Choosing the Right Massage Therapist
Massage therapy is becoming recognized by other health care
professionals as viable source of treatment for stress and chronic pain
management. It is a holistic approach that will improve an individual's health
and well-being. Now that you have decided to try massage therapy; you need to
make an informed decision as to what type of establishment and who would best
suit your needs.
First, you must decide what type of massage therapy office
you want. Will you be comfortable going to a "spa" that provides a
lot of frills and extra's. These establishments are alright, but you will
probably have additional charges for the extras; or the extras will be "built
in" to the price of the massage. This is nice, and preferred by some
people because they like to be pampered. The other side of the coin is a
professional massage therapy office. These establishments are usually simple in
design, clean, and comfortable. Anyone will feel at ease when entering one of
these establishments. A benefit of a professional massage therapy office is the
services are priced lower, because the office has a lower overhead compared to
Day Spas.
The massage establishment has been chosen, now you have to
choose a therapist. The first thing to consider is will you be more comfortable
with a male or female therapist. This is strictly a personal preference, but it
can limit your choice of massage establishments. Not all places will have both
male and female therapists available.
After deciding on the preferred gender of your therapist;
now it's time to do some research. First, ask friends, family, and co-workers
if they can recommend a good therapist. These personal referrals are some of
your best starting points; but keep in mind, massage is very personal and what
one person likes another may not like.
Most states require licensure for massage therapists. Check
your states laws, if it is required, then make sure the therapist you choose is
licensed. You can also easily check if the therapist has had any complaints
lodged against them through the state massage board.
Meet your therapist. This can be done in person (the
preferred method) or you can talk to him/her over the phone. Ask as many questions
as you feel necessary. Asking how long they have been practicing is ok, but a
better question is to ask how many massages the therapist has performed. Now
don't expect an exact number, but a ballpark figure will suffice. The reason
for asking this question, in this manner, is some therapists do more massages
than other therapists. A therapist who has only been in practice for a year may
have more actual hands on experience than someone who has been in practice for
2 or 3 years.
Some additional questions to consider asking:
1. What certifications do you hold?
2. What type of draping techniques do you practice?
3. What massage modalities do you use?
4. What kind of lotion/ oil do you use?
5. How long does the massage session last?
6. What is the cost of a session?
7. Do you offer package deals or specials?
8. What type of payment is accepted? (cash, check, credit/
debit card)
9. Do you have references?
Professional massage therapy is an intimate form of holistic
medicine. There will be some things can not be asked; they have to be felt
intuitively. Do you feel a connection with the therapist you have chosen? Does
the therapist exhibit confidence in himself/ herself? Do you feel comfortable
with the therapist? It doesn't matter what credentials the therapist has, if
you don't feel comfortable, you will not be able to relax during your session.
The client/ therapist relationship is similar to patient/ doctor relationships.
They are built on trust.
After your massage therapy session you should evaluate your
experience. Did the therapist treat you as you expected? Did you feel
comfortable during the massage? Was it a positive experience? Would you
recommend the therapist? If you answered yes to these questions, you should
relay your feelings to your therapist. This can be done by leaving a gratuity,
booking another appointment, or leaving a written testimonial/ thank you note.
Choosing a massage therapist should not be taken lightly.
But it doesn't have to be difficult. Trust your intuition above all else.
Communication between you and your massage therapist should be open and free. A
good professional massage therapist will meet your needs, make you feel
comfortable, and treat you with respect. Visit www.wellnessmassagemallorca.com
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