10 Tips to Choosing a Deep Tissue Masseur

Choosing a sports or deep tissue masseur is important to ensure you get the best care tailored to your specific needs. Here’s a guide to help you make the right choice:

1. Qualifications and Certifications

• Qualifications in Sports Massage: It is perfectly acceptable to ask to view your masseur’s level 3-5 qualifications in sports, deep tissue or remedial massage. This is different from general level 2 massage therapy. They may have their certificates in their waiting, therapy or consultation room. Regardless of the original level of qualification, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is important in a therapist to keep up with new research in the field. I am a level 4 sports & remedial masseur, you can view my full list of certification & CPD on my website and LinkedIn profile, it includes the nervous system, posture and gait assessment, shoulder and knee injuries, IASTM and positional release, & many more.

  
  

• Governing Bodies: Organisations like the Association of Soft Tissue Therapists (SMA) & Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage (ISRM), or chartered institutes like CIMSPA are indicators of quality.

  
  

2. Experience

• Specific Experience: Choose a masseur with experience in working with your injury or sport. The higher the level of sports masseurs the greater their knowledge of injuries and broader range of techniques. Deep tissue masseurs range from a level 3 up to level 5. I have worked with national Ice-hockey and football teams, athletes in golf, triathlon, weight lifting, cycling, running & racket sports, my clients have been service people, those suffering from neck and back pain… and many more.

• Years in Practice: Experience can correlate with better skill. Ask how long they have been practicing and have they experience with your particular need/sport. I qualified as a PT in 2007, and as a sports masseur in 2017.

  
  

3. Referrals and Reviews

• Referrals from Other Clients: If possible, ask for recommendations from people who have had your condition or do your sport, ideally within the past few years. Consider whether it is important to you that referrals/recommendations are from within your community or area.

• Online Reviews: Check online reviews and testimonials. Look for consistent positive feedback, especially for what you need. You can find these on google, their website social media and verbally.

  
  

4. Techniques and Approach

• Knowledge of Different Techniques: Sports massage can include various techniques like deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, IASTM, positional release etc. Ensure the masseur is skilled in techniques relevant to your needs. You may wish to check if the masseurs approach aligns with yours, ie wholistic or area-specific. I practice all the above and more, preferring to treat wholistically and to treat as I empower & educate my clients.

• , Eastern vs western, treat or educate.

• Customisation: The masseur should be willing to customise the session based on your current physical condition, specific areas of concern, and injury history.

  
  

5. Communication Skills

• Listening: A good masseur will take the time to listen to your concerns, understand your goals, and ask about your medical history. A good portion of the first session may be taken up with this, but the majority of the session should be treatment.

• Explanation: They should be able to explain their approach and why they are choosing specific techniques, helping you understand the benefits.

  
  

6. Availability and Convenience

• Location & Availability: Choose someone conveniently located or who can accommodate your schedule. Can you book last minute if you need? Do they work the days you are available?

• Flexibility: Find out if they offer flexible scheduling and what their cancellation policy is, especially if you know you may need to cancel.

  
  

7. Connection with Therapist

• Initial Consultation: Some masseurs invite you to connect with them (written or verbally) to understand your needs before you meet. Always feel free to call your masseur and check how they would approach your individual needs/issues/injuries, if this is important to you. This is a good opportunity to see if their approach works for you.

• Comfort and Rapport: During your first session, assess how comfortable you feel with the masseur. Rapport and trust are crucial for effective therapy. Feedback, either negative or positive, after the session will assist the therapist with your next session or even in their approach to other clients with similar issues.

  
  

8. Cost

• Compare Rates: Rates can vary widely. Ensure the cost fits within your budget, but don’t sacrifice quality for a lower price. I charge £50 for an hour or £30 half hour.

• Upfront Cancellation Fees: If the cancellation T&C aren’t obvious on booking, you may wish to check them, just in case you need to cancel. I personally provide full refund with more than 48hrs notice of cancellation, and charge the full fee for less than 48hrs notice.

  
  

9. Professionalism

• Cleanliness and Hygiene: The masseur should maintain a clean, professional environment.

• Punctuality: They should respect your time, starting and ending sessions on schedule.

  
  

10. Post-Massage Follow-Up

• Advice and Recommendations: A good sports masseur will provide aftercare advice, including stretches, exercises, or other treatments to maintain the benefits of the massage. If you chose not to follow the advice or do the exercises this is perfectly acceptable and you should still feel comfortable with communicating this to your therapist and receiving treatment.

By considering these factors, you can find a sports masseur who meets your needs and helps you stay at your physical and athletic best.