Your body is a screaming mass of aches and pains. You want relief - fast relief. You decide a massage is "just what the doctor ordered." BEFORE you actually pick up the telephone and schedule your appointment, how much thought do you actually give to the credentials of this health care professional?
Perhaps you are the spontaneous type personality. After working out at a gym that also provides spa services, you decide to "treat" yourself to a massage. Or while driving home after a particularly horrendous day at work, you pass a billboard advertising massage therapy and decide on the spur of the moment that this is exactly what you need at exactly this moment in time.
Are you aware that massage therapy is part of health care?
Did you know that a license to practice is required?
Did you know that depending on the state, a rigorous training of 500-1500 hours is required in order to obtain a license? that the license must be posted or a copy carried even by the therapist who does only chair massage or out calls?
Choosing your massage therapist is just as import as choosing a dentist, doctor or a chiropractor. If you choose your other health care professionals based on cost, you will probably choose your massage therapist in the same manner. If you ask your friends for a referral when choosing your doctor, dentist or chiropractor, you will probably choose your massage therapist in the same way. Whatever method or reasoning you use, I suggest, at a minimum, that you also check her credentials. Did she graduate from a reputable massage school? Does she hold a state license, a national license, or both? Can she show proof of liability insurance carried? Does she require a written doctor's release for client's with special health care issues? Does the massage therapist keep and maintain client records?
Alright, so you have determined your therapist is qualified. For some people, this is enough. For others, more information is needed. Just as you choose an orthopedic surgeon when you break a bone or need joint replacement, or a pediatrician for your child, you may want to choose someone who specializes. One therapist's client base may be primarily elder care, ie., geriatrics. Another massage therapist prefer to work with children; ensure she requires written parental consent and the parent present during the session. Are you looking for someone who works primarily with sports massage, athletes, and sporting events? Generally speaking, a specialty means that the massage therapist most enjoys that area and probably trains more to build greater skill in that specialty.
How long is the session? Is the 'one hour massage' actually five minutes evaluation, five minutes dressing/changing, and 50 minutes actual table work? When you are comparing the benefits and drawbacks of a franchise vs a small business owner, are you required sign annual contract that automatically renews itself? Does the professional actually assess your needs, or just "give you a massage" as if "one size fits all?" Is each session tailored to your specific needs that day: pain management in the hands & arms, or knots radiating from the neck & shoulders, or reflexology work with the feet? Does the therapist make suggestions for the next session? Does she suggest that you do a half torso or concentrate on a particular set of muscles? Does the therapist suggest how often you need to return? Do you trust her judgment or do you suspect that the individual just needs to earn a living?! Will the massage therapist come to your home or business? This is called an "out call" and will cost a bit more for the additional time spent packing and traveling to and from the client.
The goal of this article is to encourage you to identify what you want from a massage, instead of settling for a franchise massage du'jour. Give some thought to choosing the best massage therapist for your needs.
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