PascalNOHO - Experienced Male massage therapist in Los Angeles, CA

Some people say that being a Masseur is addictive. Would you miss your Masseur days ?

I have no doubt that the day I am no longer able to offer massages a part of me will be lost and yearning for these days. I actually experienced that feeling recently when I tested positive for Covid and isolated for a week. What I found I was craving most was the interaction that I have with my clients: getting to know them on a more personal and intimate level as much as getting to care for their aching muscles. But more importantly what I find addictive about offering a massage is witnessing quickly and directly how much I make a difference in my clients’ life, both in the time we spend together and also in the following days after the massage. This is a very heartwarming feeling!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a Masseur?

I believe there are some important steps that an apprentice masseur has to take. The first is to commit to gaining the right level of experience: the right technique can make the experience for the client very enjoyable and beneficial; the wrong technique can result in pain and discomfort. 2nd, focus on your attitude: your mood affects the quality of your work and this is something that your client will pick up on very quickly and lead to an unpleasant session (and definitely no repeat business!). The 3rd element is respect. Respect for your client (not everybody is young and muscular but they are as deserving of your touch as anyone) and also respect for yourself (it’s ok sometimes to push back or walk away).

Is extensive training necessary for a Masseur in order to be successful?

I believe training is an important part of providing a great massage, but it is not the only thing that ensures a positive experience for my clients.
My training comes from multiple sources: taking workshops to learn new techniques, exchanging with other masseurs to gain new insights, or reviewing video materials to research a particular problem. Then putting all these together and practicing these acquired skills over and over allow me to become more and more successful at healing my clientele.
Training and experience alone are not enough though without what I bring as a person: respect for my clients’ body and mind, intuition in finding and treating problem areas, and genuine care in providing a nurturing and healing experience from start to finish.