How do I choose a massage therapist?

A: There are some important considerations when choosing a massage therapist.

Credentials

First, look for or ask for their credentials. Most states require a therapist to be licensed. This generally means that they have completed their education at an approved school and have also successfully passed an exam for licensure approved by a regulating agency.

Continuing Education

Ask your LMT (licensed massage therapist) what modalities they are certified in. In many fields, professionals are expected to continue their education. Massage therapy is no exception. In massage school, Swedish massage is the standard taught. Most LMTs learn new massage modalities as a CEU (continuing educational unit). read more

Referrals

Massage Therapy is a very personalized service. Referrals are perhaps one of the most comfortable approaches for choosing a therapist. Ask family and friends. You can also look for a therapist on the websites of massage associations.

Here is the web information for the nationals associations:

AMTA www.amtamassage.org Look for the Consumer link on the left hand side of the page

ABMP www.massagetherapy.com Next month, please return to find out what to do before, during and after your massage session.