How to Choose a Massage Therapist

Whether your muscles are tight, suffer pain, or simply need some relaxation, seeing a massage therapist can help you feel better. As part of physiotherapy, massage therapy also helps people recover from physical developmental issues, illness, surgery, neurological trauma, or injury. So how do you find the right physio for your massage therapy? Below we look at some helpful tips to locate the right one for your physical recovery.

Understand and Identify Your Goals and Health Needs

 You should first identify what you need to get from your massage therapy. Do you seek physio for a particular reason? Some goals include:

• Stress reduction
• Muscle contractions or tightness
• Pain management
• Improved work performance
• General health and wellness
• Sports improvement

 Ask yourself some additional questions to nail down why you want to see a massage therapist. These questions include:

• Has a friend recommended physiotherapy because they benefited from the same type of treatment for pain or injury?
• Did a doctor or other medical professional suggest you start receiving massage therapy?
• Do you have physical discomfort or mobility issues for which you do not currently receive medical treatment, but hope massage can help?

 Answering these questions can help you better understand the type of massage therapist you need.

Ask for Referrals

 Asking for referrals to a physiotherapist for massage therapy is a great idea. This helps you choose a massage therapist that someone else already trusts. This referring person can typically answer questions about the individual and explain their services and how they can help you.

 Talk to your primary doctor or a medical specialist for this type of referral. Many doctors have physiotherapists in mind for recommendations to patients, as part of their referral network. You can also look for a physiotherapist through professional associations and websites. Talk to your area fitness or health club, spa, wellness center, or chiropractor if you need additional recommendations.

Consider Your Personal Wants and Needs

 Based on your personal preferences, you can eliminate or include massage therapists from your list. Some questions to ask yourself for this include:

• Do you want a male or female massage therapist?
• Does location matter?
• Do you have any other person wants or needs from your therapist?

Talk to the Therapist to Learn More About Them

 Call your potential physiotherapist or their practice and talk to them to learn whether your needs and their treatment style are parallel. Points to discuss include:

• Massage style or techniques
• Treatment philosophy
• Years in practice
• Training and specializations
• Professional association memberships

Ask about the Therapist’s Costs and Logistics

 Regarding their rates, ask the following questions:

• How long are the sessions, and what is the fee for each of these?
• Is your rate for hands-on time, or does this scheduling include intake time?
• Do you charge different fees for different techniques?
• Are there any other fees, taxes, or requirements?
• Do you offer special rates or discounted packages?

 To understand their logistics, ask the following questions:

• Are you accepting new clients?
• How far in advance must I schedule appointments?
• Do I need to arrive for my scheduled appointment early for intake, or is this included at the set time?
• What if I need to cancel my visit?
• Should I wear or bring specific attire?
• Do you require a physician’s prescription or referral for physio massage?

What is your draping policy?