Many of us have been there; a Deep Tissue Massage turns in to an hour of a therapist just spreading oil over your back - or that's how it feels like anyway. Even worse is if your therapist doesn't listen to you when you ask them to adjust the pressure. You don't feel relaxed nor worked on when you leave the room.
So the question is, how do you find a good therapist?
1. Think about what your goals are. If you want a treatment for a problem with your rotator cuff, a massage at your local beauty salon probably isn't your best bet. Also, if you are looking for a relaxation, a sports massage isn't the right treatment for you.
2. Make sure your massage therapist is qualified and experienced. In the United Kingdom a VTCT and ITEC are probably the best known awarding bodies and often therapists will list their qualifications on their website. If you are not quite sure about something or require clarification, don't be afraid to ask. Most reputable therapists are also members of professional associations such as CThA (Complementary Therapist Association), FHT (Federation of Holistic Therapists) or CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council).
3. Communication is everything. Did your therapist explain to you what happens during the treatment? Did she ask you about your expectations? Did she ask about your medical history? Did she make sure that the pressure is good and that you are comfortable? Did she give you aftercare advice and perhaps some self-care techniques?
4. Ask your friends and family for recommendations and look for excellent reviews from previous clients. Although great reviews cannot guarantee a good treatment, it will still improve your chances to find a good therapist.
Hopefully these tips will help you towards finding an enjoyable and therapeutic massage session.
www.outis-ht.co.uk
tel. 07792 339712