8 Characteristics of a Quality Massage Therapist

Are you wondering how to tell if you’re hiring a quality massage therapist? Read on to find out what characteristics you should look for in a quality massage therapist.

Did you know there are over 385,000 massage therapists in the United States?

While there are certainly many to choose from when it comes time for you to book a massage, you undoubtedly want to be sure you’re picking a quality massage therapist.

Keep reading to learn eight characteristics excellent massage therapists have so you can pick a massage therapist with ease.

1. Strong Communication Skills

When you first visit a new massage therapy practice, they’ll need to ask you questions about your massage preferences and any injuries you have. Plus, they might need to answer questions you have if you’re unfamiliar with getting a message, want to know how often to get one, or need different pain relief than before.

An ideal massage therapist will be able to communicate with you easily, so you feel comfortable right away. 

2. Time Management Skills

When you book a 60-minute full-body massage, a massage therapist needs to make sure they have time to massage each area during this time.

Customers would be disappointed if a full-body massage focused on their back the entire time because the therapist ran out of time.

It would be equally disappointing if you were forced to wait an extended period of time despite booking an appointment because they fell behind for the day.

Therefore, a big part of being a good massage therapist is managing their time well to ensure all clients’ needs are met.

3. Good Judgement

If you’re looking for pain solutions, your massage therapist needs to use good judgment. Firstly, they should be able to tell if an injury is beyond their scope of work. For example, they need to know when a chiropractor is better suited to tend to your issues than they are.

Secondly, they need to pay careful attention to your reactions throughout the massage. Some people aren’t comfortable speaking up when the pressure is too soft or firm. So they should be able to gauge reactions and make adjustments when necessary.

Having good judgment skills helps a massage therapist see when they need to adjust something to keep you safe and happy.

4. Excellent Hygiene

Most massage therapists work with multiple clients throughout the day. They might even have days where they’re booked solid with clients and have little time between appointments to get things situated.

Even so, they should be wiping down and sanitizing the table between each appointment. They should also use different sheets, blankets, pillows, and any other accessories they use for each person.

Finally, they should consistently wash their hands. Taking all these steps ensures safety standards are met.

5. Well-Rounded

There are many different types of massage therapy. Some people choose to specialize and only offer one specific service. Others provide a well-rounded menu of options.

Unless you only want one specific type of massage each time you visit, it’s essential to choose a well-rounded massage therapist. If they offer multiple service options, you can stick with a therapist you’re comfortable with while adjusting your treatment based on how you feel.

Here are a few services a quality massage therapist might offer:

• Hot stone massage
• Deep tissue massage
• Swedish massage
• Oncology massage
• Sports massage

Consider the available services carefully before choosing a provider so you can find someone who can switch things up depending on how you feel.

6. Strength and Stamina

Giving massages is no easy task. It requires strength and stamina, especially for longer or deeper massages.

While there are methods they can use to take some pressure off their hands, there’s no getting around the fact this is a physically demanding job. Aside from their hands, their feet, arms, legs, and core are also widely used throughout the day.

Their massages can suffer if they aren’t adequately equipped to meet the demands.

You want to make sure your massage therapist is physically fit enough to handle the demands of the job, so each massage you get feels fantastic.

7. Focus

Throughout your massage, your therapist should solely focus on you. If they spend time worrying about other duties they have to attend to or who their next client is, your massage might suffer. They should also avoid talking to colleagues or using their cell phones while they’re working with you.

A great way to keep things relaxing and ensure their sole focus is on you is by removing distractions and creating a calming environment. This might mean lights are dimmed and calming music is playing.

A quality massage therapist can set aside both business and personal distractions to give you the attention you deserve.

8. Education

A massage therapist must complete a special licensing program and pass a test to become a licensed massage therapist.

They take time to learn anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and many different massage techniques. Without this training, offering massages can do more harm than good.

If their license isn’t prominently displayed in their room or office, be sure you ask about their licensing credentials.

It’s crucial to make sure any new massage therapist you see is properly educated and equipped to work with you. If you’re going to a spa or other facility, you can feel confident in your massage therapist, knowing their records were thoroughly checked before they were offered employment.

Find a Massage Therapist You Love Today

Finding a massage therapist you love doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re searching for someone to handle your needs and make you feel comfortable, try using this list as a guide. 

Before you know it, you’ll be working with a wonderful massage therapist!

If you want to find a massage therapist that fits all the criteria mentioned here, please don’t hesitate to call us at (402) 384-8400. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have and point you in the direction of the perfect massage therapist for your needs!