Written By Brooke Naranjo

Longevity is the name of the game, but how do we attain it? How do we play it well?

Many massage therapists enter the profession eager and enthusiastic, taking on as many clients as possible each week and often skipping breaks. This pace may be manageable for a short time, but the body eventually speaks up. When we are tuned in, it tells us when it needs to slow down. Therapists are human, too, and must care for themselves with the same intention they offer their clients. A full-time career in massage therapy requires grit, passion, patience, and gentleness. Most importantly, a long-lasting career in massage therapy requires clear and consistent boundaries.

Boundaries guide us toward what truly works for us and protect us from what does not. Dr. Henry Cloud, author of Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life, explains: “Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. A boundary shows me where I end and someone else begins, leading me to a sense of ownership. Knowing what I am to own and take responsibility for gives me freedom. Taking responsibility for my life opens up many different options.” Establishing appropriate boundaries requires reflection and honesty. These boundaries may take time to identify, and they may evolve throughout one’s career. Maintaining them—with yourself, your employer, and your clients—helps preserve endurance and sustainability over the long term.

Longevity in massage therapy also grows from gentleness. Many of us have experienced a massage where the therapist relied solely on force, leaving the body feeling more sore afterward. This often occurs in environments where strength is equated with pressure. While pressure has its place, excessive force is rarely enjoyable for the client and is not sustainable for the therapist over time. The nervous system and fascia often respond more effectively to thoughtful, gentle approaches. Gentleness does not mean a lack of strength; rather, it reflects an ability to listen to the body and respond appropriately. Gentleness can also extend beyond touch; to the environment, including sound, aroma, and lighting. Massage engages all the senses for both the client and the therapist. When practiced with awareness, therapists can cultivate careers that are both strong and sustainable.

Longevity in a massage therapy career is not achieved through pushing harder or doing more, but through listening, adapting, and honoring limits. By establishing healthy boundaries, practicing gentleness, and caring for the body, therapists create the conditions for a fulfilling and enduring career. When sustainability becomes the goal, massage therapy transforms from a short-term pursuit into a lifelong practice, one that supports both the healer and those they serve.