Massage Therapist – Brittany Herzberg

Stan T.

Day in the life of
Massage Therapist – Brittany Herzberg

Brittany Herzberg
Massage Therapist
B Here Massage Therapy

I’m a licensed massage therapist.

My massage work is usually from 9-2pm or 2-6pm. I see 3-4 clients per day, and I work 5 days a week at most. (I used to work more, but I would not recommend that!) There are usually 3-4 loads of laundry per week, client confirmation messages daily, and I make sure to work in content creation almost every day. I’m able to fit in workouts, hydration, and calls or coffee dates with friends throughout my week without a problem!

My typical day

I wake up around 7am and typically have breakfast with coffee or tea, workout for 30 minutes (I have a membership with an online workout program lead by a physical therapist friend of mine), and shower.

I’m usually leaving the house around 8:30 or 9am. I really love getting to my studio early. I can set the tone for the day by making sure my office is clean and ready to go for my first client.

If the table isn’t already set, I’ll do that and turn the table warmer and essential oil diffuser on if the client likes those. There’s usually light dusting, vacuuming, and a few sets of sheets to be folded and put away.

My email is notorious for holding a few emails from clients first thing in the morning, so I take about a half hour to respond.

By that point, my first client has usually arrived.

If it’s a new client, we take about 15 minutes to discuss their health history and goals. If this client is an existing client, we take a few minutes to catch up from their last visit and I ask what their goal is for that session.

I give them a few minutes to undress and get on the table.

My sessions are either 60 or 90 minutes. They look like this: many of my clients chat with me during the session (a select few make this naptime), I usually target 2-3 areas of the body for more focused work and give minimal but direct cues if I need the client to do something during the session.

I step out of the room, wash my hands (and any massage tools like massage cups I might have used during the session), and greet the client with a “good morning!” as they’re coming back to life after the massage.

We cover payment if they owe for that session, and go over any suggestions I have for them.

My client leaves and I repeat this for another 2-3 more clients usually snacking between clients and drinking as much water as I can. Of course, this means I have to pee constantly! I’ve been able to work with my body to have “potty breaks” between each session as well. I also throw in some breath work and movement between clients.

My day is usually wrapping up by 6pm at the latest. I always have an ambitious goal of exiting the building 15 minutes after I’m done with my last session. That occasionally happens, but not always. It usually takes about 20-30 minutes to wrap up from the day. This includes: checking out (having the client pay and covering any suggestions) the last client, stripping the massage table sheets, and cleaning up the room (organizing the space and wiping down all surfaces). I also complete my SOAP notes (session notes) for the day, email or text any confirmations to clients for the next day, and head home.

I have dinner, relax with a good book or TV show with my boyfriend, and am in bed between 9 and 10pm.

Pros

  • I’m my own boss. My massage practice is my own. For me that is huge! That means I can craft the exact experience I hope to give each and every client. I am able to control the messaging, specialize in what I enjoy and am good at, and attract the right clients for my practice. I’m also able to live a really good life because I’m making more money by structuring my work life as a sole proprietor versus an employee or independent contractor.
  • I love the freedom, income potential, and impact I’m able to have on my clients as a practice owner much more than the advantages of having an employer.
  • You also get to move around all day versus sitting, work is never boring, I’ve met some incredible and interesting humans over the years.

Cons

  • Hard on the body, trading time for money, there’s a level of safety you have to worry about, it costs to take continuing education (which most states require), there’s so much laundry, it can be an emotionally draining job (if you have issues keeping boundaries, this won’t be a good fit for you).
  • There are things I have to pay for or pay extra including health insurance, taxes, and continuing education (which might be paid for by an employer).
  • I’m also responsible for firing clients if it comes to that.
  • I pay for studio rent and all the tools I’ll need for work (massage sheets, oil, massage cups, studio decor, etc.).
Brittany Herzberg
Massage Therapist
B Here Massage Therapy

Massage Therapists

perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. May assist in the assessment of range of motion and muscle strength, or propose client therapy plans.

Salary: $47350
Salary Rank: C
Education: Post-secondary certificate
Becoming One: Medium
Job Satisfaction: High
Job Growth: Very High
Suitable Personality: The Helper