Planning to go for a massage session? Whether you want to give your body a quick relaxing break or want to get relief from a health condition, a good body massage therapy session will not only help you relax but also make you feel revitalized. You will get relief from sore muscles and pain as well. This is why picking the right massage therapist or masseuse or masseur is important.

Figure out why you need a massage
We usually go for a massage for two reasons—relaxation or treatment of a medical condition. Before you decide to get a massage therapist, you need to determine what are you looking to get out of the massage. Do you want a massage to release muscle tension and get relief from pain? Or are you looking for ways to improve your range of motion that has been affected by a health condition or an injury? Or do you just want to indulge and pamper yourself to take a break from a stressful week? You need to figure out why you intend to get a massage because there are different massage therapies out there, each with a different goal. You will only know which therapy is best for you once you decide why you need a massage.

Find out the different types of massage therapies
Massage therapists are trained in different types of body massage techniques. Did you know that there are around more than 300 types of massage therapies, each with a different philosophy behind it? Some of the most popular therapies include Swedish massage therapy, hot stone therapy, Shiatsu therapy, Thai massage, reflexology, deep tissue massage, aromatherapy, and so on. Every massage therapy has a different specialization. Before you decide to go to a therapist, learn about the various massage therapies, the benefits of each therapy, what each therapy is used to treat, and the side effects of each therapy. Once you decide the type of body massage you want, it becomes easier to pick the right therapist.

Get referrals from friends and family
If you are looking for the absolute best therapists in your area, you can ask your friends and family for recommendations. Word-of-mouth is how the reputation of therapists is established. It is more reliable to trust the testimony of someone you know rather than just looking at online references. Personal references will make the task of finding the right therapist quite easy. If you are looking for a massage therapist to improve your health or to treat a health-related problem, you can ask your physician for a recommendation as well. Doctors often know which alternative therapy would be beneficial for you and can direct you towards the most suitable therapist.

Talk to therapists
Make a short list of multiple therapists, at least two to three. Book appointments with each therapist and take advantage of the pre-massage consultation to get know them better. Ask them about the various certifications they have done to specialize in their particular body massage therapy. Don’t hesitate to ask them very specific questions about their practice and experience. Ask them about the various training they have undergone, the places from where they have received their training and certifications, and the number of massages they have done so far. You can also take this opportunity to ask them about the different outcomes of each massage therapy they specialize in. Different people experience different results post-massage. Ask the therapist about the effectiveness of the therapy and how it will work or not work in your case. Also, do not forget to ask about the fees and other charges that are applicable for each session. Some therapists charge per session, while some charge for a number of fixed sessions.