OCCUPATION THESAURUS

MASSAGE THERAPIST



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HELPFUL TIP:

There’s probably a good reason why your character chose their career. Think about how certain talents and skills, a dominant positive or negative trait, or even an emotional wound might have influenced this decision. And once they're on the job, don't forget about the many work-related conflict scenarios you can throw at them to create tension and add complications.
OVERVIEW:
A massage therapist will evaluate a client for injuries and then manipulate muscle and soft tissue to bring them relief from pain, help heal injuries, improve circulation, alleviate stress and offer relaxation and overall wellness. They may specialize in a variety of modalities (Swedish, Hot Stone, Aromatherapy, Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Sports massage, Pregnancy massage, etc.) and work in different environments such as spas, doctor's offices, sports clinics, hotels, chiropractic centers, and fitness centers. Some massage therapists build a practice where they work on location (coming to someone's home, office, or a hotel) bringing their own equipment, lotions, and oils. Others may run a massage salon from their own home.

Massage therapists need healthy stamina, strength, and dexterity as while some sessions may be short, most are often 60-90 minutes of applying pressure and resistance techniques using the hands, fingers, knuckles, forearms, arms, and elbows. They must also be good at communication to ensure they can properly assess a client's condition and diagnose what might be causing an injury so it can be treated effectively.

Once a treatment is finished the therapists will recommend follow up (stretches, exercises, posture adjustments, avoiding certain activities) and make further recommendations for managing symptoms or to see a doctor for further diagnosis.

NECESSARY TRAINING:
Most therapists enter a post-secondary program that is part classroom study, part hands-on massage. Programs often require 500 hours of practice and have an exam. Additional time will be required to specialize in a modality. Certified therapists may require a license to practice depending on where they operate, pass a background check, and may need to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

USEFUL SKILLS, TALENTS, OR ABILITIES:
A KNACK FOR LANGUAGES, BASIC FIRST AID, CHARM, EMPATHY, ENHANCED HEARING, ESP (CLAIRVOYANCE), EXCEPTIONAL MEMORY, GAINING THE TRUST OF OTHERS, GOOD LISTENING SKILLS, HIGH PAIN TOLERANCE, HOSPITALITY, READING PEOPLE, REGENERATION, STRATEGIC THINKING, STRONG BREATH CONTROL, SUPER STRENGTH

HELPFUL POSITIVE TRAITS:
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HELPFUL NEGATIVE TRAITS:
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EMOTIONAL WOUNDS THAT MAY HAVE FACTORED INTO THIS OCCUPATION CHOICE:
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SOURCES OF FRICTION:
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PEOPLE THEY MIGHT INTERACT WITH:
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HOW THIS OCCUPATION MIGHT IMPACT ONE'S BASIC NEEDS:
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TWISTING THE STEREOTYPE:
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REASONS THE CHARACTER MAY HAVE BEEN DRAWN TO THIS PROFESSION:
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