How to Avoid a Disappointing First Time Massage Therapy Experience

A whole 15.4 million adults in the United States used massage therapy in 2012. That turned out to be 6.9% of the entire adult population. Massages have fast become a significant means of pain management and a way to improve wellness. It is no wonder then that the number of spas across the United States has climbed from 71,000 in 2007 to 149,000.

Since the capability of a massage therapist will determine your experience, first-time patients must know how to identify a skilled therapist. Here are some qualities to look for in a massage therapist.

1. Express Your Expectations

The first time you search for a massage therapy professional, you quickly run into the problem of trying to weed out bad practitioners from the good ones in a time-saving manner. An effective way to cut through the noise and zero in on a high-quality massage therapy Bellevue WA service is to articulate your expectations during the first session clearly.

From the very first appointment, ask for what you want in a polite but clear manner and watch what happens. The level of pressure a practitioner exerts during a massage therapy can be a particular sticking point. Since pressure can define your level of comfort, ensure you guide the professional when they are applying too much pressure or if you would like them to do it differently.

If a therapist’s reaction is to not respond in line with your feedback or becoming dismissive, do not continue working with them.

2. Get Valuable Recommendations

When you are new to massage therapy, you don’t want to join the first therapist you encounter and have them serve you. That is a recipe for a lot of anguish as a client. Instead, you should work off recommendations from trusted sources.

Ask your friends and family who have gone for massages if they have a favorite recommendation they can point you to and why they are willing to recommend them. Go online to look at the reviews of these suggested therapists and see what cheapest ultram online other clients are saying about them.

Accredited bodies are also a good source of valuable massage therapist recommendations. Check out the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) for credible leads.

3. Ask the Right Questions

It’s not enough to get credible recommendations for a massage therapist; you need to ask the right questions and see if they’re a good fit. For example, if you are looking for a skilled sports physical therapy specialist, you need to ask questions that help you uncover if they have the depth of experience you require.

Ask about any foundational massage education the professional you plan to work with might have. There are cases where occupational nurses have ventured into massage therapy. If such a practitioner were to run a medical spa, it would deliver higher quality services for you.

Don’t forget to ask the therapist how their schedule is like so that you can time your sessions well. It is a good idea to seek an appointment when the practitioner is most likely refreshed like earlier in their shift or work week, for example.

4. Assess the Post-Massage Care

Many massage patients typically overlook after-massage care. As a newbie massage patient, you ought to know its importance for your health and well-being. A skilled massage therapist will seek to harness the value of these after-therapy care strategies for your good.

Some of the tips include hydrotherapy to prolong relaxation and induce deeper sleep, meditation, and aromatic soaks, among others. Furthermore, a skilled physical therapy professional will guide you on some self-care methods to help you revitalize yourself after each session.

Find the Right Massage Therapist

Many people are turning to massage as a way to manage pain and boost their wellness. When looking to get your first massage session, it is essential to identify the right therapist since their skill set heavily influences your experience. Pay attention to their professional accreditation and on-the-ground expertise to get the best first experience.