Massage is a popular therapy these days and becoming more and more so. It’s also becoming a popular profession and rightly so. It’s a great career choice and for the most part, it’s an enjoyable and rewarding job.
Because it is seen as a career with the potential to earn a good hourly rate, (and it’s become one of those ‘trendy’ occupations like being a Personal Trainer) there are many people making the decision to study massage and either get a job or go into business for themselves. The majority of those who decide to take up massage are women and that’s understandable because us gals are the nurturers and carers after all.
Unfortunately tho, from what I’ve seen, experienced and been told by many of my clients over the years, when you’re looking for a really good massage therapist, it’s kind of like trying to find a needle in a haystack! It’s like any profession – just because someone has studied and has a qualification, doesn’t mean that they’re any good at what they’re doing – that’s a fact and it goes for massage as much as it does for mechanics, plumbers, nurses, chefs or any other profession.
There are a few common problems that people run across when looking for a good massage therapist.
The first and probably most common problem is the ‘airy fairy’ massage. There seems to be many, many massage therapists (generally women) who seem to be under the impression that massage should be as vigorous as stroking a cat and for most people that’s not what they’re looking for in a massage. In all my years of massaging, I’ve only ever come across a couple of people who wanted very light massage and that was because their bodies were so inflamed and so toxic that their whole body was sore to touch or they find that massage makes them ill afterwards, as their body tries to process the toxins that are released from the tissues by the massage.
I think that part of the problem here (and I’m sorry girls but it’s true) is that some women just aren’t strong enough! I had suspected this might be the case, and then when I was working as a gym instructor, I realised that my suspicions were correct. Many women have very little physical strength. I was amazed at just how weak some women are! I’m blessed I guess with genetic strength that came from somewhere and I’ve always been quite strong. Having a bit of extra weight also helps I think when massaging!
The second problem found with massage therapists is the exact opposite! It’s often male massage therapists that are guilty of this, although some women also – too hard!!! Massage should be firm and everyone can handle different levels of firm. One of the qualities of an experienced massage therapist is to be able to judge just how firm for each person. I think that comes with time and experience and by paying attention.
Some male therapists, being men, just want to prove how strong they are and some just don’t realise how strong they are. But when someone is jumping, flinching and the butt cheeks are clenching – that could be a hint that the massage could be just a bit on the firm side! If you go for a massage and it’s too hard – say so. Don’t lie there in pain. It’s ok for massage to hurt if it’s a ‘good hurt’ but not when it’s pain.
I’ve had new clients who have been put off Deep Tissue massage because they’ve experienced a painful massage in the past that they were told was ‘deep tissue’ massage and believe that that’s what deep tissue massage is. It’s not! I repeat – massage should not generally be painful!
The last and probably the most serious problems with massage therapists are those who ignore their duty of care – performing techniques that they shouldn’t such as ‘cracking’ necks, not taking the care to ensure that they can safely massage a new client, not listening to their client and also not considering their client’s modesty or respecting their right to ensure that they are professionally draped at all times to keep those parts of the body not being massaged, covered.
With regard to duty of care, massage therapist’s that ‘crack’ backs and necks in my view should be avoided. Unless they’ve had training in this area, I would give them a big miss. You could be damaged permanently by someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing and the cracking of the spine or neck is not part of any massage course that I’ve ever seen!
I think that a big part of the problem with finding a good massage therapist lies in the fact that a lot of people study massage, get in to it, realise it’s harder work than they thought – or can’t get enough business because they can’t hang on to clients – and get back out of it again. So there’s lots of new massage therapists out there all the time and one of the main things that helps to create a good massage therapist is experience! Hands on massaging. It can’t be beaten. So there’s a hint when looking for a massage therapist – find one that’s been at it for a few years!
However, in saying that, I don’t want to put you off a newcomer to the massage industry. The newly qualified do have to be given a go, and some of course do a brilliant job and have a natural affinity for it. Seriously, don’t be put off by a recent qualification.
When you go for a massage for the first time, a good massage therapist should be filling in a form or at least asking you questions to ensure that you can be safely massaged. Ensuring that you’ve had no broken bones recently, no surgery, that you’re not pregnant, or that there is no other reason that you can not be massaged safely. Your health or well being should never be compromised.
So, when looking for the perfect massage therapist for you, it really is trial and error. Ask around, but realise that even if your best mate says that their massage therapist is awesome – you might disagree. It really is a very personal thing. Some people will love one therapist and some another. Just keep trying until you find the right one.
If you’re a massage therapist and reading this and you’re offended by some of what I say, I’d suggest taking a look at your client retention – that’s a hint. Generally you’ll find that people are too polite to tell you that your massage sucks – they just won’t come back. If you’re constantly having to advertise for new clients then there might just be something wrong – however if you have good client retention then you’re obviously doing something right!
