Career Center - Massage Toolkit

A Massage Therapist's Essential Toolkit

Combine dedication, compassion and intuitiveness with exceptional communication skills and comprehensive training; add some marketing savvy and fundamental business knowledge. At the end of the day, you have just created the foundation to your success as a massage therapist.

As if that skill set was not enough, massage therapy requires a few more ingredients to entering the door and building your own thriving business.

Massage Therapist's Basic Toolkit

To start, massage therapists need some standard tools of the trade:

• A massage table or chair: Offered in a wide variety of brands and styles, with numerous accessories available, massage therapists can find the exact table or chair to fit their practice.
• Lots of linens: Important to a client's comfort and hygiene, therapists need to provide quality linens that withstand repeated washings.
• Lotions or oils: Many varieties of lotions and oils are available today, and massage therapists needs to choose the right product for their business. A massage therapist might consider these questions before purchasing lotions or oils:

• • Are they water soluble?
  • Do they contain vitamins to nourish and moisturize the skin?
  • Do they glide easily and absorb well?
  • Are they available in economical sizes?

• Soothing music: Setting the stage for relaxation and meditation, music can play a key role in helping clients sink into a calm, receptive state.

Enhancing Your Massage Therapist's Toolkit

Beyond the standard massage therapy equipment, what else should you have in your toolkit? Depending on the style of bodywork you practice, you may want to consider some of these accessories:

• Massage stones: Used in hot stone therapy, these tools can enhance relaxation and rejuvenation, helping to heal or stimulate damaged muscles and tissue.
• Pillows and bolsters: Contoured and cushioned, pillows and bolsters not only provide comfort, but can help position clients to maximize the release of muscle and joint pain.
• Water feature or fountain: The relaxing sounds of a small water feature or fountain in a spa lobby or therapy room can assist clients transition to a tranquil state of mind.
• Drinking water for clients: Offering clients a cup or bottle of water serves as a nice closing touch to a massage.

Behind-the-Scenes Tools for Massage Therapists

Finally, you should consider the business side of your practice. Your equipment needs in this area may differ depending on whether you operate out of a spa, at an in-home practice or in a healthcare facility. However, at a minimum, you will likely need to maintain client records, track and order supplies, and manage your finances.

To this extent, you would benefit from owning some standard business office items that you can expand on as your practice grows, including:

• A computer and bookkeeping software: You can track supplies and maintain records by hand; however, if your practice expands, having electronic records from the start will ease your recordkeeping burden down the road. In terms of software, you may find that a simple spreadsheet meets your needs, or you could consider one of the many accounting or financial management packages that cater to small businesses.
• A file cabinet and filing materials: Keeping client information and equipment records organized and at-hand will boost your efficiency.
• A multi-lined or highly reliable telephone: Make sure your answering machine or voice mail message sounds professional and that clients can rely on you to return calls promptly.

You have committed to making your living at a practice close to your heart. Attaining the right tools and equipment serves as one of the final steps toward meeting your ambition and setting up shop. What's left? Just some clients to heal.

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