Choosing your Massage Therapist

Choosing Your Massage Therapist – 7 Things To Keep In Mind

Suffering from stiff and aching muscles? Looking for a natural way to relax and unwind? Perhaps it is time for you to get a massage -:)

But who who to go to and who do you trust? Listen if you haven’t had a massage before these just might be a few things that are running through your head.

With that in mind here are 7 Steps for Choosing Your Massage Therapist

In no particular order they are:

1. Go to the yellow pages or Internet to look for registered/licensed  massage therapists in your town or city. The key here is to locate 3-5  masasge therapy providers close to you. The other option would be to look for someone close to where you work.

You want to feel comfortable with your choice, so pick up the phone and speak to the massage therapist or receptionist to get a feel. You need to be comfortable.

Perhaps you want to book a fifteen minute chair massage to assess your massage therapist. If you are shy about your body, the treatment may be done with you fully clothed. It is important for you to know that all registered or licensed massage therapists are bound by a professional code of conduct and regulations.

Furthermore when choosing your massage therapist make sure he or she is registered or licensed with their regional, provincial /state or national regulating / governing body. This mean that they have passed a set of standard exams.

To be quite honest a full hour is most beneficial.

2. What other credentials or experience do they have along with their registration or licensing. Many massage therapists specialize in certain aspects of massage therapy. For example some massage therapists work with sports injuries, lumpectomy (partial breast tissue removal), chronic neck and back pain or general relaxation.

While choosing your massage therapist, think abut giving a student intern at a massage therapy school a chance. I have received some amazing massages from students ! This is another way to go and it is a lot less expensive!

3. Perhaps you have been treated by a physiotherapist, athletic therapist or chiropractor. If so, I’m sure they have someone they could refer you to. It is quite possible that they might even be in the same clinic. If this is the case this is a great opportunity to have a brief chat with them to discover if there is a connection between the two of you. Even your family physician may have someone they refer to.

4. Referral from friends is another way to help with choosing your massage therapist. Two friends may recommend the same or two different massage therapists. It all depends on what you are looking for. Massage therapists specialities range from general relaxation to lymphatic drainage to sports injury rehab to motor vehicle accident (MVA) treatments.

5. Use an online massage locator’s system  at the major massage associations websites in Canada – CMTO.com, RMTAO.com or the USA ABMP , AMTA or IMA listed in the resources section.

6. When choosing your massage therapist try to figure out what you need.  Is it relaxation, relief from pain, an injury or disease, injury prevention work, athletic performance enhancement? If you’ve got a specific concern (burn victim, trouble breathing when reclining, extra large body, skin issues, HIV) tell your potential massage therapist when talking with her or him on the phone. If you feel that they’re resisting the thought of touching you, go elsewhere.

7. In choosing your massage therapist you may want to inquire about home massage. Some massage therapists have mobile offices and treat ontly 2-3 a day. They make house calls. That being said it is important you know that may charge you extra and include a gas fee .

Choosing Your Massage Therapist – Other Things to Consider

After you have had your first massage decide whether or not you want to experience someone else or just stay with that therapist.

It is important to develop a working relationship with a massage therapist and it may take a few sessions to get an idea of what their work is really like.

At one point in time massage therapists were mainly female. As time has passed more males are entering the field. Now it is not uncommon to see male massage therapists in their own private clinics.

Also, in choosing your massage therapist, will it matter to you if they practice out of an office or their home. Many massage therapists have designated areas in their homes specifically for massage.

Choosing your massage therapist may be a simple process if you know what you are looking for.

Instead of choosing your massage therapist you may want to look into getting your own massagers .

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Article courtesy Mike Grafstein B.Ph.Ed, CAT(C), SMT(C)