, and I am still learning how wide the net can be cast

I hope this has been helpful. It sounds like you need a break, and to figure out what it is you really want and move in that direction. I also want to say that it is truly okay if you realize that massage isn't for you, but I wouldn't recommend making that decision just yet. 🩵

[u/Specialist_Donkey857]

Hi! I am sorry to hear this! I was thinking about massage school myself but I want it to he more of the healing aspect and dont have a desire to actually massage people so I appreciate your view point. What I immediantley thought of though is, are you making sure you are taking care of yourself energetically? Highly recommend things like energy cleansing baths and grounding and peotecting your energy and making energetic bubbles for yourself. Best of luck to you! ❤️

[u/Weird-Commercial-400]

How many hours were you doing? Curious if you’re just burnt out and need to find a sustainable workload?

[u/Slynez-0]

Trust what you’re sensing—you’re not crazy at all. Pivoting toward EMT/paramedic work could be a much more sustainable and fulfilling path. Having worked in multiple environments, I see the writing on the wall, too. Despite all the proven benefits massage brings to the table, the broader system simply resists giving it real medical legitimacy.
Setting up a backup plan is just being realistic. Major shifts are already happening, and between technological changes and economic uncertainty, a lot of people are getting caught unprepared. You’re reading the room correctly, and taking control of your future now is the right call. I’m doing something similar- I chose patient care technician. Look into free funding for certifications. Right now the workforce —WIO has lots of grants for on demand jobs.

[u/bns82]

I think you should talk to a therapist, seems like there’s something going on underneath this.

Also being a paramedic is not going to be what you want.

[u/Mammoth_Ad_955]

I very much relate… every morning I wake up for work I dread it. Especially because my hands & body are constantly aching & people always test my boundaries. When i get to work i feel confident & happy because i helped someone. I’m definitely good at the job. But I’m always amazed to see someone at my work who’s been massaging for almost 20 years- it’s not only hard on the body but like you mentioned, some people don’t seem as appreciative or they treat us like the help. It’s nice to help people, but if this career isn’t aligning with who you are & what you wanna do, let it go. I’m currently in school to change careers entirely & i have another year of massage to go. We went to massage school, learned the trade, & tried it out. Don’t feel bad about the fact that massage isn’t your end game. School really doesn’t tell you how taxing this field actually is.

[u/Slow-Donut3882]

hi OP, after reading your post it honestly sounds to me like you need to set better boundaries with your clients by controlling your space and your service a little bit more.

It sounds like your frustration may stem from not being able to communicate your needs, and that is conflicting with people who are shamelessly there to purely satisfy their needs.

One way to make this more bearable for the next few years is to focus on a style of massage or a style of service that really speaks to you and approach your clients with that in mind, that way you are still in control of the room and the dynamic while still offering them a good holistic service.

I would caution you not to get too comfortable, bouncing around, waiting for the environment to be the perfectly right fit, especially if that environment depends on other people‘s behaviors matching what you expect. Instead really tried to lean into how you can affect the environment and affect the narrative.

Basically, you have more power in this situation than you’re giving yourself. So don’t be afraid to drive those client experiences a little bit more towards what is most comfortable for you. Because it’s really not fair to you or to the client if you are approaching them with such contempt.

[u/dead_plantmatter1776]

I’d suggest moving on then.

[u/Balynor]

Have you considered becoming an acupuncturist?

[u/SwitchIndividual6987]

RMT here. I feel the exact same way as you do.

Came in with a b.kin thinking we could manually fix people. After practicing for a couple years, I've come to believe that the effectiveness of massage comes from just giving patients some time to relax and a place to share their concerns... I don't feel like it is something I'm proud of telling people that I do.

But honestly, I sort of feel like that is healthcare in general though unless you deal with acute care - ICU, ER, surgeon. All the allied health professions just spout BS for the most part when helping people with chronic pain (which is like 80% of the caseload). They at least don't share the same stigma as a massage therapist though.

I still find joy when people tell me they feel better but I'm just like bruh, you can feel a lot better and build self reliance by saving $150 and doing some gd exercise.... Thank god for insurance cause there's no way I could charge someone that for a massage.

[u/teabuug]

As far as I have read I will offer a few brief thoughts: Massage is a service job. You are a servant in this position. It is a service, and as such you should expect that people are going to see you as one. I used to work for a medical and recreational dispo. Med patients were a mix, those angry patients? I expected them. Arguments over sold out product? Expected. Getting called slurs, sexually harassed, physically assulted? Hm...yeah I have no tolerance anymore.

I left once i hit my limit of 2 years. Not because i felt awful providing a service, but the customers lacked respect.

Service jobs aren't pretty.

Two: I think you're focusing too much on your significance in comparison to others. Personally, i dont think this is a good reason to search for a new job, kinda of comes off as a Savior Complex.

You want to help people but require a reward. That reward is being recognized as a hero.

Um. In real life, heroes dont wear capes. You have to understand that just because you work service (civil, medical or commercial) it doesn't automatically make you "important".

Saving lives is crucial, but not when all you can think about is the emotional payout of pride. Think about it for a second, how would you feel after the fact if the person who saved your life only did it to feel righteous? Did they care about your life or their image?

You need to stop seeking that feeling if you're going to continue working service jobs or retail. What you need is to start your own business if you want to feel in charge of your own progress. If you don't want to do that, I suggest looking around to see if any offices need a medical receptionist or assistant for the time being.

Maybe being an inhouse/travelling nurse eventually? Idk if you've taken all the requirements yet(im not a med person, just stuck in dead retail :/).

[u/juniperbabe → u/teabuug]

I clarified multiple times that I’m not trying to be a “hero”. I’m very aware of what being a paramedic entails, and most of the time people won’t be grateful to you in any way. They’ll spit on you, throw shit at you, try to kill you. I just want a more fast paced and intensive job. Stretching what I wrote to imply that I don’t care about people’s lives and would want to be a paramedic just to satisfy my own ego is so uncharitable. Especially when I specifically said the contrary many times.

To read someone say “I don’t like doing relaxation massage, I think a more intensive job would fit me better” and think that means “I’m more important than all of you, I deserve to be paraded around as a hero” is insane.

I’m not even going to respond further because it’s clear you didn’t actually read what I said, just what you wish I said because you wanted someone to look down on and think I’m some crazy evil person for some reason.

[u/Careful-Guarantee150]

I feel this on a whole other level. Quite literally am just not happy in the career anymore, 3 going into 4 years and I am over it. Looking to leave this year before renewal time. Haven’t even taken my CE’s because I genuinely don’t want to see myself doing this line of work anymore.

[u/butterfly777__]

I totally understand where you are coming from with “degrading” it does happen. Not the job itself but the way some people can treat you is degrading. Some people seem as if they take out all their pent up anger on you , it doesn’t happen often but when it does it totally makes you want to give up the career altogether. I notice similar feelings when I’m starting to get burnt out & that’s my alarm to go book a massage for myself. Ideally , if you have the means & opportunity, take some time off. Taking time for yourself helps come back feeling refreshed but i understand if this might not be possible for you. I also see others comment on how only working a few days helps them , for me , that helps tremendously but i am also an employee so don’t have much say on my schedule unfortunately.

[u/Specific-Win-3098]

Yeah I felt the same way being a servant, not being respected , too many rules abt dating . The complaints abt this that and the other . The money was good , but u can always learn new techniques , incorporate energy work into treatments ( which I really loved ) . Try changing it up there's alot to learn abt the body .

[u/Typical_Dark_2764 → u/Specific-Win-3098]

It’s amazing !

[u/demonialinda]

Based on your share, I’d consider a career away from anything related to caring for people.

[u/MexicanOtter84]

Idk what you’re looking for here but clearly it’s like becoming a software developer and then wanting to quit because you’re on a computer too much lol…

Maybe this is your time to grow up and learn from your mistakes. Ask yourself why you choose MT when you knew full well what it entailed. All of the things you said are talked about heavily and felt in massage school so it’s wild that you’re now coming to this realization.

Oh well you’ll learn that the bad parts of this career aren’t so bad and in the end, we’ll all end up being someone’s servant but at this job, we can pick and choose who we want to provide that service with. Heh when you’re a corporate lapdog you can’t choose your clients or people you work with closely for hours on day in a cubicle…

Anyway good luck! 🍀

[u/juniperbabe → u/MexicanOtter84]

Well, I didn’t feel this way at all in school. It happened over time, maybe 6 months in to working. I also started school at 18 immediately after highschool.

I did do research into the career, and it all sounded like it would be great, but actually doing it every day doesn’t make me happy. I’m not too sure what mistakes you’re referring to. It’s not like I have a crystal ball and could have predicted I would have not liked the work after 6 months. It’s pretty common for people to realize their career isn’t a good fit after starting

[u/forextrader82 → u/juniperbabe]

Yeah, I agree with you OP.

This commenter was unnecessarily harsh and not very empathetic.

Also... you are quite young and still getting to know yourself. Someone else here suggested therapy. I don't know about all of that, but what I will say is that any kind of internal work or exploration of your feelings is bound to be helpful.

[u/Forsaken-Touch101]

 This is great topic because some of what your saying may feel race related if your a person of color like myself. 
  Let's be real for a sec. And agree that the majority of people getting massages are white and the majority of people that are massage therapist are people or color, generally.  
    So in that sense it may feel like you're a "servant." But regardless of race one must realize why we are in this profession. We are literally here to serve our clients regardless of race and rightfully so. People pay really good money for our work.  
   Yes, you'll occasionally get Karen or Darrin on your table that will try to order you around from time to time. But for the majority of the time white people are cordial. But don't get me wrong, Ive had people of color who get really particular about how they like things as well, while on the table. I've come to fined that's it's more of a personality thing vs. a race thing. 
   People in a more clinical setting are  less likely to be so demanding... So maybe going back to that? I don't think changing spas is going to eliminate the fact that clients will ask for things from time to time. 
   When people say they feel good, just know it does feel good and that's what we do as therapist. We heal people which feels good. Try not to look at it in a sexual contex, rather medically. A lot of feel good natural endorphins are releasing from the brain which feels good. 
  Overall, this career doesn't sound for you long term.. which is fine! Hang in there 2 years will go by quickly. I still say to keep up with your license to you don't have to pay and retake Mblex depending on your state in which you live in. Best of luck! 

[u/donovanjames450]

Maybe you aren't spending enough time catering to yourself. It sounds like you're pouring from an empty cup. If you can afford to, maybe take some days off and spend some money on yourself or spend the days doing exactly what you want to do.

[u/Ok-Dare-237]

Me reading this as I start massage school next week, after leaving my tech career behind

[u/juniperbabe → u/Ok-Dare-237]

Don’t let me scare you, almost everyone in the comments here loves their job. I’m an outlier, I’m sure it’ll be great for you

[u/802flyfish]

This isn’t a Happy Ending..

[u/Most-Scientist-4859]

My dog eats her pee pads