The document provides 10 key factors to consider when choosing a massage therapist. The factors include: 1) the therapist's education and ongoing training, 2) certification, 3) whether the therapist listens and considers health history, 4) respect for privacy, 5) trustworthiness, 6) respect for boundaries, 7) staying within their scope of practice, 8) ability to communicate with other healthcare providers, 9) open-mindedness, and 10) meeting the client's needs with different massage modalities. Overall, the document stresses the importance of finding a qualified and well-rounded therapist through careful consideration of these factors.

1. Keys to Choosing the Right Massage Therapist
Let's face it, there are a lot of massage therapist in our community. With two prominent massage schools and
several other corporately run schools this area is saturated with many massage professionals. But how do you
choose the right own, is it by business name, credentials, or price? Even though cost may inevitably be the
factor it is important is not the sole reason behind picking a single therapist from the bunch.
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Number one is the bodyworker that you have selected gone to school? As trivial as this may seem this should
be an important determining factor in selection of therapist. Even more important how many hours of
education does he or she have and how long ago was your practitioners last training. If your practitioner has
been a therapist five years and has not cracked a book since their nine month course are they truly qualified to
treat your sciatica pain? A skilled and serious practitioner continues their education striving even past massage
therapy to achieve greater knowledge of the body and how it functions.
Number two is the practitioner certified by the National Certification Board? This is a requirement to practice in
the state of Virginia and also a barometer for the comprehension of core fundamentals of bodywork. If your
practitioner is right out of school there is a grace period of 60 days before the requirement is mandated. This is
due to the lengthy application process that can take 4 - 6 weeks. Additionally, once the practitioner is certified
they must further credentials by becoming certified through the Board of Nursing. Proper credentialing is
mandatory when selecting a qualified therapist.
Number three does your therapist listen? Massage is a very intimate engagement. Few therapists take the time
to ask about your concerns, review complete health histories, and advise accordingly based on your health as it
exists. Many diseases are not advisable to receive massage and it is vital that your therapist can easily spot
any condition that could put the patient or the practitioner at risk. Even simple Swedish relaxation strokes can
prove hazardous for conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer. Practitioners must complete
a full health history to determine which, if any massage techniques could do more harm than intended.
Number four does your therapist respect your privacy? Often patients reveal a wealth of information about
themselves from why their knee hurts to why they feel inadequate in life. It is the responsibility of the
therapist to withhold from sharing the idiosyncrasy of their patients. Often it is necessary to share a certain

2. amount of information with other healthcare professionals especially when it pertains to the patient's wellbeing,
but only if the patient gives permission. It is ghastly inappropriate and unethical to divulge any information
about a patient to anyone not deemed appropriate. Even though you may not know if the therapist has
divulged personal information you can evaluate the persons ethics by their professionalism. Does your
therapist speak about others in the session, or can you overhear them discussing other patients in the lobby?
If you can answer yes to either of those questions assume the worst.
Number five; can you trust your therapist? Spring boarding off the last point of privacy, the therapist and
patient relationship is one that is built. It is important that a therapist respects your space; allows you to drift
off when you would like or gives you the space to talk continuously. The therapist should be an excellent
delegate in the relationship, knowing when to give and minimally taking from you as the patient. After all, you
are coming to them for healing. Therapist must be selfless in each session. The therapy is about the patient
and the patient is guiding the treatment. It is important to never feel lead but instead feel facilitated.
Number six; does your therapist respect your boundaries? This is an important yet often neglected stipulation
for treatment. So often due to the intimacy of the therapeutic relationship therapist may feel vulnerable.
However, it is never acceptable for a therapist to speak about himself or herself continuously. As you are
coming in for treatment the therapist should not be on autopilot during a monologue. A solid therapeutic
massage requires brainpower and it is necessary to maintain focus during the session to ensure all of your
needs are met. Also, after awhile of personal banter it becomes less about the patient and more about the
therapist. Alternately, therapists are not allowed ethically to pry beyond their scope of practice. Even if you
break down hysterically in a crying sob it is not appropriate for the therapist to probe into the reasons. As a
professional we understand and empathize with emotional release as your bodies muscular system holds on to
various stagnant emotion. Subsequently therapists should acknowledge the release and allow you to process
uninterrupted.
Number seven, does your therapist respect his or her scope of practice. Sure massage therapists know a lot
about the body, at least the good ones, but so does a nurse, a surg tech, and/or a nutritionist, but does that
make them qualified to diagnose a condition. Absolutely not, in fact you should be weary if a massage therapist
is quick to give you reasons for your aches and pains. Truthfully, it is difficult to assess the root cause of most
muscular dysfunctions unless there has been a trauma or accident at which point you will know more than us.
Having a therapist evaluate in terms of their opinions on visual assessments is more in line with their scope,
not root causes. For instance, I see your shoulder is higher on your right side, do you operate the mouse with
that hand. The therapist should be guiding you through the process of self-discovery assisting you in
uncovering the secret to your muscular mishap.
Number eight; does your therapist speak the language? Let's pretend for a moment that you saw a massage
therapist for a rare condition that you were being treated by a specialty physician, who recommended that you
seek a massage therapists expertise. It would be important for the massage therapist to contact the physician
and to take any advisement that he or she would have in their therapeutic practice. But, let's say for a moment
the therapist could not adequately communicate with the doctor in medical terms that is easily understood. It
can be frustrating for the other healthcare professional and leaves the patient in limbo when proper
communication cannot be achieved. We all have our areas of expertise, but it is important to communicate in
the same language. Proper usage of medical terms is crucial in patient discussion and provides clarity to
ensure understanding.
Number nine; does your therapist have an open mind? There are many modes of care out there and what
works for one practitioner may not work for another. However, it is imperative for a therapist to be versatile
and adapt to the patient. If you love reflexology and your therapist detests this modality, this probably is not a
good match. Also, if you are a proactive patient who likes to research and find a technique that you are
interested in and your practitioner is capable shouldn't they at least try to work with you, after all this is your
body.
Number ten; does your therapist meet your needs? It is not uncommon to have different specialties and not all
therapist care to perform all types of massage. It is healthy to have a few different practitioners to
accommodate your needs. Having one therapist for Swedish massage (relaxation), one corrective or deep
tissue therapist, and one for a specialty like lymphatic or reflexology will help balance your therapeutic team.
Sometimes it is nice to relax and sleep during a massage while other times you awake with a kink in your neck
needing some relief. Having a handful of different types of practitioners at your disposal is imperative and will
help you decipher which styles of bodywork work best for you.
Massage is an emerging profession with many newly certified therapists daily. As an instructor and bodywork
professional for many years I have strived to educate the public on the many medical benefits of massage.

3. Massage can be an amazing preventative and restorative experience when administered from an educated,
well-rounded therapist. We shop around for many things in life from appliances to automobiles but do we shop
around for our bodies. Do not just settle for the cheapest act in town because it may cost you more than just
money. Searching for your optimal therapist takes time and is no easy task. I have worked with amazing
therapists, growing therapists, and seasoned therapist. If you are working with a therapist whom needs some
evolution even though it is not your responsibility please share your thoughts of where they need
improvement. Send an anonymous letter or tell the receptionist, manager, or owner; whichever you believe is
most appropriate. This will not only assist the therapist but the profession as a whole to move forward.
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