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Tell us a bit more about you and your practice as it is today? i.e. are you a solo practitioner or a business owner? If solo, what kind of an establishment do you work for, how large is it, what is the clientele like, what is the specialty offered? If it is a business that you own, kindly include the same time of relevant information that will give the reader a good idea about your establishment/practice. Please also include where you live and work?  

I am a private practitioner (Diploma Remedial Massage)  I operate a part time practice from my residence which is at the heart of a very popular tourist location (Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, AUSTRALIA)  Via my website, I attract clients Australia wide who come to holiday in this area.

I also have a following of regular local clients who avail themselves of my service.  My technique varies according to the needs of my clients.  A key point of difference with me is my use of the very exquisite and very therapeutic  CPTG doTERRA essential oils which reduce stress and inflammation, enhance immune system and provide homeostasis (balancing).  I am a registered member of the very strong AAMT (Australian Association of Massage Therapists) am fully insured and am qualified to provide rebates to all clients who are members of private health funds.

Tell us why you chose to go into massage and at what point in your life did you decide to do so? What were you doing at the time? Where did you first hear about the massage career? What factors influenced your decision? What were you looking to get out of this decision?

I have been massaging for approximately 23 years.  I was attracted to the therapy by the personal benefits and then developed an ongoing passion which included taking on board new ideas and techniques.

What were some of your questions and concerns before further pursuing your massage therapy goals?

Talk about concerns with school and the profession itself.   Unfortunately there are some practicing in massage who are not properly qualified and some who practice outside the scope of massage therapy.

What is your specialty and what are the top three contributing factors to your success today?

Most practitioners have developed techniques to suit the needs of their clients.  I particularly like to “value add”  at times providing extra time and again the use of very high grade essential oils.  I am also keen to try to educate clients about good muscular skeletal maintenance eg “strategic stretches”.  Daily stretching is ESSENTIAL and should be a key topic for “all’ practitioners when trying to enhance good results for their clients.

What do you like about your specialty? What do you like about what you do in general as a career? Why?

Again…value adding.  I don’t put a stop watch on my time with clients and I follow up to see how clients have responded to my massage care.

How long do you plan to practice and what do you plan to do after?

Again, massage is a passion and yes I get paid but I also get a lot of satisfaction when clients get the type of service they are looking for.

Do you currently have another job or business whether full time or part time? Tell us a bit more about it and how you are able to juggle that with your massage career?

I am also still doing supply work (teaching elementary school)  From time to time I run clinics to show people how they can do DIY in essential oils massage using the simple yet very therapeutic  Aromatouch technique.

What would you advice someone who is looking at massage therapy schools? What do you recommend they look for and how? How do you recommend they determine whether the school is the right one for them? 

Of course the massage academy should be an RTO (Registered Training Organisation)  All intending students should do due diligence before signing up for any massage course.  Education with massage needs to be ongoing.

What do you recommend for someone who wants to go to massage school but cannot afford it?

TAFE’s usually provide 5/6 week courses which help tune those interested in massage into basic strokes and techniques.

What are your three biggest points of advice for an aspiring massage therapist today? What should they do/not do? What should they think about and consider?

Whatever massage technique or method is used the Three P’s ie Pace, Persistence and Pressure should be uppermost in their thinking.  Establish what your key points of difference.  Massage is such a competitive industry these days.  Why should prospective clients come to you instead of going elsewhere.  Be professional in your business.  Wear corporate type clothing with your business name embroidered.  Develop an attractive website so that new clients can find out more about you, your prices and what you offer.

Any open thoughts / comments – anything else that you’d like to share about yourself, the massage industry, profession, future, etc? If nothing, make one prediction for the future of massage?

Massage has been around for a long time and will be around for a long time to come.  In the therapeutic sense nothing beats the power of touch.

What is your passion outside of massage? What are your hobbies and interests which you pursue when you are not working? Tell us why you enjoy what you enjoy.

I’m blessed to live at one of the planet’s best locations.  I love the water, being on it ,near it and in it.

Jeff Zielke is a Licensed Massage Therapist. He can be reached on his website here.