To offer massage when I'm not completely qualified

[Ruggybug]

Hi all!Changed name but been here for years now!
I trained years ago in beauty therapy.In the second year I did aromatherapy and massage.Due to serious family problems I had to pull out of the course when I only had a few months to go.
I enjoyed massage and spent months studying it and have given massages to friends and family and have been told I'm very good at it.
DH works full time and I have 2 dc and I'm a SAHM as I can't afford to go back to work until they're in full time education.
Just wondered if you think it would BU to work as a mobile massage therapist when I am trained but I'm not officially qualified on paper?
Also do any other mn's have any info on a part time massage course?
It seems such a shame to have to start all again from the beginnig(not to mention expensive being around £1000 for an evening course).
Also how many of you actually use a mobile massage therapist or in this day and age do you just go to your local salon/gym?
Any advice really appreciated thanks for reading

I am a therapist, NVQ3 and BSc and teach Complementary Therapies at FE College. Without qualification you would be unable to get insurance.

The college I teach at offers Body Massage as a stand alone course 7-9 weekly Sep - June your local college may offer similar.

Some of the governing bodies offer student insurance but you would have to check if you could take money fro massages whilst doing your qualification. I can't think off the top of my head if this is allowed.

yabu - you could get sued.

Can you do an evening course at a local college? £1000 seems quite expensive for a massage course - am sure you could do something cheaper - even if the course isn't brilliant you just want the qualification so you can get insurance.

Mobile massage for me Im sorry to say always comes across as mobile prostitute. They all work under the guise of a masseur.

I used to be a mobile masseur and never offered extras. I think if you make it clear in adverts that you have professional qualifications such as ITEC noone would think you were dodgy.

Without wishing to demean your choice of career you are not going to break any laws by working as a masseuse.

As far as I am aware there is nothing to stop anyone working in this or many other fields that have "qualifications" which are not reqired by stature.

It's not as if you are going to work as a doctor or dentist or airline pilot or indeed use a title that is protected by statute such as Architect or Solicitor.

If you really need the income then go ahead and give it a try.

hmm tricky...
not taking insurance etc into account, i think it would be fine if you CLEARY stated that you were trained but not qual and maybe offered a free massage first so people knew they werent being ripped off.....
BUT thinking about insurance i think you should definately get qualified - think of the money as an investment?!

If you are self-employed you are NOT legally obliged to have liability insurance, and if you do decide to take it out, you do NOT require professional qualifications to get it.

That's really interesting to know Stoirin!I need to look into everything as I would never want to get sued or hurt anyone but at the same time I am trained even in the anatomy side of things just don't have it on paper!

Fabby-I know what you mean.Lots of home visiting prostitutes give massage abit of a 'seedy' name(not that I'm judging of course!).I've seen ads online(eg Gumtree)where ladies say 'this is strictly not a sexual service' etc.

Malinkey-Great advice I need to look into it abit more.Thanks

Purplemurple-thanks for the reply.If you don't mind me asking where is your college based?(Understand if you don't answer of course)

Viva-thanks for reply.Was there a good turn out with your massage work?'m willing to put time and money into re-training if thats what it takes but it's always good to know how busy a mobile can get!

Pendeen-no that's fine not demeaning at all!Thanks

blaaahh-if I re-train that's how I'll look at it!Thankyou for reply

I'm currently training and my friends and family let me practice on them I found a site bsy I pay £30 a month for 11 months as I couldn't afford to pay out right there is a practical exam at the end of the 12 units there's no time limit so you can do it around work an family

There is no evidence of any long-term results from an aromatherapy massage other than the pleasure achieved from a pleasant-smelling massage

Sorry, Zombe thread!

Hi I am a therapist and an assessor in a training centre..we do have people that have done courses but never finished for what ever reason.. If within a couple of years and syllabus hasn't changed we usually test them If within our timescale we offer a shorter course home study but with approx four visits to the centre plus any help,needed via a phone. Look for people who do training courses with the vtct ...you will have to join as a student insurance for training purposes is a necessity. It will Coveryou to do treatment at home providing you do a correct and detailed assessment of client signed by them.

Even advertising as a trainee I'd be very cautious. They was a case in my local paper where a beauty therapist gave a client a massage and in doing so damaged her carotid artery causing a stroke. The client has just won a 6 figure payout - she was a nurse and had to give up work.

Z-O-M-B-I-E T-H-R-E-A-D

FROM 2011!!!!!!

When I trained, many years ago, we had a students' insurance policy that the school took out, so we could practice on people (for free, or for bottle of wine, etc). If I was charging as a 'actual' massage therapist, I needed to be qualified and to have my own insurance. It's really not worth the risk - people can and do sue, and even in the absence of any actual wrong-doing by you, it could still ruin you.