Scrubs, masks, cocoons, wraps, fango packs, glows and polishes, to name a few, are all services that are typically offered at day and resort spas in addition to and in conjunction with massage therapy.

All spa treatments have therapeutic qualities, address issues and concerns from sunburn to stress. Many utilize natural ingredients and an application that focuses more on the therapeutic qualities of the product(s) used, rather than the physical aspect of massage modalities. Two main components of spa treatments are exfoliating (scrubs) and moisturizing to maintain a healthy skin. In between there are a myriad of possibilities ranging from invigorating to relaxing and from detoxifying to nourishing.

As a massage therapist faced with the reality of injury and burnout related to the physical challenges of doing deep-tissue like massages or manipulations, the question arises what other forms of revenue can be generated using licensure, training and equipment.

Developing a menu of spa treatments is one great way to not only distinguish oneself from the competition, but also to perform additional sessions without taxing the body.

Many spa treatments can be performed without needing to have a shower available. They can utilize products that can stay on the body or the therapist can use moist towels to remove the product before proceeding to the next step of the treatment. In fact I even have a selection of spa treatments I offer for outcall massages.

If a shower is available, there are virtually no limitations to the kinds of treatments one can offer. For some clients who receive treatments at home and have a shower, I offer full spa treatment experiences that include a massage.

Many spa treatments can be offered as an upgrade to a massage or be specifically designed for a body part such as a moisturizing foot and hand masque or a calming décolleté treatment.

Full spa treatments can take the usual 60 minutes and include foot, hand and scalp massage while the client is taken through a number of steps that feature resting times during which a specific product unfolds its therapeutic qualities.

A simple wrap for a sunburned client, who comes in wanting a massage, could be using propolis and aloe vera to heal, lavender lotion to cool and calm and coconut milk to seal in the effects and moisturize the skin. Apply the products, wrap the clients in a sheet and proceed with a gentle scalp massage. Half an hour later, the products will have been absorbed and the client can take home a bottle of lavender lotion (and some sunscreen).

You can charge a premium for product use and as you see, retailing products will become a natural extension of your care for your client.

The products needed for spa treatments can be purchased from a vendor who wholesales to the spa industry or even more fun, put together from natural, organic ingredients you can often buy at the local health food store. Salt and sugar scrubs are a great example, honey. A little study and you can assemble simple treatments on your own.

When it comes to getting a great massage the most important step is always to seek out that massage therapist who has the ability to work magic on our bodies. The experience is different for everyone but, ultimately, if you find the therapist with whom you can be comfortable and relax – and who professionally and adeptly performs this strenuous work to your specific liking – than you have found the key to a really enjoyable massage.

For the massage therapist, the process of a massage can be physically grueling work. Often, a therapist will not schedule more than a few massages per day as any more than that can be exhausting and result in less than optimum results for the client – and possible injury for the therapist A good massage therapist wants their last massage of the day to be just as good as their first; but it takes work to maintain this consistent level of quality. Therefore it’s important for the therapist to be trained and skilled in massage of all varieties; as their experience in the industry grows their stamina will continue to increase.

To begin a career in massage therapy, those interested in pursuing massage will attend an accredited school in order to learn the fundamentals of a variety of techniques. Such schools exist all over the world where in a few short years you can be licensed as a massage therapist. For those interested in building their own independent business around massage therapy, such schools can teach you the business end of the industry to help you combine service with financial viability.

Some of the more popular forms of massage include Swedish massage – utilizing long, slow strokes that ease muscle tension; deep tissue massage – which works the deepest part of the muscles and is especially appealing to athletes; hot stone therapy – which uses heated river stones to sooth muscles; and even maternity massage – to help ease the discomfort that sometimes comes with pregnancy.

A trained therapist should feel comfortable talking with their clients about what level of touch works best for them; the measure of a good therapist is the ability to seamlessly adjust their touch to fit their client’s particular needs. Conversely, a client should feel just as comfortable expressing their lights and dislikes.

Also, in order to become successful in massage therapy, it is important for therapists to first care for themselves. Because of how strenuous massage can be, therapists can often experience everything from sore muscles and joints to back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. Those who perform massage on a daily basis must take care to book clients with enough recuperation time between them; a stretching routine and adequate down time between clients can ensure the continued health of the massage therapist and, subsequently, the ability to continue giving quality massage.

Finally, a therapist who cares for him/herself should take care to get themselves frequent massage therapy. This can be a wonderful way to release their own stress and energy and ultimately pass this energy on to their clients.