They use the knowledge of how the body works and responds to manipulation to tailor a massage to your specific health concerns. It takes a little more effort than making a call to find the best massage therapist. This article discusses a few tips on how to find the perfect massage therapist for your needs.
- Consider Your Condition
- Get to Know the Various Modalities Available
Therapists can be trained to use different massage techniques depending on the needs of their clients. Learning more about the different techniques used by a therapist can help determine the best massage techniques that will help you achieve your treatment goals. For instance, a regular spa would work just fine if you are looking for a Swedish or relaxation massage. However, if you want to treat a specific condition then you may require a therapist who is trained in advanced techniques such as neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, deep-tissue, and other therapeutic techniques that address your condition.
- Know Your Preferences
If you already have your goals in mind and you know the type of massage you would like to try, it is important to decide on your preferences when getting the massage. First, you need to know where your therapist will perform the massage and what kind of environment you prefer. Not all therapists work in an environment that will suit your needs. For instance, if you are more concerned about relaxation then you may be intrigued by an environment with relaxing music, dim lights, and candles. On the contrary, people who are concerned with reducing their pain or alleviating their symptoms will not mind getting treatment in a medical setting such as the therapist or chiropractor’s office.
- Conduct Due Diligence
Once you know your goals, preferences, and available massage techniques, it is time to know more about your therapist. It is important to know what type of massage education your therapist is well trained in, some of their treatment goals, their favorite modality to practice, and what types of clients they work with. As you get answers to the above questions, you need to compare them with your health goals and preferences to see whether the therapist is a perfect match. Do not just get their word for it or be satisfied by their online reviews but instead, schedule a day to visit them in person. This will give you a good idea of what the massage environment looks like, the level of customer service, and the overall first impressions you get from your visit.
- Give it a Try
Although you may have conducted your due diligence and decided that a particular therapist is the right one for you, the only way to know whether they are good at what they say is by trying out the massage for yourself. Keep in mind that you do not have to go through a full hour massage to know if he or she is the best therapist for your needs. You can ask them to schedule a 30-minute session for a start and you can later extend the treatment if you like their work. Many people have had several trials and failures before they found a perfect massage therapist so you can always try it even if you have other recommendations from friends and family.
The fact that a therapist has good certification and amazing reviews does not guarantee that you will like their work or even resonate with them. The perfect massage therapist is one who has your needs in mind and delivers the right type of bodywork that makes you feel better with every session.