How To Hire A Registered Massage Therapist (2023)

FAQs

What to look for when hiring a massage therapist? ›

As mentioned earlier, a good massage therapist must show a genuine interest in clients' health and well-being. They must possess the ability to use different modalities/approaches to address clients' needs. They must provide an ethical and professional environment for the client at all times.

Since tips are standard protocol for massage therapists, you should assume a 20 percent tip in any massage or spa treatment situation (unless a self-employed therapist specifically tells you their rate is all-inclusive).

“I think for a good work-life balance, most full-time massage therapists should be seeing around five to six clients a day, five days a week.”

Red flags refer in the main to the identification of serious pathology including cancer, fractures and infections. Some of these agreed red flags include: severe pain. worsening pain or constant pain.

No one should ever do anything to your body that you have not given permission for. A therapist should never be sexual in any way with a client. That includes sexual touching, sexually explicit comments to or any sexual act whatsoever.

Tipping is a common custom in most service industries in Canada. And for the most part, tipping your massage therapist follows similar tipping practices. 10% for good service, and 15-20% for above average and excellent service.

Do You Tip a Massage Therapist? Although a tip is never required, if your massage is at a spa or hotel in North America, a 20 percent tip is standard if you were pleased with the service. (The exception is all-inclusive spas that have a no-tip policy.)

How much do you tip for a 60 minute massage? ›

In general, the 20% rule applies to tipping your massage therapist. So, if you're wondering how much to tip for a $100 massage, you'd want to tip $20. If you're considering how much to tip for a 60-minute massage (that costs $100) – you'd still tip $20. However, generosity is generally very appreciated.

Getting regular massages can relieve tension from improper posture or stress and ease the pain and discomfort of prior injuries. If you are dealing with chronic pain from a recurring injury, you should be visiting a massage therapist regularly. We suggest that you go at least every two weeks for 30 minutes.

The first rule of massage therapy is always to obtain informed consent from the patient before starting a session. Informed consent between therapist and patient is critical in ensuring that any massage treatment will be safe, beneficial, and respectful for both parties involved in the session.

Massage therapy sessions

How many appointments you have in a day depends on your availability and scheduling preferences, but most full-time therapists will see around five clients a day with massage appointments typically lasting between 60 and 90 minutes.

“Spas tend to be busiest weekends and evenings,” he says. “So, if you're looking for a Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. work environment, a spa might not be the best fi t for you.”

Ask them how much they understand about the treatment they're about to receive. If they've been to a massage therapist before, explain what might make your process different. If not, explain the basics of how what you're about to do is going to help them as an individual.

In the few hours after a massage, do some gentle stretches. This is one of the top tips we give people for how to relieve pain after massage. Move around, or go for a gentle walk. Hold stretches for around 30 seconds each to ensure they are most effective.

How do you know if a massage place is shady? ›

Illicit massage parlors will often have their storefront windows tinted or covered. “Most up-and-up [legitimate] massage parlors, you're going to be able to see inside,” she explained. Legitimate massage businesses will also have their services and prices clearly displayed.

The massage therapist should not touch your breasts or groin area without you giving them explicit permission to do so. Most forms of massage therapy do not include these areas. The massage therapist should not touch areas that you have explicitly requested that they avoid.

Yellow. Beliefs, appraisals and judgements. Unhelpful beliefs about pain: indication of injury as uncontrollable or likely to worsen. Expectations of poor treatment outcome, delayed return to work. Emotional Responses.

If your massage costs $80.00, find 10% by moving the decimal one digit to the left. Ten percent of $80 is $8. Then, double that $8 to arrive at your 20% tip of $16. (You can also use our tip calculator to determine how much to leave.)

If you believe you're safe and comfortable with a hug from your therapist, it doesn't hurt to ask for one. Of course, your therapist has a right to say no.

It's best to leave heavy fabrics, such as denim or wool, at home and choose lighter clothes that are thin and form-fitting. Some suitable options include t-shirts, tank tops, shorts or sports bras. Even if you prefer to cover up, make sure you've considered the limitations placed on your massage therapist.

A therapist is still able to perform a high quality massage even if their client is asleep. It's not rude, nor does it insult them in anyway. In fact, sleeping through a massage is a compliment to the therapist. Falling asleep tells them you are relaxed and comfortable and enjoying the time on their table.

A good therapist lets their client control the amount of talking during the treatment. There will always be a small amount of conversation from the therapist when they checking in with you during the treatment.

If you tend to get sleepy from a massage, you should have it as late in the day as possible so that you can just go home afterwards. If you don't want massage to take time out of your day, you can get one early in the morning. It will help you to feel rejuvenated.

RMTs are professionals and just as you don't tip your doctor, dentist or teacher, you do not tip your massage therapist. When a service person does something extra or goes the extra mile for you, even if you would not normally tip them, you might chose to do so.

Why are massages so expensive? ›

The therapist is serving only you, and expects to make enough money to make a living doing massages. So the biggest cost of the service is the human time that the therapist invests into you, which is the reason spa services will seem expensive if you compare to discretionary spendings such as restaurants and cinema.

Masseuses appreciate a 20 percent tip and like it even more if given in cash. Your tip can be left on a credit card or check, but most often good ole' fashion cash is preferred. That's because if you tip on your credit card, most spas will pay that tip out with the therapist's weekly or biweekly paycheck.

Remember, it's your choice, so let your therapist know what you are comfortable with. Many customers opt to remove just the top layer as a nice balance between allowing skin access while maintaining a degree of modesty. If being partially dressed feels comfortable to you, then this is the best option.

The temperature of the water can cause your muscles to tense up, which can negate the benefits of massage therapy. The heat can also increase the risk of dehydration. Inflammation may also occur if you are already feeling sore after the massage. Wait at least 1-2 hours before showering or taking a bath.

The standard tipping rate for a massage is 20%. So, for a $50 massage, you can tip $10.

General Tipping Guidelines

“If you're at a day spa, it's appropriate to tip 15-20% of the bill”, says Navrajvir Singh, owner of Lakeview and Palm Tree. So if your treatment costed $200, it's appropriate to tip $30. You can go higher and tip $40 if the therapist provided exceptional service.

Is 2 hour massage too long? A 120-minute massage is the longest massage offered by most massage therapists. Many people choose two-hour massages when they want to treat themselves. These lengthy massages are great for anyone who suffers from a lot of muscle pain.

As with many jobs, tipping is a great way to thank the individual offering you service. That little bit of extra income can go a long way, and it's never a bad thing to ask if you can tip someone for their service. If they've done a great job with your massage, be sure to let them know with a tip!

Actually, you can get massaged too frequently. Once a week is the most you should go unless you are dealing with pain or high-intensity sports. Between you and your therapist, you'll be able to determine the best frequency because your body's response is a large part of this determination.

The new Standard requires RMTs to ask you for written consent prior to touching “sensitive areas” of the body as part of your treatment. CMTO defines “sensitive areas,” as the upper inner thighs, gluteal muscles (buttocks), breasts, and front chest wall.

What makes a good RMT? ›

A great massage therapist has excellent manual dexterity and is able to easily perform the complicated maneuvers required. You must have a good deal of physical stamina and be able to handle standing for long periods of time as well as the rigorous physical effort massage requires. A strong sense of empathy is vital.

Empathetic people can listen and respond to a patient during the massage to give the best possible results. Second, the massage therapist needs a personality that creates a sense of relaxation. Do you find yourself relaxing in the therapist's presence? Does the therapist's tone of voice make you feel calm?

The average rmt salary in Canada is $77,025 per year or $39.50 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $53,674 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $130,465 per year.

It is not important to shave before a massage. Your therapist doesn't care or even notice. The only exception to this rule is if you are having Kinesio Taping, then you must do it 24 hours in advance to avoid skin irritation. If less than 24 hours, use clippers only.

In general, the 20% rule applies to tipping your massage therapist. So, if you're wondering how much to tip for a $100 massage, you'd want to tip $20. If you're considering how much to tip for a 60-minute massage (that costs $100) – you'd still tip $20. However, generosity is generally very appreciated.

Are you expected to talk during a massage? ›

Is it okay to talk during a massage? Yes it is, as the client you can choose to converse with your therapist whenever you want. If you want to talk, feel chatty or just want to be heard it can be an important part of the letting go process.

This is why we as therapists should always encourage as much silence during the massage as possible. It's not that we don't want you to talk because we don't care it's totally the opposite. We are encouraging the best healing response for your body by doing so.

Basic Massage

The first thing that every student must master is “the basics.” The four basic massage strokes are effleurage-(light or deep stroking), petrisage-(kneading), tapotement-(gentle slapping), and friction.

We recommend enjoying the soothing moments in tandem with your partner and just letting yourself calm down and relax. However, if you want to talk, you can do so! But many find the couples massage experience more relaxing without conversation. It's a time to be present and enjoy the soothing moments with your partner.

Massage therapy sessions

How many appointments you have in a day depends on your availability and scheduling preferences, but most full-time therapists will see around five clients a day with massage appointments typically lasting between 60 and 90 minutes.

Massage Table. The massage table is likely the massage therapist's most important, and most expensive, piece of equipment.