Ohio University graduate Diana Stromp planned on becoming a physical therapist until she realized that she preferred hands-on work to demonstrating exercises.
She abandoned her plans for physical therapy school and became a licensed massage therapist instead. Today, Stromp owns Therapeutic Touch of Athens, located at 3 W. Stimson Ave.
Massage therapists apply pressure to the soft tissues of the body, according to the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, a national professional membership organization. Massage can reduce back pain, anxiety, headaches and post-surgical pain.
The State Medical Board of Ohio issues massage therapy licenses. About 1,000 licenses were granted in 2005, the most recent year for which data is available, bringing the total to about 7,800 statewide.
The massage therapy program at Hocking College prepares students for the State Medical Board exam and takes six consecutive quarters to complete.
Though the program requires only one business course, Hocking College also offers an associate degree in massage therapy business management, said Mark Cullen, program coordinator and primary instructor for the massage therapy school at Hocking College.
Because there are few massage therapy jobs in rural areas, many therapists start their own practice instead, Cullen said.It is estimated that in 2006, about 118,000 people held jobs as massage therapists and of those, 64 percent were self-employed, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Self-employed massage therapist Diana Irwin fits into that category.
Established in Athens for seven years, Irwin has worked for a company as well as herself. She currently runs her own massage business.
Irwin said she enjoys being her own boss because she can set her hours and select clients.
There are some challenges in being self-employed, Irwin said, adding that running a business requires being a hard worker and a self-starter.
Stromp, who has worked in massage therapy for 19 years, agreed, saying that to be successful, one needs to have perseverance and to give good care.
When it comes to small businesses, Irwin and Stromp's success is unusual.
Four out of five new businesses nationwide close before they turn five, said Shawn Mallet, director of the small business development center at the Voinovich School.
Another problem massage therapists face is variable income.
In May 2006, the median wage, including tips, for massage therapists was $16.06, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fifty percent of therapists earned between $10.98 and $24.22 an hour.
Income can be affected by the seasons and the economy.
In Athens there isn't much work during summer and winter break when students are gone, said Charity Eicher, a part-time massage therapist at Ping Center.
To supplement her income, Eicher also works in the fitness department of WellWorks, a local fitness facility.
Even with a more stable clientele, full-time massage therapists also face a potentially inconsistent income.
Irwin cited people's spending habits as the reason for a lag in business. It seems that people have been very careful with their discretionary income, she said.
While business is still good, appointments only need to be booked a week in advance instead of three, she said.
Health insurance doesn't cover massage therapy ' though workers compensation and car accident insurance might, Stromp said. Coverage only lasts for a limited number of sessions, she added.
A single massage session costs about $60, according to the ABMP.
Despite challenges, Irwin said she remains optimistic.
In this business
if you are good [at what you do then] you will make it because people will tell other people about you
she said.
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Charity Eicher, a graduate of Hocking College, helps her friend Samantha Smith, a junior video productions major from Kenton, relax with a massage Friday.
Massage therapists find trouble easing away strained wallets
