- Charlotte Stuart, MAc (USA) RN, treating a patient - Photo by Jaap Buijs
What do pregnancy, sports injuries, fibromyalgia, and plain old stress have in common? The discomfort associated with each one can be successfully treated with professional clinical massage therapy. Massage therapy has been shown in numerous studies to reduce muscle pain, reduce swelling associated with acute injury, lower heart rate and blood pressure, and bolster the immune system. More and more insurance companies recognize the effectiveness of massage therapy and offer coverage for specified treatments. Once you’ve decided to seek massage therapy for a painful condition, how do you choose a competent and well-trained therapist?
Qualifications of a Professional Massage Therapist
Use the following tips to choose a qualified professional massage therapist who meets your needs.
- National certification: Look for a therapist who has passed a national certification exam such as the test administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) in the US. This type of rigorous exam ensures that the therapist has the knowledge necessary to administer quality massage. Consult the NCBTMB website to locate a certified massage therapist near you.
- State licensing: Nearly all states in the US require massage therapists to be licensed. Licensure provides standards for both skill and conduct that therapists must meet in order to obtain and maintain a massage therapy license. Licenses must be renewed yearly so check to see that your prospective therapist’s license is up-to-date. Consult your state's Department of Health for information on licensing of professional massage therapists in your area.
- Training: A massage therapist must have a minimum of 500 hours of training from an approved program in order to apply for certification and/or licensing. Many massage therapy programs offer over 1000 hours of training. Additionally, massage therapists are required to obtain Continuing Education Units to further their skills. Ask how many hours of training your prospective therapist has had.
- Specialization: Most therapists develop areas of specialization. Some prefer to work with clients who mainly need relaxation and stress-relief. Some work with the elderly and chronically ill. Others serve clients with acute injuries such as whiplash from motor vehicle accidents or sports injuries. Many therapists work cooperatively with medical professionals such as doctors or chiropractors. Ask what types of conditions the therapist normally treats. Also ask what types of massage the therapist has been trained in, and if those types are appropriate for your condition or injury.
- Insurance billing: Massage therapists who own their own businesses rarely have the resources or knowledge needed to bill your insurance company. Most therapists are willing to provide the documents you’ll need to submit a claim. Therapists who are associated with a clinic or hospital usually have access to a billing department so treatment may be billed directly to your insurance company. Ask if the therapist you are considering is a preferred provider for your insurance.
Massage therapy is quickly becoming recognized as an effective and affordable treatment for a wide variety of painful conditions. Many doctors provide referrals for massage therapy, and insurance companies are covering massage therapy provided by qualified professional massage therapists. These five tips will help you choose a qualified professional massage therapist with the skills and experience to meet your health needs.
Rebecca Goodrich - My name is Rebecca Goodrich. I hold a Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing from the University of Idaho and teach writing at ...
