Let’s face it. It is very hard nowadays to find the Right, Professional Therapist. In the past I have had experienced all sort of different therapists. From junior to medical therapist and I must admit I still wasn’t satisfied with treatment for 100%. They either were lacking practical experience or they use medical terms without explaining it, digging the elbow or only “slapping” the oil all over without any “work” done…
Finding the Right Therapist, it’s not easy, however it is possible, so have faith! Here you’ll find 5 tips that will help you achieve your objective.
1. Know your goal.
We’re all looking for something different from massage. Some of us wants to relax, unwind, others want to feel energised or simply want to have some “work done”, meaning get rid of the knots- ease the pain. It is for you to decide what’s your goal. The Right Therapist will ask what are your objectives from the treatment, areas of concern, medical conditions etc.
Different modalities of massage aim to achieve different results and outcomes, therefore knowing your goals with help you find the Right Therapist that will exceed your needs. For instance, if you are an athlete, you may be interested in seeing someone who is trained in dealing with injuries, such as Sport Massage Therapist. Or, if you spend hours front of computer you might need Deep Tissue Massage, simply to relief muscular tension. Most of therapist should be able to help, if they are good.
2. Learn and understand various modalities.
There are various massage techniques that therapists can be train in. Learning and understanding different massage styles will help you determine the best technique that will achieve your treatment goal. For instance, if you are just looking for “feel-good “massage, Swedish/relaxing massage, then a regular spa massage would suit you just fine. However, if you are looking for specific work such as reducing pain or releasing tension in an area, then perhaps you should find someone who is trained in deep-tissue, medical, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy or other therapeutic techniques that are aimed at reducing hypertonic (tight) muscles.
Keep in mind, massage may not be the best medicine for your issue, as there are other bodywork therapies that may be more effective and efficient when it comes to relieving pain and reducing tension such as Ortho-Bionomy, Cranial-Sacral therapy, Bowen Technique and many more.
3. Express your preferences.
Once you know your goal and understand different massage methods, it’s time to set your preferences. What type of environment do you prefer? A relaxing one such as a spa (dim lights, candles, relaxing music) or are you more concerned with reducing your pain and would not mind getting the treatment in a medical setting such as a physical therapist or chiropractor’s office?
Once you know your preferences, remember to look for those details on their website or simply call/e-mail to ask. You will get to know a little more about the therapist just by asking such questions. Focusing on how eager they are to accommodate you, will give you an idea, if your experience will be a positive.
4. Do your research.
Before choosing the Right Therapist, there are many factors to consider. The following questions will help you to find out more about practitioner:
- Are they member of Professional Association such as BABTAC, FHT, CTHA, GSMT etc.
- How many years they have been practising? The more clients a therapist works with, the more likely he/she will be intuitive. They will also more likely have a better understanding of anatomy and physiology since they have worked on more bodies, which may make their work more effective.
- What type of education do they have? Is it an officially recognised (accredited) school? Is it well-known or a small school that no one has ever heard about?
5. The only authentic way to know… is to TRY.
One of the best ways to find out if a therapist is right for you is to book an appointment. Remember, just because a therapist has graduated from a good school, has years of experience, amazing reviews, and seems like they may be an excellent choice for you, doesn’t guarantee that you will resonate with them or even like their work, but it will bring you closer to find the right practitioner for you.
You may not necessarily book full hour massage with someone to try their technique. You can try short 30 minutes’ treatment and then extend it, if possible or book next session, perhaps longer.
Be “high-maintenance”, set your objectives. Politely express your preferences, and quickly move on from therapists who doesn’t respond respectfully.