How Many Massages can You do in a Week?
There are a number of factors that should be considered while determining the number of massages a therapist can perform in a week.
How many massages can a therapist do in a week? according to data on average, a massage therapist can do 10-15 massages a week.
But this number can increase and decrease based on many factors and may vary from person to person. Hence there is no standard answer.
However, this article will help you determine the number of massages you can perform in a week.
In this article, we will be covering:
- What are the factors that can determine the number of massages that you can do in a week?
- What happens if you do more massages than the average?
- What are the dangers of working too long as a massage therapist?
What Determines the Number of Massages in a Week?
There are a number of factors that determine the number of massages you can do in a week.
These include:
Dexterity
It is the skill of performing tasks, especially with the hands. As a massage therapist, you must use your hands with great care in determining the muscles that are tense, sore, or painful and apply the required pressure to relieve stress and tension.
Also, the massage technique being used will determine the amount of pressure to be applied. Therefore, hands may cramp when you perform multiple massages in a day. Stretching the hands between the massages will help you stay fit for massages and avoid any injuries.
Stamina
Stamina is the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort. As a massage therapist, you must possess the energy to perform a number of massages in a day.
As a massage therapist, you will spend most of your day in a standing position. You may need to bend and kneel while performing massages. Moreover, a full-body massage can last 60 to 90 minutes.
Therefore, strength and endurance are a must.
Aerobic Exercise and Stretching
Staying fit is crucial for you in order to maintain and enhance your stamina and dexterity. Being healthy has physical as well as psychological effects which in turn help you keep going on a long working day without any fatigue.
You should try 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic exercise to build stamina for increased massage output.
Moreover, you should take regular breaks during the massage sessions and stretch your muscles to keep blood flowing. Standing up and stretching will help you avoid lower back pain.
A little strength training would be an added advantage as it will help build muscles that will add to stamina and dexterity.
Positive Attitude
It is very important as it will improve your mental health and a positive outlook will definitely please your clients.
Moreover, it will enhance your body’s immune system and thus help you fight the germs that you may come in contact with while massaging clients.
Good Hygiene
As a massage therapist, you need to maintain good hygiene habits in order to keep yourself healthy and prevent the spread of disease that may be transmissible through direct skin contact with the clients.
It’s an integral part of practicing safely, and it’s mandatory in states that inspect and license massage therapy practices.
What Happens if You Do More Massages Than the Average?
Doing more massages than average may have certain outcomes that may include the followings:
The therapist was unprofessional
Your clients may not be satisfied with your services and complain about the unprofessionalism in the treatment room. The client may feel rushed or treated rudely or feel inappropriate pressure being applied during the massage.
To avoid that kind of situation, you should establish standard procedures and give proper attention and time to each client based on their needs.
The therapist was not trained
If you do more massages than average, that may mean you are overdoing it beyond your capacity. As a result, you will feel exhausted and will not have the strength required to perform a massage.
Therefore, a client may feel that you do not have proper training as you will not be able to apply the required pressure and appropriate massage techniques.
To avoid that kind of situation, you should work as per your strength and stamina. After all, it’s the quality that matters, not the quantity.
The Dangers of Working too Long as a Massage Therapist?
The risks of working too late as a therapist are many if you underestimate the physicality of this job. As a massage therapist, you need to practice really good self-care as your job is physically demanding.
The dangers include things such as carpool tunnel syndrome, medial epicondylitis, postural neck strain, shoulder pain, low back pain, etc.
Experts say that those who do not understand the importance of self-care are likely to suffer an injury at some point in their career. Even the most experienced therapists who have regular self-care regimens can’t guarantee they won’t ever sustain an injury.
The best thing you can do is to be as fit as possible for an incredibly psychically demanding job while taking time out for yourself as your body needs to be in a relaxed state as well so you can fully recover from your hectic routine.
Always pay attention to your body and take a break when needed.
Conclusion
The number of massages you can perform in a week depends on your strength, stamina, physical health, and mental health. Considering one full body massage takes 60 to 90 minutes on average, a healthy person working full time can perform up to 20 to 25 massages in a week.
Now it’s time to hear from you
How many massages do you think a client should get? Should therapists set an amount for this?
How many clients should you see per day/per week?
Have you experienced an injury during a session?
What suggestions do you have for other therapists seeking answers?