How to find the right Massage Therapist for you.

Were you ever hesitant to book a massage therapy session because you were concerned the therapist wouldn’t meet your expectations? You want to know you are going to receive quality work before you drop a chunk of change. Right? 

I'm not only a Massage Therapist, but I also receive regular body work, as well. I'll give you some pointers on what I look for before scheduling my own appointment and also how I communicate with my Massage Therapist.  

Do your homework.
Run a google search to find local practitioners in your area. Visit their website.  Their bio section should give you an idea of their specialty and who they serve. Their website should also answer questions such as:

-Is it easy to schedule an appointment?
-Is this your desired price range?
-Do they offer loyalty rewards or memberships to encourage regular bodywork?
-Is the location convenient? Is it easy to find parking?
-Do the hours of operation work with your schedule?
-What is the cancellation policy and procedure?
 
The key to a great massage therapy session is communication.
Discuss your goals before the start of your session. 
Here is an example of how I will communicate with my Massage Therapist: “I’m looking for full body massage. I’ve been prepping for a half marathon and logging more miles lately.  My legs are feeling fatigued and I have tension radiating to my lower back. I’m also looking forward to head and face massage.”  Thoroughly communicating before every session reduces your risk of disappointment.
Communication during your session is also important. Is the pressure is too firm or too light?  Did you suddenly become too warm or too cool? Do you dislike the music? Did you get congested and you need a tissue? Don’t hesitate to speak up during your session.  A good Massage Therapist cares about your comfort.

Did the session go well?
If you plan to schedule with the therapist again, be sure to let them know what you appreciated about the session or what they could do differently next time.  Always keep in mind Massage Therapy is a broad profession.  If you are in the market for a Massage Therapist that specializes in Prenatal, Reiki, Aromatherapy, or Rolfing never hesitate to ask them. If it's not our area of expertise, we would be happy to point you to one of our trusted colleagues.