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5 Tips For Finding the Right Massage Therapist

3/4/2015

40 Comments

 
Massage Therapist
There are a lot of massage therapists out there.  With so many, how do you know you are choosing the right one?  Each therapist works differently, and while many of us have similar styles, none of us is exactly the same.  Whether you have received a lot of massage, or are hoping to book your first, finding the right therapist can make or break the experience for you.

Here are a 5 tips for selecting a massage therapist to work with.

1.  Call first

It is a great idea to call and speak with the massage therapist before booking a session.  I have had several people call to talk about my massage style recently, and some have been a good fit, while others are looking for a style that I don't do.  By calling to talk to me before booking, they are hopefully ensuring that once they book, they will be getting the kind of massage they hope for.  When you call, you can ask about specific modalities or techniques you like, or you can describe the type of massage you want and ask if the therapist works that way.  By speaking to the therapist first, you can also get an idea of their personality, which can be helpful in decision making.  It also gives you a chance to make sure that the therapist can work with you if you have special requirements due to a specific condition like pregnancy/postpartum, heart disease, cancer, fibromyalgia, etc.

2.  Only be loyal to a therapist you like

I love repeat clients, and I love referrals, but it is important that you only rebook with a therapist you like.  It won't hurt my feelings if you don't rebook with me.  If I am not the right therapist for you, I want you to find that therapist.  I am happy to provide referrals to people who ask, and don't want you to feel obligated to rebook just because you came to me first.  More often than not, I am aware if a massage hasn't gone well, and it is as uncomfortable for me as it is for you.  Feel free to try out multiple therapists if you need to in order to find the person you work best with.  Once you find that therapist, stick with them.  You should only go back to someplace if you have a good experience.  I think it is important to point out that this applies to all fields.  If you don't like you dentist, or hair stylist, or doctor, find someone else who is a better fit.

3.  Don't leave unnecessary bad reviews

While writing reviews may not help you in your search for a massage therapist, it can help or impede someone in the pursuit of theirs.  Leaving negative reviews is not only mean spirited, but may have more of an impact than you think.  People rarely actually read the reviews themselves, but tend to just look at the star ratings.  Leaving negative reviews lowers the star rating.  So if you are leaving a 3 star review because the therapist didn't use a specific style that you like, another person who may prefer that therapist's style may not even consider booking, because the star rating is low enough that they don't click on it.  While the therapist that you have seen may not be the right fit for you, they may be perfect for someone else.  Don't deter other people unless there was something truly upsetting.

Good reasons to leave bad reviews are things like the therapist or staff were rude to you, the facilities were unclean, you got injured, there were unethical practices, etc.  Those are things about the business that are negative.  Having a therapist who wasn't a good fit for you is not a good reason to leave a bad review.

When writing a review, I also encourage you to consider where you are leaving it.  Two of the most popular review sites are Google and Yelp.  Google posts every review that is written, and good reviews help to boost the businesses rankings in search results.  Yelp filters out reviews.  They are more likely to post your review if you write a lot of them, and leave them regularly, however, they have some very unethical business practices.  If a business advertises with them, and then stops, they purposely "filter" out the good reviews and only leave the bad ones.  Since I stopped advertising with them, they refuse to post anything over a 3 star review.  I have had several 4 and 5 star reviews that no one sees, so what people see when they look at my business as well as many other small businesses is not actually representative of what people think. 

4.  Look in your own area first

While it is flattering to have someone travel to see me, I would prefer that people don't go out of their way.  Getting to your massage shouldn't be stressful.  Massage therapists are just like anyone else.  Sometimes we get sick, or have family emergencies.  On the off chance that your therapist has to reschedule, you don't want to have gotten up super early, or already driven 2 hours just to be rescheduled.  

As a birth doula, I may be called in just before or even during a massage session, and while I try to communicate with birth clients to determine if I need to reschedule massages, there is always the possibility of a rapid labor that pulls me out of a massage.  If you have come a long way to see me, only to have a mama go into labor and need me, this could be very upsetting.   

5.  Look for deals

I'm not talking about being a bargain hunter, because frankly, most professionals don't like bargain hunters.  What I mean is, many massage therapists are happy to offer a discount to first time clients or offer free consultations.  If it is a therapist working at a spa or clinic, they may not have as much freedom, but the place may offer an introductory rate, especially if it means you might come back.  

I offer a free 30 minute treatment planning consultation.  While there isn't a lot of hands on during the consultation, you get an idea of my personality and my work.  I go over your history with you, do a full postural analysis, and do some palpation on the table.  This gives me an idea of the kind of work you need, and how much you may need.  At the end of your consultation, we sit down and discuss my findings, and I present you with a personalized suggested treatment plan.  It is up to you whether or not you stick with the plan, and there is no obligation to become a paying client if you find that I'm not the right fit.
Conclusion

To summarize, the best way to find a therapist that you like is to call around to different massage therapists in your area.  If money is an issue, see if you can find therapists who will run deals for new clients, or who do free consultations.  Most importantly, take review sites with a grain of salt.  Many of them are not representative of the businesses.  Once you find a therapist you like, stick with them.  If you don't like someone, move on without being mean spirited.  Everyone has a different style.  Just because one therapist doesn't work well for you, doesn't mean they are bad at what they do.
40 Comments
Kyle Wayne link
4/25/2016 10:02:54 pm

My wife probably needs a massage therapist. She often has me give her a back rub, but I am no expert so I wonder if finding a professional would help her out so much more! I like that you mentioned calling first can help to determine if the professional would be a good fit, and I will be sure to do that in my search. I hope my wife can benefit from finding a quality massage therapist!

Reply
Helen King link
6/28/2016 01:33:46 am

This Tips is actually correct! but it depends on the person if which of the tips are they comfortable with.

Reply
Amanda Scott link
9/6/2016 01:31:15 am

Yes Helen, your right! Some tips are applicable to some people. It's better to do some research. You can read the blogs from this site www.myotherapycollege.com, I find their blogs worth to read.

Reply
Camilla link
8/2/2016 02:18:45 am

Whenever I select my massage therapist, I basically look for the reviews and deals only. But, from now onward, I will take care of all these points.

Reply
Helen King
9/6/2016 01:35:50 am

This link may help you Camilla http://myohealingmassage.com/myohealing-tips-choosing-best-massage-therapist/

Reply
John Mahoney link
12/5/2016 07:00:24 pm

I am looking for a place where I can get a good massage session. I agree that it is important to call first and find out what type of style they do, and if it is what you are looking for. I will make sure to do this, it might just help me find the best without much struggle. Thank you for the tips, they were really helpful.

Reply
olivia nelson link
3/30/2017 06:58:42 pm

I agree that you would want to find a massage therapist in your area. It would probably be good to hire a local one because it would mean they could get to you faster. I'm dealing with some back pain right now so I'll have to hire a local massage therapist to come help me out.

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Marcus link
6/29/2017 04:44:07 pm

I liked when you mentioned the importance of calling a massage therapist ahead of time and make sure they offer the massage style you want. It makes sense to me that doing this can help you compare several therapists and find the one you can work with peacefully. My wife's birthday is just around the corner and I want to make sure I find a good masseuse to help her relax and enjoy her special day, so I'll make sure I put these tips to good use.

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massage in ct link
7/31/2017 04:23:22 pm

If you suffer from joint pain or stiffness, massage therapy training can help you learn to deal with it so that you can continue to indulge in the activities you enjoy. Many people are unaware of just how effective and beneficial massage can be.

Reply
Barbera Peters link
9/19/2017 12:48:11 pm

I have been thinking that a massage would be good for my sister who works all the time and never seems to have time for herself. You mentioned that when finding a massage therapist it is important to look in the area you live first so that you are not having to stress about travel or emergencies happening when you are far away. That is a great tip for me to keep in mind while I look for a massage appointment for her.

Reply
Salt Glow Treatment link
10/29/2017 03:07:50 am

Hello! I just wish to give an enormous thumbs up for the nice info you've got right here on this post.

Reply
Kyle Wayne link
12/4/2017 06:13:02 pm

I like that you mention calling and getting the real details before deciding. My dad is looking to get employee massages but needs tips on hiring a masseuse. I'll be sure to talk to him about calling on the phone before hiring.

Reply
Roger Middleton link
1/17/2018 07:16:16 pm

I've been pretty stressed at work recently and I haven't been sure how to fight it. I liked that you had mentioned that it can be important to be loyal to a therapist that you like and is a good fit for you. This weekend I'll have to start looking around for a massage therapist that will be able to get rid of the stress I'm going through.

Reply
Gary Puntman link
3/28/2018 02:04:05 pm

I've been noticing a lot of pressure in my neck and upper back lately. I think it might be due to stress, so a massage could help a lot. I like that you said to only be loyal to a therapist you like. If you find the therapist isn't a good fit for you, I agree that you shouldn't feel stuck with them.

Reply
Ashley Turns link
4/5/2018 11:22:40 pm

Since I've been feeling pretty stressed at my job, I am looking for the perfect massage therapist to start visiting. So thanks for suggesting that we call the specialist we are considering so that we can be sure we're a good fit. I'll be sure to call each massage therapist I consider so that I can find one I get along with.

Reply
niteshkhonde link
4/18/2018 07:16:51 am

Thanks for sharing an impressive and effective blog.We provide ayurvedic treatment and Panchkarma in India.

Reply
Tiffany Locke link
4/20/2018 10:58:14 pm

Your advice to get referrals and the find a therapist you like so that you can stick with them would be useful. In order to find one that you like, you'd probably want to meet with the ones you find that offer the massage services you need. Meeting with them would give you the chance to discuss their services and ask questions so that you can find out if you're comfortable around them and can get the help you want.

Reply
hannah neilson link
6/7/2018 08:06:26 pm

I agree that you want to consider the referrals of a massage therapist. It would be good to consider this because it would show that they are well liked and probably qualified. My husband and I are looking for a massage therapist to help deal with his back pain, so we'll have to consider their references.

Reply
Jordan link
7/2/2018 02:56:01 pm

I've been looking for a good massage service, and I think that being able to get some tips would be nice. I like that you talked about how you want to be able to call a massage service, and I think that being able to get some information from them directly would be nice. I'm going to have to look for a good massage service and see what we can find!

Reply
Katie Wilson link
7/18/2018 08:21:45 pm

I've been really stressed at work recently and am looking for a massage to help out. Because of this, it would be good to follow your advice and check sites like google and yelp. When I check their reviews, I'll have to make sure to find someone that sounds clean and friendly.

Reply
Ridley link
7/24/2018 04:34:48 pm

It's nice to know more about finding a massage therapist. I've heard that it can help with pain a lot, so I want to try it. I'll remember what you said about calling first because I'll do that and try to find someone who was fitting.

Reply
Katie Wilson link
8/10/2018 05:12:53 pm

I agree that you want to consider how you feel with a massage therapist. Because this is supposed to be a relaxing process, it makes sense to find someone who relaxes you to help out. My husband is looking for someone to help treat his chronic back pain, so he'll have to make sure he feels comfortable with them first.

Reply
Katie Wilson link
8/17/2018 05:25:18 pm

I agree that you want to find out if a therapist has good referrals. If they have happy past clients it would really help you know they are qualified. My husband and I are looking to get therapeutic massages, so we'll have to check their referrals first.

Reply
Ellie Davis link
10/25/2018 05:19:40 pm

I really like that you point out that calling and speaking with the massage therapist is a great way to determine if they are right for you. I've been wanting to see a massage therapist for a few months now and I'm ready to find the right one for me. Hopefully, I can do some research and find the best massage therapist in my area.

Reply
Derek Dewitt link
11/15/2018 09:53:02 am

My wife has been getting bad back pains at night, so we are considering going to a massage therapist. I like your point about looking for discounts and deals. We'll be sure to see what locations offer free consultations so we can compare prices and services.

Reply
Gary Puntman link
1/23/2019 10:25:49 am

My back has been really sore and tight lately. I think it would help to get a professional massage. I've never gotten one before. I'll have to talk to the massage therapist before booking them, like you said. That will help me see what their style is and if they are a good fit for what I'm looking for.

Reply
Ellie Davis link
2/4/2019 09:03:33 pm

Thank you for pointing out that you should make sure and write correct reviews on a massage therapist. I'll have to keep this in mind as I search for a massage therapist to help my husband. Hopefully, I'll be able to find the best one in the area.

Reply
Adrian Jones link
3/27/2019 10:39:59 pm

I like how you mentioned that calling ahead before coming in for a first appointment is critical since you would have to lay down a lot of groundwork during the first meeting--whether or not it involves having to talk to the therapist in order to get comfortable with them or just sitting down to get to know them better. Another thing to keep in mind is that looking for 'the one' therapist is what anyone should do, as they should feel comfortable when talking to one--it can and will take time for anyone to be able to find the one that's right for them, and that's perfectly okay. While I may not have been to a therapist yet, I can understand the reason why people find it important to be able to speak with a therapist that they wouldn't mind talking to, and especially one that they would feel comfortable with.

Reply
Johnny McCarron link
6/28/2019 06:46:01 pm

I like your idea of calling and speaking with the massage therapist before booking a session. I've been really stressed lately and dealing with strong muscle tension. Perhaps I should reach out to a remedial massage expert to see if I can't get help with that.

Reply
Katie Wilson link
8/13/2019 06:26:53 pm

Thanks for these tips on how to find a good massage therapist. I agree that you want to check their reviews before you choose them. My husband and I are looking for a massage therapist, so we'll have to check their reviews.

Reply
Skyler Williams link
10/24/2019 11:31:08 am

I like your tip to call a massage therapist before booking an appointment. My father was recently in a car accident and he hurt his neck. I'll recommend that he call around to a few different massage therapists so he can find the right fit.

Reply
Ron Booker link
2/20/2020 11:15:57 am

I really appreciate the suggestion about getting referrals to find the therapist that suits your needs. My mom has been really stressed about work, and she wants to get a massage. She asked me for help in finding a therapist, so your advice will be helpful.

Reply
Fay link
3/16/2020 10:26:00 am

Wow, I had not taken into account the fact that it is a good idea to call and talk to the massage therapist you are getting to know before you actually book an appointment. Thinking about it, it makes a lot of sense to do this so you can have a better idea of the type of service that they offer and how it could be beneficial for you. Another important thing that you pointed out was that if you are thinking about traveling long distances to see an expert, then you should consider looking in your own area first to make your life and their life easier.

Reply
Thai massage dominion road link
3/25/2020 06:57:11 am

The easiest way to find massage therapist in Auckland is by reading their reviews which is the most suitable way and also it is easy to find valuable services across your area beside this you can also choose by reference by your friends and relatives.

Reply
Franklin White link
9/10/2020 03:54:04 pm

Thanks for the tip to only rebook with the same therapist if you like how they did your massage the first time. I have never gotten a massage before but it's good that I don't have to be loyal to one therapist. I'll go get one done and then try out different therapists to see which one I like best.

Reply
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12/13/2020 11:16:12 pm

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Braden Bills link
2/24/2021 09:38:58 am

My back has been hurting a lot lately, and I'm not sure what to do about it. It makes sense that I would want to consider getting a nice massage for this! I had no idea that massage therapy could be so effective for pains like this.

Reply



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    Amanda Tarver, LMT, CEIM, PES, CD(DONA), RMT

    Meet the Author

    Amanda Tarver, (LMT, CEIM, PES, RMT) is a massage therapist and birth worker in the Chicago area.  She is dedicated to using a combination of bodywork and education to help people live a better quality of life.

    Amanda opened Women's Massage Therapy in 2011 and has enjoyed bringing quality services to people in Chicago's North Shore ever since.  In 2020, she debuted a series of virtual services to help bring those services to people around the globe.

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Women's Massage Therapy has been providing quality services to people and families in Chicago and the North Shore since 2011. Come in for a relaxing massage therapy or Reiki session, or develop a treatment plan to target specific concerns. New parents and pregnant individuals can choose between pregnancy, labor, and postpartum massage therapy options, find a birth doula, take infant massage classes and more!  NEW virtual options available for all services.

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