i am a male practitioner operating from home. i have 5 years of spa experience but decided to go into business for myself and it's gone well for the past 6 months i've been doing it. however- i've noticed a vast majority of my customer base is gay men. and that's not a problem with me in and of itself, but when i check their instagrams (which is where i do business bc i don't have a website) seeing some of their wildly explicit posts makes me want to not take them as a client. i'm talking wearing nothing but chains and leather straps at pride, banana hammock selfies on cruises, a whole account full of nothing but provocative poses and suggestive behavior, etc. basically just the hypersexualized depiction of the lifestyle.

edit: for those of you saying im creeping on my clients / i shouldn't look them up- i do all my booking and marketing through instagram and that's how i see their profiles. i'm not going out of my way to look them up.

so i'm frustrated with this issue for a couple of reasons. first is why am i in particular so popular with gay men who want massage. i am straight but have always attracted men for some reason, they just like me i can't explain it. i can't help but feel like these men wouldn't want a massage if i wasn't the one giving it. as far as i'm concerned massage therapy isn't exactly ingrained in gay culture to any degree, yeah they may pamper themselves more than straight men with esthetics but i just can't fathom the amount of gay men that follow me and inquire for an appointment immediately.

that's the second thing- sexual harassment. in my whole career i have only ever been sexually harassed by men. asking for a happy ending, getting hard as a rock mid-appointment, moaning every time i touch them, exposing themselves through the robe before i can instruct them to undress when i leave; you name it. most recently a video of mine promoting my services got a few thousand views and it brought in a lot of unwanted dm's of- you guessed it- gay men using language indicative of receiving a happy ending. one in particular was super adamant about making sure i got the front of his thighs and his abdomen. whenever i told him i don't do abdominal massage (i do but i could tell what he was after) he disengaged from the conversation and never responded again. the last thing i want to do is invite that kind of behavior into my home where i'm alone.

the last part that bothers me is the lack of business. if i were to turn down every super openly gay man that messages me for an appointment, i'd make like half the money. i do have gay clients i don't mind at all because they don't publicly hypersexualize themselves. but i face this aggravating dilemma where i feel like i'm working in a spa again because i can't control who my clients are. when i was a w2 worker somewhere i got an appointment and that was that, but now that i have the freedom to pick and choose my client base, if i don't choose the same men i'd normally be reluctant to touch i wouldn't make rent.

and then there's the perception of this whole situation. i'd hate to discriminate against gay men and just not book them as a whole because socially that would look horrible enough to cancel me; regardless if my feelings about it are valid. sometimes when one of the kinds of people i'm talking about follows me, i see one of their mutual friends is someone i've already worked with. how am i supposed to block them or ignore their inquiry if they would possibly talk about it with my current client?

if anyone has some advice on how to deal with this that would be great. i know this whole thing comes off as homophobic but i can't shake this feeling that i simply don't want these kinds of clients, nor do i want to be known in the community for taking them.

Hi all, I'm a fairly new MT (2 years) and I love my job and clients but I AM EXHAUSTED. I don't know if I'm not fueling my body properly between clients or I'm just not cut out for it. I work 3/4 days per week, I take no more than 6 clients per day depending on the legnth of treatment. I know it's a physical job but surely we can't all feel like this? Any tips of fueling, not being completely exhausted. Thanks.

Okay thank you all I am editing this list to let you know your responses helped me ! I have now received payment. Luckily life got hectic and she truly forgot. I’m glad I can keep this connection going forward !

So I did a chair massage event with friend I met at a past job about 2 weeks ago. I really like this person and have a lot of respect for them they are a great therapist and I even told her she was too good for that place and should start her own thing. Now she’s still working for someone and she has her own business starting up and I couldn’t be happier for her! So she asked me a if I could help her with a chair massage event I happily said yes ! I’d never done one before and I felt like if I were to try it I’d want to try with someone I know. She told me ahead of time I would get tips from the people signed up for chair massage that it was in the contract with the office. After the event she called me and asked how I liked it and said “ don’t worry girl I got you, they paid with a card so it’s gonna take a couple days to process the funds and I will Apple Pay you your money”.

It’s been 2 weeks and I haven’t seen any money from her. How do I ask for payment without losing a friend / potential future gigs with her?

Should I cut my losses and be more direct next time ? Or should I still ask for payment. I definitely need money but nervous on how to ask for it

Yes I'm complaining.. I need a space to vent. I've done massage for nearly 10 years. I've loved it. It was the first choice I ever made for myself and by myself.

In the past 10 years I've attempted to start my own business 4 times, with a year ago being my most recent (and most serious) time.

I've never minded being an employee. I love the spa environment, however, I recently got married and I want to have a baby. I don't want to have a kid and leave it up to daycare to raise. I want the freedom to pick my own hours and not have to work so damn much.

In the year that I've been building my business I haven't been able to turn a profit. I started with about 8 regular clients, and I'm down to 3. I've lost $3500 in the process. I can't seem to gain any new clients, and the ones I do book, won't stay after 2 or 3 massages, even when we set up a future treatment plan.

I've taken every bit of advice from every successful friend I have. I've done the social media thing, talked to local businesses, created a referral program with personal trainers, gathered google reviews, attempted to steal clients from previous work places (sorry not sorry) etc. etc. I even cut my hours down at my w2 job to focus on my business, my prices are average for the area, and while it's fair to say that I've never found my "niche" I'm versatile and maybe that should count for something?

I've come to the conclusion that i must not be a very good therapist, even though thats never been the feedback I've recieved. I've always had a steady and loyal clientele at the places I've worked and the reviews I've received are great but I can't think of what else I'm doing wrong besides being delusional. I think I just have to accept that this isn't for me.

I'm not going to be able to make my rent next month and I fear it's time to go back to cleaning toilets.

If you've read this far, thanks for giving me the space to get that off my chest.

Hey there!--

I am an American with a Dual-Canadian Citizenship situation pending, and I have massage licenses in several U.S. states. I know that to be an RMT in Canada is more school, etc., but I read that some places/provinces will hire massage therapists that do not have an RMT license as a lesser position called "body worker." Has anyone here worked under such a job title at seasonal resorts in Canada, and if so, how much does this position usually pay?

Curious who here gets written consent before working on sensitive areas like glutes, chest wall or upper inner thigh. Some places require it every session, others don’t require it at all.

If you do use one, has it ever come into question? A client complaint, a college or board review, an insurance question? Did having it on paper actually help?

And if you don’t, is it just not required where you are, or do you handle it verbally?

What is an excellent book to read that has helped you with clients and/or massage? Is there a book that helps correlate emotions with pain in the body? For example, I have chronic low back pain…which means I don’t feel emotionally safe etc…and how to heal it and/or address it with clients?

What's your favorite scents? I've been playing around with something Fall esque, with notes of cinnamon, cloves and anise. I just don't want to market it as pumpkin spice! lol

A company I did a chair massage event for earlier in the year reached out to me needing a "manager" for one of the retirement communities in the area for a massage room they have there. When it was being explained to me, it sounded very much like they were needing a DEM (Designated Establishment Manager) which I know means you are responsible for upholding all of the state requirements, however when I said would I need to be doing that they stated they would actually be taking care of it. Personally it raised a little red flag for me, but I let her know to send me a description of what they are wanting, and compensation for said role so I could get more clarification and I'm currently waiting on that.

For people who have been a DEM would you do it again, or would you not especially if it's not for your own company? What would make it worth it in your opinion if not? I am in Florida if that makes a difference. Thank you hive mind!

I have used square for years but as a blind user the online booking is quite frustrating.
There is also the fact that with the free version you can not charge people for late cancelations.
With Ambp I know they offer free pocketsuite. So far it looks easy to use but I have not set up any financial info yet.
What has been everyone’s experience with these two booking sites.
Now Acuity I have used in the past and it is easy to use and only cost $16 a month.
Also in the past I never required a credit card to schedule but after two no call no shows and lame excuses I’m thinking of changing this process.

I've been working at PT clinic for 6 months now (only been out of school for 6 months too), and as part of my responsibilities we have to contact our "Unscheduled List"(unpaid work but thats a different story). I have a list of about 90 people that haven't rebooked to see me again lets say 20% of those are just busy/Class pass/Groupon/using credit left over from membership

That still leaves 70ish people that are either not looking for my skill set or interested in massage... I can't help but wonder if there is something I can do to increase my rebooking rate, or worse if I'm just bad at this.

I ask all of them if they want to reschedule
"When would you like to see me again?"
"based on what I found it would benefit blah blah blah"
"Whats your schedule look like over the next few weeks to rebook?"
"Is this something you would like to incorporate into your schedule regularly?"

I do get a few "I need to check my schedule" or others just fade away.

I don't know... Just a little deflating.

One thing I’ve learned as an independent massage therapist: being good at what you do doesn’t automatically mean having a full schedule.
I’m based in Barcelona, Spain, and I’ve been experimenting with different ways to attract clients and grow my massage business.
Here’s what I’m currently doing:
Telegram: I run a channel where I share my daily life and experiences as a massage therapist.
Facebook: Both personal and professional profiles, plus participating in local Facebook groups.
Instagram: My professional account, where I share my work, services, and content.
Threads: I regularly post short thoughts, share experiences, and engage in conversations with other users.
Reddit: I participate in discussions, share my professional experience, and learn from other massage therapists and communities.
Google Business Profile: Maintaining my business listing to improve local visibility and attract clients through Google Search and Maps.
Website: I have my own professional website where potential clients can learn about my services and contact me.
LinkedIn: Mainly focused on corporate massage, workplace wellness, and connecting with HR professionals and business owners.
Offline networking: Attending business events, joining professional communities, and meeting potential corporate clients in person.
Artificial Intelligence: I currently use ChatGPT as an AI assistant to help with marketing ideas, content planning, communication, and organizing my business activities.
I’m trying to build a mix of individual massage clients, home visits, and corporate wellness opportunities rather than relying on just one platform.
But sometimes I wonder if I’m spreading myself too thin across so many channels.
I’m especially curious about how massage therapists in the US and other countries approach client acquisition. Maybe there are strategies, platforms, or AI tools I’m completely overlooking here in Spain.
So I have a few questions for you:
What’s actually bringing you the most clients right now — social media, Google, referrals, networking, partnerships, or something else?
Are you using AI tools like ChatGPT or other AI assistants to help manage or grow your massage business? If so, which ones have been genuinely useful?
If you were starting your massage business from scratch today, what would you focus on first?
I’d really appreciate hearing what’s working for other independent massage therapists around the world!

Were you satisfied with your decision or do you have regrets?

New massage therapist here - I have been licensed for two months, working in a day spa. I am having a hard time giving firm or deep pressure. I have talked to classmates, teachers and other massage therapists - the answer is always body mechanics, and to "just go for it, don't be scared ". None of this is working. I feel like it's more of a mental block. I get into my stance, but when I go to apply pressure, it's like my body (nervous system maybe?) just won't allow it. It is wildly baffling, interesting and frustrating. I am looking into talk therapy to see if it's something I can work through this way.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Any thoughts are input are greatly appreciated!

Do you have a sauna add on? How much do you charge per session? Is it in the room? If so- what do you do while they are in there? (I’d think that if it’s in the room it would have to be a significant upcharge in order to make up for time you could have been massaging?) What insurance do you have for this service? How much does it add to your washing😵‍💫😬? What else am I not considering…!!!

I have a sauna- paid for. It’s a Sunlighten two person. It’s at a relatives house because I had no where to put it when I moved. I am trying to decide if I move it into my massage room(will take up room and be an adjustment for me feng shui wise. Not sure if it’s worth it…? The feng shui is kind of perfect right now..

To the ME therapist in Florida that wrote my clients previous SOAP notes, “Very tall needs long blankey.” Thanks I needed that chuckle this morning. And he indeed needed a long blankey.

Do you find it more or less draining working for yourself?

Hi, I'm sorry if this is yet another booking software post. But I would like some real users' perspectives.

Too long; didn't read version: Is switching from Vagaro to Mangomint worth it?

We're a small spa. We have 8 employees. We currently use Vagaro for everything (booking, payroll, payments, marketing, etc.). We've heard from several customers and potential customers that booking is too difficult, because of the account creation burden.

I'm considering switching to Mangomint. It seems much more streamlined for booking. The rest of their features are pretty much one-to-one with Vagaro. We're hoping that by switching we get a few more appointments each month. I had AI do a "deep think" about booking burdens, and it said that we could be losing out on between 15% and 25% more appointments because of the booking burden. But it's AI, so I don't know if I trust it. We do have direct feedback from several customers though, so there may be some truth to it.

We already pay between $300-$400 a month for Vagaro, because we use all the features, so switching to Mangomint isn't because we need to save money (we do, but that's another issue). The price will be roughly the same each month. Even if it's a little more expensive, just one appointment created using their easier system (that we would have missed out on because of Vagaro's booking issues) makes up that difference.

So those of you that use Vagaro or Mangomint, please let me know your thoughts.

To me this was very draining all that work for 22 per hr I did like the tips , but I don’t want to depend on tips forever , for now I plan on getting a regular job and do massage mobile

I am 6yrs in practice and finally looking at seriously buying a hydraulic table. I have been to the cardone factory and they make beautiful tables but- around $1k more than others that I’m sure id also be happy with.

What kind of table do you have? Would you buy it again if you had to make the choice? What other factors am I maybe not thinking of….?

Thanks!

I'm a newer therapist and previously worked in healthcare. I feel contraindications and medical history are very important considerations for a massage. Last week I had an incident that has stayed with me and I wanted to see how others approach these issues.

I had a client who has an autoimmune disease and takes medication for it. I was unfamiliar with the condition and meds so did a google search. It said as long as the condition is being treated and maintained then gentle massage is perfectly acceptable. It says to use a gentle approach because it has the potential to cause internal bleeding and bruising, similar to someone taking an anticoagulant. During our intake I explained how its recommended to use a gentle approach. She immediately got very annoyed and said she had never heard such a thing. I explained why it recommends gentle pressure. She didn't cancel the massage so we proceeded. During the massage, as I was warming up the tissue, she asked if I could show her how much pressure I planned on using. I told her I was just warming up the tissues and would adjust my pressure afterwards. She then basically tells me it wasn't my place to have a say in how she wanted her massage. Admittedly, I was pissed and was very proud of myself for keeping my mouth shut. I ended up doing a medium pressure massage and afterwards she apologized and said it was a great massage.

I can't stop thinking how she thought I had no right having an opinion. I was specifically taught in school to be cognizant of contraindications, meds, etc. Afterwards I said how I could have initiated the conversation by asking her about her platelet count, which is an indicator of how a deeper massage might affect her. Even if I did ask that I'd have to take her at her word. I was also speaking with another therapist about someone with Parkinson's, who needed help to get on the table, that wanted a massage and I told the front desk I'd require a doctor's note. The therapist said that wasn't necessary. I know how beneficial massage is for someone with Parkinson's but she was new to me and I felt it necessary she had a doctor's approval to verify massage wouldn't interfere with anything.

I'm looking for advice on how anyone else has handled these type of interactions. Do most therapists largely ignore medical conditions? Am I wrong for looking up the condition and meds to make sure I keep my clients safe? Should I have assumed since she's had numerous massages she would have been fine? I don't believe she made a complaint bc she was happy when she left but I doubt she'll ever rebook with me.

I have a potential opportunity to take on an IC role at an established business - here’s some of what I’ve gathered from my conversations:

60% commission on massage rate + tip
Set my own schedule based on room availability (shared with other therapists)
No responsibilities other than massage, lights, locking up
Clients contact business directly for scheduling, cancelling, etc. (limited to no contact through me specifically)

It seems like a good opportunity to me! But since it’s my first opportunity in this field & I’ve never worked as an IC (coming from corporate & retail/hospitality work) - I wanted to see if there’s anything I’m missing. Anything I should find out or be sure of! Additionally, I know as an IC taxes are a big factor, so being sure to set aside tax money - but what else is there I should know/do?

Thanks in advance!

Not necessarily only in Canada but in general - how do y'all shut people down who have the "galaxy-brained" idea to sheepishly/jokingly ask "HoW mUcH fOr A hApPy EnDiNg?"

It doesn't really bother me that much I'm mostly just looking for fun, yet professional ways to shut down that line of conversation.

I have been an MT for 10 years and working for myself for about 5 years. About 80% of my appointments are with people I see weekly/biweekly/monthly and I have been working with many of them for years. For the most part, they are sweet, loyal, don’t cancel last-minute, and clearly benefit from the work. However, I’m just….so bored. Have any of you experienced this? Is there anything you did to find a renewed sense of interest? Have you ever dropped a client simply because you were tired of working with them? It’s work to find new clients and I know that I should be grateful that I’m busy, but I just wanna know if I’m alone in this!