Many women who practice massage professionally don't like the term 'massage therapist', as it has a sexy and swinging background. While you might be lucky enough to hire a massage therapist like this on your next visit to the spa, it's best to avoid using this term. If you're looking for a male massager, don't call him a 'masseuse' either. The term 'masseuse' is a French word that refers to a woman who practices massage.
Men in the industry are known as 'massage therapists'. A massage therapist and a masseuse do the same job; the only difference is that the term 'massage therapist' is gender specific and refers to women. Massage therapists, on the other hand, can be of any gender. The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses the same standard occupational code (31-901) for both designations, and for male specific masseuses, rolfers, and massage therapists.
