Hey everyone I’m interested in obtaining my NY LMT lic, I am already licensed in Pa, my course was 950 hours (so I’m short 50 hours for NY in my initial schooling but have made up for that and then some with ce) does anyone know the process for attaining my lic in NY? Do I need more educational hours? Thanks!

My favorite massage therapist quit last week so I booked with someone I’d never been with. Week long work trip on hotel bed + running + airplane had my back aching & I was really looking forward to this appointment. When I met him, he asked me the usual ‘is there anywhere not to touch’ and I told him my calves were a no go and I assumed he would realize that can still do my feet and thighs- my last guy did at least. He didn’t touch anything below my glutes though. On top of that, he was chatty from the moment we started. I recognized I fed into it at the beginning but it never stopped and started to really get into personal topics (his poor home life, a friend he had found blackout drunk in his house…etc). I’m not confident enough to ask him to stop so it just went on. Even worse, sometimes when he would be talking he’d stop the massage to talk…I have a really hard time being confrontational and my worst fear is that he would be fired over something like this but I paid almost $200 for this and I don’t feel like I got my moneys worth. How can I approach the manager about this without throwing him under the bus? Should I even? & how can I be more direct next time if I get another chatty masseuse.

I’ve been looking for a podcast or a youtube channel I could put on while driving, cleaning, etc. that would be productive towards my exam prep but feel a little lost on what would be helpful vs. information overload on things I won’t be tested on.. 🫠 Just wondering if anyone had any recommendations! Thank you!

I have hypertension and it was recommended I get a massage to help lower it.

The only problem is I have a few splotches in my back (non-contagious) that are believed to be from a thyroid issue.

Would I still be able to get a massage? Or will I need to wait for it to eventually go away?

Howdy folks! I have Raynaud's Syndrome. I always have cold hands,and they don't retain heat even after running under hot water right after washing my hands. Few clients are bothered because I rob heat from a person very quickly. I adapt with compressions and myofascial stuff with my forearms, and those that are sensitive for the first few minutes are totally understanding. Any raynaud's peeps care to check in?

Is anyone familiar with the brand Massage Blocks that made trigger point tools, and knows what became of them? They have been on the market for the last 10 years or so, the last time I bought one of their products was in 2020, and now the company seems to have disappeared. If I had known they were closing shop I would have picked up a few more of their pieces I intended to buy. I'm quite disappointed I didn't complete my Massage Block kit, they are incredible trigger point release tools for self massage.

Their website is offline and no trace of their products on the internet either, even ebay :(

Hey guys so I got a 90 minute deep tissue massage yesterday and one of my feet is hurting so much I can barely walk. The therapist really dug in my feet and it hurts now and I’m worried it won’t go away. I waited it out but it’s already been over 24 hours so should I go see a doctor or will it get better? I do have some aches and pains my back too so I think the therapist was just going really deep. Let me know thank you.

So I am in school rn getting my license and I need to know the process of transferring my license to Spain (when I do get it) does anyone here know my school is hard to navigate who to ask. Someone is always telling me to talk to someone else

I moved to a rural area for my wife's job and there's lots of competing therapist for a small population. I've been considering working a season at a seasonal resort. I know cruises are awful but has anyone had any experience working seasonal work at a resort?

Have any of you RMT or LMTs taken a ry needing course?

Thoughts? Successes? Losses? Prices? I want all the details!!! I want to do massage with dry needing and red light therapy.

Hello. Male, 28, recreationally active and pretty fit in Ontario, Canada. Considering going into RMT, seems like theres a lot of positions available and pay seems awesome (im seeing like ~80/hr, even if i did 20hrs a week thats ~80k/year).

Was just wondering warnings, things to be wary of, occupational hazards etc as well as any tips, tricks, or words of wisdom i should know prior to entering the field. Is this a good field to get into long term & for primary income? Also any school/program recommendations?

Hello,

At 49 years old, I (M) am exploring a career change into massage therapy. There are a few programs in my area, inlcuding one called which isn’t accredited. How important is accreditation in this field?

Additionally, if anyone here is in the Twin Cities and has feedback or recommendations on local MT programs, I’d appreciate your insights!

Thanks in advance!

For obvious reasons I'm scouting options on immigration as a LMT to other countries.

I'm aware the schooling and requirements in the US are more extensive than our northern neighbors but was wondering if anyone has some experience going through the process and if it changes based on job experience, years practiced, etc.

For reference I've been an LMT for 11 years and as a bonus spent 4 of those working in the NHL so I've technically worked in most of the major Canadian cities (RIP Nordiques)

Thanks all

I went for a deep tissue massage 2 weeks ago and the masseuse found a lot of knots and tension in my lower back and spine. They worked on these heavily and I felt a bit under the weather that evening. I went to bed early and woke up with stabbing pains in the lower left and right of my back (Around roughly where the kidneys are). The right side faded over the coming days but the left has continued and is still causing me constant stabbing pains throughout the day.

I've had my kidneys fully checked by doctors (bloods, urine and ultrasound) as they thought it might be kidney stones.

Has anyone here had this before (either from a massage or seen it in a client)? Just looking for some ideas of how to treat it as ibuprofen (tablets and gel) and heat pads haven't made any difference.

Hey all- genuinely wanting to know what my options would be as a WA state LMT. What countries would I be able to practice in without additional schooling requirements? And/or countries that have a demand for LMTs.

Any help to point me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated by me and my family 🙏

New therapist... I got my license last month and unfortunately went straight into H&S. My school didn't cover stones at all, it was advised during the interview and brushed off because they would provide training. Of course very little training happened. The entire training was for me and one other therapist in 6 hours which was supposed to include the hands on training for both types of hot stones, the cold stone face massage and hand/foot treatments. We didn't have nearly enough time in the 6 hours, I got about 45 minutes of rushed choppy hot stones and the other therapist got no hands on time. We had to request another 3 hours the next day for the other therapist to practice on me and I got about another half hour of trying (of course not a full body/50 minute routine). I don't feel confident using the hot stones and I really just don't want to, I'm fine with chalking it up to not being a good fit and moving on. The trainer offered to meet up with me for a final one on one session to do the full body as I would on a client, I agreed because I wouldn't mind doing it if I was actually ready to do it. The manager of course doesn't want me to quit after only 2 weeks (and she says all the clients I've had really loved me) but she can't risk putting more money into training me if I might not stay, I told her I didn't expect to get paid and she said she also doesn't want me to come in to practice without getting paid. I told her it's her that needs to make up her mind. It might just not be a good fit, not all therapists use hot stones... But also it can take time to master a new modality, the bare minimum training provided is a bit of a joke for someone who works with integrity. I'm young and fresh, I don't fake it till I make it to get the quick commission. There's several other little factors that make it feel like it's not worth the struggle like turnaround time for the rooms, the basalt stone heaters are pretty beat up/rusted, each room has different stones because the other therapists hand pick what they want from each room and it would be likely I would have to buy my own stones to bring in to be really comfortable and have enough, even getting an empty room to practice in right now is a struggle as therapists are doing hectic room switches throughout the day... It does feel like a silly little hill to die on but this is a place where I've done couples massages where the other therapist who has been there 5 years stops for water breaks in every massage she does (crinkly plastic bottles) and another who has been there awhile refuses to wear scrubs, she wears black biker shorts and Birkenstocks with socks... Should I try to get through the stones or get a non massage job for a few months to save up for a salon suite?

Is anyone familiar with the brand Massage Blocks that made trigger point tools, and knows what became of them? They have been on the market for the last 10 years or so, the last time I bought one of their products was in 2020, and now the company seems to have disappeared. If I had known they were closing shop I would have picked up a few more of their pieces I intended to buy. I'm quite disappointed I didn't complete my Massage Block kit, they are incredible trigger point release tools for self massage.

Their website is offline and no trace of their products on the internet either, even ebay :(

I want to be able to balance both starting and family and my massage practice- I am curious how others have done it.

I am on the cusp of a new life stage. I am two years into my massage practice, offering shiatsu on a floor mat. I am trying to get pregnant. I'm wondering how your practice adjusted to pregnancy.

As a shiatsu practitioner, my work is very dynamic and physical- I'm often on my hands and knees, sitting, in a lunge, moving limbs. I have finally started to feel more comfortable in my work, after a year of getting into it and having to balance what I learned in school and what works for me. I'm getting better at being comfortable and making sure I am feeling good while working (not hunched in a weird position or working too hard at lifting limbs and such). I have not done much table work though I am planning to buy a table so I can move off the ground if and when I need, especially since pregnancy is on the horizon.

For anyone who did massage and bodywork through pregnancy, please share any advice or stories as to how you were able to take care of your self as well as keep working and caring for others. Or if you couldn't practice anymore, or how you had to adjust your practice for your growing body. Recover, postpartum, returning to work, etc.

Thank you!

My right ear has been “clogged” for a few years, and I hear constant crackling in it from either external sounds or when I speak. I also hear it if I'm rubbing/massing the rear right hand side of my next or right behind my ear.

I saw an ENT, and he put tubes in which haven't helped. I've also tried steroid nasal spray with no help. He said my hearing is fine but I probably have Eustachian tube dysfunction and there's nothing else he can do to help.... Wondering if there is any massage treatment I could request to address this specifically? I feel like seeing as I can make the sounds happen when I massage the back right hand side of my neck it may be something that is causing the issue and an avenue for possible treatment?

Hello, I am a new RMT from Ontario, Canada. I've been working for around 7 months and I am currently doing 19-20 treatments a week. I work out of a chain clinic. Each pay I have been putting 20% away for taxes but ive been seeing that 30% may be better. Would love to get some opinions or advice. Thanks everyone! :)

Hi everyone I got my first massage a week ago and it was amazing. I have cerebral palsy and am confined to a chair so my hamstrings hips glutes and neck are tight but my therapist worked on everything which was great. Being a broke college student i definitely can’t afford any more massages for awhile as with a discount and without tip (my MT said that was ok) the massage came out to 130 dollars. This is totally fair and in my mind should actually be more as you guys do incredible work. However i can’t afford this so i was wondering are there any organizations that pay for massages? Im still on my parents insurance which won’t even pay for my home health aide so i doubt they’ll pay for massages. Even if they did my parents don’t believe in massage no matter what i tell them so putting it through insurance is not an option. My first thought was to go to a massage school but I need a lot of assistance in terms of getting on the table and disrobing so they can’t accommodate me. Any ideas on what i can do? I’m in Indiana if that helps

Update: per your guys suggestion I’ve looked at schools in my area and their are only two ): one said they couldn’t accommodate me because I need to be lifted on to the table so that sucks but is understandable. I’m waiting on the other school to call me back. As far as bartering goes I don’t really have any good skills besides I know how to build computers and I’ll be getting a 3d printer soon. If they are any therapists who happen to be in Indiana or Michigan and would be willing to work something out please let me know! If not no worries I knew this was a long shot!

Hello. I am not sure if this is the right spot to post, but definetly looking for some advice / direction. If this isn't it, please delete. I had a very uncomfortable experience on the table while receiving a massage this weekend. It's been over a year since my last one, and almost 10 years since I was myself a LMT. So I am unsure just how inappropriate this was with current licensing and training / schooling.

This last weekend for my birthday my husband scheduled me a massage at a known chain that we occasionally book massages for each other at (anniversaries, birthdays, etc).

First and foremost check-in was a total disaster and I didn't receive the extra services my husband had booked for me (I did not know these services were added until I met up with my husband after the massage ended). Check-in staff was less than friendly and I felt somewhat uncomfortable from that moment.

Once on the table with my massage therapist, she asked me where my pain was primarily located. If the pain was constant or temporary, aching or stabbing.

As I explained I sit at a desk for work 12+ hours per day and that typically it's my shoulders, she scoffed (sort of snorted / laughed or giggled), and said -

"(Scoff) Well to be honest with you, you're the smallest person I've ever massaged. And being underweight is probably actually the cause of your pain. You should focus on gaining weight".

I had been naked on the table for maybe five minutes.

As a person who has struggled with weight gain her entire life, and been made fun of for it, I wanted to simply disappear into the table. I considered stopping the session due to being uncomfortable, but did not want to cause a scene. The entire hour was spend with me laying naked on a table absolutely hating my body, wanting to cry, and run out of the room.

I simply responded with, "I requested a silent massage". (Which I did).

After the session, my husband picked a crying me up on my birthday and when I explained all of this to him, he called the shop livid.

Management of the shop called me back yesterday and offered their apology, along with a free massage, along with the extra services I didn't recieve that my husband had added on. I told her I would think about it, and call back.

Truly I don't want anything for free. And I don't know that I ever want to be naked on a massage table at this establishment ever again (or maybe simply ever on a massage table again).

I just don't want this LMT to ever make anyone feel ashamed of their body again, or uncomfortable to be on a table, or hesitant to ever get on a table again. Or anyone to be stuck in a room naked with this person judging their physical appreciate right infront of them.

Am I blowing this way out of proportion? How would you proceed?

Just curious how other LMTs deal with this. I'd say maybe only 5% or less of my bookings end up not happening for the above reasons, but it still really pisses me off that selfish people can waste my time and impact my financial wellbeing.

I'm curious about switching to a model where I ask for people to pay upon the time of booking the massage, but I'm also a bit worried that this might make more people hesitant to book with me. If this pay-upfront model dips my bookings by greater than 5%, it's not financially worth it for me to implement, and I guess I should just eat the frustration I have when people flake.

HELLO! First time having to renewing my license here and can someone please give me the steps by step process to do so with the requirements to do so. I know 20CE Credits, 14CE’s being in-person, 3CE’s Laws&Ethics, CPR, Active Insurance but what else?

Thanks in advance

Hey everyone, after 17 years, I’m saying goodbye to my profession as a massage therapist, and I wanted to share a bit of what that means to me. For some of us, this career is so much more than a job. It became the fabric of my life, a path filled with connection, trust, and a shared purpose in every session. Each day, I had the privilege of being part of something larger than myself, of creating a space where healing, compassion, and understanding flowed between hearts, most times in silence but always with profound depth.

Leaving this field feels like letting go of a piece of my soul. It’s a bittersweet farewell, one filled with gratitude for the countless moments connecting and helping others that have enriched my life, yet sadness for the part of myself I’m leaving behind. I’m genuinely mourning this transition, knowing that this was more than just a job… it was a calling, a way of connecting that brought deep meaning to my days.

Cheers to healing and to be healed! 🥰

Hello! Newer LMT here. I have yet to experience a client crying during a session, and I have a general idea on how to respond when that happens. But I'm curious to know how any of you respond when a client cries? Or if you'd like to share any stories too. Thank you :)

I’m not new to massages but know that I only like Swedish massages. I got my first deep tissue about a year ago and felt sick after. I booked one this past weekend and confirmed when I got there that it was Swedish/soft tissue massage and the lady who took me back also confirmed. Another man came in to do the massage and it honestly hurt so bad. Several times I asked him to be softer and he even asked several times if it was too hard because I was tightening up and could not relax. This was Saturday, I looked in the mirror last night and have bruises on my arms and legs/buttocks. I read bruising can be normal but I have actual finger imprints. I don’t want to reach out to them if I’m being a big baby and have a high pain tolerance (have multiple tattoos and gave birth naturally twice).

I’ve had it happen and it depends on how I put my face in the cradle. Do you think this is doing any damage to my eyes? It lasts about 15 mins after I get off the table

2 part question regarding Burke Williams and pain due to a knot in lower back.

1. do they have to do full body each time at BW? I’ve gone 5 times in a row with different therapists and each time told them I am there for lower back pain and I don’t need full body and don’t mind if we spend the whole time on my back. They still only spend a few minutes on the problem area and move on

2. 5 massages, one chiropractic adjustment and 3 gym visits later I still have a painful knot in my lower back. Suggestions/advice? I’m also icing when I can and using a lacrosse ball and walking. I’m 12 weeks postpartum. Thanks!

Hi I apologize as this might not be the right subreddit..

For years I’ve been trying to schedule a massage as I’m in desperate need, but I have a few hang ups that I can’t seem to let go of.

Firstly, I have psoriasis. Can I even get a massage? Will a therapist touch my back or will it just be an always dismissal when I come in?

Second, I’m a man and am extremely uncomfortable with another man touching me. This is due to some abuse in life. Is it inappropriate to request a female therapist?

Lastly, I’m so backed up with emotional blockage that the last time my wife rubbed my thighs I balled like a baby. It was unexplainable but my mother rubbed my back during a family reunion and it took everything I had to not burst into tears. There’s a very large amount of emotions that flood me when my thighs and back are touched and I’m unsure what’s going on but it felt amazing to release it when my wife rubbed my legs. I’m worried that I will cry if I see a therapist.

I’ve messaged two practices asking these questions and never got a response so I’m feeling a bit hopeless.