Should I tell them I have arthritis?
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I might get a job offer from a chiropractic company as a chiropractic asst. my problem is that they also asked would i be interested in doing massage therapy. Without thinking to much about it i said sure. She seemed happy then wrote something on my application. Now im worried b/c later on i realized that there is no way i can do massage therapy b/c even tho im 21, i have arthritis (rheumatoid). If they offer me the job as just the chiropractic assistant than i wouldnt tell them. But my mom said if they offer me the job as an massage therapy, or ask if they can train me in it… i shouldnt tell them i have arthritis. I felt unsure about it so i want to see what the people here think about this. Is it, or is it not a good idea to tell them i have arthritis (only if they offer me the massage therapist position). It would be a great help if you can explain your answers a lil, b/c a simple yes or no wouldnt help me much, but any help would be greatly apreciated and thank you in advance =>
I reckon that it’s more of a matter of whether you will be physically able to perform the tasks of a massage therapist. I really have pinched nerves in my neck which affect the strength and pain level of my hands (and a terrible back and sciatica) and purposely didn’t go into the MT field for that very reason. There is so much physical exertion and some massages take up to an hour at a time. I don’t want you to overwork your joints and then have the arthritis worsen. I try to do joint preservation which is not overusing the hands/joints to help prevent further injury such as lifting an item with both hands instead of one hand or such.
jannsody is right. That said if the company offers medical insurance and you accept, this fact will have to be noted due to it being in your medical records. You will sign a release allowing an insurance company to look at your medical records in most cases.
One of my best friends is a MT, she is now 55 and has been in the field over 10 years. She has bought additional certifications along the way. She was is exceptional health when certified. The years have taken a toll on her. She also works another full time job and mainly does MT 2-3 days a week. She wanted another profession to fall back on in case her full time job finished. She lives in Florida and could work nearly 7/24 if physically up to it. Now she has regular clients she sees on the days she works. Most sessions are an hour, she usually goes above and further than because thats the way she is and doesn’t payment any extra. Excellent luck, I feel if you let the employer know that after you left and plotting about it you remembered the arthritis they will accept you as a stand up person. As a former interviewer I would.