In an effort to address the issue of career longevity for massage therapists, Elements Therapeutic Massage has partnered with Florida-based massage education and consulting company imassage.
According to the Association of Bodywork and Massage Practitioners (ABMP), each year around 60,000 therapists enter the field, while 50,000 existing practitioners leave the profession, with the average career span being around six years.
Imassage, which was set up in 2007 to address the issue of career longevity for massage therapists, will work in collaboration with Elements to provide the high quality work environment for massage therapists within Elements' 120 franchised studios nationwide. The focus will be on continuing education and tackle the root causes of high turnover: physical burn-out and business naivety.
Eric Stephenson, director of education for imassage said there are several reasons for attrition among professional massage therapists.
"I see a lack of emphasis on optimal body mechanics and ergonomics within massage schools along with a general business naiveté amongst practitioners. This becomes even more problematic with the lack of a supportive work environment to sustain therapists' health and well-being."
The partnership will include continuing education initiatives for franchise owners and therapists in video as well as hands-on formats with a larger scope to shine a light on the issue within the profession.
Stephenson said: "The vision is to make working at an Elements studio the equivalent of 'getting your Master's degree' in massage therapy. Whether you are a therapist for Elements for six months or six years, working at an Elements studio will not only make you a better therapist but a better person."
Elements franchisees employ around 2,500 therapists at their studios nationwide.
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