Recently, I saw a post on Facebook by someone looking for recommendations for a massage therapist. She and her husband do physically demanding work and want to add massage to their self-care routine. Immediately thought “Pick me! Pick me!” and posted all the reasons I’m a wonderful therapist.
Then I realized that I could really help her more by providing tips on how to find her perfect therapist. And she’s got a harder job because she’s really looking for two therapists available at the same time that will suit both she and her husband.
So here’s what I recommend:
1) Figure out what your goals are for massage. Do you “just” need to relax? Do you have a persistent ache or pain you’d like to have addressed? Is there an area in your body that is consistently tight? Are you training for sports event?
2) Think about what you like and dislike during a massage. Do you prefer firm or light pressure? Are you looking for a clinical style of massage or one that involves more energy techniques?
3) Ask your friends – which therapist do they like? Why do they like them? Why do they get massage? Ask a few people because the perfect therapist for one friend might be a poor fit for you.
4) Google “Massage” in your town and see who else is out there. Check out reviews on Google, Yelp, and other sites.
5) If you’ve seen a therapist in the past that you loved, get in touch with them and ask them what modalities they used and how they’d describe their “style” of massage.
6) Narrow down your choices, and try a few different therapists. Massage is a personal therapy, and therapists are not one size fits all. Even therapists who practice the same techniques will have a different style. And don’t be afraid to tell therapists that you’re trying out a few different people to see who the best fit is for you. Most will understand that you’re looking for the perfect therapist for you. This is especially true if you’re looking for two therapists to work on two people at the same time.
Some other considerations:
Do you feel comfortable and are you able to relax in their space?
Do you feel like the therapist heard you and was responsive to your needs?
Are their hours and location convenient for you?
Is the option of scheduling online important to you?
Does your schedule let you plan your appointments in advance or is same-day availability important?
If you’re shopping for two people, is it important that you have your massages in the same room?
Are their payment methods convenient?
Are they licensed by the state?
Once you’ve found your perfect therapist – relax and enjoy your massage!
So here’s what I recommend:
1) Figure out what your goals are for massage. Do you “just” need to relax? Do you have a persistent ache or pain you’d like to have addressed? Is there an area in your body that is consistently tight? Are you training for sports event?
2) Think about what you like and dislike during a massage. Do you prefer firm or light pressure? Are you looking for a clinical style of massage or one that involves more energy techniques?
3) Ask your friends – which therapist do they like? Why do they like them? Why do they get massage? Ask a few people because the perfect therapist for one friend might be a poor fit for you.
4) Google “Massage” in your town and see who else is out there. Check out reviews on Google, Yelp, and other sites.
5) If you’ve seen a therapist in the past that you loved, get in touch with them and ask them what modalities they used and how they’d describe their “style” of massage.
6) Narrow down your choices, and try a few different therapists. Massage is a personal therapy, and therapists are not one size fits all. Even therapists who practice the same techniques will have a different style. And don’t be afraid to tell therapists that you’re trying out a few different people to see who the best fit is for you. Most will understand that you’re looking for the perfect therapist for you. This is especially true if you’re looking for two therapists to work on two people at the same time.
Some other considerations:
Do you feel comfortable and are you able to relax in their space?
Do you feel like the therapist heard you and was responsive to your needs?
Are their hours and location convenient for you?
Is the option of scheduling online important to you?
Does your schedule let you plan your appointments in advance or is same-day availability important?
If you’re shopping for two people, is it important that you have your massages in the same room?
Are their payment methods convenient?
Are they licensed by the state?
Once you’ve found your perfect therapist – relax and enjoy your massage!
RSS Feed
