Keys to choosing the right masseur
Let’s face it, there are plenty of massage therapists in our community. With two major massage schools and several other business-run schools, this area is packed with many massage professionals. But how do you choose the right owner, is it by business name, credentials, or price? Although cost may inevitably be the important factor, it is not the only reason behind choosing a single group therapist.
Number one, has the bodybuilder you’ve selected gone to school? As trivial as it sounds, it should be a major determining factor in therapist selection. More importantly, how many hours of education does he or she have and how long ago was the practitioner’s last training? If your doctor has been a therapist for five years and hasn’t cracked a book since his nine-month course, is he really qualified to treat your sciatica pain? A skilled and serious practitioner continues their education by striving even beyond massage therapy to gain a greater understanding of the body and how it works.
Number two, is the professional certified by the National Certification Board? This is a requirement to practice in the state of Virginia and also a barometer for understanding the basic fundamentals of bodywork. If your doctor is just out of school, there is a 60 day grace period before the requirement is enforced. This is due to the lengthy application process which can take 4-6 weeks. Also, once the doctor is certified, he must obtain further credentials by becoming certified through the Board of Nursing. Proper accreditation is mandatory when selecting a qualified therapist.
Number three, does your therapist listen? Massage is a very intimate commitment. Few therapists take the time to ask about your concerns, review full health histories, and advise accordingly based on your health status. Many illnesses are not recommended for massage and it is vital that your therapist can easily detect any conditions that may put the patient or physician at risk. Even simple Swedish relaxation moves can be dangerous for conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer. Practitioners should complete a full health history to determine which massage techniques, if any, could cause more harm than anticipated.
Number four, does your therapist respect your privacy? Patients often reveal a wealth of information about themselves, from why their knee hurts to why they feel inadequate in life. It is the therapist’s responsibility to refrain from sharing the idiosyncrasies of their patients. It is often necessary to share a certain amount of information with other healthcare professionals, especially when it comes to the welfare of the patient, but only if the patient authorizes it. It is terribly inappropriate and unethical to disclose any information about a patient to anyone deemed inappropriate. Although you may not know if the therapist has disclosed personal information, you can gauge the person’s ethics by their professionalism. Does your therapist talk about others in the session, or can you hear them discussing other patients in the lobby? If you can answer yes to any of those questions, assume the worst.
Number five; Can you trust your therapist? Jumping from the ultimate point of privacy, the relationship between therapist and patient is one that is built. It is important for a therapist to respect her space; he allows you to fall asleep whenever you want or gives you the space to talk continuously. The therapist must be an excellent steward in the relationship, knowing when to give and when to take minimally from you as a patient. After all, you come to them for healing. The therapist must be selfless in each session. Therapy is about the patient and the patient is guiding the treatment. It is important never to feel guided, but to feel facilitated.
number six; Does your therapist respect your limits? This is an important but often neglected stipulation for treatment. Very often, due to the intimacy of the therapeutic relationship, the therapist may feel vulnerable. However, it is never acceptable for a therapist to continuously talk about himself. As you come in for treatment, the therapist should not be on autopilot during a monologue. A solid therapeutic massage requires brainpower and staying focused throughout the session is necessary to ensure all your needs are met. Also, after a time of personal banter, it becomes less about the patient and more about the therapist. Alternatively, therapists are ethically not allowed to intrude beyond their scope of practice. Even if she breaks down sobbing hysterically, it is not appropriate for the therapist to investigate the reasons. As professionals, we understand and empathize with emotional release as your body’s muscular system holds on to various stagnant emotions. Afterwards, therapists must acknowledge the release and allow it to process without interruption.
Number seven, does your therapist respect your scope of practice? Sure massage therapists know a lot about the body, at least the good ones, but so does a nurse, surgical technician, and/or nutritionist, but does that qualify them to diagnose a condition? Absolutely not, in fact, you should be tired if a massage therapist is rushing to give you the reasons for your aches and pains. Truth be told, it is difficult to assess the root cause of most muscle dysfunction unless there has been trauma or an accident, at which point you will know more than we do. Having a therapist assess in terms of her views on visual assessments is more in line with her scope, not root causes. For example, I see that your shoulder is higher on your right side, do you operate the mouse with that hand? The therapist should guide you through the process of self-discovery and help you discover the secret of your muscle mishap.
number eight; Does your therapist speak the language? Let’s assume for a moment that you saw a massage therapist for a rare condition that you were being treated by a medical specialist, who recommended that you seek the expertise of a massage therapist. It would be important for the massage therapist to communicate with the doctor and take any advice they have in their therapeutic practice. But let’s say for a moment that the therapist was unable to adequately communicate with the doctor in medical terms that are easily understood. It can be frustrating for the other health professional and leaves the patient in limbo when adequate communication cannot be achieved. We all have our areas of expertise, but it’s important to communicate in the same language. The proper use of medical terms is crucial in the conversation with the patient and provides clarity to ensure understanding.
number nine; Does your therapist have an open mind? There are many modes of care and what works for one doctor may not work for another. However, it is imperative that a therapist be versatile and adapt to the patient. If you love reflexology and your therapist hates this modality, this is probably not a good match. Also, if you are a proactive patient who likes to research and find a technique that interests you and your doctor is capable, shouldn’t he 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 therapists care to perform all types of massages. It’s healthy to have a few different professionals to accommodate your needs. Having a therapist for Swedish (relaxation) massage, a corrective or deep tissue therapist, and one for a specialty such as lymphatic or reflexology will help balance your therapeutic team. Sometimes it’s nice to relax and sleep through a massage, while other times you wake up with a sprained neck that needs a little relief. Having a handful of different types of practitioners at your disposal is imperative and will help you figure out which styles of bodywork work best for you.
Massage is an emerging profession with many newly certified therapists daily. As an instructor and bodywork practitioner for many years, I have striven to educate the public about the many medical benefits of massage. Massage can be an amazing preventative and restorative experience when administered by an educated and well-rounded therapist. We search for many things in life, from appliances to cars, but we search for our bodies. Don’t settle for the cheapest act in town because it can cost you more than money. Finding your optimal therapist takes time and is not an easy task. I have worked with amazing therapists, growing therapists, and experienced therapists. If you’re working with a therapist who needs some improvement even though it’s not their responsibility, share your thoughts on where you need to improve. Send an anonymous letter or tell the receptionist, manager or owner; the one you think is most appropriate. This will not only help the therapist, but also the profession as a whole moving forward.