How to Choose the BEST Massage Therapist for You

Finding the best massage therapist for you
(NOT written by Chat GPT but  by a real live practicing therapist)

Massage is an interesting business (vocation? profession). It suffers from sometimes not knowing what it wants to be. Some massage therapists liken themselves to doctors or other medical professionals.  Others to holistic healers and shamans.  The chains seem to compete on loyalty and price, placing more emphasis on membership than the bodywork. Still others think that if they continue to add "modalities" to their list of skills, it will be impressive.  You have likely come across a massage therapist who has 50 certifications in this and that. 

Massage marketing is hopelessly outdated. Its a profession that wants to be taken seriously yet we still market with these "steam roller over a body" or "maniacal looking tortured cat cartoons" with lines like "you knead a massage". Or top 10 reasons why you need a massage, and all the reasons are so hopelessly generic it could be from chat GPT.

For consumers, its no better. The average client searches for a massage the way they might search for toilet. paper. Which is to say they treat it as a commodity and search based on cheapest price. No wait- that's actually not true, most people put more care into the brand of toilet paper they buy and would not choose the cheapest option, so they put more thought into how they search for toilet paper.

I pay for Google ads and the top query for me is "Massage Deals". Which is to say that is term most people use to find me, and I pay for those words, even though I do not offer any massage deals or discounts on my site.

The second highest search is  "massage places close to me".  Whenever I hear from a new client, and they ask for something I don't offer (like deep tissue, its not really a thing, but more on that in another post)  I always ask, "how did you find me" and they say I just Googles massage places close by and you came up first.  This is when my heart sinks. I know they didn't read my web page. I know they know nothing about my work. I know they want something generic, fast & cheap, and likely painful....because everyone knows no pain no gain right. If it doesn't the client is not getting their moneys worth !! Ha. So for these clients I start with questions, what are you looking for? Did you read about my offerings? Do you get regular massage ? where? why not go there today ? etc etc.  From their I determine whether or not I can help them and i I will see them or refer them.

The reality is that most clients are not really aware of how massage can help them because they have not connected with the right therapist.  Especially the ones who love massage, they keep chasing Groupon deals and keep ending up with mediocre experiences, unhappy that their $35 massage was not life changing. 

So you want a great massage and how do you go about finding one?  There are some general rules of thumb and there are some specific things 

Lets start with the generalizations.

Don't use Groupon to chase the cheapest price, if you use it at all, use it to sample therapists work at a reasonable price

Massage Therapists participate in Groupon and things like it for 3 basic reasons.
   1. They are not very good and thus are not very busy with few repeat clients
   2.  They are newly starting out and do not know how to get the word out
   3. They are good but don;'t know how to get the word out or are new to the area.

Therapists from the first category are the most common. Not very good, not likely to get re-booked. Just getting people in and getting them out.  They may be under the mistaken belief that they are amazing and may tell you in all the ways they are without ever asking you a single question.

Therapists in the second category are also somewhat common and here you have the chance to connect with a good new therapist.  If you stumble onto a new or new to the area therapist that you like. RE-BOOK.  Massage gets better with each treatment by re-visiting the same therapist because they can get to know you.  Also new therapists are generally very eager. They want to please. Hopefully they will ask questions.  We will come back to that, but a therapist who asks more then they want to tell you is generally a good sign.

Therapists from this last category are the most rare, but they are out there. Excellent therapists that simply have no idea how to market because massage therapists are not business people.  If you find one of these, STOP LOOKING. Groupon did it;s job for you. Don't go back to Groupon, go back to the therapist.

Massage Therapists that are the best tend to work on their own/for themselves in small practices and have been around/established.
The best body workers are likely to be found toiling away in small nondescript offices that have been there.  These spaces are less fancy but any therapist that is surviving, thriving, on their own - paying rent, marketing, etc is likely to be a good body worker. Now the second key is whether they are the right therapist for you. Maybe they specialize in something you are not looking for. We will come back to that.

The fanciest Spas/Facilities or highest price treatments are not likely going to deliver the best hands on work but may deliver the nicest experience. 
It is a mistake to assume that just because you are paying $320 (2024 money) for a 1 hour Massage with an exotic name that it will be the best.  What you can be sure of is that it is likely to be a wonderful overall experience which is to say papering, robe, waterfall, mimosas, relaxation areas........this is actually something I love when I travel but i don't expect to get the best bodywork, but I appreciate the experience. And sometimes a lovely experience is the goal.


Now onto the specifics.  If you want to get the best out of your massage and find the best therapist for you here are some things to consider:

There is no single best therapist, just the best one FOR YOU.
Massage, while sharing some common underlying themes is a highly individualized and unique experience. No two massages from two therapists are likely to be identical, hence it is up to you to find one who listens to you needs, understands them and does their best to accommodate them.

What are your Goals?
It all starts with you. Identify why you are looking for a massage.  What are your goals. Be realistic. Massage therapists are not miracle workers but some have T shirts that say that.

Search & Research
Instead of Googling "best massage near me" or "cheapest massage" try Googling a term for what you are looking for.  Something like "Massage for lower back pain" or   "Massage for managing stress"  When you get some hits read the website.  Is it generic or specific? Does it look professional?  Read the "about me' section. Can you relate to this person in some way?  Do you think they will take the time to understand your needs.  Are they passionate about a certain type of work?

Look for a Therapist who specializes and mentions repeatedly and specifically that they do the type of work that you are seeking.  Just like if you were going out to eat and wanted a spectacular piece of fresh fish, you would not likely choose a place that offered fish, steak, pasta, tapas, pizza, chicken - you would likely pick a restaurant know only for it's fish. Massage is a big tent word.  Think of the word "Massage" like the word "Food" and all the things that can 'fall under it.

Ask Questions
Don't blindly book and see how it goes.  Ask questions. See if there is a way to reach out beforehand.  If the therapist is unable or unwilling to field a few questions before booking, move on.

Expect to be asked questions
I generally don't accept first time clients without speaking to them first. If they somehow finagle an online booking, I call or email them, ask questions, determine if they are a good fit and/or if I can help them.  If I feel its a mismatch I decline the booking and refund the client. Maybe refer them. 

Once booked I have a written take that is comprehensive,   When they come for their first visit, I sit them down and again, verbally go over why they are here and how I might best help them.  I ask about preferences and get specific permissions. Nothing is ambiguous. I cannot tell you how many clients tell me I am the only massage therapist that takes this time.

If the therapist doesn't ask anything beyond "hows the pressure" or "what kind of pressure do you like" or "hows the music" that is not a good sign.

Communication is Key
Not only per-communication, but post communication. What did you like or appreciate best? what could be done better for the next visit.?  Massage therapists are not mind readers, you have to tell them and if you do and you come back each successive visit should get better and better.

Don't be afraid to drive.
Maybe the best therapist for you is 20 miles away and not next door.  Have an open mind.  I see clients from a variety of states and some internationally.  I am not the most booked out therapist but many of my clients, the ones who can afford it, are willing to travel for my work.  For the ones with really unlimited resources, I travel to them.

Expect to pay a fair price
A great massage from a good/great therapist to me is like finding gold, or better -  Its priceless.  Just as you shouldn't search based on the least expensive, you shouldn't assume quality based on the most expensive.  A really great massage is likely to fall somewhere right in the middle.

When you find what you are looking for STOP LOOKING
This one is so obvious it almost doesn't need to be stated but yet it does.  Whenever I see a new client I always ask them how often they get bodywork? Do they have a favorite person? Why are they here and not going to that person?
Sometimes it doesn't occur to them, Sometimes they love a certain type of work but now want to try a different specific kind of work. Sometimes their favorite is booked.

Massage connoisseurs and bodywork devotees know all this, they know how to find the work that is right for them - but the vast majority of massage clients don't really understand massage. They don't understand the benefits.  They don't understand Deep Tissue is not the ultimate measure of good - its not even science,  its a marketing idea!!!  (read my thoughts on deep tissue in other blog posts)

They feel guilty. They feel its an indulgence. They may get a yearly Gift Certificate - if this is you WELCOME TO MY PAGE.  You are the perfect potential convert to a lifetime of improved well being and self care, Massage is selfless not selfish

I  would like you to start looking at massage as a commitment to self care, not an indulgence. Let myself or the therapist that you most connect with help open up your eyes to the tangible and intangible benefits of regular bodywork.

There s a lot more I could say on the subject but hopefully you get the idea.  Try my suggestions above and let me know how it goes in the comments 'below.

With Aloha

not written by Chat GPT, can you tell?

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