What Is the Income for Registered Massage Therapists

How much do massage therapists make?

The income potential for Licensed Massage Therapists (RMT, LMT) varies depending on the years of experience, the nature of employment and location.
The average salary for a typical Massage Therapist in the United States is around $43,000 according to salary.com. Keep in mind that this is an average where all range of massage therapists are included. There is no distinction between geographic locations, the experience of the massage therapist and the type of employment. In a spa environment there is potential for big tips, which sometimes don't count as salary.
Hourly rates for a massage session range from $40 to $110, depending on the region of the country, the experience of the therapist and the location in the city.
Depending on the type of your employment, you could be paid as little as $15 per hour as a beginner, or you could make as much as $110 as a self employed in great location in one of the big urban agglomerations. Of course as a self employed you have expenses to deduct but you will still make a great income.
There is a great income potential as a massage therapist, however if you got into massage just for the money and not because of a sincere desire to help other people, you will be unhappy.
On the other hand if you love what you do, you have good skills, and the determination to achieve success, you will be successful.
Remember, there is no typical salary for a massage therapist, the income can range from just scraping by to up to $200,000 per year.
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, massage therapists earn an average of $42 an hour, (including tips). They charge an average of 60$ per hour of service with a billing range between $15 and $110.

Why such a big difference?

First of all some massage therapists like this career because it gives the flexibility and their ultimate objective is not to make a lot of money.
As I mentioned before, the geographic location will determine how much can a massage practice or a therapist can charge for a session.
The practitioner's experience is a big factor. As a newly graduate expect lower income.

Benefits of Indian Head Massage

Head Massage is Nonintrusive and Convenient

Indian Head Massage is a practice based on the Ayurvedic techniques and involves work on the upper back,
shoulders, neck, scalp and face. Champissage, as it is also known, was brought to the west by Narendra Mehta.
It is gentle, safe and non-invasive and just about anyone would benefit from a treatment.
Head Massage, is administered fully clothed, therefore many people find it less intrusive than a full body massage. This therapy is also known as Chair Massage, or Office Massage, and is very convenient since it can be performed virtually anywhere.

Benefits of Indian Head Massage

Indian head massage promotes relaxation and is particularly beneficial in treating stress, tension, fatigue, insomnia, head-aches, migraine and sinusitis, increase mental clearness.  Head Massage is especially helpful to people who are 'desk bound' and experience pain and tension in the upper body.
It is also useful for relieving: Tension headaches, eyestrain, ear problems, insomnia, neck and shoulder stiffness, hair loss, hair thinning, scalp tension, mental tiredness, and anxiety.

A Powerful Preventative Practice

Indian head massage is a deeply relaxing practice. As a relaxing technique is a powerful preventive instrument in today’s stressful lifestyle. Indian Head Massage is most powerful when used as a preventative tool, but it is extremely helpful even as a treating method.

Tissue Manipulation and Chakras balancing

Head Massage, works in two modes: on a physical level, by manipulating skin and muscle tissue and on a psychological level by working on energy channels.
The tissue manipulation has all the benefits of a regular massage session such as lymphatic drainage and elimination of toxins, blood circulation improvement, spasm and tension relieving, muscle strength, better brain oxygenation, etc…
The energy channels handling uses accupressure points, named Marmas, which are in abundance on the head and neck region. Marmas are little gateways to the nervous system, and they are extremely responsive to various stimulus including compression, touch, heat and cold, etc…
Indian Head Massages utilize 'Marmas' which are acu-pressure points located on the head, neck, shoulders,
arms, hands and face to stimulate circulation, rebalance energy and release blockages which cause stress
and strain.

Hair Loss and Hair Thinning

Champissage is known in India for a long time and practiced on large scale. It is practiced by almost every family as a grooming ritual and as a hair and scalp care. The increased blood circulation strengthens the hair root and promotes health. The use of special oils feed the scalp and the hair with necessary nutrients. Champi as it is known in India is a head massage practice found in every Indian barber shop and it is extremely common to have one with a hair cut or even with a morning shave.

Weight Control

Many times overweight is a result of stress. Stress can impede a proper digestion and as result incorrect food absorption occurs.
Head Massage, by its extremely relaxing qualities, can help you assimilate food properly and, as a result, prevent weight gain and can help you lose weight.

Head Massage encourages natural healing capabilities

As a treatment, Indian Head Massage helps to restore a state of balance and bring back its natural healing capabilities, encouraging the body's own healing processes. Once the body is "attuned", it is wise to have regular treatments to help maintain a state of balance.

Head Massage fights Stress and prevents illness

Champissage is an extremely efficient tool to fight against stress. Since the majority of the modern’s life conditions are related to stress, Champissage can be extremely helpful for maintaining a good health.
It is very difficult to renounce our chaotic lifestyles because there is no reference point around us, having a Head Massage gives you this moment of bliss, which you can always refer to when you are stressed.

Neck massage against CCSVI (MS)

There has been many reports of CCSVI patients whose condition improved by massaging the neck. There are no medical studies to sustain the anecdotical reports, and a missdiagnosed CCSVI or incorrect massage could do even more damage to the patient's condition. However, if all the precautions are taken this might be a way to cope with CCSVI.

Prevent and Lower the Knee Swelling

Knee inflammation is a very common problem, especially in people over 40. People stop exercising because of the knee pain, but doing this will only worsen the knees' health. Here a few tips to lower the swelling so you can resume you day to day activity, and keep yourself active.

• If you have knee inflammation or pain that lasts over 2 days, or is accompanied by extreme discomfort or a temperature, you need to seek out medical assistance where the right diagnosis can  be made and any underlying conditions ruled out.
• Prevent applying weight on the sore, irritated joint if you can , until the swelling decreases.
• Apply a cold compress. Place some ice-cubes in a cloth and keep it on your knee about fifteen to twenty minutes in order to allow to minimize swelling. Continue doing this every two to four hours, and when you use the compress, make sure to keep the knee elevated using pillows.
• If you are affected by arthritis at the knee, it is vital that you keep up with a stretching program and strengthening exercises. These types of exercises can help to warm and stretch the muscle tissue and are particularly helpful after long intervals of physical inactivity.
• Regular training to increase muscle tone and conditioning can be extremely beneficial. Don't forget never to push yourself very hard if you're unfit. Pick a soft training which won’t injure such as yoga exercise or swimming.
• For overweight people then now is the perfect time to look at slimming down naturally. Excess weight puts extra stress on all the muscles and articulations, in particular on the ankles and knees.
• Massage is an effective alternative treatment to enhance other treatment plans for knees inflammation. Therapeutic touch assists release of endorphins and other ache reducing substances,  additionally supports good blood circulation to enhance the articulation healing.

Here are a few videos with exercises for your weak knees:

How To Give a Back Massage

Back Massage

Learn How to Massage the Back

Learn how to give a back massage like a pro. If you know how to give a back massage you can relieve pain, aches and stress. A back massage is also a fantastic tool when it comes to a couple's physical intimacy. This "how to" will walk you through the whole back massage session an teach you how to do it like a pro.

Back Massage Techniques Sequence

• The patient lays face down, (prone).
• The therapist will cover the inferior part of the body with a sheet. Uncover only the parts that are massaged. This prevents the body to cool down and offers more comfort to the subject. The practitioner will need to warm up the hands by washing them with warm water if needed, or by rubbing them together.
• Start massaging with a very light effleurage of the entire back from sacrum to neck:
• Perform 10-15 long effleurage strokes for letting your patient become familiar with you as a massage therapist. The first moves don’t bear too much therapeutic value, but they are particularly important as they set up the climate of the following 60 minutes.
• Apply oil or lotion on the back of the patient, making sure the oil is warm, and spread the oil on the whole back.
• Execute two times a more deep bilateral effleurage of the entire back. Make sure you cover every inch of the back.
• Do shingles starting from the lower back toward the neck two times. If the patient is a small person four runs should cover the whole back, otherwise you may need 6 runs. Do each run twice.
• Perform Petrissage, (Milking), on the whole back. The hands need to be synchronized for this stroke.
• Execute a longitudinal alternating thumbs friction along the spine – this is great stroke for people with back aches. The back muscles are very strong, and you need to exercise strong pressure. If you want to protect your thumbs you can use your knuckles instead. Use plenty of oil for this technique.
• Execute one time cross-fiber friction using your thumbs on the whole back: close to spine, median line and the edges of the body. This move is performed from the opposite side of spine. Repeat this on the other side.
• Do the same thing with palm friction but two times. This should be lightly stronger than fingertip friction.
• Perform a peeling two times. The area peeled starts very close to the spine and it ends on the opposite side of the body.
• As a transition you can do the shingles again and then cover the back in preparation for the next body area to massage.

Back Massage Video

Back Massage Tips

Perform alternate thumb compression alongside the spinal column making sure you cover the whole length from coccyx to neck. Do not touch the spine! This helps relaxing and reinforcing the spinal muscles. Most of us, as products of our modern society, will benefit greatly from this procedure.It is an excellent procedure for pregnant women, but if you are not a professionally trained massage therapist stay away from massaging pregnant women. As an alternative, you can do an elbow compression for more muscular bodies, but you have to pay attention to the placement of elbows as you have less control on tiny spaces and you don’t want to press on the spine.

How To Give the Best Romantic Massage

What Is Sensual Massage

Erotic massage is a massage type, performed with erotic purposes or as a sexual dysfunction therapy.
Romantic massage is one of the best ways to create intimacy within your couple. Giving a sensual massage comes natural and is not hard. But if you know a few tricks and follow some basic rules, your romantic massage will be a guaranteed success.

Massage Oil Candle

Massage Candle

What is a massage oil candle?
It is a candle made from a combination of massage oils and a cosmetic wax. The magic combination of the ingredients makes the candle easy to use for lighting it to create a romantic atmosphere, use the liquid oil after it burned a while to give a romantic massage, or to use it cold as a more dense massage oil.
Its low burning point makes it easy to use right after you extinguished the flame. The wax that makes it solidify is a great quality cosmetic wax.

Erotic Massage Types

The sensual massage is practiced mostly by couples, but there are massage parlors, some of them at the border of law, that offer erotic massage as a service. An erotic massage is usually conducted without the draping.

Erogenous zones of the body which are normally not handled in therapeutic massage, will be touched in such manner that increase sexual stimulation. When used as a sex therapy Erotic massage focuses to increase the libido, to treat premature ejaculation, or to treat frigidity, (in combination with psychological treatment). However the objective of Erotic Massage is not necessarily the release. Its objective is to increase the sexual energy with the intention of preparing the subject for a high quality sexual contact.
The erotic massage is also known as Tantra Massage in the Indian culture.

Many people consider different types of massage more erotically charged than other. Some people think that feet massage is highly erotic while other consider head massage as a sensual massage. However most people think that a full body massage is the best way to create intimacy. These are little variations on the same theme. The fact is that massage acts in many more ways than stimulation of erogenous zones in order to create the perfect mood.

Erotic Massage is a great way to improve sexual life and health.

There are two distinct types of erotic massage, classifying by the desired effect:

• Therapeutic erotic massage - which has as objective the treatment of a sexual dysfunction;
• Recreational erotic massage - has as objective to create intimacy between two persons.

Sensual Massage Video

How to Give the Perfect Sensual Massage

Any type of massage is a great way to increase your sexual experience. Follow a few rules to ensure the success of your next intimate massage.

• The strokes need to be performed in a slower motion than any other massage type. The moves will also be applied with low pressure. 
• The erogenous zones are left for the end of the session, unless there is a special request. 
• When you decide to start touching sensitive areas, do it in a progressive manner. Start with slight progressions onto the these zones and then move on with bolder moves.
• Count for a minimum of 15 minutes for the sensual massage. The key is to not skim through the massage.
• Massage helps the release of endorphins helping us to relax, hence creating an enhanced sensual disposition. Let the sexual energy build up and consider the massage as a foreplay before making any bolder moves.
• Read your partner’s body language to see when is the time for the next move. Be patient.

Sensual Massage Video Tutorial

Learn How to Give a Sensual Massage

A great video massage tutorial explaining in details how to give a sensual massage to your loved one. Beautiful models, great tips for beginners and advanced massage givers, and a lot of nice massage techniques to help you create a wonderful evening. If you want your sensual massage to be perfect you need to know how to do it. This sensual massage video tutorial is the perfect way to learn the art of massaging for couples.

Use Massage Oil

The Best Oil for an Intimate Massage

What is the best massage oil for an erotic massage? There are a few attributes that you need to look for when you buy you massage oil, or when you make your own blend. You massage oil needs to:

• Smell good,
• To be easily absorbed into the skin
• Have therapeutic properties, such as to promote relaxation, have aphrodisiac properties, and be gentle on the skin
• To be less greasy than your average massage oil

Neutrogena Body Oil

An excellent body massage oil, very light, providing a great glide.

It is also a good moisturizer.

Massage Oils and Intimate Body Parts

The massage oils are most of the time created for solely external massage, and contain essential oils with aphrodisiac powers, which will set the right mood, but these are not meant for lubricating your genitalia. The essential oils in the composition make it sting like hell if applied down there. Don't ruin your evening by ignoring this important tip. The intercourse lubricant is more neutral and mild for these sensitive areas.

Id Lubes Glide

Personal Lubricant

I-D Glide, 5.5-Ounce Bottle Long lasting, very smooth, it is water-based and water soluble, non staining and fragrance free and unflavored. This personal lubricant replicates the body's natural lubrication, making it ideal for anyone with insufficient lubrication.

More Tips For the Best Sensual Massage

• The use of massage oil or another massage lubricant is a definite. Choose wisely your massage oil.
• If you are not decided yet between lotion and massage oil, here are some hints: massage oil is more liquid, hence bears less control over the spills, lotion is thicker. Massage oils will contain more sensual and aphrodisiac essential oils to enhance the experience.
• Take your time with the massage and don't rush through. The massage will relax your partner and will get him or her in the mood.
• Many people think that massaging a certain part of the body will get them faster results. This is not the case, you need to work on the entire body to get the best results.
• Sensual massage uses about the same techniques as a Swedish massage session, the difference is the speed and the pressure. Any move for a sensual massage is done in a slower motion than a regular massage. 
• The perfect techniques for a romantic massage are the effleurage, and the nerve strokes. We can also use with great success the light petrissage,(kneading), which will help the muscles to relax.

The perfect Sensual Massage Techniques

These techniques are perfect for both male and female subjects, as they operate on common zones. No mater the sexual orientation of the person massaged, or the gender, the techniques will work.

• Start with a neutral zone, the best is an area that is tense very often. I suggest starting with the shoulders, but feet or arms can be as well good candidates. Grasp with your palm the muscle and gently squeeze it. DO NOT use you thumbs while massaging the shoulders. This is a very common mistake for beginners. The palm and the other four fingers should do a great job taking the stress away.
• Run your thumbs along the spinal column making sure you cover the whole length from bottom to neck. The movement of the two thumbs can be in sync or you can do an alternating movement, for a special effect. This will relax muscles along the spine. This technique is extremely efficient for relaxation and setting the mood as it is a very innervated area. For bigger bodies you can use your elbows. Make sure you use plenty of massage oil, as your thumbs or elbows need to glide perfectly on the skin.
• On the upper part of the glutes, on the median line, there is a notch, a less muscular area. Do a light circular movement, using your palms, or the heel of the palm on these spots. This has strong vitality booster, increasing the sexual energy of the person massaged. Massaging the buttocks is very sensual anyway, but this technique is one of the most effective ones.
• Perform a medium pressure effleurage on the back using plenty of massage oil. The pace should be very slow as you would like to make sure every inch gets enough of attention. The palms need to glide flat on the back starting from the lower back, finishing up to the shoulders. Finish the glide with a slight squeeze of the shoulder. Make sure you cover the whole back.