Massage Therapy: Bloor West Village
Massage therapy is a very popular therapeutic treatment for stress and various physical and psychological conditions, with more than 1/3 of Canadians having visited a massage therapist. If you live or work in the Bloor West area, you may know that there are many fine massage clinics and
Registered Massage Therapists who practice in the neighbourhood.
Choosing a Registered Massage Therapist
If you'd like to try massage, but are unsure which therapist to choose, you may want to consider the following areas of concern:
- Type of Massage. There are numerous types of massage, and most RMTs specialize in a few of them. These may include the classic Swedish massage, which is the most common type of massage in North America, and a good choice for a first massage experience. Other types range from rehabilitative medical massage intended to help patients recover from stroke or other debilitating health conditions to aromatherapy, which uses the scent of essential oils to enhance the effectiveness of standard massage treatments. There are also numerous therapies available that complement massage, such as reflexology, where pressure is applied to the feet or hands; Reiki, a transfer of energy from the practitioner to the client, or acupuncture, where hair-thin needles are inserted at various points to stimulate energy flow. You'll want to find an RMT whose preferred type of massage is helpful to you. There's not much point in going to an RMT who specializes in sports massage if you don't engage in strenuous exercise, for example.
- Certification and Education. Ask prospective massage therapists if they are registered with the Registered Massage Therapists Association of Ontario. RMTs must meet certain requirements in order to receive certification, including a rigourous training program that includes knowledge of anatomy, many medical conditions, ethics, and much more. There are many Registered Massage Therapists in the Bloor West area, so don't settle for less! RMTs have demonstrated competence and been assessed by other massage professionals.
- Experience. At least five years experience is preferable. This means that the RMT will have had time to develop effective client skills and massage techniques. As well, if he or she is running her/his own business, it shows business acumen. Find out where the RMT has worked previously.
Your Massage Experience
Once you've settled on an RMT and a type of massage, you may want to ask specific questions about what you will experience. These may include:
- How long is the session?
- What is the price of the massage? Do you offer discounts for seniors or students? What kind of payment do you accept – cheques, credit cards, debit, cash, etc?
- What types of oils do you use?
You will also want to make sure that you tell the Registered Massage Therapist about any medical issues that you have. If there is any doubt about whether you are a good candidate for massage, you should discuss it first with your physician.
What are you waiting for? Get started today, and enjoy the relaxing, revitalizing experience of a good massage!