All qualifications are not equal!
Clients often ask me about my qualification when they visit my clinic for the first time. I’m proud to have trained at the London School of Sports Massage and gained a Level 5 qualification in 2008. Massage is a very unregulated business and you can do a course for as little as one single day and add ‘sports massage’ to your skill set! If you’re looking for a therapist, please look carefully at the qualification and make sure it’s a regulated and accredited one. If a qualification is not accredited by an Ofqual approved Awarding Body, you cannot trust the Level they say it is.
Level 3 is equivalent to school A level which only covers basic massage for healthy people with no injuries. The most rigorous qualifications are Level 4 and 5. That’s not to say that all therapists with higher qualifications are excellent therapists or that a therapist with a lower qualification is a bad one - I don’t believe that’s true at all. But I do wish there was a bit more information out there about what to look out for when seeking a therapist - so I hope this post is helpful.





This is such a refreshing take on the topic of qualifications! You've really hit the nail on the head with the idea that not all qualifications are created equal, and it's fantastic to see this discussed with the depth it deserves. I've personally found myself in situations where I assumed a qualification automatically meant a certain level of expertise, only to discover that wasn't the case at all. It makes you wonder if some credentials are more about a standardized test than genuine understanding https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/30/australian-influencers-warned-after-several-accounts-inadvertently-promote-offshore-bookmakers-ntwnfb For so long, I approached acquiring certifications almost as a checklist, but your post has genuinely shifted my perspective. It’s inspiring to see an argument that elevates the true meaning behind achieving a skill. This…
This was such a fantastic breakdown of why not all qualifications hold the same weight, something I hadn't fully considered until reading your post. I really appreciate the quality of your analysis and the way you articulate these complex ideas so clearly. It's genuinely helpful! I especially resonated with your point about how this concept plays out in the real world https://payid.com.au/payid-for-business For instance, I’ve seen firsthand how a specific certification, though seemingly less prestigious, can be far more valuable in a practical job setting than a broader, more academic degree. It makes me wonder about the nuances of how we define "equal" when it comes to professional readiness. You've definitely given me a lot to ponder, and I'm sure…