Massage Therapy School in Austin
Austin Texas is a great place for those who seek wellness services and for those who deliver them. In fact, it tops some lists! Sparefoot placed Austin, Texas #1 on the list of best cities for massage therapists in 2018; considerations were largely economic. Mindbody Inc, meanwhile, ranked Austin as the #1 wellness market in the United States. While the index was based on multiple factors, the organization stated that people in Austin spent the most money on wellness of any city in the nation (https://business.mindbody.io/education/blog/what-city-home-strongest-wellness-market-america-mindbody-wellness-index-ranks-top).
In addition to being a good place to practice, Austin is, in the estimation of many, a good place to live!
Top Massage Schools in Austin
The Lauterstein-Conway Massage School offers basic and advanced programs. Students may complete the 500-hour basic course and then complete an additional 250 hours of advanced clinical studies. Lauterstein-Conway has been assigned a testing code by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. A student will need a full 750 hours to achieve the prestigious national certification. The advanced program includes deep tissue and orthopedic massage certifications. It also includes Shiatsu and zero balancing. Some courses in the advanced program are also available as continuing education.
Avenue Five Institute offers a 750-hour NACCAS-accredited program. Avenue Five has also been assigned a code by the NCBTMB. What’s more, students will have completed the required academic coursework at the time of graduation!
Austin Community College offers a 565-hour course through its continuing education department. Students develop Swedish massage and clinical skills. The third semester in internship.
The Austin Massage Academy teaches students Swedish massage and related modalities (pregnancy, deep tissue and sports).
The Austin, Texas Massage Therapy Scene
The location quotient for massage therapists is well above that of Texas or the United States as a whole. For many residents, massage is part of the plan for handling pain, stress, and high physical demands. Many here also consider that a spa or wellness retreat is perfect for a vacation or short getaway — and some retreaters and vacationers come to the area specifically for these services!
Reaching Multiple Demographic Groups
Wellness professionals are considering one very large market that could grow larger: men. Among the highlights of the SXSW Wellness Expo, held at the Hyatt in Austin, was an expert discussion titled “The State of Men and Self Care “.
The population may be relatively young here, but older adults are among those who have the most to gain. Businesses that serve seniors are taking note. Westminster Senior Community recently announced an expansion that would add facilities such as gym space and a spa with massage (https://www.kbtx.com/content/news/Flotation-therapy-studio-brings-new-experience-to-College-Station-505728151.html).
Austin Resort Spas
Mid-2019 finds multiple hotel and resort spas hiring. Among them is Lake Austin Spa Resort. Coveteur reports that Lake Austin Spa Resort is one of the best places in the country for a spa vacation (http://coveteur.com/2019/04/08/best-luxury-spas-united-states/).
The Austin Monthly has taken on the concept of staycation. The Collective Hill Country gets a mention as one of the area’s best spots. Among the amenities guests can select: couple’s massage in their tent. Miraval Austin – and its spa – also gets a mention, though it’s the sound therapy this particular reviewer suggests going for. For those who are into massage, the spa has some unique offerings, including apothecary massages.
Local Massage Practices
Massage Sway is a relatively large local day spa. They’re about luxury as well as health, but the health benefits are real, particularly for those experiencing high stress. The business gives a small discount to individuals in some high stress service careers, including teachers and emergency medical service professionals.
Austin Massage Company has a team of 18 delivering diverse services such as trigger point, manual lymphatic drainage, and Ashiatsu. There’s a link to apply right on the website.
While Swedish may seem ubiquitous, Zen Well doesn’t offer the classic style. The focus here is Thai Massage. One will find other services such as reflexology. Zen Well was named best new spa by Austin Monthly in 2013.
Oak Haven Massage specializes in deep tissue – and in providing a deeply therapeutic massage experience. The business provides itself on its in-house training. Oak Haven was also seeking new talent in 2019. Prospective applicants can read about current LMTs and their stories (http://oakhavencareers.com).
Mobile massage has a significant presence. One will find big name companies like Soothe as well as local ones. Practices that have large massage facilities may offer onsite massage as an added service. Austin Massage Company, for example, provides events service through Massage on the Go (https://austinmassagecompany.com/).
Many LMTs work in healthcare offices with chiropractors. Some work in wellness centers. The Austin Monthly has called the Bee Cave space, a wellness center with a diverse team of professionals, the best one-stop go-to for wellness (https://www.austinmonthly.com/best-of-atx-health-beauty/).
Self-Employment
Massage therapy is a career for entrepreneurs with ambitions, big and small.
Self-employed massage therapists sometimes bring other professionals – and amenities – to their businesses. KBTX ran a story about a College Station massage therapist who co-founded a spa that would offer Epsom salt flotation therapy (https://www.kbtx.com/content/news/Flotation-therapy-studio-brings-new-experience-to-College-Station-505728151.html).
Heart and Sole is LMT-owned. The website lists six other massage therapists (http://www.heartandsolemassage.com/our-staff/). Kinetics Massage lists an LMT as owner and one additional massage therapist. Mantis Massage has grown large, bringing more than 20 massage therapists onboard.
Serving Clients with Special Needs
The Aloe Foundation provides integrative treatments through wellness clinics, reaching individuals served by organizations such as the Breast Cancer Resource Center, SAFE, and the Ronald McDonald House. Massage Magazine featured the Aloe Foundation and the opportunities it affords massage therapists (https://www.massagemag.com/aloe-foundation-90563/). The article notes that donations make it possible for LMTs to receive an honorarium for contracted services.
A number of Austin massage therapists have opted to give back by volunteering with oncology patients through the nonprofit Helping Hands (https://www.massagemag.com/oncology-massage-brings-pain-relief-cancer-patients-43585).
Massage Therapy Wages
Massage therapists in the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area enjoyed median hourly wages of $25.73 in 2018. Those at the 90th percentile earned approximately four times what those at the 10th percentile did: $42.16 vs. $10.39.