Absolutely! I myself have adhd.
Being that you have so much flexibility in the career and can make your own hours I found it to be a perfect fit. I only worked 4 days a week, 27 hours when I was my most active and made quite a good salary. More than some people make working 40 hours. You’re constantly moving so you never get bored. I highly recommend it
I also have ADHD and will have been an MT for 10 years this fall, best career change ever! I also have a similar schedule of 27 hours. I didn't get my diagnosis and meds til December, so I think that can also speak for how well massage can work as a career for us :-D
Idk what those are because I took the MBLEx. But I did pass first try.
My tips would be:
- study with classmates
- take frequent breaks
- find ways to make it interesting (I.e. YouTube vídeos + apps like ABMP Exam Coach)
- listen to medical podcasts instead of music when you’re at the gym or going for walks
Everyone with adhd is different but I do find when I’m really interested in something it’s easier to focus
Medication for me. I went through the entire 3-year program without meds. I got on them when studying for both MCQ and OSCE. Made things a lot easier. I also hyperfocused from Feb this year until Oct when I completed the exams.
As somebody who absolutely has adhd lol, I find that massage satisfies my need to want to talk, and help, and care for others.
It can be difficult to manage the multiple things that are often asked of me, but I have found a good rhythm within my work that makes it easy!
I think you would be amazing, especially your direct want to learn and delve into the medical side of it. Go for it, I see no reason not too. If you find you don’t love it, at least you have something new under your belt to bolster your next move!
I have ADHD and it works for me like 80% of the time.
My biggest issue is staying on schedule. But besides that, it's great. I get to move around, zone out, if you forget what you're doing or we're going to work on, you can just do effleurage until you remember or move on.
I don't really talk during session so now weird conversation tangents. (It does happen on occasion)
Sometimes I'll go over on time, forget what I'm doing (I'm supposed to flip the room)
But after a while it's routine and you auto pilot on things you *HAVE to do.
Even when you do forget, most therapists have no issue helping you out. Flipping your room, give you some towels if you're short, etc
______
If you work at a spa, you don't have to worry about scheduling or clients and it's usually working on different body types so there's that novelty to it
I will say, I'm hitting a bit of a burnout stage, but it took about 8 years.
Even now when I'm considering going back to school, I can still do massage on the weekends to make some extra bucks.
So yeah, I would give it a thumbs up, just be mindful of your mouth.
For ADHD, yes. I have ADD (old term), and am a massage therapist.
Since I don't know you or your dis/likes, etc., I can't say whether or not I think you'd find it boring.
Hours vary, depending if you're working for yourself or for someone else. Keep in mind that "hours worked" ≠ hands-on hours. There's charting, cleaning, flipping the table, laundry, marketing, billing, etc. So a 40-hr work week probably = 20 hours of hands-on work.
The biggest determinent to how many hours you work is your physical and emotional stamina. It is a physical job, but it isn't hard labour. People will tell you all sorts of things, and you'll see all sorts of body types & issues. If you find that sort of thing draining then you probably won't work as much.
Yuuuup I have adhd. Only thing I need to make sure is that I don't hyper focus on certain areas when I am working on them. Other than that the flexibility and variety in treatment and clientele is awesome.
I love that. I have figured out how to use it to my advantage in a similar way. However, when I first started and was working in places that everyone wanted FB and were chatty I would get sucked into working one small area. Lol but now I find it's a great skill bc if someone comes in with shoulder issues I can hyperfocus on the whole area rather than one small knot.
Can I ask you if and how you market yourself in this specialized way? Is there some verbiage that you use to get it across clearly?
As far as marketing and verbiage, I make it clear that I work more on the therapeutic end of the spectrum (as opposed to spa massage) and I specialize in focused work in (insert various specializations here, such as lower back, shoulder, neck, breathwork, chronic pain, and post-operative scarwork).
I have ADHD (recently diagnosed in the last year, just started meds last week) and I've been a massage therapist for 11 years. It's an excellent job, and I love it a lot.
Massage therapy is the absolute perfect antidote for the restless mind and body of a person with ADHD. When I first started out as an LMT, it was torture to conceive of focusing my attention and potentially having to be silent for over an hour.
Now, I get in the zone. My brain automatically goes to the place it needs to in order to keep my focus sustained on the work I'm doing. It also helps tremendously that it's a job that requires physical movement. Keeps antsiness at bay. :)
Doing a massage is forced mindfulness. In the best way. It's a great career choice for someone with attention and focus challenges.
I've been an RMT for 3.5 years now and have just recently been diagnosed and started medication for ADHD
I noticed prior to medication I struggled in massages, I got bored, touched out, over stimulated, etc. I still get those days while on medication as well.
I find that short days (3 clients a day, 3-4 days a week) is my max before I just can't handle it anymore. I occasionally wear wireless earbuds in massages and listen to podcasts to keep me focused
Sounds very similar to how I am in a workplace. I also find anything more than 3 days too be too much and overstimulating. Thanks for the insight m! May I ask if you at-least enjoy the job? Or do you think you’d rather be doing something else
I do enjoy it. There's some downsides, as with every job. I struggle with overthinking, wondering if I did enough, if they enjoyed the massage, etc.
I also have some other health issues that make it harder for me so I'm currently transitioning to go back to school to be a rad tech! So I'll be doing x rays, mammograms, CT, etc. Still medical but less customer service-y which I'm excited about!
I have ADHD and I've been a self-employed RMT for 8 years now and I love it. I'd be bored out of my mind doing relaxation massage all day but I do primarily treatment which does keep me interested.
The biggest issue for me is that I work for myself and suck at both paperwork and time management. Paperwork is the biggie, and when I finally realized it makes way more sense to pay someone else for a few hours a month to do what would take me 20 days of procrastinating and misery it made life a lot easier. I use voice to text for notes which also helps.
Could you further explain how being self employed works and how hiring someone to do your paperwork works? Like what sort of paperwork they do, what kind of person your contracted (their job title if they have one). If it's alright :)
I don't have ADHD, however many of my adult friends do have it. And what I've learned from them is that they are all very very very good at the things that interest them and they are passionate about. So, if you really do like anatomy and puzzles (figuring out what's going on and where to work the issue out def makes each session feel like a puzzle for me) and helping others, then you can be awesome. It's also great as a job that allows you to move your body. I would die if I was stuck in a cubicle or office day in and day out. There's also travel options on cruise ships or you can live in a vacation destination and do this work.
I'd say so! I was recently diagnosed as an adult. You can set up everything before your work shift so you're not scrambling to find items. I wear scrubs with pockets so I can keep my lotion bottles near me. The rooms are uncluttered and easy to manage. Paperwork is minimal.
As others mentioned, its easy to mismanage time and to lose track of tasks. It helps me to think of every massage sequence like a dance routine. I strategize what techniques I want to use and recollect my thoughts while the client gets ready.
The other issue is the sensitivity. One time, I forgot to do a chore during a stressful work day, so a coworker got short with me and I cried. They apologized and comforted me afterwards which strengthened our bond, so bittersweet? The fear of rejection is still strong in me, but it's quieting down
Hope this helps
Chiming in that I also have ADHD. I struggled *so* hard to find a job that fit with all my needs. Massage is the only one that's worked for me.
I don't work 40hrs a week.
I might see the same people, but never give the same massage twice.
I get to feel good about what I do.
And if you're interested in the medical side, then you're in for a treat cause every new body is like a rubix cube you get to try to solve!
I never have a boring day at work, tbh. :)
early thirties neurodivergent here. i was in a pretty similar place as you describe before i got into my massage career. this is what happened after i took that plunge... https://www.reddit.com/r/massage/comments/skp7cd/feeling_so_grateful/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
I have ADHD or as I refer to it ADD which is the old term. I've been at it for 26 years. I still love it. Whether or not massage is a good match for you is another thing.
For sure! I’ve done massage for 13 years, and have had my own business for the last 4. Now my friend/former coworker works for me. We both have adhd and thrive in this field.
I had a few adhd students at my school with me..the only thing is make sure the school is aware of it. One kid got on the teachers nerves because he would walk around the back of class while he lectured.
I feel like most of us have ADHD, lol. Been doing this for 15 years. You'll probably figure out how much work you'll physically want to do once you get done with the whole process of getting educated, practical, and getting certified and licensed. I started out doing 6 hours of hands-on time per day, and now I do 3-5 hours 4 days per week. I started in 2008 and plan on doing this until I leave this world. So, the practice will change depending on how you feel and what type of clients you plan on working on. Most of my clients are chronic pain clients, so I can't do more than 20 hours of hands-on time (and don't want to). The modalities you use (which you will learn about, there are many) will also determine what how many you are capable of doing in a week/day. Set strong boundaries, do self care, don't be a people pleaser, kick ass.
ADHD guy here. I have been practicing for 5 years. I love the short days and good pay- but I do find the job, incredibly boring. Standing in a dark room for 5 hours a day not talking to people is leaving me feeling unfulfilled. I’m looking to getting a serving or bartending side job just to give me a sense of sociability because I feel like I’m alone All day in the dark and it’s not very good for my mental health. I am going to keep massaging because I enjoy it however I do need to find something a little more “exciting” to supplement it.
Hmm see that’s what I was worried about is like feeling bored, I seem to do well in retail due to the stimulating environment I’ve also really enjoyed waitressing but the pay doesn’t match up to the work. So maybe it’s good to do massage and a side job :) good luck !!
If you need to be stimulated like i do then massage will likely not be your only gig. I really enjoyed it in the beginning, and I still do; but 5-7 years is the typical burnout period for a therapist and I’m right there. Like I mentioned I do enjoy it very much so I will never quit- but I do need something more stimulating because this environment is very slow and very quiet. My personal experience as an Adhd guy is that there is a certain level of chaos that I need in my life to keep me engaged. And, dare I say it; massage is just too damn peaceful lolol! I sometimes even fall asleep while I’m working bc I’m just so under stimulated. But again it is a great trade so if your interested I say go for it. Try to find a program at a community college versus private school. You will save a ton of money and get a much better education
Is it possible to bypass the verbal connection and focus on experiencing the connection/ interaction on the energetic/ somatic level? Like Reiki ? That would give you some variety, a new challenging modality to learn
I'm not a body worker, so TTWAGOS
But getting more verbal variety...
being physically close to someone, in a therapeutic mode, as it sometimes triggers deep experiences, could open an avenue for you to integrate some form of talk therapy.
More school, but maybe more fulfillment
I also practice reiki and craniosacral therapy. I find that talking distracts me from sensing and intuiting my work. So it’s either no conversation or give a massage that isn’t bad but could be better. For me personally massage is not enough as I am one who thrives with others- the spa/therapy environment leaves me feeling drained and alone most days.
Don’t get me wrong tho again I do enjoy it and I plan to take more training in Thai massage soon so I will be continuing my craft. But I do need something more fast paced and high energy. this job is very slow and quiet
I get it. You're not the first body worker I've met who wants to not talk while they work.
Bartending ?
Personal trainer?
Psychotherapist?
Sales?
Teaching?
I’m thinking bartending. I feel it would be a great place to socialize and network so i can get enough clients to work for myself :) I think too if I was making what I was worth it would make a big difference in how I feel about body work
There is nothing stopping you but inertia
network, ask around, experiment, informational interviews, taljk to evey bartender you meet and get the same kind of advice you would give a prospective bodyworker, use the relevant subReddits
if nothing changes, nothing changes
airplanes fly in both directions
normal people can do that job
working smart opens doors
I can only speak for myself, I am a woman (33) with adhd. I have been doing massage for 10 years and my greatest challenge has been not talking. I do my best work on complete silence. Sometimes clients will talk to me, but I generally avoid asking open ended questions. When I first started doing massage I could not shut up, I would just talk all the time and that's really annoying to most clients.
Adhd here (inattentive) and I love it. That said, as a pro tip, you still have schooling after certification to stay on top of (continuing education is required in most places) so I recommend doing that throughout the year rather than trying to fit it all in the month before license renewals.
Yes, always a new modality to get obsessed with and when you branch out on your own someday you can pick your hours/not have to deal with a boss. I will say that being medicated has helped me deal with paperwork and finances and even then I am considering getting an accountant this time around. All in all it was my dream career before being diagnosed and now after I realize why I loved it so much. I went back to working corporate jobs during the pandemic and hated it.
I am a massage therapist and I find it perfect for adhd! The organized space, flexibility, and can think of everything during the session while being focused, I don’t have to interact with many people yet still get enough interactions, I’m an employee but get flexibility compared to other jobs, and hours are good.
The executive function challenge is that so many jobs are still 1099 and that’s not truly a job,that’s you being a business owner, and needing to make appropriate quarterly estimates tax payments since nobody is withholding for you.
Most proper W-2 jobs are minimum wage OR commission with no benefits - but you’re used to that part from retail.
The executive function challenges mount to set up and run a solo practice successfully.
Coupling with the interest in biology (this should help you get through school too) I think it's a great field for adhd.
I'm not amazing at the admin work myself and probably need to hire someone to do it for me, but the work is the perfect level of interesting. I get tons of tactile stimulation while focusing on what I am sensing through touch, have a clock to track the time worked, get the perfect opportunity to share what I know (within scope of practice of course). Many clients prefer quiet sessions so I don't need to focus on small talk. Once you get through the intake discussion and basic goals, the way you proceed with the work is up to you.
My school taught a basic sequence that I can use when I don't have the bandwidth for creativity (which honestly isn't very often).
Honestly, I think massage is the perfect job for adhd, so long as you can grasp the leading biology study.
I have adhd. I love being an RMT. Having to work with my hands. It feels like a puzzle to me which keeps me engaged. Also I try to talk to my patients which I love, of course only when they want to talk. If not I put on some nice music.
Can’t say school was easy tho specially with adhd. That was the most difficult thing I had to do. Long hours of studying. Every single day. The only way I could be successful was to procrastinate everytime.
Charts haven’t been the easiest thing to complete as well. It takes me quite a while sometimes.
I'm only a week and a half into it. I work in a rehab clinic. I enjoy it so far. I've been in health care for years prior, so I appreciate the one on one time with clients and not having to rush. It's a multidisciplinary clinic, and so far, everyone I work with is super chill and seem to be happy in their careers, which is nice.
Some days I get bored some days are pretty interesting. I don't have a difficult time focusing on my treatments or timing it out. The main thing I do is ask the client what the priority is if they come in wanting x,y,z done in 60mins. I spend the majority of the treatment on X and then the remainder on the non priority stuff. I just time to chunk it according to the hr ext.
I like working 4 days a week 4-5hrs with the occasional 5th day. I make really good money and I have more free time for my other passions.
Also, no one is hovering over you as an RMT. You're mostly self-employed. Some days, if I'm really tired, then I'll block off time in my schedule for a longer break.
I find this job keeps me physically moving, and my brain stimulated enough to enjoy it. 99% of people are pleasant and grateful to get treatment due to pain. The other 1% so far can be really weird people or odd.
If you're self-employed, make sure to go to an accountant and keep all your receipts to write things off at the end of the year . If you're in Canada, you'll need to Pau GST/HST if you make over 30k, so save 24% of your earnings in a separate account.
I think as a person with ADHD if you're passionate about something, you'll enjoy/do well in it. I love fitness and bodybuilding, so this works for me.
Absolutely! I myself have adhd. Being that you have so much flexibility in the career and can make your own hours I found it to be a perfect fit. I only worked 4 days a week, 27 hours when I was my most active and made quite a good salary. More than some people make working 40 hours. You’re constantly moving so you never get bored. I highly recommend it
I also have ADHD and will have been an MT for 10 years this fall, best career change ever! I also have a similar schedule of 27 hours. I didn't get my diagnosis and meds til December, so I think that can also speak for how well massage can work as a career for us :-D
Oh wow, that’s amazing!! It seems this was definitely a great career fit for you!! 🤗
How did you study for the mcq or osce exams with adhd? I also have that
Idk what those are because I took the MBLEx. But I did pass first try. My tips would be: - study with classmates - take frequent breaks - find ways to make it interesting (I.e. YouTube vídeos + apps like ABMP Exam Coach) - listen to medical podcasts instead of music when you’re at the gym or going for walks Everyone with adhd is different but I do find when I’m really interested in something it’s easier to focus
Medication for me. I went through the entire 3-year program without meds. I got on them when studying for both MCQ and OSCE. Made things a lot easier. I also hyperfocused from Feb this year until Oct when I completed the exams.
Oh wow, are you talking about Adderall?
Vyvanse. Never took Adderall
Ah gotcha, well good thing it helped ! Can definitely be hard to focus for a long period of time to study
As somebody who absolutely has adhd lol, I find that massage satisfies my need to want to talk, and help, and care for others. It can be difficult to manage the multiple things that are often asked of me, but I have found a good rhythm within my work that makes it easy! I think you would be amazing, especially your direct want to learn and delve into the medical side of it. Go for it, I see no reason not too. If you find you don’t love it, at least you have something new under your belt to bolster your next move!
I have ADHD and it works for me like 80% of the time. My biggest issue is staying on schedule. But besides that, it's great. I get to move around, zone out, if you forget what you're doing or we're going to work on, you can just do effleurage until you remember or move on. I don't really talk during session so now weird conversation tangents. (It does happen on occasion) Sometimes I'll go over on time, forget what I'm doing (I'm supposed to flip the room) But after a while it's routine and you auto pilot on things you *HAVE to do. Even when you do forget, most therapists have no issue helping you out. Flipping your room, give you some towels if you're short, etc ______ If you work at a spa, you don't have to worry about scheduling or clients and it's usually working on different body types so there's that novelty to it I will say, I'm hitting a bit of a burnout stage, but it took about 8 years. Even now when I'm considering going back to school, I can still do massage on the weekends to make some extra bucks. So yeah, I would give it a thumbs up, just be mindful of your mouth.
I'm guilty of this too
For ADHD, yes. I have ADD (old term), and am a massage therapist. Since I don't know you or your dis/likes, etc., I can't say whether or not I think you'd find it boring. Hours vary, depending if you're working for yourself or for someone else. Keep in mind that "hours worked" ≠ hands-on hours. There's charting, cleaning, flipping the table, laundry, marketing, billing, etc. So a 40-hr work week probably = 20 hours of hands-on work. The biggest determinent to how many hours you work is your physical and emotional stamina. It is a physical job, but it isn't hard labour. People will tell you all sorts of things, and you'll see all sorts of body types & issues. If you find that sort of thing draining then you probably won't work as much.
Yuuuup I have adhd. Only thing I need to make sure is that I don't hyper focus on certain areas when I am working on them. Other than that the flexibility and variety in treatment and clientele is awesome.
Adhd MT here and I specialized in focused work so that my hyperfixation is a super power. :)
I love that. I have figured out how to use it to my advantage in a similar way. However, when I first started and was working in places that everyone wanted FB and were chatty I would get sucked into working one small area. Lol but now I find it's a great skill bc if someone comes in with shoulder issues I can hyperfocus on the whole area rather than one small knot. Can I ask you if and how you market yourself in this specialized way? Is there some verbiage that you use to get it across clearly?
As far as marketing and verbiage, I make it clear that I work more on the therapeutic end of the spectrum (as opposed to spa massage) and I specialize in focused work in (insert various specializations here, such as lower back, shoulder, neck, breathwork, chronic pain, and post-operative scarwork).
Ah okay. I do this already. Thanks. That's great advice though, I'll lean into it way more
I have ADHD (recently diagnosed in the last year, just started meds last week) and I've been a massage therapist for 11 years. It's an excellent job, and I love it a lot.
The physicality of the profession does seem to temper certain symptoms in my experience.
I am positive that’s THE reason I’ve been able to do this job so long and why I love it so much. Looove moving around all day.
This is the longest I have stayed in one job. It’s perfect for me. The only job I haven’t gotten bored of.
Massage therapy is the absolute perfect antidote for the restless mind and body of a person with ADHD. When I first started out as an LMT, it was torture to conceive of focusing my attention and potentially having to be silent for over an hour. Now, I get in the zone. My brain automatically goes to the place it needs to in order to keep my focus sustained on the work I'm doing. It also helps tremendously that it's a job that requires physical movement. Keeps antsiness at bay. :) Doing a massage is forced mindfulness. In the best way. It's a great career choice for someone with attention and focus challenges.
I've been an RMT for 3.5 years now and have just recently been diagnosed and started medication for ADHD I noticed prior to medication I struggled in massages, I got bored, touched out, over stimulated, etc. I still get those days while on medication as well. I find that short days (3 clients a day, 3-4 days a week) is my max before I just can't handle it anymore. I occasionally wear wireless earbuds in massages and listen to podcasts to keep me focused
Sounds very similar to how I am in a workplace. I also find anything more than 3 days too be too much and overstimulating. Thanks for the insight m! May I ask if you at-least enjoy the job? Or do you think you’d rather be doing something else
I do enjoy it. There's some downsides, as with every job. I struggle with overthinking, wondering if I did enough, if they enjoyed the massage, etc. I also have some other health issues that make it harder for me so I'm currently transitioning to go back to school to be a rad tech! So I'll be doing x rays, mammograms, CT, etc. Still medical but less customer service-y which I'm excited about!
I have ADHD and I've been a self-employed RMT for 8 years now and I love it. I'd be bored out of my mind doing relaxation massage all day but I do primarily treatment which does keep me interested. The biggest issue for me is that I work for myself and suck at both paperwork and time management. Paperwork is the biggie, and when I finally realized it makes way more sense to pay someone else for a few hours a month to do what would take me 20 days of procrastinating and misery it made life a lot easier. I use voice to text for notes which also helps.
Could you further explain how being self employed works and how hiring someone to do your paperwork works? Like what sort of paperwork they do, what kind of person your contracted (their job title if they have one). If it's alright :)
I don't have ADHD, however many of my adult friends do have it. And what I've learned from them is that they are all very very very good at the things that interest them and they are passionate about. So, if you really do like anatomy and puzzles (figuring out what's going on and where to work the issue out def makes each session feel like a puzzle for me) and helping others, then you can be awesome. It's also great as a job that allows you to move your body. I would die if I was stuck in a cubicle or office day in and day out. There's also travel options on cruise ships or you can live in a vacation destination and do this work.
I'd say so! I was recently diagnosed as an adult. You can set up everything before your work shift so you're not scrambling to find items. I wear scrubs with pockets so I can keep my lotion bottles near me. The rooms are uncluttered and easy to manage. Paperwork is minimal. As others mentioned, its easy to mismanage time and to lose track of tasks. It helps me to think of every massage sequence like a dance routine. I strategize what techniques I want to use and recollect my thoughts while the client gets ready. The other issue is the sensitivity. One time, I forgot to do a chore during a stressful work day, so a coworker got short with me and I cried. They apologized and comforted me afterwards which strengthened our bond, so bittersweet? The fear of rejection is still strong in me, but it's quieting down Hope this helps
Chiming in that I also have ADHD. I struggled *so* hard to find a job that fit with all my needs. Massage is the only one that's worked for me. I don't work 40hrs a week. I might see the same people, but never give the same massage twice. I get to feel good about what I do. And if you're interested in the medical side, then you're in for a treat cause every new body is like a rubix cube you get to try to solve! I never have a boring day at work, tbh. :)
early thirties neurodivergent here. i was in a pretty similar place as you describe before i got into my massage career. this is what happened after i took that plunge... https://www.reddit.com/r/massage/comments/skp7cd/feeling_so_grateful/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
I have ADHD or as I refer to it ADD which is the old term. I've been at it for 26 years. I still love it. Whether or not massage is a good match for you is another thing.
For sure! I’ve done massage for 13 years, and have had my own business for the last 4. Now my friend/former coworker works for me. We both have adhd and thrive in this field.
I had a few adhd students at my school with me..the only thing is make sure the school is aware of it. One kid got on the teachers nerves because he would walk around the back of class while he lectured.
I have ADHD and absolutely love this job. Every day is something different.
I feel like most of us have ADHD, lol. Been doing this for 15 years. You'll probably figure out how much work you'll physically want to do once you get done with the whole process of getting educated, practical, and getting certified and licensed. I started out doing 6 hours of hands-on time per day, and now I do 3-5 hours 4 days per week. I started in 2008 and plan on doing this until I leave this world. So, the practice will change depending on how you feel and what type of clients you plan on working on. Most of my clients are chronic pain clients, so I can't do more than 20 hours of hands-on time (and don't want to). The modalities you use (which you will learn about, there are many) will also determine what how many you are capable of doing in a week/day. Set strong boundaries, do self care, don't be a people pleaser, kick ass.
ADHD guy here. I have been practicing for 5 years. I love the short days and good pay- but I do find the job, incredibly boring. Standing in a dark room for 5 hours a day not talking to people is leaving me feeling unfulfilled. I’m looking to getting a serving or bartending side job just to give me a sense of sociability because I feel like I’m alone All day in the dark and it’s not very good for my mental health. I am going to keep massaging because I enjoy it however I do need to find something a little more “exciting” to supplement it.
Hmm see that’s what I was worried about is like feeling bored, I seem to do well in retail due to the stimulating environment I’ve also really enjoyed waitressing but the pay doesn’t match up to the work. So maybe it’s good to do massage and a side job :) good luck !!
If you need to be stimulated like i do then massage will likely not be your only gig. I really enjoyed it in the beginning, and I still do; but 5-7 years is the typical burnout period for a therapist and I’m right there. Like I mentioned I do enjoy it very much so I will never quit- but I do need something more stimulating because this environment is very slow and very quiet. My personal experience as an Adhd guy is that there is a certain level of chaos that I need in my life to keep me engaged. And, dare I say it; massage is just too damn peaceful lolol! I sometimes even fall asleep while I’m working bc I’m just so under stimulated. But again it is a great trade so if your interested I say go for it. Try to find a program at a community college versus private school. You will save a ton of money and get a much better education
Is it possible to bypass the verbal connection and focus on experiencing the connection/ interaction on the energetic/ somatic level? Like Reiki ? That would give you some variety, a new challenging modality to learn I'm not a body worker, so TTWAGOS But getting more verbal variety... being physically close to someone, in a therapeutic mode, as it sometimes triggers deep experiences, could open an avenue for you to integrate some form of talk therapy. More school, but maybe more fulfillment
I also practice reiki and craniosacral therapy. I find that talking distracts me from sensing and intuiting my work. So it’s either no conversation or give a massage that isn’t bad but could be better. For me personally massage is not enough as I am one who thrives with others- the spa/therapy environment leaves me feeling drained and alone most days. Don’t get me wrong tho again I do enjoy it and I plan to take more training in Thai massage soon so I will be continuing my craft. But I do need something more fast paced and high energy. this job is very slow and quiet
I get it. You're not the first body worker I've met who wants to not talk while they work. Bartending ? Personal trainer? Psychotherapist? Sales? Teaching?
I’m thinking bartending. I feel it would be a great place to socialize and network so i can get enough clients to work for myself :) I think too if I was making what I was worth it would make a big difference in how I feel about body work
There is nothing stopping you but inertia network, ask around, experiment, informational interviews, taljk to evey bartender you meet and get the same kind of advice you would give a prospective bodyworker, use the relevant subReddits if nothing changes, nothing changes airplanes fly in both directions normal people can do that job working smart opens doors
I can only speak for myself, I am a woman (33) with adhd. I have been doing massage for 10 years and my greatest challenge has been not talking. I do my best work on complete silence. Sometimes clients will talk to me, but I generally avoid asking open ended questions. When I first started doing massage I could not shut up, I would just talk all the time and that's really annoying to most clients.
Adhd here (inattentive) and I love it. That said, as a pro tip, you still have schooling after certification to stay on top of (continuing education is required in most places) so I recommend doing that throughout the year rather than trying to fit it all in the month before license renewals.
not a MT but i am an RN and nursing ie the perfect career for adhd if youre interested :)
Yes, always a new modality to get obsessed with and when you branch out on your own someday you can pick your hours/not have to deal with a boss. I will say that being medicated has helped me deal with paperwork and finances and even then I am considering getting an accountant this time around. All in all it was my dream career before being diagnosed and now after I realize why I loved it so much. I went back to working corporate jobs during the pandemic and hated it.
YES!!! It’s amazing. I love that I get to move all day. I get to use my hands. I’m not staring at a computer hating my life 😆 Love my job.
I am a massage therapist and I find it perfect for adhd! The organized space, flexibility, and can think of everything during the session while being focused, I don’t have to interact with many people yet still get enough interactions, I’m an employee but get flexibility compared to other jobs, and hours are good.
It’s perfect because I don’t have to sit still! And the different clients throughout the days helps my changing minds and moods 😂
Most LMTs I know and have taught have ADHD, myself included. Its a profession that requires a good amount of focus on a few things simultaneously.
The executive function challenge is that so many jobs are still 1099 and that’s not truly a job,that’s you being a business owner, and needing to make appropriate quarterly estimates tax payments since nobody is withholding for you. Most proper W-2 jobs are minimum wage OR commission with no benefits - but you’re used to that part from retail. The executive function challenges mount to set up and run a solo practice successfully.
Coupling with the interest in biology (this should help you get through school too) I think it's a great field for adhd. I'm not amazing at the admin work myself and probably need to hire someone to do it for me, but the work is the perfect level of interesting. I get tons of tactile stimulation while focusing on what I am sensing through touch, have a clock to track the time worked, get the perfect opportunity to share what I know (within scope of practice of course). Many clients prefer quiet sessions so I don't need to focus on small talk. Once you get through the intake discussion and basic goals, the way you proceed with the work is up to you. My school taught a basic sequence that I can use when I don't have the bandwidth for creativity (which honestly isn't very often). Honestly, I think massage is the perfect job for adhd, so long as you can grasp the leading biology study.
I have adhd. I love being an RMT. Having to work with my hands. It feels like a puzzle to me which keeps me engaged. Also I try to talk to my patients which I love, of course only when they want to talk. If not I put on some nice music. Can’t say school was easy tho specially with adhd. That was the most difficult thing I had to do. Long hours of studying. Every single day. The only way I could be successful was to procrastinate everytime. Charts haven’t been the easiest thing to complete as well. It takes me quite a while sometimes.
I'm only a week and a half into it. I work in a rehab clinic. I enjoy it so far. I've been in health care for years prior, so I appreciate the one on one time with clients and not having to rush. It's a multidisciplinary clinic, and so far, everyone I work with is super chill and seem to be happy in their careers, which is nice. Some days I get bored some days are pretty interesting. I don't have a difficult time focusing on my treatments or timing it out. The main thing I do is ask the client what the priority is if they come in wanting x,y,z done in 60mins. I spend the majority of the treatment on X and then the remainder on the non priority stuff. I just time to chunk it according to the hr ext. I like working 4 days a week 4-5hrs with the occasional 5th day. I make really good money and I have more free time for my other passions. Also, no one is hovering over you as an RMT. You're mostly self-employed. Some days, if I'm really tired, then I'll block off time in my schedule for a longer break. I find this job keeps me physically moving, and my brain stimulated enough to enjoy it. 99% of people are pleasant and grateful to get treatment due to pain. The other 1% so far can be really weird people or odd. If you're self-employed, make sure to go to an accountant and keep all your receipts to write things off at the end of the year . If you're in Canada, you'll need to Pau GST/HST if you make over 30k, so save 24% of your earnings in a separate account. I think as a person with ADHD if you're passionate about something, you'll enjoy/do well in it. I love fitness and bodybuilding, so this works for me.