Which massage therapist?

You want a massage? How do you ensure that the person you choose is a "proper" practitioner and not someone unreliable? You make enquiries. You may find a local directory of complementary therapy practitioners. Perhaps you have seen some leaflets? Or a website? You ask friends. This is the start. You phone the massage practitioner and there will be questions that you can ask. You need to be reasonably clear in your own mind about why you want a massage. Reasons might be that you are feeling stressed, or that you have tension in your back and shoulders, that you are feeling exhausted. It may be that you are in need of comfort and nurture, perhaps because of recent bereavement or shock, or that you are a carer or have a demand job. Or simply for the pleasure of massage. There is a myriad of different reasons to have a massage. When you have clarified why you want a massage, you are more able to choose a therapist to meet your needs. Each practitioner has his or her own strengths or professional interests. Some are skilled in specific areas. If you are clear, they will be able to decide if they are the right practitioner for you. For you to feel OK there may be other questions you want to ask about the person's professional credentials. Then, "where do you work from?" The answer might be that they work in their own home, at a multi-therapy centre or a leisure and sports centre, or attached to a GP surgery. Would you prefer to see the therapist in the comfort of their home or would you feel happier visiting a centre? The choice is yours. There are advantages to both; whatever suits you is important. Then you might want to know how long the therapist has been practising and the nature of their training. Normally, qualified massage therapists belong to a professional organisation - for example the Northern Massage Association. The NMA is affiliated to the British Massage Therapy Council. Membership of an organisation ensures that their practice is insured, that they adhere to a code of ethics and that a complaints procedure exists should this be required. As members of a professional association they have opportunities continuously to update and refresh their skills. You may want to ask if they have supervision for their work. (This means the therapist has a regular meeting with a colleague to discuss how the work is going so that the clients receive the best possible service at all times.)

You have a session. How did it go? Did it feel professional? Did you feel that the massage therapist helped you to feel comfortable? When are you going again? The first session with the therapist is just a beginning. If you go regularly, the relationship builds up, trust develops and the practitioner gets to know you and your body better.