Submitted by Peggy Giavanti
There are so many things to consider. Massage is very personal. You may feel more comfortable with a referral from a friend, family member or even your doctor.
Qualifications of the therapist are very important. In the Long Beach area, a business license is required. Each therapist must have completed a minimum of 500 class hours in an accredited massage therapy school to obtain a license and the privilege of using “LMT” (Licensed Massage Therapist).
Does the therapist belong to any professional organizations?
Being a professional member guarantees the level of education and training is appropriate. The member is also required to uphold the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. You may also ask the therapist if he or she is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) or is he or she Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB)?
There are different strokes for different folks. So many choices of massages, what do they all mean?
Many people are familiar with the traditional Swedish massage that is noted for use of oils with gentle gliding with superficial movements for relaxation. Deep tissue is firm and directed toward the muscles deep under the skin, often finding “trigger points,” which are tender areas in the muscle.
Myofascial release consists of the application of sustained pressure to release and lengthen both the muscle and its connective tissue.
Reiki, pronounced RAY-key, taps into the energy of the body and promotes balance in all the body’s systems.
Acupressure and reflexology are healing arts that use the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities.
Once you have established the therapist is qualified, make some phone calls. Talk to the therapist. Ask questions. The therapist should be willing to provide you with all the information you are looking for.
At your appointment the therapist will want to know your prior medical history to determine if there are any contraindications to establishing a plan of treatment. The massage will be tailored to your needs. Remember this is your massage. Some therapist will follow their “routine” and not address the reason why you came to them in the first place.
Does the therapist ask for feedback? Is the pressure tolerable? How is the temperature in the room? Do they respect your modesty? Are they generally concerned with you?
Following the session, your therapist will want to know how you feel. There may be a few tender spots that should go away by the next day.
Why do the therapists recommend drinking water? Massage will move waste products (lactic acid) from your muscles into circulation faster than usual and the water will help to flush your system.
Open communication is important for a successful massage therapy relationship. Your therapist should encourage discussion and should always welcome feedback to provide you with the exact massage that you are looking for.
Peggy Giavanti is a licensed massage therapist and is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork at Beach City Massage. She can be reached at (562) 420-1928.
