What to look for in a massage therapist... and how to find the goods.

Firstly, a massage therapist has the potential to be a complete aid.
Someone that:  encourages you on your journey to health,
                      is nonjudgmental about any dietary or general life goof-ups,
                      is glad to see you and rejoices with your triumphs,
                      is in tune with what your body says,
                     and listens to the verbal communication as well.
In short, a massage therapist is your body and wellness coach and should be utilized to s/he's full capability.

(This of course does not mean a massage therapist should be a door mat or taken advantage of and there will be a whole follow-up post on rights and reponsibilities between client and therapist.  Instead this is one of the most positive, equal, upfront, dual responsibility, honest, legal relationships allowed in today's society.)

Therefore your new body and wellness coach should be:
1) Personable, presentable, and professional and maintain the same in their environment.
2) Knowledgeable in the areas of bodywork important to you and in anatomy/physiology.
3) A listener and accessible.
4) Reasonably priced, neither the highest nor the lowest in the area.

Now that you have some basics in mind, start cruising the local talent. This may take some time, personal referrals from friends and colleagues help, but view this process as a necessary step to finding a treasure.

Anyone in the biz should know that as soon as their information is in front of a client's eyes they are being evaluated for a possible gig, and should market accordingly. A quick trawl through a therapist's website will tell you a lot about them and their approach to massage. It may sound harsh, but a therapist without a website is a big no-no these days. It says they don't take their profession seriously, or possibly, have been around so long they aren't interested in new clients. Note the posted hours, services, and pay attention to your gut - if something seems fishy keep searching.

Next, call for a quick phone interview. Don't be surprised if you get voicemail or an answering machine as many therapists are trying to cut costs and may no longer have an answering service. Don't give up yet, use it as another measuring stick by leaving your contact information and see how long it takes for them to get back to you. If its over 24hrs move on. When you do get to speak with them, pay attention to their voice, how they answer your questions, if they seem knowledgeable, and if you feel comfortable with them. If everything seems kosher, schedule an appointment and show-up to check out the premises and their touch firsthand.

The room and office should be clean, comfortable, and quiet. You should be greeted with a smile and ushered into the treatment room for paperwork and the start of your session. It is a good idea to mention any areas that you want more time spent on, or areas to avoid. Extra touches are always appreciated, but pay attention to the massage and if your therapist listened to you. To talk or not to talk is completely up to you and your therapist should follow the lead you set.

Finally, after your massage, are you still being treated as a VIP or are you kicked out the door? If you walk back to your car with a smile or feel less pain than you went in with, chances are - you found the goods.