A registered massage therapist can provide incredible advantages through excellent massage techniques, be it for a minute of relaxation, to reduce muscle tension or to attain relief from lingering pain. A therapeutic massage performed by well-trained practitioners can enhance your overall sense of physical and emotional well-being as well as the quality of your life.

During a massage session, there are certain qualities that are required in a therapist to be successful. So, what to look for in a massage therapist? The choice of the right therapist should be based not only on their level of awareness of the human body, but also their interpersonal skills. The exteriors of the massage clinic should also present an overall atmosphere of freshness, warmth and cleanliness.

What to look for in a massage therapist?

Here are a few essential qualities that one should look for in a massage therapist.

Communication skills

A massage therapist should possess effective two-way communication skills. He should be able to listen to your thoughts, concerns and desired focus area, and to understand your complete health history before embarking on a massage session. He should also be able to listen to your comfort on the massage table, temperature settings and your comfort with the level of pressure exerted.

It is pertinent that both the parties are well-aware of the expectations from one-another. This helps in fostering a better customer-therapist relationship.

Advanced knowledge of human body and the response

It is pertinent that you approach a registered massage therapist, who has completed competence-based massage education and has a complete knowledge about the anatomy, physiology, neurology and physical assessment of the human body. Such practitioners are aware of the effect rubbing on the customer's body, and can ensure a 'magic touch' to the client's body.

A magic touch implies that the therapist is instinctual about your needs, without you having to point directly to the painful area. He adjusts his massage techniques, based on the response provided by your muscle tissues, and customizes the massage approach suited to your needs.

Friendly behavior

Massage is a personalized treatment, and it is extremely essential for you to be in a relaxed state. The most important quality to look for in a therapist is that he should be friendly. A therapist, who introduces himself with a warm smile and a handshake, indirectly conveys to the client that he has arrived at a safe and friendly place.

The voice tone also plays an important role. Every therapist enters into a professional relationship with the client, and hence, it is pertinent that he speaks slowly, calmly and provides time to listen to your point of view. Develop a comfortable manner to reply to your questions and repeat things.

Sensitive

A good massage practitioner should be sensitive to the client's needs, wants, woes, and mood. Each customer requires some time to adjust himself psychologically and get into the rigors of the treatment session. A dialogue intended to assess your moods, and the kind of mental blocks that bother you, can work wonders in the effect of the overall session.

Every client can have various intensities of muscle tension, and different levels of tolerance to pain. Moreover, kneading and massaging the muscles joints and tissues can cause pain. A conversation during the therapy can help in determining how the rub feels like and whether it is helping. A technique that works well in a particular session might not work in the next. It is important that a massage therapist is sensitive to your needs, to know which technique or pace can provide the maximum benefit.

Caring attitude

A good massage practitioner is most caring and displays it in his practice. A therapist can have the best techniques in the world, but if they care a hoot about the client, they will fail. The mood and manners of a therapist can affect the tension and the intensity of pain of the customer. Effective listening, insistent conversations, sensitivity to the needs of the client and provision of a warm, clean and safe place for massage sessions send signals that the therapist cares about the people.

Awareness of proper techniques

The hands of a massage therapist are his best tools. The hands work to be in constant motion thereby, applying pressure, stroking or gripping the body of the patient. A good massage therapist is aware of various massaging techniques and their effects on the body. He should possess excellent manual agility and should be able to perform the complicated movements with ease.

Stamina

A massage therapist should also care for his own body, in order to develop physical stamina and vigor. Performing a massage is a physically challenging task and the entire body of the therapist works like a dancer or an athlete to provide relaxation to the client's body. A massage therapist should have adequate physical stamina to carry on with the same amount of energy, throughout the session.

Professional Conduct

The massage practitioner should be able to maintain a professional level of conduct while interacting with you. Establishing boundaries and consistency in practices, improves trust and confidence in the business relationship. Moreover, a therapist is privy to your personal information, while undertaking the therapy. It is therefore, essential for a massage therapist to maintain the confidentiality of the client, not only as a part of professional ethics, but also by law.

Overview

Over the years, the role of a massage practitioner has transitioned to a standardized professional practice with ethical behavior, similar to health care professionals. A massage therapist should primarily focus on the best interests of the customer's health and well-being. A Registered massage therapist can be successful in his profession, only if he combines his therapy with Massage Therapy  competence and integrity, apart from interpersonal and business skills.