Massage Business Cards

Module 9 MASSAGE BUSINESS CARD PROFILE The term Massage Therapist is a general term to be used in this profile to indicate someone who performs massage therapy for relaxation purposes, sports injuries or relief of painful musculo-skeletal problems. Market A massage therapist is concerned with diagnosis, treatment of disorders of the musculo-skeletal system as well as offering relaxation and stress relief. Diagnosis is mainly through physical examination and assessment of posture, mobility and muscle tone. Treatment consists of a wide range of manual techniques to improve function of joints, effect relief of pain and reduce muscle spasm and nerve irritation. A good massage therapist will question, observe and examine the patient before giving treatment. Detailed information about the patient’s medical history, working conditions and lifestyle will be taken. Exercise and advice on how to manage the presenting complaint will be offered as well as suggested ways of adapting lifestyle to minimise problems. Clients People usually seek a massage therapist for treatment of pain caused by accidents, injuries at work, poor posture, sports injuries, stressed individuals looking for a means of alleviating tension and reducing stress. Many clients will want to be seen out of hours, so a flexible approach to opening hours is necessary. Treatment through the NHS is currently not available, though referrals from the GP will depend on the relationship between the two practitioners. Competition A massage therapist faces competition from the mainstream therapies such as osteopaths, chiropractors, physiotherapists, as well as from other complementary therapists. Often a group of therapists will practise from one clinic base. Market research needs to be carried out to determine the level of competition. Information about local competitors can be found through a range of sources:   Local business directories produced by the Chamber of Commerce. Yellow Pages will list therapists working in the area. Companies House holds information on all registered businesses. Massage Therapist Business Profile - 15 Module 9 Promotion         The traditional method of gaining new customers has been by word of mouth, ie. Recommendations from satisfied customers. Advertising in the Yellow Pages. Joining an appropriate massage therapist association provides networking opportunities, up to date industry news and help and information on training issues. Advertising in local media, displaying business cards/leaflets/fliers in shopping centres, sports clubs and fitness centres so as to reach the target client base. Free talks or demonstrations could spread awareness and public interest in your services. Developing links with local GPs may help gain referrals. Developing a web page, which describes you and the services on offer. Becoming part of a clinic with good walk in clientele, or one that does not offer the type of services that you offer, but has the potential of expanding or creating a clientele for you. Being part of a clinic is best served when a reasonable and reliant client base has been established. Training and qualifications As the profession is not officially registered it is, in theory, possible for anyone to set up as a massage therapist. However, relevant training should be gained from a reputable massage school, which can offer insurance cover and affiliation to a national body. Clients expect to see appropriate qualifications displayed which confirms that they have come to a therapist who is trained, knowledgeable and experienced. It is advisable not to enter the profession without taking and completing a relevant massage course.   Some further education colleges offer courses, which will cover massage technique, treatments, anatomy and physiology. Privately run massage courses, which can be found all over the country, have been the main place of study over the years for anyone wanting to become a massage therapist. These courses, which are run by practising therapists, will cover massage techniques, pathology, treatments, anatomy and physiology. They may also run extra professional development courses so that a therapist can learn new techniques and/or new skills in different areas of massage therapy field. Additional skills required  Good listening and communication skills. Massage Therapist Business Profile - 25 Module 9     Stamina and willingness to work irregular hours to fit the needs of the business. Knowledge and awareness of the industry and ability to adapt to changes within it. Business skills or experience for the day-to-day running of the practice. Empathy for others and a sensitive, friendly disposition. Start-up costs All practitioners will require premises of some sort and the alternatives are working from home, being mobile or being part of a clinic.  Subject to planning permission, working from home is a viable option when starting up. A room may be converted into a practice room, and a waiting area is advisable. Apart from informing local authorities, the mortgage and insurance providers will also need to be informed. Being mobile is flexible and involves less outlay, though the cost of travelling needs to be assessed. One problem that might be encountered whilst being mobile is that some client homes might not be able to cater for the work area needed for you to perform a massage owing to size of the rooms in the house. It is possible to buy into an existing complementary clinic, although levels of goodwill can make this difficult. Another option is to rent space in a clinic with other practitioners. Depending on the clinic, the rent could be on a daily or weekly basis, a percentage or a flat fee of the fees taken for each consultation. If the rent is a percentage or flat fee, it means that money is not being wasted for an empty room when you do not have anyone to treat.   In order to start up, a variety of equipment will be needed such as:       Examination table PC Towels and couch rolls Oils Filing cabinet Blood pressure apparatus, reflex hammer. Telephone, usually now a mobile phone. Before starting any business a thorough investigation into costs should be carried out before any decisions are made. What fees can be charged Massage therapists can offer a variety of treatments from relaxation massage, incorporating aromatherapy, to remedial or sports massage incorporating Massage Therapist Business Profile - 35 Module 9 manipulative techniques. Fees can range from £10 to £100 depending on the type of treatment and length of session, the area you work in and whether you are static or mobile. Some therapists offer a free taster session to attract new clients. Careful market research will keep you informed as to what prices are reasonable in your area and what your customers expect to pay. What insurance policies are required Insurance policies must be in place before you begin to trade. An insurance broker will be able to provide information on relevant insurance policies. However, a massage therapist will require:    Employees Liability insurance (if employing staff) Professional Indemnity insurance Building and Contents insurance Motor insurance for company cars Legal issues There is a great deal of legislation one needs to be aware of when setting up a business as a massage therapist. Some examples are listed below, though this in not exhaustive and proper legal advice should be sought before making any business decisions.           The Health Act, 1999 The Medicines Act, 1968 The Poisons Act, 1972 The Misrepresentation Act, 1967 The Supply of Goods and Services Act, 1982 The Data Protection Act, 1998 The Health & Safety at Work Act, 1974 The Consumer Protection Act, 1987 The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, 1982 Some local authorities may require premises to be licensed if a clinic is used to treat more than a specific number of clients. Who to tell For compliance purposes you should inform: The Inland Revenue within the first three months of self employment, otherwise you may have to pay a penalty. The leaflet “The Right Way to Start Massage Therapist Business Profile - 45 Module 9      Your Business” contains information regarding your obligations to the Inland Revenue and a registration form. Local authority as most businesses must register with the local authority under health and safety legislation. They will also be able to advise whether there is a need to register the business. The Environmental Health Department of the relevant local authority should also be contacted for information and to arrange payment for paying business rates. Insurance company as all businesses need insurance as soon as they start. Companies House if the business is being set up as a limited company or limited liability partnership. Bank, accountant and solicitor should be advised of the business plans before the new business is started. If you intend to play music in your waiting room or as an aid to relaxation massage you will need an appropriate licence. See www.pppluk.com Massage Therapist Business Profile - 55