ACM GRADUATE INTERVIEW - Milton Saltmarsh

27/09/2010

ACM Graduate Milton Saltmarsh is living the dream in Queensland with his wife and young daughter

What first interested you about Massage?

As a child, I grew up in a family who were heavily involved in sport. As a youngster I was witness to both my grandfather and father coaching and treating athletes, footballers and boxers with massage therapy techniques.  It was almost inevitable that I would one day follow in their footsteps and encounter a similar journey.

My father trained athletes professionally for around 40 years and I have done the same for approximately 20 years, alongside competing in Australian Rules football and athletics myself.  From a young age I have always had a passion for massage and an understanding of its use.

Over the years I have absorbed and learnt as much about treatments and techniques as I can and this has developed me into the Therapist that I am today. I still use some of dad and granddad´s “old school” techniques alongside the more traditional techniques that I have learnt in the past decade.

How long have you been massaging?

Approximately 15 years in total, 7 years professionally full-time.

I started out massaging in my own clinic in Tasmania and in 2010 my wife and I have just set-up our new life and clinic on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

What do you enjoy most about massaging?

The satisfaction of helping people with ailments and muscular dysfunctions is very rewarding.

"Seeing clients walk out of the clinic in better condition physically and mentally after a treatment is very satisfying."

To date I have quite a few clients who have made great improvements through a series of treatments. I’m sure most massage therapists will share a lot of similar stories and be aware of that feeling of satisfaction when you’ve played a part in improving another human beings health. 

One such experience was a client who had quite a badly injured shoulder, on the first visit he could hardly raise it and within four rounds of treatments his range of motion had increased significantly.

What was your experience at ACM like?

I studied on-campus in Launceston in 2005.

"I really enjoyed studying with the Australian College of Massage. My instructors were very helpful and I found it to be a very well run course."

I had already been massaging for years without a formal qualification following in my father and grandfather´s footsteps, so to complete the formalities and to have chosen such a professional college was really a step up from what I had previously been doing.

Some techniques I had already been using for years and it was great being re-acquainted with them properly and learning what to call them and a more in depth knowledge of when and how to use particular techniques.

How have your studies at ACM assisted preparing you for working in the massage industry?

I believe that completing the course with ACM has helped to make me a more polished and professional therapist.

I have more of an understanding of draping methods and the full-rounded respect and care of clients.

What advice would you give aspiring massage therapists?

Gather as much knowledge as you can on the subject and practice, practice, practice.

ACM was the first College that came to my mind when my wife Olivia decided that she wanted to switch careers from primary school teaching to massage therapy.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Living the dream in sunny Queensland!

I have visited Queensland for holidays every year since 1977 and I have always had it in mind to migrate north and live in the warmer climate. This year that dream came true and my wife Olivia and I have set up our family run massage business, Saltmarsh Solutions, in Upper Coomera, just behind Movie world. It’s pretty amazing being able to massage all morning, then spend a couple of hours at one of the theme parks recharging on adrenalin and then return to the clinic for an afternoon of massaging. Olivia completed her studies with ACM earlier this year and it has been great to work alongside each other, we both share passions in sport and massage and we are enjoying this part of our journey.

We have a young daughter Aurora who has plenty of time with both her mum and dad as we are able to schedule appointments and timeslots around when we are available and Aurora doesn’t have to go to day-care. I am hoping Aurora might make a 4th generation Massage Therapist and continue the Saltmarsh massaging dynasty. I’m sure once she is old enough she’ll be answering the phones and booking in clients for us!