5 things to ask when choosing a massage therapist
Looking for a massage therapist can be a daunting task. You are putting your trust into someone’s hands that you have potentially never met before.
So, how do you go about making the right decision for you around what you need?
Here are 5 things you can ask that can help find the right therapist for you:
- Can I discuss my problem before making an appointment?
YES! If you are wanting to get to know your therapist or discover if they can indeed help with your ailment you can always reach out, whether it be via email or telephone. It is important to feel comfortable with the person you are going to see or if perhaps you should be seeking help in a different area of manual therapy.
Don’t feel as though you have to go with blind luck.
Ask the hard questions, and make sure you are happy with who you choose.
2. Are you qualified?
It would seem as though this is an obvious answer, however, unfortunately due to government regulations, being a massage therapist doesn’t require a national certification to practice. Crazy right? While this is something associations are working strongly towards, it is important to understand the background in which your therapist comes from.
Ask your potential therapist, ‘Are you qualified under a nationally recognised training course within Australia?’ Qualifications can ask to be viewed and should have the nationally recognised training course stamp.
3. Are you part of an association/have you done continued education?
This will help you understand if someone is qualified, or studying to be qualified within Australia.
An association represents an individual who has previously gained qualification and must maintain their status by completing continued education.
Again, you can ask for proof of being an association member within Australia.
4. Are you covered by Private Health?
If you are looking for a Remedial or Myotherapist then private health should be available to you (providing you have extras).
Private health is also only available if a therapist is a qualified Remedial Therapist or beyond.
5. What is your profession and is it for me?
There are lots of different titles within the health industry in regards to massage. Here’s how to better understand them.
The most commonly heard are:
Massage Therapist. Offers relaxation massage. Qualified, however unable to offer private health. This is often where it’s most important to clarify if they are a member of an association. The term ‘Massage Therapist’ is often abused and not regulated.
Remedial Therapist, qualified and able to offer Private health. Able to assess your condition & apply appropriate techniques to help provide relief for your symptoms. Will refer on, when unable to treat.
Myotherapist, qualified and able to offer Private health. Similar to Remedial massage with ongoing education of particular techniques & knowledge pertaining to certain conditions.
Physiotherapist, qualified and represented by AHPRA. Able to offer Private health & will often work more closely with rehabilitation and acute injuries.
I hope these small pieces of information can help you navigate your way to finding your perfect practitioner. And if you have any questions that haven’t been covered, please, reach out and ask away.