Making Self-Care

Chelsea DeSouza explores the financial and regulatory landscape of the massage therapy profession, questioning the roles and influence of associations and key figures like Deborah Persinger. She emphasizes the importance of understanding where money flows and how it impacts the profession's future. keywordsmassage therapy, associations, regulation, FSMTB, Deborah Persinger, professional funding, advocacy, licensure, self-care, industry insights key topicsThe role of massage therapy associations and their influenceFinancial insights into FSMTB and Deborah Persinger's compensationThe impact of regulatory organizations on the professionVoluntary nature of associations and their real powerThe importance of transparency in professional fundingThe concept of self-care versus health and wellnessThe multi-state licensure and compact discussionsThe significance of legal and ethical practice requirementsThe need for community and partnership in the professionChelsea's personal journey and reflections on industry change sound bites"Massage therapy outperforms medicine 75 to 80 percent of the time""Deborah Persinger earns $600,000 a year""Associations don't regulate us, the public does"Chapters00:00 Introduction and episode overview02:14 Chelsea's passion for health and massage therapy04:20 Exploring the role of associations and Deborah Persinger06:28 Deborah Persinger's background and compensation09:01 Career trajectory of Deborah Persinger10:55 The role of FSMTB and regulatory organizations13:00 Membership dues and networking groups14:59 The voluntary nature of associations and their influence17:09 Chelsea's suggestions for membership and advocacy19:52 Financial transparency and where money goes22:04 Regulation by public and the role of the Department of Health23:50 Surveying massage therapists and funding sources25:50 Revenue streams from licensure and exams28:07 Legal requirements versus voluntary associations29:55 Chelsea's reflections and call for community32:01 The importance of partnership and well-being in the profession34:07 Closing thoughts and community engagement

Subscribe to  @chelseacdesouzalmt  to not miss Part 2 of Following The Money. In this episode, Chelsea DeSouza reevaluates the massage therapy profession by following the money trail, comparing it to physical therapy, and exploring how associations fund and influence the industry. She discusses the financial structures, organizational transparency, and the potential impact on the future of massage therapy. key topics- The comparison between massage therapy and physical therapy models- How massage therapy associations fund their activities- The flow of money within the massage industry- The role of nonprofit and for-profit organizations in industry funding-Implications of moving towards a medical insurance model for massage therapistsChapters00:00 Introduction to the episode and Chelsea’s reevaluation journey01:54 Sharing feedback and the importance of community conversation04:13 Comparison between physical therapists and massage therapists06:08 Following the money: industry financials and associations07:55 Details on the financials of major massage therapy organizations10:14 How associations fund scholarships and their financial transparency1986:06:19 The role of nonprofit and for-profit organizations in the industry2302:46:21 Where the money goes: salaries, grants, and operational costs2702:46:21 The impact of industry funding on the profession’s future3011:06:22 Discussion on the potential shift to a medical insurance model3349:59:46 The influence of federal and state organizations in regulation3652:46:26 Financial compensation of key industry leaders39999:59:55 Where the industry’s money ultimately benefits43722:13:18 The economic differences between massage therapy and physical therapy46972:13:20 The importance of industry participation and transparency50166:40:00 Conclusion and next steps in understanding industry fundingKeywords: massage therapy, industry funding, associations, following the money, professional reevaluation, healthcare model, nonprofit organizations, financial transparency, industry influence, self-care

In this heartfelt conversation, Chelsea DeSouza sits down with Krista Dickd from The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast to talk about the realities of building a long-term career in massage therapy. Together, they explore the emotional ups and downs of the profession, the tension between creative fulfillment and business demands, and why so many massage therapists struggle with discontent, burnout, and the pressure to keep evolving.

Krista shares her personal journey through 20 years in the field, including the moment she nearly walked away from massage therapy entirely—and how clinic ownership gave her a renewed sense of purpose. The two discuss the importance of flexibility, collaboration, community, and finding joy outside the treatment room so you can bring your best self back into it.

If you’re a massage therapist, clinic owner, or anyone reconsidering your path in a helping profession, this episode offers encouragement, perspective, and a powerful reminder: your career doesn’t have to look one way to be meaningful, sustainable, and deeply rewarding.

Making Self-Care Podcast

Massage Therapists Quit Too Soon

Chelsea DeSouza - www.instagram.com/chelseacdesouza

The Radical Massage Therapist - http://www.theradicalrmt.com/

In this episode, Amy Gimmy discusses the importance of boundaries, ethics, and self-care for massage therapists. She shares her journey of writing 'The Protected Practice' and offers practical advice for maintaining sustainability and well-being in the profession.massage therapy, boundaries, self-care, professional ethics, burnout, The Protected Practice, therapist support, mental health, practice managementKey Topics: Boundaries and ethics in massage therapyThe journey of writing 'The Protected Practice'The impact of burnout and overextensionStrategies for self-care and professional sustainabilityThe role of policies and communication in practiceguest name: Amy GimmySound Bites"We stretch our time, our patience, our energy""Boundaries are handrails, not walls""Without boundaries, burnout is inevitable"RESOURCES: The Protected Practice by Amy Gimmy - https://a.co/d/0iWURbAoAmy Gimmy - https://www.facebook.com/amy.dolph.gimmy

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In this episode of Making Self-Care, host Chelsea D'Souza speaks with Kaci Jones, an LMT from Pro Health Defense, about the critical importance of legal literacy for massage therapists. They discuss the lack of education surrounding client accountability, the necessity of documentation, and the role of police and legal support in protecting therapists. The conversation also addresses the challenges posed by illicit massage businesses and emphasizes the need for empowerment through education and community support. Kaci shares insights from her continuing education courses and the importance of advocacy within the profession.

Takeaways

Legal literacy is crucial for massage therapists.

Massage schools often neglect teaching laws that protect therapists.

Documenting client interactions is essential for safety.

Therapists need to know how to report inappropriate behavior.

Illicit massage businesses pose a significant threat to the profession.

Empowerment through education can reduce fear among therapists.

Therapists should trust their instincts in potentially dangerous situations.

Advocacy from associations is important but often lacking.

Community support can help therapists feel less isolated.

Legal education should be a priority in massage therapy training.

Sound Bites

00:00 "We need to protect ourselves from clients."

04:47 "Document, document, document."

20:04 "We are drowning in illicit business talk."

24:00 "We need to advocate for ourselves."

26:57 "Education is key to empowerment."

30:01 "Your safety trumps all."

30:41 "Trust your instincts, always."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Legal Literacy in Massage Therapy

02:46 Understanding Client Accountability and Protection

06:13 Documenting Client Interactions for Safety

09:00 Navigating Police and Legal Support

12:03 Addressing Illicit Massage Businesses

14:49 Empowering Massage Therapists Through Education

17:56 The Role of Associations in Advocacy

21:07 Building a Supportive Community for Therapists

24:00 The Importance of Legal Education in Massage Schools

26:57 Case Studies and Real-World Applications

30:01 Conclusion and Future Steps for Massage Therapists

Pro Health Defense: https://prohealthdefense.com/schedule

RAINN.ORG

Solo Episode with Chelsea DeSouza, sharing why your customer service will make or break your business.

With the frustrating real life example of having to get a root canal, Chelsea compares how her experience showed her the mistakes massage therapists make in their customer service.

Massage therapists are always reading the room and preparing to regulate their clients no matter what type of day they had before they came into the clinic.

Customer service is also required for our profession.

If you want to create better customer service policies for you and your clinic take a listen.

In this episode, Chelsea DeSouza hosts Billy Bossa of BossaMassages and Wellness to discuss the benefits of lymphatic drainage, especially for women experiencing menopause. They explore different modalities, the importance of education in alternative health, and the evolving role of massage therapy in healthcare.

Main Topics:

• How lymphatic massage can support hormone health and menopause symptoms
• The significance of light touch and correct terminology in lymphatic therapy
• Navigating the commercial landscape: weight loss claims and industry regulation

• The basics and misconceptions of lymphatic massage
• How lymphatic therapy aids in detoxification and fluid balance during menopause
• Differences between various lymphatic techniques including Brazilian and tools like fascia blast
• Challenges faced by massage therapists in medical integration and regulation
• Strategies to differentiate and niche in the competitive wellness industry

• Billy Bossa - Bossa Massages and Wellness

• Instagram
• Facebook

In this episode:
00:00 - Introduction to lymphatic health and massage in menopause
00:20 - Challenges in accessing traditional care due to politics and insurance
01:00 - Why clients seek lymphatic therapy and how it supports hormonal health
02:05 - Billy's perspective on client-centered treatment and industry misconceptions
03:19 - The relationship between massage therapy and conventional medicine
04:15 - The scope of practice and collaboration with medical professionals
05:20 - Impact of hormone changes on fluid retention and inflammation
06:25 - Educating clients on menopause symptoms and treatments
07:47 - Differences between manual lymphatic massage and other tools
09:12 - The importance of light, slow, and precise lymphatic techniques
11:33 - Addressing the misconceptions about detoxification and fluid movement
12:52 - The rise of weight loss and aesthetics claims in lymphatic therapy
15:06 - The role of red light therapy and other advanced modalities
16:53 - Benefits of lymphatic massage for general health, not just menopause
17:50 - The societal perception of massage and the importance of branding
20:06 - The revenue potential and front-line technology in wellness clinics
21:54 - The significance of core strengthening and body composition tools
23:23 - Modern tools like endosphere for lymphatic and fascia work
24:39 - The importance of client education and informed consent
26:33 - The power of niche marketing and personal branding in massage therapy
27:47 - Overcoming industry competitiveness and building professional camaraderie
29:36 - The impact of regulation and the future of massage therapy as healthcare
31:10 - The importance of community, continuous learning, and professional growth
34:16 - Expanding treatment offerings with multiple modalities and specialties
36:53 - The importance of in-tune client care versus generic treatments
39:31 - The need for results-driven therapy versus superficial treatments
43:55 - Challenges with insurance and regulation in the US and beyond
47:21 - The vital role of massage in reducing reliance on medication
50:54 - Ancient therapies and the roots of holistic healing practices
54:05 - Navigating licensing, testing, and professional standards across states
56:37 - The cultural evolution of massage from "massuse" to healthcare provider
58:36 - The call to keep accessible, effective therapies available to clients
60:09 - Final thoughts and encouragement for therapists to niche down and unite

Resources & Links:

Connect with Billy: www.bossamassages.com

Free Massage Oil with Hafen Beauty - https://www.instagram.com/p/DZF1G19mjws/?img_index=1

When someone goes viral it is normal to want to know more about the people in the video and thats exactly why I wanted to know more about the truth of the Human Garage. I sat down with Joseph Gonzales of Posture Lab in Santa Monica. We break down the timeline of WHEN, HOW, and WHO started the Human Garage and it's infectious protocols that the world can't wait to get their hands on.

- We break down who Garry is and how he and Joseph began the Human Garage.

- How Joseph's dream led to Fascia Mapping

- How Employees at the Human Garage might not be licensed or certified.

- and more....

YOU COULD BE A SPONSOR OF THIS EPISODE. Send an email to [email protected] for sponsorship info.

Painful Jaw Releases are going viral on social media and the Human Garage is gaining a lot of traction.

Chelsea introduces Joseph Gonzales, the true face behind the protocols of the Human Garage.

- Why was the fascial jaw release so viral?

- Is this a real treatment?

- Are the people behind the Human Garage certified?

- The truth behind this company that isn't pretty.

Take a listen.

On the Podcast:

Chelsea DeSouza, LMT - https://www.instagram.com/chelseacdesouza/

Joseph Gonzales, a certified trainer, has a Degree in physical Therapy. A Master's in kinesiology and has a Bachelor's of Science in sports rehab, sports performance, and exercise science. He served as the Lead Neuromuscular Therapist at the Rubenstein Method Wellness Center in Orange County and Beverley Hills, and His company Posture Lab is in the heart of Santa Monica and is the #1 studio for posture correction and structural therapy.

https://www.instagram.com/joes_posture_lab/

Posture Lab: https://www.instagram.com/posturelab_la/

Join Chelsea as she asks the question Do You, a Massage Therapist, actually have a voice in the profession. There is an obvious disdain for Massage Therapist but why? and who is creating it?

And the fascial system is getting a real makeover, but not the system, but the people doing the treatment... It's not all that it seems.

Todays Sponsor: HAFEN BEAUTY

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