Massages: Analyze This

If you are seeking out a massage therapist and you know you have some sort of muscle problems or special condition, it's important to seek out the best possible therapist to not only provide a massage head-on, but who is able to probe and ask the right questions and tailor their services to meet your needs.

Try to be as specific as you can when speaking with your therapist. If there are places on your body that are more sensitive than others be sure to let them know. If you have a formal muscle condition ask the therapist if she has ever dealt with this or similar issues.

Try and analyze the way they talk about their previous clients, and how they cater to them. Ask about what their education level is and what certifications they have. Ask them what other expertise they have that may be relevant to helping you get the best massage possible.

Massages are relatively intimate activities in that a stranger is making physical contact with your body. Therefore you want to make sure that you feel comfortable with the massage therapist not only as a person, but as a professional as well who has the competency to help improve your circulation for instance and relax your muscles.

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What is Massage Therapy?

Any method of pressure on or friction against, or stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding, vibrating or stimulating of the external soft parts of the body with the hands or with aid of any mechanical electrical apparatus or appliances with or without rubbing alcohol, liniments, antiseptics, oils, powder, creams, lotions, ointments or other similar preparations used in this practice, under such circumstances that it is reasonably expected that the person to whom treatment is provided ...
Massage is the practice of applying pressure or vibration to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and joints. A form of therapy, massage can be applied to parts of the body or successively to the whole body, to heal injury, relieve psychological stress, manage pain, improve circulation and relieve tension.
The manipulation of skin, muscle, and joints (usually by hand) to relax muscle spasm, relieve tension, improve circulation, and eliminate wastes. Over 80 types of massage are in use today. Various forms include: acupressure, athletic, polarity, reflexology, rolfing, shiatsu, sports, Swedish, traeger, and watsu.