Finding a Massage Therapist - step 2

Now that you've got some idea of why you want massage, and information about the types of massage available, it's time to look for a therapist.

Checking listings to find who is licensed in your area. 

• Go to your state government website and look up the list of those who are licensed in your area. Be aware, some states do not have licensing. 
• American Massage Therapy Association, AMTA, is a professional organization with a Find a Therapist page. 
• Another professional organization is ABMP, Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals found here.
• Google it!  Type in Massage Therapy and the town or state you are looking for.
• Talk to friends who may get massage. Who do they see, what do they like about their therapist?

How do you know if a therapist is the right one for you?

Check out their website if they have one.

• Is the contact information and location easy to find? Is it reasonably close to you? Keep in mind that you may not want to sit in a car and drive for an hour after a massage if you don't need to.
• Are there testimonials on the site so you can see what others say?
• Do you get a sense of the massage therapist, what is important to them, how they work?

Call the therapist and ask questions! Sometimes you will only speak with a receptionist. Sometimes that's enough if they're knowledgeable about the business. You can still ask to have a therapist call you back so you can speak directly with him/her.

• Ask what you can expect when you arrive? 
• What is the space like, is it in an office or a home studio? 
• What is their draping like, do you need to disrobe and to what degree?
• Can they help you with your reason for seeking massage?
• Ask them to describe what a typical massage is like.
• Does the therapist mention anything about confidentiality?
• If you have a medical condition, mention it and ask if they have experience with that. 

One last thing to consider. Pay attention to your gut feeling. Would you feel comfortable with this person? It's ok to make other calls before making an appointment. Whether or not you feel comfortable with a particular therapist is important, not every therapist is right for every client.