May 18, 1998 – Who are Quebec massage therapists and how do they live: that could have been the title of the results of the recent survey of the Fédération québécoise des massothérapeutes (FQM) which, with its 1951 active members, is the most important professional association in alternative and complementary health approaches in Quebec.
The survey, to which 30% of members responded, has a margin of error of + or – 3.4% 19 times out of 20.
A socio-demographic portrait of Quebec massage therapists
- 81% are women;
- 72% are between 35 and 54 years old;
- 77% have a college or university degree;
- 78% are self-employed and another 17% combine self-employment and work for an employer;
- 53% work at home and 32% in an office, the rest combining the two places of practice;
- 26% of members give between 10 and 19 massages per week and only 5% give 20 or more. The majority (69%) giving less than 10;
- 30% of massage therapists believe that the income they derive from their profession fully meets their expectations and 53% that it partially meets them.
The main problems of massage professionals
According to members of the FQM, the main problems facing massage therapists are the lack of legal recognition compared to other professions (18.4%), prejudices, credibility, fears and poor public image (17 , 5%), and financial insecurity (12%).
According to this survey, it seems that massage therapists are aware of the fact that the legal recognition of the profession and the image of the discipline in the public are essential to improve the conditions of practice of the profession. Furthermore, improving competence seems to be seen as the key element for the legal recognition of the profession to be acquired.
A portrait of the clientele
Massage therapists estimate that their clientele is made up of 65% women and 35% men. The main reasons for consultation are back pain (44%), relaxation (37%) and other health problems (16%). A good proportion of massage therapists (43%) believe that the reasons for consultation will change over the next two years and that this change will be for the better.
HealthPassport.net
Source: Newsletter of the Quebec Federation of Massage Therapists, vol 15, no 1, May 1998.
