We Asked: What is the most rewarding aspect of being a massage therapist?

Here is what you told us...

First and foremost, the outcome. When a person comes to you in pain, has limited range of movement or is under stress, you are given the opportunity to use the knowledge you have obtained through numerous classes, books, and practice, coupled with a little intuition, to assist their body into healing itself. The reward is to see that same person with either minor or no pain, regain their range of motion or just melt on your table.

Cyndi Lindsay
Corona, California

The knowledge that what I am providing every client is a healthful benefit for their overall well-being—not only for the moment, but hopefully for many years to come.

Michael Wolfes
Palm Desert, California

I find it increasingly satisfying that I'm positively affecting the quality of life for my clients. My clients' needs differ greatly: from the sweet, gentle lady suffering from fibromyalgia; to the workaholic, determined husband and father; to those simply in need of pampering, whether for physical or emotional needs.

Diane Sorn
Freeport, Illinois

Being able to teach clients, by touch, awareness of their bodies. Clients will say to me, 'Gee I didn't realize that was sore,' and ask, 'What part of my body is that?' and 'What am I overdoing or not doing to have that weakness, that pain?' And I teach them the name of the muscle I am working on and the way in which it works to make the body move specifically for that body part. It's neat to see my clients appreciate their new knowledge of how their bodies function.

Chris Farber
Atherton, California

Two things: Watching them have an "a-ha" moment that changes them; and the ability to have the freedom to enjoy life with my son.

Joy Bernstein
San Antonio, Texas

When you know that because of their treatments, clients have awakened to a new way of being (loving) [so that] as they touch the lives of others, they too become the light keepers of this world, sharing beauty and love. I feel my work is a huge responsibility, and I'm so humbled by this gift of compassion that allows me to do what I do. The humility that comes with the gratitude is so rewarding.

Schantell Taylor
Birmingham, Michigan

As I explained to my daughter once when she was obviously concerned why I had chosen such an unusual profession, you can't imagine the satisfaction I feel when I see countless people walk into the office hurting and in pain and then see them leave smiling and feeling like a new person. No other profession even comes close.

Jack Val Spencer
Troy, Missouri

Helping others. Easing or eliminating their pain or helping them de-stress or improve their health. Touching another human being is a very intimate thing. Especially a stranger trusting you to touch and take care of their most prized possession—their mind, body and spirit. So it is a very "warm fuzzy" feeling to see them leave your office, smiling, looking and feeling more relaxed than when they entered. It is an amazing and very rewarding feeling.

Carla Craft
Killeen, Texas

1) I am my own boss; and 2) I get such a thrill out of seeing my clients come in with tight muscles and stooped over in posture and watching them leave standing upright and feeling great.

Sheila Clifford
Derry, New Hampshire

Having a client be able to walk out of the office experiencing better movement, less pain and renewed energy.

Nicole Scheidecker
Glendale, Arizona

How many people can truly say that they are doing work where the clients leave happier than when they arrived?

Deborah Wells
Glen Allen, Virginia

Having the ability to bring both physical and mental wellness to my clients. There is almost nothing that compares to the satisfaction I receive from seeing a client who arrives in pain or discomfort, leaving my massage studio pain-free. I also find it highly satisfying to give someone their first-ever massage. Whether they are 10 years old or an octogenarian, the tranquil expression on their faces is priceless.

Tom Florio
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

It is a fabulous feeling to have a client arrive in pain and leave with relief, but I also gain an incredible sense of lightness and well-being for myself during the process of giving the massage. It is the two-way, good-energy exchange that keeps me enthused in my profession.

Barbara Davies
Limassol, Cyprus

Having a client come up to me and telling me how great she/he feels after a massage treatment. Especially when they have never had a massage experience before.

Katie Timm
Elkton, South Dakota

I find that helping people overcome their pain and discomfort has been the most challenging and rewarding. Clients regaining the use of themselves with reduced or no pain—that's been a grand reward for me.

Ken Hatcher
Lake Charles, Louisiana

When I see the look on their faces after they come out from the room after a session, or hear a great sigh of relief. To know that I am able to bring them comfort or relief from the issues at hand.

Jon M. Ollinger
Sidney, Ohio

Seeing the immediate result of the work I've done. Knowing that a client came into my office with pain or limited range of motion and now is better, is the best feeling in the world. I've gotten cards and messages from people about how I've helped them with their pain or illness, and that can't be beat! It's even more rewarding when they've been everywhere else and believe that nothing can help them. Massage gives them hope that they can be pain free and back to activities that they miss.

Kathy Gruver
Santa Barbara, California

My clients come in with some kind of problem, and leave feeling better than before they came in. I have one client (age 51) who had never had a massage before. Never! Now I see her every week. I find my job as a massage therapist the most rewarding job ever.

Christine Garner
Las Vegas, Nevada

Seeing how much I help my clients. They are so thankful for feeling better or just feeling relaxed. I love helping my clients with stress or muscular problems that are affecting them. It's so rewarding to see results. It's great to hear a client say that they would drop everything for a massage because of the way they feel afterward.

RayLynn Kernan
Sheldon, Wisconsin

To see your clients' faces and smiles after the session. To hear that you eased or eliminated the pain that client came with. To hear the sigh of relief after the session from a pregnant woman and know that not only her but her unborn baby benefited from your session. In general, to know that you are helping the world—one body at a time.

Alex Soyfer
Brooklyn, New York