Massage therapy is at a crossroads.
Across the country, schools are closing, fewer massage therapists are entering the field, and the profession faces pressures from human trafficking, regulatory shifts, and even robotic massage. The reality is sobering: if nothing changes, the massage therapy profession as we know it could shrink dramatically.
But here’s the truth: every challenge also carries an opportunity.
When I bought my massage school in 2010, we were coming out of a recession. The previous owner had closed the doors after struggling with enrollment. To most people, the “safe” choice would have been to walk away. But I couldn’t. I had fallen in love with massage therapy, with teaching, and with the power of education to change lives.
So I took a risk. I downsized, rebuilt, and poured everything I had into creating a school that could thrive. Two years later, I bought my dream building and expanded into a full-fledged school and professional clinic. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it — because I knew the profession needed leaders who wouldn’t back down.
And today, I believe that same call is going out to massage therapists everywhere.
The profession doesn’t need someone someday.
It needs leaders right now.
Why Leadership Matters Now
- Fewer Schools = Fewer Therapists. With many schools closing, fewer graduates are entering the profession each year. That means a growing demand for high-quality education.
- According to MASSAGE Magazine, the number of massage schools in the U.S. dropped from about 915 in 2021 to around 700 in 2023—a sharp 23% decline in just two years.
- Without the next generation of massage therapists, many employers and CE providers will suffer.
- The Profession is Under Duress. From misinformation about human trafficking to looming automation, massage needs strong voices who will protect and elevate the work we do.
- Meanwhile, ABMP’s latest data reveals that the number of practicing therapists shrank by nearly 4%—from roughly 334,000 in 2019 to about 321,000 in 2023—the first such decline since record-keeping began.
- Students are Waiting. People across the country are searching for meaningful careers that help others. Massage therapy offers purpose, flexibility, and prosperity — if schools exist to train them.
You Might Be the Answer
If you’re a massage therapist who has ever thought:
- “I’d love to teach.”
- “I want to give back to the profession.”
- “I want to build something bigger than myself.”
… then maybe your next step is leadership. That could mean becoming an educator, creating continuing education, or even opening your own massage school.
My Mission: To Help You Step Up
Over the past decade, I’ve mentored massage therapists and educators across the U.S. who have opened their own schools. I’ve built systems, curriculum, and coaching programs designed to guide you through the process — because you don’t have to do it alone. Schools in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, Washington, Indiana, Illinois and California exist because of our program to help massage therapists start their own massage school.
The massage profession is under pressure. But with the right leaders stepping forward, I believe we can turn this challenge into the greatest opportunity our profession has ever seen.
So the question is: will you answer the call?
Call to Action
If this message resonates with you, I’d love to invite you into a conversation. Let’s explore what leadership could look like for you — whether it’s teaching, mentoring, or opening your own school.
Let’s talk https://sharialdrich.com/start-your-massage-school/
Because the future of massage therapy depends on leaders like you.
