Massage therapist
A massage therapist performs massages, i.e. manual processing of soft tissues in various parts of the body. Massage is often used to alleviate muscle tightness, relax the body, improve blood circulation and alleviate stress. Massage therapists may specialise in different massage techniques and methods. Massage therapists often work as entrepreneurs. The profession requires competence in massage technology, anatomy and physiology as well as good physical condition and customer service skills.
As entrepreneurs, care institutions, spas and sports centres.
The massage therapist must be familiar with the anatomy and physiology of the human body, especially the functioning of muscles, tendons, joints and the nervous system. This enables the massage therapist to understand how different massage techniques affect the body. A massage therapist must master different massage techniques and methods.
A massage therapist must know how to feel the soft tissues of the body (palpation) and assess their condition and stress conditions so that the massage therapist can identify the customer's needs and define a suitable treatment. Good interaction skills are important, because the massage therapist must understand the needs and wishes of customers. In order to avoid work-related stress injuries and to ensure the safety of customers during treatment, the massage therapist must have the correct working positions and massage techniques.
A massage therapist must comply with ethical principles and professional practices, such as respecting the customer's privacy and confidentiality. The work is physically strenuous and requires good condition. Hand dermatitis or tendency to hypersensitivity is a hindrance to the work of a massage therapist.
A massage therapist must be capable of multiprofessional co-operation. An entrepreneur must be able to price their services correctly and profitably.
Massage therapist training is provided by health care institutions, adult education centres and sports institutes. In addition, many private instructors provide training. If you want a degree, you can complete a massage therapist’s further vocational qualification and a specialist vocational qualification. A Trained Massage Therapist has completed the massage therapist’s further vocational qualification.
A Trained Massage Therapist is a health care professional with a protected occupational title. Professions with protected occupational titles may also be practised by those who possess the required training, experience and professional skills and knowledge. The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) grants licensing for the profession upon application.
Registering the protected occupational title of a trained masseur (suomi.fi)
Median salary
2560 €/mo
Private sector
2591 €/mo
Public sector
2557 €/mo
The data is based on the median income, meaning the amount of salary which is the middle of the salary amounts arranged in order of magnitude.
Source: Statistics Finland's structural statistics on wages and salaries