What Makes a Successful Massage Therapist? (Ask the Muscle Whisperer Series)

We are really excited to share with you the first question of our "Ask The Muscle Whisperer" series. We have gathered together the UK's top thought leaders in massage therapy to ask them your most burning questions!

So let's jump in with our first question! 

You can watch the full video with all the specialist's answers compiled together here.... or watch each specialist's answer individually in shorter snippets below underneath their name! 

• Jing
• Susan Findlay
• Emma Gilmore
• EARLE ABRAHAMSON
• JANE LANGSTON
• DROR STEINER
• DARIEN PRITCHARD
• SUE BAILEY

• JING ADVANCED MASSAGE TRAINING 

  
  Rachel and Meghan from JING say the most successful massage therapists are always striving to be the best. Not out of an egotistical need but out of genuine compassion for their clients and a passion for relieving their pain. Often this may come from a personal experience or simply a real belief in the power of massage therapy.
  
  Secondly, successful therapists are persistent. Staying in the game and riding out the inevitable storms and remaining consistent and available to clients. Even simple measures like keeping the same phone number is something the team have seen massage therapists forget to do! Another way that persistence can grow your massage therapy business is the techniques you use to rebook clients. Being confident in establishing that a series of treatments will have a more significant impact on chronic pain than a one-off treat across all your interactions with clients will set the tone for your clinic.
  

   

  Watch Rachel and Megan answer your "Ask the Muscle Whisperer" Question below!

  To see JING's upcoming training courses please click on the image below or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  

    

  Jing
  Susan Findlay
  Emma Gilmore
  Earle Abrahamson
  Jane Langston
  Dror Steiner
  Darien Pritchard
  Sue Bailey

• SUSAN FINDLAY 

  
  Susan wishes there was one easy path to follow to a successful massage therapy business but encourages therapists to embrace the challenges along the way. On the other side is the opportunity to build the life you most desire, enabling you to work on your own terms at a job you are deeply passionate about. 
  
  To achieve this takes courage and self-awareness. Being able to acknowledge, accept and analyse your failings will help you grow as a massage therapist. Good communication, consistency and focus will help you keep your clients and continue to grow your therapy business as word of mouth is still the best form of marketing! 
  
  If you are ever unsure of where to start, take advantage of free resources from experienced therapists to continue building your business and cultivating success as you figure things out. Susan's Massage Monday videos and Brittany Spence both provide a wealth of information for therapists.
  
  

  Watch Susan answer your "Ask the Muscle Whisperer" Question below!

   

  To find out more about Susan's courses and sign up for her great Massage Monday series click on the image below or follow her on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. 

  

  Jing
  Susan Findlay
  Emma Gilmore
  Earle Abrahamson
  Jane Langston
  Dror Steiner
  Darien Pritchard
  Sue Bailey

• EMMA GILMORE 

  
  Maintaining enthusiasm, passion and authenticity are key traits of a successful massage therapist for Emma. By knowing their self worth these therapists build a massage practice that allows them to work the hours they want, with the kind of clients they want, who respect the rates they charge and the knowledge they possess. Choose the area you want to specialise in and shape your career with professional courses and a dynamic practice. 
  
  Successful massage therapists do not see other therapists as competition but rather as a network of body workers who can support each other. Confident therapists refer clients to other massage therapists for treatments outside their modality, safe in the knowledge that this does not jeopardise their massage therapy business but will bolster their reputation with the right clients.
  
  

  Watch Emma answer your "Ask the Muscle Whisperer" Question below!

   

  You can see the latest courses on offer at School of Bodywork by clicking the image below! You can also follow on Facebook and Instagram.

  

  Jing
  Susan Findlay
  Emma Gilmore
  Earle Abrahamson
  Jane Langston
  Dror Steiner
  Darien Pritchard
  Sue Bailey

• EARLE ABRAHAMSON 

  
  
  Earle lists a host of qualities that a successful massage therapist should strive to cultivate. From creativity to courage, flourishing therapists exude many traits as well as demonstrating a strong knowledge base, always operating within their designated scope of practice. 
  
  Finally the best massage therapists also act as ambassadors for the industry, educating as well as treating their clients.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Watch Earle answer your "Ask the Muscle Whisperer" Question below!

   

  You can find more details on Earle's latest book 'Muscle Testing – A Concise Manual' by clicking the images below or find out more details on the next Hands On Training courses by clicking here.

  

   

  Publications:

  • Making Sense of Human Anatomy and Physiology - Lotus Publishers 2016

   

  • Concise Manual of Muscle Testing - Handspring Publishers. Due out October 2019 
  Jing
  Susan Findlay
  Emma Gilmore
  Earle Abrahamson
  Jane Langston
  Dror Steiner
  Darien Pritchard
  Sue Bailey

• JANE LANGSTON

  
  Jane defines a successful massage therapist as one who enthusiastically keeps their knowledge up to date. Not out of obligation, or as a tick box exercise to keep up professional memberships but out of a genuine desire to be constantly improving their massage treatments. 
  
  By engaging in regular reflection, massage therapists can download their negative thoughts, leaving them in the office, and gain insights which can prove invaluable for personal and professional development. Reflection diaries also help massage therapists to stay humble yet acknowledge the successes along the way. 
  
  Jane believes another key to success is having the confidence and conviction to refer clients to alternative services such as their GP if it is in their best interests. This will win client's confidence as they see your loyalty is to their well being rather than your bank balance. 
  
  

  Watch Jane answer your "Ask the Muscle Whisperer" Question below!

   

  Click here to order Jane's latest book 'Muscle Testing – A Concise Manual' written in collaboration with Earle Abrahamson or click on the image below to join the next Muscle Testing and Human Anatomy & Physiology Workshop with Learn Anatomy Ltd.

  
  

  Jing
  Susan Findlay
  Emma Gilmore
  Earle Abrahamson
  Jane Langston
  Dror Steiner
  Darien Pritchard
  Sue Bailey

• DROR STEINER 

  
  Dror defines a successful therapist as someone who gives a great service to their client, they are caring and know the history of their client's pain, which enables them to give a personalised treatment. They also have a thriving practice, with plenty of clients but also have another aspect to their lives which give them joy and purpose, which takes them to the next level at work.
  
  A good therapist needs to be able to balance three pillars; 
  
  1. Ability - the knowledge and technique to give a great treatment.
  2. Developing a therapeutic relationship - Good communication skills enable clients to feel safe and cared for by you.
  3. Promote your business -  Strengthening knowledge of marketing and working in a way that increases word of mouth referrals. 
  
  Therapists who have the most success identify their weakest link in these pillars and focus on developing that rather than relying on their strengths. Clients choose you as their massage therapists not just because of the techniques you use but because of the whole package. Take time to think about the ambience you create in your clinic, the way you communicate with your client and the energy you give up. Successful therapists are balanced, joyful and healthy.
  
  This energy is contagious and a big part of why clients choose their therapist. Finally great therapists grow their business by challenging themselves to something difficult on a regular basis, if you fail you can be sure you will still have learnt a great deal!
  
  

  Watch Dror answer your "Ask the Muscle Whisperer" Question below!

   

  See a full list of Dror's upcoming training courses by clicking the image below or follow Bodyology School of Massage on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.  

  

  Jing
  Susan Findlay
  Emma Gilmore
  Earle Abrahamson
  Jane Langston
  Dror Steiner
  Darien Pritchard
  Sue Bailey

• DARIEN PRITCHARD 

  
  Darien recommends that being strategic is key to the success of your massage therapy business. Taking time to consider the type of clients or issues you want to work with can be instrumental in filling up your diary. Being passionate about the type of work you will be delivering will help your confidence in promoting yourself as a specialist. 
  
  Taking care of their own health and well being is also a trait Darien recognises in successful massage therapists. As your career in massage therapy develops you will need to consider changing your techniques to protect your health. Successful therapists see their practices as an evolving entity, and recognise the need to take professional courses to develop skills to keep you and your practice in business as you get older.
  
  Therapists also need to nourish themselves outside their practice, spending quality time with friends and family and pursuing other hobbies and interests. 
  
  

  Watch Darien answer your "Ask the Muscle Whisperer" Question below!

   

  Click on the image below to find out more about the Hands Free Massage method or click here to see Darien's full range of professional development courses. 

  
  

  Jing
  Susan Findlay
  Emma Gilmore
  Earle Abrahamson
  Jane Langston
  Dror Steiner
  Darien Pritchard
  Sue Bailey

• SUE BAILEY 

  
  For Sue a caring nature and the ability to connect to clients on a physical and mental level is the key to building your massage therapy business into a thriving practice. 
  
  Successful therapists are organised and are always promoting their business. They jump at the different opportunities that come their way and make sure they are always up to date with their knowledge not just to comply with regulations but also due to a desire to always be improving their skills. Finally excellent massage therapists take the time to care for themselves, having regular treatments themselves and staying fit and healthy. 
  
  

  Watch Sue answer your "Ask the Muscle Whisperer" Question below!

   

  To see the latest courses on offer at Gateway workshops click on the image below or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

  

  Jing
  Susan Findlay
  Emma Gilmore
  Earle Abrahamson
  Jane Langston
  Dror Steiner
  Darien Pritchard
  Sue Bailey