Choosing the Best Massage Therapist For You

By Holly Dunbar, CMT, RH (AGH)

New Moon Body Work and Botanicals

. http://www.newmoonbody.com

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Choosing the Best Massage Therapist For You

The field of massage therapy has grown by leaps and bounds in the past decade, as more and more people discover the benefits and enjoyment of this ancient healing art. As a consumer intent on receiving the most bang for your buck, several considerations are in order to ensure your massage sessions are as therapeutic and relaxing as possible.

Experience Counts Like any art, the practice of delivering a truly great massage takes time. Massage is a combination of clinical applications, book knowledge, and intuition. A novice practitioner is still feeling their way and learning that what holds true in a book is much more complex and variable once applied to human bodies in all our forms and variations. A novice practitioner may deliver a good massage; a seasoned practitioner can truly take it to the next level. As each year passes, practitioners also acquire more specialized skills that can address a wider variety of conditions.

Style and Technique Before booking an appointment, ask a few key questions. Start by asking what type of pressure they tend to use. If one has had a massage before they found too vigorous and painful, a practitioner more oriented towards deep tissue or trigger point work is probably not the best match. Conversely, if one found a previous massage to be too light and subtle, be sure to convey a desire for deeper pressure, so one is not booked with a practitioner that uses all Swedish techniques. Communicating your needs before the appointment will ensure the best experience possible, and emphasize them again during the initial intake.

Location This will greatly enhance or detract from the overall experience. Some find the spa environment, with its slant towards a pampering experience, a real treat. Others find these amenities a distraction. Hair salons that offer massage may have conflicting odors and noise that is distracting.

Licensure All massage therapists in the state of Maryland are required to be licensed to legally practice. This license should be displayed. Despite these regulations, there are still practitioners that open shop without the necessary requirements. Licensure ensures that the practitioner has met minimum educational requirements.

Personality If one has done all their homework, interviewed the therapist prior to the appointment, and still has an experience that is simply okay, consider trying another therapist in the practice, or moving on. Massage is a very personal experience, and one spends almost the entire time with the therapist.