Darryl Said:

Considering a career in massage therapy?

We Answered:

Median wage and salary hourly earnings of massage therapists, including gratuities, were $16.06 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.98 and $24.22. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $7.48, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $33.83. Generally, massage therapists earn 15 to 20 percent of their income as gratuities. For those who work in a hospital or other clinical setting, however, tipping is not common.

As is typical for most workers who are self-employed and work part-time, few benefits are provided.

Massage therapists work by appointment. Before beginning a massage therapy session, therapists conduct an informal interview with the client to find out about the person’s medical history and desired results from the massage. This gives therapists a chance to discuss which techniques could be beneficial to the client and which could be harmful. Because massage therapists tend to specialize in only a few areas of massage, customers will often be referred to or seek a therapist with a certain type of massage in mind. Based on the person’s goals, ailments, medical history, and stress- or pain-related problem areas, a massage therapist will conclude whether a massage would be harmful, and if not, move forward with the session. While giving the massage, therapists alter their approach or concentrate on any areas of particular discomfort as necessary.

Lucille Said:

Should i go into physical therapy or a physician assistant program?

We Answered:

Financial gain in life is somewhat important, but as someone who has been in the work force for over 30 years, job satisfaction is much more important. Those are two very different specialties...which one is more suitable to your personality? Which one would make you feel more successful? Don't get caught up in "respectable" professions....I know people in what the world considers "mundane" who brighten my day whenever I am in contact with them.

Susan Said:

Will I make more money if I'm a Physical Therapist Assistant with a Bachelor's degree?

We Answered:

No you won't make more as a PTA with a degree. Why not just go for the Physical Therapist? With your degree you could become an Independent Contractor PT and make very good money. You might also be able to do some instructing as a PT with a BS. There's not really room for advancement for a PTA, degree or not.

Jorge Said:

physical therapy assistant or respiratory therapist??

We Answered:

This is so really about you here...do you want to work with patients who need breathing treatments, mechanical ventilation (breathing machine), suction out their lung's secretions, help "bag" and intubate and give respiratory assistance? OR do you want to help with patients who have had strokes, war injuries, heart attacks, car accidents etc learn to walk again, move their muscles and function? Give massages, range-of-motion exercises, ice treatments, heat treatments (sports injuries) etc etc. WHAT would YOU like to do???