Massage Therapy - 7 Tips to Picking a Great Massage Therapist

You've heard a lot about therapeutic massage and pain relief.  Now you're thinking about finding a massage practitioner. 

Or, maybe you've already had massage therapy but are not quite sure it was as effective or good as you thought it should be. 

Maybe the pressure felt too light or too deep.  Perhaps you were uncomfortable for one reason or another.  Maybe you even thought that you would never have another massage again!

Massage therapy can be extremely effective for relieving almost every type of pain.  I must admit that I'm highly biased, but a really good massage therapist can deliver the best and most effective therapy you can get.

So, how can you find a "really good massage therapist?"

1. Ask around.  If you know someone who is very happy with their massage therapist, ask for the therapist's name.  If your friend feels better because of their massage, that's a pretty good sign that you will, too.


2. Massage therapists who have their own office, use the word "clinic" in their business name, or work in a medical facility will more likely practice "medical" or therapeutic massage.


3. Go to the website for the American Massage Therapy Association.  It is the largest professional massage organization and has listings of members.  Membership requirements are fairly strict, and there is a wide mix of members.  Some have a ton of training and experience, some are new to the profession and have had entry level training.


4. Go to the website for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.  They also have a listing of therapists who have passed the NCTMB examination.  Almost 80% of the states are licensed now, and many of them use this exam for licensing.  In states which are not licensed, massage practitioners who want the best credentials available often take this exam on their own.


5. Interview the massage therapist you choose on the phone.  Ask them as many questions as you can think of.  Tell them about your pain, where it is, how long you've had it, and what you've done for it.  Please give them the short version.  Listen carefully to their response and see if it sounds as if they can provide the appropriate massage for you.


6. You can interview the massage practitioner in person if you make an appointment to do so.  He or she will be glad to set aside 15 minutes to discuss your situation, explain their probable treatment and show you their office.  If they have trigger point charts on the walls (which show pain patterns and the muscles that most like are causing the pain) that is usually a very good sign.


7. Ask the massage therapist about their training.  Are they new to the field, have they been in practice for many years, have they had any advanced training, especially in pain relief for your specific complaint?  Listen carefully.  There are people who do massage who will say that they can take care of you, but don't have the training or background.

When you have selected a massage professional, remember that it is your body.  You are the expert.  If you have questions or concerns, or the massage doesn't feel right to you, speak up!  A good, competent massage therapist will be glad you did.  They want to do their best, and input from you will help.