It is not uncommon for certain members of the public to overestimate the massage and bodywork industry. For example, some people equate the massage therapist with a physical therapist. This would not be correct as the educational requirements are vastly different. If the therapist works in an office with doctors or other types of therapists, the client may assume a co-mingling of qualifications or expertise. It would be easy and maybe even flattering to assume the role and not correct the client. This would be dishonest and could lead to serious problems down the road, especially if the therapist does any action pursuant to the client’s belief. The therapist should clarify professional limitations while practicing only within those limits. The quality of a therapist’s work is what attracts and keeps business.

Some therapists try to hype their image with questionable medical degrees. It is unlikely that a medical doctor with 12 years of professional education and internship will ever practice any type of massage or bodywork. It may impress some clients to be treated by a therapist with a doctorate but ultimately it is ridiculous. Furthermore, the client is going to walk in expecting to see the verifying diploma hanging on the wall.

The therapist’s certificate tells the client that the provider knows details about the human body and will not cause an injury; that the therapist has been approved to perform certain treatments. However, this expertise, valuable as it is, should not be mistaken for abilities in other, unlicensed fields. For example, the therapist should not wander into the practice of chiropractic or colonic therapy (unless separately licensed or certified for those fields).

If the therapist thinks membership in an organization would look good, their efforts to actually join the affiliation may be further rewarded as many organizations offer one or more of these: client referral, employer referral, insurances, and industry updates.

No matter how much training, certifications or affiliations therapists have, they cannot walk on water. (Be reasonable. Be objective. Be realistic.) When the therapist delivers precisely what is promised, no one is surprised or disappointed. The therapist can then feel satisfaction in what has actually been accomplished in her/his career. Being very clear and concise about what is offered promotes reputation.

There are many who are looking for exactly the treatment the therapist is comfortable in doing. Advertising a specialty in back pain when one really offers a more spiritual massage is counterproductive. The author went to a therapist who gave a good massage but then began to pray over her so that the session became much more prayer than massage. The therapist should have mentioned this feature in the ad so the author knew what she was getting for her money.

Anyone who has worked for years in this industry will say that word of mouth is the best advertisement. It’s free. All the therapist need do is perform the treatment they way they want to perform it, get good at it, be sincere, thoughtful, and free of deception and referrals will flock to them.