Male Massage Therapist in a Female Dominated Profession

A Viewpoint From the Webmaster at
Massage Therapy Trends

Being a Male Massage Therapist, I find this topic very interesting. While going to massage therapy school, I was one of a few males. The ratio would range from 1:5 to 2:8, so often times I was the only male in the class. I liked this ratio because I was treated special. I became good friends with my female instructor and all of the students. There was never any discrimination that I could discern.

I attended school in a state that did not have many requirements on massage therapy and licensing (Montana), so I practiced massage while going to school - often times working for barter. I had dreams of being a Chiropractor early in life and as mid-life approached I figured at least I could follow my some what similar interests by getting my massage therapy certification. I had a big interest in helping others reduce body and emotional pain.

I have recently read several articles pertaining to males in the profession of massage therapy. My research shows that ABMP reports females to be 83% of the member population and males make up 17%, while ATMA says 84% are female compared to 16% male in their 2003 Member Demographics report. I think it is safe to say that females dominate over 80% of the practicing massage therapists today.

Some Male Massage Therapist issues I found in my research:

• Male discrimination in the massage profession
• Male clients experiencing reluctance (homophobia)
• Female hiring preference over male at health clubs and spas
• Male therapist / female client sexual concerns
• Male therapist livelihood threat from misconceptions

Instead of focusing on the negatives from the issues evolving from the Male Massage Therpaist research listed above, I would like to look at the overall profession and approach my opinion on male massage therapists based on what massage therapy is all about and what it has to offer.

First of all any profession that has a male or female dominance tends to be reluctant when a man or woman enters into a sex dominated vocation. I want to be careful what I say here, but one career field of police officer might be considered male dominated. How serious does a male or female that gets pulled over for a speeding ticket by a female police officer perceive this person. This is truly a “loaded” question because like everything in this world it depends on the type of person that “you” are that determines the perceived answer to that question. This is the same with the massage therapy business. It all boils down to the individual and anyone that says differently is stereotyping.

In the world of massage therapists and the massage therapy profession we need to break this down even further. Consider race, age and knowledge of massage and we are now throwing many variables into the equation determining what makes a good massage therapist.

Some massage therapists practice from a holistic and more spiritual belief, while others might be completely absorbed into the systematic medical and clinical massage approach. So tell me - which of these type of therapists have concerns and issues and then tell me which type of therapist is better than the other. And finally the original question of male massage therapist vs. female therapist surfaces again. What and who is better?

Some therapists work for someone else, some work in practices of their own in an office environment, others work out of their homes. Some do chair massage, some stone massage, some offer Reiki and / or Healing Touch which are modalities with a more spiritual approach. In some cases these same therapists offer breast massage.

I agree that male massage therapists in a female dominated profession do have issues and challenges. I also see females having issues and challenges in a female dominated business. Maybe not the same concerns or situations, but there are still problems that require decision and solutions.

With this said. Let’s look at the biggest variable of all - we are all HUMAN. No two humans are alike so no two massage therapists are alike whether it be male or female. When it is all said and done the overall outcome of what makes a good therapist balances on the relationship of one person to another . . . Client to Therapist . . . A basis of trust. Is the massage therapist living up to expectations of the client? Does the therapist have a pleasant bedside manner? Is the therapist knowledgeable in the services that they offer? Are the client and therapist comfortable discussing the body? How is the pressure, stroke rhythm, and technique of the therapist? Does the client leave feeling like they got their money worth?

In conclusion, my personal experience has been very positive when it comes to the fact that I am male and a massage therapist. My client ratio, male to female, is about 50/50. I have never had a discrimination issue. I have had some homophobia’s. This fear seems to melt away when this person finds that massage takes away that chronic pain they have been suffering from for the past year. I have had young, old, rich, poor and clients with fantastic health and the one’s with declining health. Large clients, small clients and children are all part of my professional practice portfolio. And no two have ever been the same. Just like no two massage therapists are the same.

When it comes to concerns, issues, and misconceptions with the subject of the Male Massage Therapist. I believe each of these should be approached and solved by individual subject, by individual event - by the individual . . Male or Female.

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