Many people appreciate the healing and rejuvenating effects of a Swedish massage, particularly if they are able to experience this type of bodywork at the hands of a skilled practitioner. Although you should certainly be concerned about issues of price and location, your main objective in choosing the best Swedish massage is to find a massage therapist with whom you are compatible. The process of finding a good practitioner of Swedish massage typically involves learning whether the therapist holds appropriate credentials, asking for referrals from people you know, and actually undergoing a massage so you can judge the abilities of the massage therapist yourself.
Some jurisdictions license practitioners of Swedish massage as well as other bodywork modalities. Find out what the law is in the area where you live so that you know which credentials you should be looking for when evaluating a practitioner. You may also want to find out about the reputation of local massage schools, as this can be an indication of the quality of a therapist's training. Begin your search by asking friends, co-workers, and others to recommend a massage therapist and then doing additional research on each therapist. If you have a medical condition, you may wish to rely more heavily on the recommendation of your physician or chiropractor, particularly if he or she has a good working relationship with a particular massage therapist.
After verifying that a therapist holds the appropriate credentials and has extensive training in Swedish massage, book an appointment. Some massage therapists may offer you a first-time customer discount, so ask about this when you call. A good massage therapist will be responsive to your requests during the massage and will also ask about your health history prior to beginning treatment. After the session, pay attention to how you feel. If you are dissatisfied with your experience, try another therapist.
If you don't have any friends who can recommend a good practitioner of Swedish massage, visit alternative health fairs in your area. Massage therapists often set up booths at these events and perform massages on site. This can be a great way to sample the services of a massage therapist without committing to paying for a full session or going out of your way to visit a therapist's office. If you are satisfied with the massage you receive, you can get the therapist's card and set up an appointment for a full session at a later date.
