How do you decide which type of massage therapist to visit? Prices for massage therapy can range from $60-$200 per hour, deterring many people from trying a massage without a recommendation. Thank goodness for online google reviews however, many incredible therapists do not have an online presence or are part of a spa.
I want you to know the three questions to ask for what you need.
Look for my blog about How to give your therapist feedback and get the most out of your session.
Here are some questions to ask yourself before finding a massage therapist:
Am I in pain?
Yes - seek a specialist in pain therapy
No, and I want to prevent pain - find a therapist with advanced skills or training for maintenance to locate areas of concern before pain such as Thai yoga massage, orthopedic manual therapy, Hendrickson Method, cranial sacral, structural integration, or rolfing.
No, I want to relax - try spa modalities such as herbal scrubs, wraps, or Swedish and deep tissue massages.
2. Do I want a regular massage therapist?
Yes - look for recommendations or call the spa to see who they recommend. If you find a practitioner in private practice, you will be more likely to stay with them over the years, as spas can have a high turnover rate. Also, visit the clinics at massage schools for an affordable price allowing for more frequent massages.
No - explore new treatments offered in your area, for example; reflexologists give an incredible and thorough foot and hand massage, cranial sacral is deeply relaxing and releases stress in areas of the nervous system, and Hendrickson Method is a thorough and detailed system focusing on alignment with joint tissue, muscles, and mind.
Finally, the third and most important question...
3. Do I have downtime afterward, and do I want to feel hurt during or after the massage?
You would think the obvious answer is "No, I don't want to feel hurt".
Contrary to our senses, massage has a misconception that pain equals gain. I have found that only a few types of scar tissue treatments or mobilizing of a tendon that there may be a pain. "Pain is not gain" however, sometimes the body will have a natural healing response and leave us feeling a little tired or under the weather. It should not last, and you should feel relief afterward.
If a therapist is hurting you, that is when you physically cannot relax or your brain thinks "ouch" or "I can handle it", they may not have the skill to protect the skin or tissue. In my clinic, most clients believe they have scar tissue or tissue that needs to be "broken up". The problem is a misalignment of fibers that may not function and will send a pain signal to the brain. Painful massages can distract us from the original pain, and it may not correct the problem. If you want to correct a problem and do not want to be hurt,
Ask your therapist if painful pressure is expected to get results.
If a therapist believes pain is part of the gain, you get to decide how you want to be treated in these sessions and take a mental note...
(4th question after a massage) Did your condition improve, and for how long?
Follow me for more tips! @hermedicslc
(#hermedic #hendricksonmethod #health)
You’ll be excited to know that massage therapy education is rapidly growing. Our body is highly sensitive to touch and movement therapies which promote a multitude of healing responses both body and mind.
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