It is important to find a massage therapist with the skills you need.  Below are some easy steps you can take.

1. Identify your goals and health status
The first thing you should do is set goals for the massage session(s).  Are you interested in:

• Reducing stress?
• Reducing muscle contractions or tightness?
• Living without chronic or acute pain?
• Improving your work performance?
• Enhancing your general health and well-being? 
• Improving your ability to participate in sports?

Your answers to these questions will help you determine what skills you are looking for in a massage therapist.

2. Get some names
Most people are more comfortable getting a personal referral from a friend. Sometimes your friend can answer questions about the massage therapist and explain how they benefited from visiting this therapist. Testimonies are as close to personal referrals that you can use. 

Another great source for referrals is your primary health care provider or a medical specialist. They may have a list of massage therapists that have specialized training and experience in techniques that are effective in treating your condition or complaint.

Other sources are professional associations, such as the American Massage Therapy Association and the Associated Bodywork Massage Professionals. These sites generally check the qualifications of therapists listed, although, not necessarily the quality.

You can also check out massage schools, local fitness/health clubs, spas, wellness centers, and chiropractic offices.

3. Consider your personal preferences
You may want to include or eliminate potential therapists or styles based on personal preferences.  For example:

• Would you be most comfortable with a male or female therapist?
• Is location important? (If you plan to go once or twice a week, you may want to find a therapist close to work or home.)

4. Make a phone call to find out more about the therapist
If you don’t already have this information, call and ask about:

• Style or techniques used
• Philosophy of care
• Years in practice 
• Specialty areas, experience with particular conditions (diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy)
• Training, advanced certification 

If the therapist belongs to professional organizations, and if so, which ones
You should look for a massage therapist who has at least 500 hours of training from a reputable school.
 
If a therapist is nationally certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), he or she has at least 500 hours of training from an accredited school and has passed a written exam.

Another clue that the therapist is qualified is membership in a professional association that has established a certain level of professional preparation to join.  These are the American Massage Therapy Association and the Associated Bodywork Massage Professionals. Some states or cities are licensed. Don’t hesitate to request to see their license if you have any doubts.
If there is any doubt or apprehension on your part, it is always appropriate to clarify the style or techniques that the massage therapist uses and that the service you are booking is a non-sexual massage.
 
5. Ask about costs and logistics
Ask about the fee. Specifically, ask:

• What lengths of sessions are available and what is the fee for each.   Typically, therapists will offer you a number of options, generally 15, 20, 30, 60, or 90 minutes.  Ask if the rate is for hands-on time or if the intake is included in the time.
• Are there different fees for different techniques?
• Might your massage be covered by insurance?
• Are there any additional fees or taxes?
• Do they offer any special or discounted package rates?

Also ask about logistics:

• How far in advance do you generally need to make an appointment?
• What does the scheduled time mean—when you should arrive or when you should be ready to start the massage?
• What is the cancellation policy?
• Do you need to bring clothes to better experience clinical therapies? For example, should you bring a bathing suit, gym shorts, or work out bra to wear during the massage? Should you bring clothes to change into afterward?
• Do they want to see a prescription from physician, exercise plan from physical therapy, or post surgical prescription?
• What is the therapist’s draping policy?

Finally, to arrive more relaxed, get clear directions and learn about parking options.