HealthcareISCO 3255
Massage therapist
A massage therapist is a person who gives therapeutic massage to improve a client's wellbeing and condition.
Check yourself in a minute: massage therapist
Rate 5 of the 21 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
maintain personal hygiene standards
give massages
manage healthcare users' data
maintain work area cleanliness
provide health education
About massage therapist
The massage therapist applies massage therapy towards a specific end: reducing pain, increasing range of movement, releasing muscle tension, improving circulation and lymph drainage. The therapist uses different types of massage — classical, Swedish, shiatsu, lymphatic, segmental — with the technique matched to the client's condition, needs and preferences. The therapist develops a personalised massage plan and changes it as the client's condition changes.
The therapist knows the contraindications to massage precisely: inflammation, thrombosis, cancer, a fresh injury, fever, and defined skin and vascular conditions. Where there is doubt, the therapist contacts the client's doctor before treatment.
The therapist manages healthcare user data, such as treatment notes, under the rules that govern medical records, takes responsibility for their own actions, and works ergonomically, paying attention to posture and the height of the massage table. Qualification requirements for a massage therapist are set by national rules, and therapeutic massage is also given by physiotherapists.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a massage therapist.
1
Client Assessment and Consultation
- Conduct detailed intake interviews to understand client medical history, current health conditions, and massage preferences
- Identify contraindications and assess whether massage therapy is appropriate for the client
- Communicate empathetically with clients to understand their specific needs and expectations
2
Massage Treatment Delivery
- Perform various massage techniques including Swedish, shiatsu, and therapeutic massage based on client needs
- Work ergonomically to prevent personal injury and ensure client comfort throughout the session
- Develop personalized massage plans tailored to individual client conditions and goals
- Adapt massage pressure and techniques based on client feedback and skin type assessment
3
Health Education and Client Care
- Provide health education to clients about wellness practices, stretching, and self-care between sessions
- Maintain accurate and confidential client records including treatment notes and progress tracking
- Empathize with clients' health concerns and provide supportive, professional guidance
4
Workspace Management and Hygiene
- Maintain personal hygiene standards and ensure work area is clean, organized, and therapeutically conducive
- Prepare treatment area with appropriate massage tables, linens, and oils before each client session
- Maintain privacy and confidentiality of service users in compliance with healthcare regulations
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (21)
human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...massage typesmassage typesTechniques used and types of massage therapies such as shiatsu, deep tissue massage, Swedish, hot stone and Thai massage.skin typesskin typesThe different skin types, such as dry, normal, oily, and sensitive.maintain personal hygiene standardsmaintain personal hygiene standardsPreserve impeccable personal hygiene standards and have a tidy appearance.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.give massagesgive massagesProvide clients with head, hand, neck, facial or full body massages.manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, wr...maintain work area cleanlinessmaintain work area cleanlinessKeep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.maintain privacy of service usersmaintain privacy of service usersRespect and maintain the dignity and privacy of the client, protecting his or her confidential information and clearly explaining policies about confidentiality to the client and other parties involve...maintain customer servicemaintain customer serviceKeep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requ...discuss the medical history of the healthcare userdiscuss the medical history of the healthcare userAsk the healthcare user about his medical condition and physical well-being and the desired results to be achieved through the suggested therapy and follow the prescribed treatment.apply massage therapyapply massage therapyApply massage therapy to relieve patient's pain by using various specialised techniques.accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.develop personalised massage plandevelop personalised massage planDetermine the massage treatment to be applied based on the medical diagnosis, the prescription plan, and according to the condition of the patient.contraindicationscontraindicationsThe condition under which a normally beneficial treatment can be harmful and have a counterproductive effect on a person's health.musculoskeletal anatomymusculoskeletal anatomyThe human musculoskeletal system, comprising of the skeleton, muscles, cartilage, tendons, joints and other connective tissue that supports and binds tissues and organs together. The human musculoskel...communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...massage theorymassage theoryPrinciples of holistic therapeutic body massage, the application of massage techniques and the appropriate body posture, massage sequences and different mediums, massage benefits and contraindications...identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
Optional (43) — show
etiopathyetiopathyAlternative medicine therapy which has as its basis the idea that the practitioner uses only his hands to treat the patients' symptoms on longer term by diagnosing the deeper cause of the illness.health care legislationhealth care legislationThe patients` rights and responsibilities of health practitioners and the possible repercussions and prosecutions in relation to medical treatment negligence or malpractice.fasciatherapyfasciatherapyA manual therapy applied on the fascia (the connective tissue woven through the entire body) which is used for the treatment of physical or psychological disorders such as pain and movement disorders.cosmetic pedicurecosmetic pedicureTreatment of the feet and toenails for cosmetic and embellishment purposes. It includes the cleaning of dead skin and the appliance of nail polish and other cosmetic techniques.reflexologyreflexologyThe application of pressure to plantar, palmar, facial, cranial, dorsal, atrial and reflex points of the body with a specific finger or hand gestures and techniques, such as acupressure and the massag...cosmetic manicurecosmetic manicureVarious elements of a manicure, such as the cutting and shaping of toe- or fingernails, removing excess callouses and cuticle around nails, and applying a protective or decorative coat of nail polish.reikireikiThe alternative medicine technique based on the belief that universal energy is transmitted to the patient through the palms of the practitioner.phytotherapyphytotherapyThe characteristics, the effects and the use of herbal medicines.administrative tasks in a medical environmentadministrative tasks in a medical environmentThe medical administrative tasks such as registration of patients, appointment systems, record keeping of patients information and repeated precribing.human physiologyhuman physiologyThe science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.kineticskineticsThe study of movement and its causes.energy therapyenergy therapyAlternative medicine therapy which assumes that healers use the channel healing energy to get positive effects on the patients` well-being.cosmeticscosmeticsThe various types of substances used to enhance the appearance of the human body.rehabilitationrehabilitationThe methods and procedures used to help an ill or injured person restore lost skills and regain self-sufficiency and control.hydrotherapyhydrotherapyThe practice used to treat diseases or maintain overall health using water.health care systemhealth care systemThe structure and function of health care services.electrotherapyelectrotherapyThe type of medical treatment using electrical stimulation.tai chitai chiThe traditional medicine practice, originally conceived as a martial art, which is based on Chinese philosophical principles and is known for its defense training and health benefits.shiatsushiatsuThe complementary medicine massage therapy which is based on the theoretical framework of traditional Chinese medicine and it is performed by finger massages on clients to reduce their stress and pain...pathologypathologyThe components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.manual lymphatic drainage massagemanual lymphatic drainage massageLight techniques and strokes applied to sooth the lymphatic and circulatory systems. The structure and function of the lymphatic system, of the blood vessels of head and neck and contraindications of ...order suppliesorder suppliesCommand products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.manage a small-to-medium businessmanage a small-to-medium businessManage the organisational, financial and day-to-day operation of a small-to-medium enterprise.apply deep tissue massageapply deep tissue massageApply precise techniques and pressures to bring changes to specific tissue layers in the body.maintain equipmentmaintain equipmentRegularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.apply sports massageapply sports massagePerform massage techniques meant to address and help recover sports injuries such as sprains, torn ligaments and broken limbs.apply acupunctureapply acupunctureUse procedures involving the stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques, such as penetrating the skin with thin, metallic needles manipulated by the hands or by electrical...apply thermotherapyapply thermotherapyUse heating and cooling techniques to treat musculoskeletal injuries and soft tissue injuries.administer hydrotherapyadminister hydrotherapyFormulate treatment plans and provide hydrotherapy treatment.process medical insurance claimsprocess medical insurance claimsContact the patient`s health insurance company and submit the appropriate forms with information on the patient and treatment.liaise with industry expertsliaise with industry expertsConsult and cooperate with industry experts who handle matter that is relevant to you and your business.pluck hairpluck hairUse tweezers or electric devices to remove hair by mechanically grasping them and pulling them out of the roots.use hair removal lasersuse hair removal lasersUse lasers that remove hair by exposing the hair to pulses of laser light that destroy hair follicles.carry out preventative internal medicine interventionscarry out preventative internal medicine interventionsRecommend to patients, depending on their condition, preventive and therapeutic treatments such as the use of medications, lifestyle changes, modification of addictive behaviours, physical therapies, ...maintain professional administrationmaintain professional administrationFile and organise professional administration documents comprehensively, keep customer records, fill in forms or log books and prepare documents about company-related matter.comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.process paymentsprocess paymentsAccept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attent...perform facial treatmentperform facial treatmentPerform all kinds of treatments to improve the health and attractiveness of the facial skin, such as facial masks, scrubs, eyebrow tinting, peels, hair removal and make-up.provide individual exercise programmesprovide individual exercise programmesProvide a range of exercise programmes in accordance with the needs of the clients by applying principles of exercise programming, and modifying and moderating as necessary to support effective and sa...conduct pregnancy massagesconduct pregnancy massagesPerform massages for pregnant women to sooth the discomfort as well as making the labour process easier.sport and exercise medicinesport and exercise medicinePrevention and treatement of injuries or conditions resulted from a physical activity or sport.develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.balneotherapybalneotherapyThe use of therapeutic baths to treat a variety of conditions, through relaxation, massage or stimulation techniques. This includes the beneficial properties of mineral waters and mud-wrapping techniq...
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Frequently asked questions
What does a massage therapist do?
Massage therapists provide therapeutic massage treatments to improve the well-being of their clients. They perform a variety of massage types such as shiatsu and swedish massage, according to their client's needs and preferences.
What skills does a massage therapist need?
A massage therapist needs 21 essential skills, including human anatomy, massage types, skin types, maintain personal hygiene standards, work ergonomically.
Will AI replace massage therapist jobs?
The AI disruption score for massage therapist is 18/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: manage healthcare users' data, process payments, maintain professional administration. Most resilient: maintain personal hygiene standards, etiopathy, fasciatherapy.
AI Replacement Risk
18/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
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