Massage Therapists out there in USVI?

is there a difference between a massage therapist and a masseuse. in gallows bay on stx there is a spa , also one at the divi maybe the buccaneer. i think some chiropractors also have them.

speeed1dy, Licensed Massage Therapists hate to be called a "Masseuse". That name is usually associated with places where scantily-dressed girls give "stress relief" massages. Nothing wrong with that, but if you spent time studying to become a licensed health care professional, it is a bit annoying when men say "Oh, so you're a Masseuse" usually followed by a change in attitude and an attempt to get your phone number (hoping for a service you didn't learn in school) lol.

your right sabrina, years ago looking for a bed and breakfast when i would mention that work people acted like i was asking for a prostitute. all i wanted was a good massage with no fringe benefits

Thanks for clearing that up Sabrina - very well said! Funny you brought it up Speedy, my husband and I own a B&B and I am a massage therapist. When people ask me if I am the resident "masseuse", I reply that I am the "Massage Therapist" and they get it.

On another note, when we were first new in town, the old guys club asked my husband if he was the one that owned the "Massage Parlor". He told them that it was good that I wasn't there to hear that term uttered! Now, most of their wives are my clients, but I still have some odd questions come my way as our village is 80% retirees and they keep the perception alive no matter what I say.

patrice, you made me laugh

also now i know the correct terminology to use. i have never thought of masseuse as a "bad" word myself

pilatesgal is a licensed massage therapists on STT

Thanks Crescent! Patricecw, send me a PM if you have specific questions about massage therapy in the VI. I am a licensed therapist here on St. Thomas and would be glad to help you out with any information.

pilatesgal318

Hi, Pilates, I am currently in massage school in the states....(second career....) I'm a retiree.........my hubby and I are preparing to relocate to STT in a couple of years. (retirement...!!) I am wondering what type of license you must possess in USVI to perform massage therapy. My school is preparing me for the National Exam... THANKS!

Hi Croozer,

You need to have your national certification, apply for your business license through Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs here, get your health card, tax clearance letter from the IRB, and fill out the form from Dept. of Health (on St. Croix). The easiest thing to do is contact Stephanie Scott Williams who can do all of this for you (her business name, "I'll Do It For You" on St. Thomas...340-775-0635). She can help you with all of the licensing for a fee...it is well worth it!!

pilatesgal318

Thanks for the information Pilatesgal! I appreciate knowing what I am going to need to do.... If I was to work for one of the resorts and not for myself, would that mean that I would just need to be nationally certified....and skip the other steps? (Unless of coarse I wanted to also have my own business). I really appreciate you telling me about Stephanie and her business. I am sure she gets tons of business because of all the situations just like this with people relocating from the states..... She probably has more than enough business! Thanks again,

Croozer

croozer, you still need a Health Card. Plus I would suggest you do some kind of specialty training, over and above what you learn just coming out of school. The opportunities for further education in massage therapy are non-existent in the USVI, to the best of my knowledge.

You still need to do all of the things I listed above to be able to work as a massage therapist in the USVI, regardless of whether you are in business for yourself or working for one of the resorts. If Stephanie doesn't have the time to help you, she has people who can; give her a call when you want to start the process.

pilatesgal318

Thanks so much for the information! I am so looking forward to making all this a reality!

Croozer

are there any massage therapy schools actually located on the islands?

None that I've ever heard of.

To all who are interested in a professional, therapeutic massage therapist.
Let me introduce myself, I am dr. dean k. ziegler, licensed chiropractor in Allentown, Pa. USA; I have my USVI license but have not been there is awhile. I presently have over 3 therapists on staff at my clinic; better yet most health insurances cover this service. Please contact your local chiropractor in the islands and see if they offer this. I know how to legally do this, but I need to review the scope of practice requirements. Feel free to reply to myself; if there is enough interest in this area of health care I will start a referral service the least. Massage and chiropractic are my clinic's one two punch! See my website at zieglerchiropractic.com. Thanks!

I am seriously considering moving to St Thomas this fall. I am a licensed massage therapist in ohio and was wondering if I should try to get a job before moving down or wait til I move down there? Also what is a good salary for a massage therapist on St Thomas? Thanks 🙂

If you're on stt call prana spa at yacht haven grande. She's terrific. Multiple modalities.

For rachel: pricing is similar as it is in the states. There are 4 or 5 LMT on st thomas for 50k people. Don't know about stx