Are you trying to find a Massage Therapist near you?  There are several important factors to keep in mind while you are searching for your new awesome massage therapist.

Finding a massage therapist takes time and sometimes a few tries.  Because this partnership with your massage person is unique, you need to be picky! 

Massage therapy is very personal. Trust is most important. You are in a room alone with your massage therapist for an hour or more at a time, and through the years, you can get to know each other very well.

Educate yourself before you go in by asking friends, reading Quora & other forums about what to expect.

My best advice:  Try several massage therapists before you choose one. Trust your instincts!

Ultimately, it may take several tries before you find the perfect massage therapist for you. Have fun finding one in the meantime!!

List of How to Find a Massage Therapist

• Use a Referral-the VERY BEST option
• List your why, what, who, where about your massage
• Match your needs with Massage Therapist’s training
• Use massage therapist location links
• Try several Massage Therapists

Best Way to Find a Massage Therapist

Did Someone Recommend Getting a Massage?

Did a specific person suggest that you get a massage?

• Doctor
• Nurse
• Chiropractor
• Physical Therapist
• Co-worker or Friend

If you had a personal suggestion from a local health provider or friend, maybe they already have a massage therapist in mind, or have several names you can call.

A personal referral from a doctor, chiropractor or friend is the best way to find a good massage therapist.

When clients find me from other professionals, friends or past clients, these make the best clients.  The initial meeting is easy because we have a common acquaintance and some expectations are already established.  

You may need to see a potential massage therapist’s facility or office before making a decision. Some therapists have animals, or they listen to music that isn’t relaxing for you. If you are sensitive to smells, animal dander, music, body odor, or cleanliness, I suggest getting a personal referral to a therapist or meeting the therapist in person before you book a massage appointment.

If You Don’t Have a Referral, Ask Around

Ask around to see if anyone would recommend a specific massage therapist.  

Does anyone you know get massage treatments?  Or maybe your Chiropractor or Physical Therapist have a designated room in their office space for massage?

Is there a popular spa in your area? Or a gym with a “local business” wall with business cards?

Some doctors have a few businesses they refer business to, but only if you ask.

In my experience, new clients who come from a personal referral are the best type of new client.  There is an expectation that is assumed on both sides of familiarity, which makes the first meetings calm and less awkward.

But, if you don’t have any luck with personal referrals or are brand new in a city, here are some ideas to start from scratch, which I hope can help you find your perfect massage fit.

How to Find a Massage Therapist

First things first, start from the beginning.

There are SO many different types of massage therapy treatments available, and with them, just as many therapists.

You might be starting from scratch, with no referrals and no idea where to look.  When you are starting your search, ask yourself the why, what, who & where questions about your massage so you can filter down your search.

Consider some basic questions to start with:

• Why do you want to have a massage? Is there something specific you need help with?
• What are your end massage goals?  What type of massage are you needing?
• Who would you like to find: male/female, athlete, gentle, experienced, give a newbie some experience?
• Where would you prefer your massage to take place? A professional office, gym, spa, home office, on location coming to you?

Jot down your answers if you need to, so you remember which questions to ask.

Why Do You Want a Massage?  What are Your Massage Goals?

• To relax & relieve stress
• Relieve headaches, neck, back or other general pain?
• To calm anxiety, depression, nervousness
• For better sleep, relieve insomnia
• Support after a Sports injury?
• Pre or Post surgery
• After a car accident?
• During pregnancy?
• During cancer treatment?

As you can see, there are many options, so narrowing down what you are looking for will help find a massage therapist.

What Type of Massage is Best For You?

Most massage therapists are trained in MANY styles of massage, so even though Sports Massage isn’t mentioned on their “About page”, for example, doesn’t mean they don’t offer that style.

There are so many different styles of massage therapists or “bodyworkers” and each one is unique and loved by their clientele. Finding the match for you is the trick.

When trying to find a massage therapist, the type of massage they do this is one of the MOST IMPORTANT factors in choosing the fit for you.

If you are looking for Deep Tissue or Sports Massage, look for a strong massage therapist, possibly also an athlete. Likewise, if you are looking for relaxation & stress relief, look for a therapist who is calm & peaceful.

Sometimes you can find both.

Here are JUST A FEW massage Types, Styles, or Modalities:

• Therapeutic Massage
• Sports Massage
• Deep Tissue Massage
• Pain Relief Massage
• Cranial sacral Therapy
• TMJ Massage
• Pregnancy Massage
• Car Accident Massage

Each massage therapist has a handful of massage techniques that they thrive in and are more passionate about.  Again, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t awesome at the modality you need, so ask anyway.

Where is the Massage Office is Located?

You probably didn’t know there were so many options, did you?  But, there are some more boxes to check to narrow your search for your best massage therapist ever.

Massage can be in many different settings, so this may be another layer to help you make a decision. Maybe you feel like you need to see the building first before you make an appointment?  

Is the setting important in finding a massage therapist?

• Office business, website, other people present
• Office within an office, for example, inside a Chiropractor’s office
• Home office
• Inside a gym
• A spa setting
• Mobile massage:  They come to your home or office

Sometimes, you can pick a massage therapist based on the name of their business or the way their website is designed. Pick the one that you would have picked as “your business name or website.”

Who is the Best Massage Therapist for You?

There are many options when finding a massage therapist.

I am often asked how to find a therapist out of state, and here is a list of the basic requirements I look for when searching for a massage therapist myself:

5 Basics Credentials to Look for in a Massage Therapist:

• A state massage license for the individual therapist (not just the “office” or “school”)
• Knowledge & experience in the modality you need (example: Deep Tissue, Cranial Sacral, Sports Massage, etc)
• A clean & professional facility, somewhere you feel safe and comfortable with good parking & lighting
• Affiliation with a professional massage association, like the AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association)
• Professionalism displayed by their phone message, website or business card

Finding a massage therapist who has all of these basic requirements doesn’t guarantee that they have any skill or can offer the effectiveness you are looking for. Often, it takes several tries to find a good therapist. Ask for personal referrals. This is always the most reliable way to find a massage therapist.

Use Location Links to Help Find a Massage Therapist

One way to find a massage therapist is to utilize the location links that show up when you search Google for “massage therapist”.

There are an entire page that pop up, and I’m familiar with a few, which I list below.

American Massage Therapy Association:  Location Link

The AMTA has many members, and they use their location link to match people searching for massage with therapists near them.  Simply input your zip code or address and they will list all the Licensed Massage Therapists near you.

Each therapist’s name has their contact info, how far they are from your location and a short bio. 

Con:  There is no price list or treatment styles posted.

Finding a Massage Therapist

MassageBook:  Location Link

MassageBook is an online scheduling software created exclusively for massage therapists.  Along with their scheduling support, MassageBook lists each therapist close to when you input your zip or address.

The list of Massage Therapists has a location, short bio, types of treatments offered and prices listed online.

Con:  Some on the list aren’t associated with professional associations (which isn’t always a bad thing…)

Locate a Massage Therapist Near You