Masseur Training: Your Guide to an Inspiring Career

Quick overview: Everything you need to know about masseur training

• What does it take to become a masseur?

• What education do you need to become a masseur?

• What is the difference between wellness masseur, massage therapist and medical massage therapist?

• What massage techniques are learned during the training? (e.g. Swedish classical massage, deep tissue massage and trigger point massage)

• How long is a masseur training?

• How much does it cost to train as a masseur in Sweden?

• Where can you find approved and certified courses in massage?

• How to start your own business as a masseur?

• How to find clients as a newly trained masseuse?

• What specializations are there for masseurs? (eg sports massage, medical massage, lymphatic massage)

‍

Becoming a masseur is a great choice for those who want to work on health and well-being. In this guide you will get all the information you need about masseur training, from different training options to how you can start your own business.

‍

Why choose a career as a masseuse?

‍

As a masseur, you have the opportunity to help people feel better by relieving pain and stress. Here are some of the many benefits of becoming a masseur:

• Flexible working hours: Many masseurs can determine their working hours themselves, which provides a better work-life balance.

• Opportunity to help others: You get to make a positive difference in people's lives by improving their physical and mental health.

• Constant demand: The need for qualified masseuses is great and growing, especially as more people seek alternative methods of treatment for pain relief and stress management. It may be wise to explore which specific areas or techniques are most in demand in your area.

‍

Different Types of Masseur Trainings

There are several different training courses to become a masseur. Here are some of the most common:

Basic Masseur Training

The basic training will give you the necessary skills to start working as a masseur. This training usually covers:

• Anatomy and Physiology: Understanding the structure and function of the body is essential to be able to provide effective massage.

• Basic Massage Techniques: Learn different techniques such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage and trigger point massage. Below you can read more about the different techniques.

Swedish classic massage

Purpose: Relaxation, increased blood circulation, relief of tension.
Description: The most widely used technology in Sweden. Consists of long, sweeping strokes, kneads and circular movements. Suitable for both relaxation and relief of sore muscles.

Deep Tissue Massage

Purpose: Reduce deep muscle tension, treat injuries and chronic pain.

Description: A more intense massage in which the therapist works with slow, deep pressures to access muscles and connective tissue in depth. Common among people with muscle problems, stiffness or exercise-related disorders.

Relevant concepts to be aware of: deep tissue massage, deep tissue massage, muscle treatment massage

Trigger point massage

Purpose: Treat local fibroids (trigger points) and referred pain.
 

Description: Targeted technique that focuses on specific points where muscle tension accumulates. Pressure is applied directly to these areas to release tension and reduce pain.

Relevant concepts to keep an eye on: trigger point massage, treat fibroids, point massage

• Customer Care and Ethics: Develop skills in dealing with customers professionally and ethically. It can be valuable to get advice from experienced masseurs on how best to handle different client situations

Specialized Trainings

After completing a basic education, you can choose to specialize in a specific field. Some examples of specializations are:

• Sports Massage: Focuses on helping athletes recover and improve their performance. This type of massage can also prevent injuries and improve flexibility.

• Aromatherapy: Uses essential oils to improve well-being and can be combined with other massage techniques to enhance the effect.

• Medical Massage: Aimed at treating specific medical conditions such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia and arthritis. Consider consulting with a medical professional to understand how medical massage can be integrated with other treatment methods

Different levels of massage trainings

Step 1: Wellness massager — your starting point

For those who want to get started quickly and start working straight away, a wellness masseur is an ideal first training course. It provides you with basic knowledge of Swedish classical massage, anatomy and customer service. As a wellness masseur, you can work with relaxing and preventive massages at, for example, a spa, gym or wellness clinic.

Examples of content in the training:

Classic Swedish Massage

Anatomy and Physiology

Ethics and customer service

Internship on real clients

Many trainings are relatively short, from a few weeks up to a couple of months, which allows you to quickly get out into professional life.

‍

Step 2: Massage therapist — deepen your knowledge

The next step is to train yourself as a massage therapist. This is where you deepen your knowledge in therapeutic massage and learn how to identify and work with various muscle disorders. As a certified massage therapist, you can work more clinically, often with other therapists or in occupational health care.

Sample content:

Trigger point therapy

Advanced Muscle Function and Anatomy

Palpation and examination methods

Rehabilitative exercises

The training is often longer than the wellness training and includes both theory and practice. You can also get certified through professional organizations such as the Swedish Body Therapists Professional Association (KRY) or the Swedish Massage Industry Council.

‍

Step 3: Medical massage therapist — specialist in treatment

If you want to take your professional role to the next level, you can further train as a medical massage therapist. This is an advanced education that provides you with deeper knowledge in disease medicine, orthopaedic medicine and therapeutic treatment methods. You will gain a wider range of skills and can work closely with naprapists, chiropractors and physiotherapists, for example.

What you will learn as a medical massage therapist:

• Pathology and Injury Medicine

• Pain analysis and treatment planning

• Rehabilitation and ergonomics

• Journaling and documentation

This training is suitable for those who want to be able to receive clients with more complex needs and pain problems. Often, requirements are also made that you have gone through the previous steps.

How to choose the right education?

Choosing the right education is crucial for your future career. Here are some factors to consider:

‍

Accreditation and Certification

‍

Ensure that the training is accredited by a recognized organization. This ensures that you receive a quality education and that your certification is valid. In Sweden, for example, you can check whether the training is approved by Swedish Massage Industry Council.

‍

Cost and Financing

Trainings may vary in price. Investigate whether there is the possibility of funding or scholarships to ease the cost. Some schools even offer part-payment plans.

Internship and Experience

Choose an education that offers internship opportunities. Practical experience is invaluable when you are going to start working as a masseur. Internships also give you the opportunity to network and make contacts within the industry. Start your own business as a masseur

After completing your training, you can choose to start your own business.

Start your own business as a masseur

After completing your training, you can choose to start your own business. Here are some steps to consider:

Register Your Company

To be able to work as a self-employed person, you need to register your company with Tax Agency. You can choose to start an individual firm or a limited company depending on your business goals.

‍

Marketing and Customer Acquisition

Use platforms such as Bokadirekt to reach potential customers and manage bookings and payments smoothly. Social media and your own website can also be effective tools to promote your services.

Continuing Education and Development

The health industry is constantly evolving. Keep up to date by attending workshops and courses to improve your skills. Learning new techniques and methods can also help you expand your service offering and attract more customers.

Summary

Becoming a masseur is a rewarding career choice with many possibilities. By choosing the right education and continuing to develop, you can build a successful career in the massage industry. Use tools such as Bokadirekt to reach more customers and streamline your business. Then you get access to the entire bookadirekts marketplace where most customers search for a massage every day, you also get a tool that allows you to easily keep track of your finances and accounting as well as a complete booking system.