What Should You Expect of Your Massage & Massage Therapist?

EVANSTON, Ill., Nov. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Massage therapy has become an important element in health and wellbeing, with a large body of research indicating its value for a wide variety of health issues, such as stress, low back pain, fibromyalgia, and more. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) wants people to know what to expect from both their massage and their massage therapist.

Massage therapy is and always should be about health and wellbeing in a safe environment. This includes a comfortable environment before, during and after the massage, as well as privacy while changing and the right to remove clothing only to their level of comfort for the massage. It's important to understand the nature of therapeutic massage.

Here are some other important things to expect from your massage session:

• Mutual respect, courtesy, professionalism, confidentiality and dignity between you and the massage therapist 
• Being draped appropriately by a sheet, towel or blanket, with only the area being massaged exposed
• A licensed/registered/certified professional massage therapist, working within their scope of practice and in an ethical manner. Expect them to be a member of a professional association with a code of ethics.  
• A health intake conversation about your medical conditions and your expectations for the massage
• The right and option to ask questions of the massage therapist and receive professional responses
• The right to determine if there will be conversation, music or quiet during the massage 
• An explanation of the nature of the massage and techniques to be used before the start of the massage
• The right to consent to the massage techniques and approaches, including the level of manual pressure, used in the massage and the ability to request adjustments to pressure at any time during the massage
• The right to stop a massage and report anything they feel is inappropriate during the massage.

Seventy-two percent of individuals surveyed claim their primary reason for receiving a massage in the previous 12 months was medical (43 percent) or stress (29 percent) related, according to a 2017 consumer survey sponsored by the American Massage Therapy Association.

Find a Massage Therapist Near You

A qualified massage therapist can play an important role in the health care team for those looking to improve their self-care. Individuals should consult with a qualified, professional massage therapist to determine the best massage therapy approach for their specific needs. By meeting or exceeding state training requirements, ascribing to a code of ethics and participating in continuing education, American Massage Therapy Association massage therapists are appropriate additions to any wellness regimen and create specialized approaches based on individual conditions, fitness and goals.

To find a massage therapist near you, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) offers a free professional massage therapist locator service at www.findamassagetherapist.org.

About The American Massage Therapy Association

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), the most trusted name in massage therapy, is the largest non-profit, professional association serving massage therapists, massage students and massage schools. AMTA works to advance the profession through ethics and standards, the promotion of fair and consistent licensing of massage therapists in all states, and public education on the benefits of massage. www.amtamassage.org

SOURCE American Massage Therapy Association