Burned out in less than 2 years? Yep! And I blame the spa industry.

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Burned out in less than 2 years? Yep! And I blame the spa industry.

by Ileana A
(Miami, FL)

I have been a massage therapist for less than 2 years and I am already feeling all the symptoms of being burned out. My body aches, I don't look forward to going to work, I'm irritable and I find myself watching the clock whenever I'm in a session. I got into massage because I wanted to make a career out of something I loved. However, you loose sight of that when you work for hotels and spas. You work long hours, 6 - 9 hours per shift and sometimes longer on holidays. I find that management is not very sympathetic to how physical massage is. They don't have an understanding that an 8 hour work day at a computer can not be compared to an 8 hour day performing massages. Plus, massage at a hotel and spa is viewed as a commodity and it's not viewed as a healing practice, so the more massages that can be crammed into your shift the better for the bottomline. There is no regard for the therapist or for the quality of work that is being done during the 5, 6, or 7 massages that therapist is performing during the shift. Also, often times, lunches are replaced with clients without notification to the therapist. I've also experienced that an after hours massage is added to my schedule without prior notification. After hours is after my shift is scheduled to end.

Needless to say, I wasn't prepared for this coming out of massage school. The school I graduated from approached massage as a healing art. Taught us to view the client as a multi-dimentional being that we should tune into and help. However, I find that very difficult to do within the boundaries of the hotel spa industry. It is a Business with a capital B. Massage and other body work are viewed as luxury and we are view as service providers. We are not respected or viewed as health care practitioners. We are there to do a job, a job like any other, a job that must start at a certain time and finish at another. Then, on to the next.

I know I'm sound quite negative and I AM but I just wanted to share my story because I know that I'm not the only one. Also, I would love to hear some feedback from other therapists who have been where I am and who have over come it and how.

Lastly, I would like to say that I haven't given up on massage therapy. I believe in it's power and in it's worth as a healing art. I just feel that I need to create a space for myself where I can practice massage as I feel it should be. Wish me luck! ; )

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Burned out in less than 2 years? Yep! And I blame the spa industry.

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Mar 15, 2012

Feeling your Pain
by: Anonymous

Dear fellow LMT,
I very much feel your pain, because after just one year of working at an Acupuncture clinic, yes Acupuncture!, You would think that this is a more Zen environment and not so bad, well I feel the burnout! Pain, tired all the time, have to take more supplements than I did last year. After the dedication to the clients and the clinic, I was told I had to work 10 hours w/o pay (in between clients), of course I would get paid as I did before but could not come and go or make my own schedule, even though I am independent and filed a 1099. I have worked for other massage therapists previous to this, that tried, and did! take advantage of fellow massage therapists! I have learned one thing: I am sticking by what I learned in school, I seem to get better results that way as far as pay. What I mean is: the $60.00 is my guideline and I go from there, I know sometimes we have to flex a little and happy to say that the clinic and I have come to an agreement with a more consistent pay and not so bad hours, I work 33 hrs per week and do some administration like answer phones and some follow up calls to relieve me from too much physical work. The pay is consistent between $20.00 and $25.00 per hour. This also gives me time to work on personal clientele. Hope this helps, DO NOT be afraid when making your case, it works! Keep in mind your guideline and continue to voice the reality of the importance of your profession. I believe self respect reflects in our work. Stay strong because if each one of us stands up for ourselves it makes is easier for all of us!

Jan 06, 2012

Some thoughts...
by: sarahcafiero@massamio.com

First of all, I am so sorry you are going through this. I think that no matter the circumstances, every working massage therapist and body worker can relate to what you are feeling, and most of us have experienced it at certain points in our career. I’m going to skip blaming schools or the spa industry because, although it may be true, it looks like others have responded to that aspect of your frustration, so instead, I want to say just a few things:

I’ve been a working LMT since 1999. I do well in my business, and have not experienced burn out. However, I have been in the industry and have worked in massage schools long enough to know where you are coming from. The corporate spa industry, and really, any work environment that doesn’t have a massage therapist in a management/scheduling role will typically be completely unaware of what it is we do for a living. And they will not become aware of it. So, you have to start setting boundaries and looking for a way out. I say this also knowing that a large percentage of therapists working in spas are doing so because the NEED a benefit package, and the income from 25+ massage treatments a week. If that is the case for you, then I have great empathy for you and your situation. I still think you can make a change, but it will make it a little harder for you.

The other thing I want to mention is that last month I became aware of a new business that is
starting up here in Tucson, AZ. It is beginning local, and will be national by mid-May. Massamio.com is an amazing (and I mean, AMAZING) new business that connects clients with therapists. It is going to change the industry, and open up a world of possibilities to those of us that struggle to fill our schedules as independent therapists. (Check us out on Facebook!) They hired me last month to work as their therapist liaison, which basically means that I get to explain to my colleagues just how awesome this business is. I can assure you that I would be telling you about them even if I wasn’t working for them.

In the meantime, I think that small steps to reclaiming your love of this career are in order. Receive a massage from an independent therapist. Keep talking with people about possible solutions. Remember what it felt like the first time you actually felt a trigger point release. See if you can be a TA at the local massage school so you can inform students about their choices and help them see the bigger picture that is massage. And remember that you always, and I mean always, have an army of supportive, compassionate and helpful massage therapists at your fingertips! (pun intended, of course.)

Jan 03, 2012

how to achive freedom and success.
by: Anonymous

i find my self working under these same conditions . how do i break free and earn what we where all lead to believe to earn. $60 hour.

Jan 02, 2012

A learning experience
by: Robin Shope

I worked in a spa environment at an earlier point in my career. I call it assembly line massage. One body after another with no break and many no lunch days. It was during that job that I learned my limits. I learned just how many massages I could comfortably handle and how much was too much. When I went to work at other locations I was very clear about how many massages they could book for me and how much time I needed between each one. I stood firm and was shown respect from those I worked with In the one instance where my boundaries were not respected, I walked away from the situation.I now have a private practice and I stay busy. I control my numbers and hours. There are days that I do up to 5 sessions and days I do only 2 or 3. I love my job and my life. I feel like after 15 years, I can continue for quite a while longer. Hang in there and use this experience to define your ideal practice and then go for it!

Dec 07, 2011

Massage Burnout
by: Fern B

I have only been practicing Massage for four years but already I have had to take a couple of breaks due to burnout. I agree that spa jobs are pretty terrible to be honest. It's all about money for the spa and I feel that I have lost the ability to connect with my clients as people because I'm so tired from session after session. There is often no time to use the bathroom or to eat between appointments, which can be disastrous for someone with low blood sugar. Therapists are often not given lunch breaks and even if they are, are expected to take an appointment over eating if a client comes in. I too got into Massage Therapy because I wanted to help people and I believe that Massage is a wonderful practice. I will likely start my own small practice and quit my job at the spa I am currently at. I am also looking into a career change as I need to start to make the kind of money it takes to raise a family. If it's any indicator of how lousy spa work is, I have never been able to make more than $15,000 a year even at full time. This is well below poverty level. It is so sad that the industry is so crummy. I would recommend beginning your own practice or changing careers entirely.

Oct 12, 2011

LMT
by: Sandra

I have been working for apx 5 months in a "no-fault""medical facility". It is brutal. My dream of healing is fracturing before my eyes as I struggle with the pain in my 51 y/o body compunded by the lack of breaks, respect and management concern for staff health. Though I have no medical coverage or paid vacation , sick or personal time,I had to reduce my $14 p/h, 10 hours a day schedule, to six hours because I am becoming emotionally and physically wasted. I do love helping people and I am searching every corner to find a way to put my massage therapeutic skills to work. Hats off to all LMT's and may we endure to gain the respect of the health industry and the employment protections we so sorely lack.

Oct 08, 2011

need info on jobs at hotels and spas
by: lisa

hi everyone.
i am thinking of going to massage therapy school
in jan 2012...i would like to use my skills over
seas...im going to cancun in feb.i have always wanted to live in a tropical place...i believe
i would have to work for a spa or hotel..in the
beginning..i would like to have my own business.
i would like to do massages on the beach as well.
do you have any advice? i appreciate anything you can pass along..
ps..im going on vacation to cancun..will be looking at jobs there and also real estate.

Mar 21, 2011

I blame the schools
by: Mercy

I too am facing burnout after 34 yrs. I have worked in many different settings, hospitals, day spas, chiropractic offices, PT clinics. I had been used and abused by employers and clients alike. I decided to open my own spa and treat therapists like I wanted to be treated. I wanted therapists to be able to flourish in their chosen profession in a safe and caring atmosphere.

I am tired of being taken advantage of! I have therapists being taught by the massage schools to get hired, build a clientele, then take them and go out on their own. Leaving me with all the overhead, and none of the clients.

I enjoy working in a peaceful center, I enjoy helping my clients live a better life, I enjoy watching good therapists get better in their art. I have had clients approach me, not knowing I was the owner, to do housecalls and to "cut out the middleman". I have continued even with all of this because I love what I do. But now I am looking at having to close my business due to the theft by those I trusted, nurtured and paid to help them grow.

Mercy Champlin
www.HandsofMercySpas.com

Mar 20, 2011

Burnt Out
by: Maya

God Bless You and ALL of Us who can relate!! I'm in the same situation but I'm looking at it as a stepping stone to the next level of success!! All the Best :)

Mar 20, 2011

You got lemons? Make lemonade!
by: Dorene

As I read your story, I find I am actually envious of you. I am 48 years old, and just became a MT. I am finding it difficult to get started, b/c I need to get in better shape. I know there is a niche for me... but enough about me.

I worked at a high end day spa for 4 years, first as a nail tech and then nail department manager (hunching over a pedicure tub 8 hours a day wasn't as physically tough as massage, but it was no picnic either!). My experience was similar to yours, although the upper management was respectful of my schedule. The MT's worked 40 hours a week, and with the exception of 1 young woman, they came and went.

You have several great things going for you. You have your youth, you have great, great experience already, and you still like the work. There are so many avenues you can go down - there are many possibilities! I would suggest that as well as visualizing what you'd like to do, you start looking around at other MT's and identify the ones who are doing what you want to do. See what they do and how they've done it. OR, if you're not sure, looking around, even just through websites and massage publications will give you a lot of ideas. There are so many people doing wonderful things all around the country - I am constantly awed and inspired by them.

I would also suggest that you don't burn any bridges if at all possible. I would come up with a plan and a timetable for leaving the salon, I would do it within whatever terms you agreed to when you began employment there, and I would leave as graciously as possible. Being the bigger person is always good for your professional reputation! :)

Good luck!

Mar 20, 2011

Burn out or compassion fatigue
by: Eva Bingham-Persson

Several years ago I attended a seminar in which the speaker talked about burn out vs. compassion fatigue. There is a difference. Burn out is one no longer loves the work and wants out. Compassion fatigue is when you still love the work but hate going to work. I have been doing massage for 20 years and initially I worked in an fitness club. I got to the point I didn't want to go to work because of the stresses there, but once I got there and started working on a client I loved it. So change where you are working and the environment you are in to something that is more pleasing if you truly still love giving massages.

Mar 20, 2011

Burnout and Options
by: Sarah Austin

I understand burnout! After 2 years of being a massage therapist, I got an acute case of tendinitis in my wrists. The pain was so great, I couldn't even hold a glass of water. Luckily I was working for a hotel and went on Worker's Comp. I had the best doctors in NYC trying to help me, but nothing worked until I found Armaid. Armaid is the #1 reason I am still practicing massage! I also learned how to massage with my feet, which has saved my upper body from the stress of giving multiple deep tissue massages. I've written all about Armaid and my recovery on my website. It is one of my favorite massage tools (my other favorite is Thumbby). I plan to study more energy focused modalities in the future to move my focus away from deep tissue work.

Learning to work with my feet also gave me the confidence to start my own practice which is something I recommend only if you have the business skill to eventually hire staff or if you can branch out to sell something besides massage. Otherwise, you may find burnout working for yourself, too and still not enough money.

If you don't know how to build a website, I learned how through SBI, which I found through Julie here at massage-career-guides.com. I was with SBI for many years until I switched to Wordpress. I love both SBI and Wordpress for different reasons. A web presence is crucial! I have a great time working on my site and with all the typing I do, Armaid again comes to the rescue!

It sounds like you love the work, I hope you find a way for the work to love you, too! And if you get an Armaid, please tell them I sent you. :)

Sarah Austin, LMT
www.SarahsBody.com

Mar 20, 2011

Take responsibility
by: Joel

Hi! I hear you and understand where you're coming from. One thing I neglected to see in your story, however, was YOUR taking of responsibility in this. True enough -- we need a job to pay bills. But who's going to pay your bills when you're fed up and quit? The same person who leaves earlier, takes the experience they've acquired (and clients, too, if you can) and open your own office...and this is key, BEFORE you hit burnout.

I'm also not saying being in business is any easier. In a lot of ways, it most certainly is NOT. But there's nothing like working for yourself. Okay, so nobody's making you work in the hotel spa industry, so take some responsibility for your part of the situation -- the part you HAVE control over and CAN change and take the jump, either to your own practice, join in with someone else who wants to team up or apply elsewhere. The spa industry is a user, always has been, always will be. It's nearly all profit where massage is concerned with them.

You've already hit the ceiling where your tolerance for being overworked and underpaid is concerned. So ditch them and take all that energy you're putting into how bad you're feeling and do something else. If you can wrap your head around the idea of going into business for yourself or at any event moving on, your whole aspect will begin to change and will help you deal with being there a bit longer while you do your homework in starting out on your own. You can talk to clients, give out personal business cards and tell them you're going out on your own as of such and such a date. Ask them to refer you out, too.

About the only thing you have to concern yourself with talking with clients is written in your contract. If it isn't there, it doesn't exist and don't let the owner tell you any different. If they find out and fire you, no problem -- you're leaving anyway. You don't need their job, you just need A job.

In the end, it's THEIR fault they're scheduling you as busy as they are and it's YOURS for accepting it. One more thing. BODY MECHANICS! You'll never survive in this business without exceptional use of proper body mechanics. Take a course in it, read about it and practice them in front of a mirror or with another therapist who can correct you.

Good luck.

Mar 20, 2011

just say no
by: Anonymous

Yes it is difficult working in the business today but the one thing I learned in 24 years is that it is more about taking care of yourself rather than taking care of others.

It is imperative to have boundaries and be able to say no. With a job, that may mean moving on to some place that will respect you.

The other thing I think is that MT need to start showing employers what they do for them and how they add to the business so they are more respected.

Just regroup and find a new job or work towards opening your own office or renting space from someone else. I don't think it is that much harder than what you are going through with an employer.

Good luck
Julie
www.massage-career-guides.com

Mar 20, 2011

Your healing gifts are clearly alive and well!
by: Anonymous

Aloha Ileana,

Thanks for your clear description of your experience working in hotels. Ugh!! I certainly wouldn't like to work the way you describe your shifts!

I applaud you for maintaining your vision of creating a healing environment that works for you. I can hear your passion for our work! Your healing gifts are clearly alive and well, if undercover at the moment.

I encourage you to daily visualize yourself enjoying your ideal and successful work. Be creative and imagine as many specific details of the setting as you can. Fousing on our vision is a powerfully creative process that mysteriously moves us along our journey.

Remember Martin Luther King's "I have a dream..." speech? Focusing on our dreams consistently creates results!

Warm wishes,
Barbara Helynn Heard
www.lomilomi-massage.org

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Burned out in less than 2 years? Yep! And I blame the spa industry.

Comments for Burned out in less than 2 years? Yep! And I blame the spa industry.

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Burned out in less than 2 years? Yep! And I blame the spa industry.