Tuesday, July 12, 2011

How To Find A Massage Therapist

Many clients say that finding a massage therapist is quite arduous. I agree. In fact, the process can be downright frustrating if you are looking for work that goes beyond traditional Swedish massage. Some massage businesses create confusion because they offer a wide variety of services but might not have the massage therapists available to implement those services. For example, some businesses may advertise that they offer deep tissue, prenatal work or some other type of massage when, in fact, the massage practitioner they assign to work on the client may only be able to (or trained to) give a Swedish massage.  There is also an inaccurate assumption among many consumers that massage only exists in the form of relaxing spa work. There is no fool proof way of finding the best massage therapist to work with but there are steps you can take that will lead you in the right direction if you are willing to do a little research. 


1.      What type of massage work do you like/want to receive?

People receiving a massage for the first time and people who receive massage more regularly tend to consider whether they want to receive lighter, relaxing work or deeper, more therapeutic work. Lighter, more relaxing work is much easier to find because it is readily available at spas as well as in private massage studios. Deeper, therapeutic work is also offered at many spas and at many places but depth of pressure will vary among practitioners. If you know what depth of pressure is most comfortable and effective for you, feel free to communicate that to your therapist.    

2.      What type of massage work do you need?

If you have an issue that requires a specific style of work and want the best results, seek businesses and practitioners with specialties in those areas of focus. A person’s need can change according to how he or she feels in that moment as well as by circumstances. It is okay to work with several massage therapists that can meet each particular need as those needs arise. For example, there are businesses and practitioners that specialize in Sports massage, Aromatherapy, Maya Abdominal Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Peri Operative Massage, Prenatal/Post Partum Massage, Thai Massage, Normalization of Soft Tissue, Orthopedic Massage…the list goes on. If you have a strained muscle in your back, you will receive the most relief from a practitioner who is trained in and understands deep tissue work and how to normalize soft tissue. You will be much less likely to receive the results you want from a Swedish massage because the focus of a Swedish massage is different. Likewise, If you want a little TLC, a practitioner who only offers deep tissue work may not be the best fit in that moment. If your “go to” massage therapist unable to meet a need that you have, find someone who can.       


3.      How do you find a massage therapist?

The most popular way clients find massage therapists is through the recommendations of friends and acquaintances. Massage involves a level of vulnerability that few other industries require. Thus, attaining a reference from someone known and trusted is often reassuring. 

Additionally, the American Massage Therapy Association is the best known national professional organization dedicated to promoting the massage industry. AMTA has a website, www.amta.org, containing a massage therapist locator web page called Find A Therapist. Massage therapists listed on that page are all affiliated with AMTA and have completed training from accredited massage schools throughout the country. The massage therapists identified on AMTA’s Find A Therapist web page will have all of their business information included on that site and, because many therapists have websites of their own, you will be able to attain more information about what they do and get a better idea regarding their approach to massage.

Primary care and alternative care professionals are also good resources for referrals because, in many cases, they have worked with the massage therapist they are recommending, either through other client referrals or by personal experience.

Whether you are referred to a massage therapist or find a therapist on the internet, feel free to call that therapist to ask questions. Find out more about what he/she does, how he/she approaches his/her practice, the massage school attended, number of years in practice, post graduate certifications and any other pieces of information you want to know. You will be able to learn a lot about the therapist’s level of professionalism and experience, enthusiasm for his/her practice, knowledge about modalities advertised, and whether you would like to work with him or her.     


4.      How do you feel about your massage therapist?

Few massage therapists talk about this important point but it needs to be addressed. Find a practitioner that you like and feel comfortable with; it is important to be open with the person who is working with you. The more you are able to share about what you are dealing with, the better able the therapist will be in addressing your needs. I have often modified my course of treatment to accommodate the needs of my clients who have undergone surgeries, recovering from injuries (both immediate and past), illnesses, and even some emotional difficulties. And, if I am unable to address a need adequately, I have a referral list of professionals whose work I respect that are well qualified to meet those needs.      

5.      How comfortable are you with the practitioner’s touch and tone of the session?

 You are seeking massage in order to take care of yourself. Expressing your needs is an important aspect of taking care of yourself. If you are working with a practitioner who does not respect your needs, it is time to look for a new therapist.


There are a lot of talented massage therapists out there and many different approaches to massage work. No two massage therapists address their work in the same way. However, when you are clear about what you want, need, and are looking for in a massage therapist, the easier it will be for you to find the best therapist for you!