Got a question about massage? We've got the answers!
Click on Findamassagetherapist.org, the locator site for the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), the only professional massage organization requiring therapists to have a certain number of hours of education and to either pass a national certification exam or possess a state license.
The average cost is about $70 per hour, and some insurers will pay if the massage is for a specific condition; check with your insurance provider. Also, be sure to tip your therapist the way you’d tip your hairstylist—15 to 20 percent.
Remove as much or as little as you want, but less clothing means more access for the therapist to do her work. She’ll drape your body with a blanket or sheet and remove it only from the specific area being worked.
It’s not required by law, but most therapists will ask you to complete a medical-history form and then discuss your medical background, treatment preferences, and concerns. Mention anything that’s on your mind. If you have sensitive skin, for instance, ask about the oil used during treatment. Speak up!
In the first 24 hours, you may have mild soreness, a “massage hangover.” Drinking a lot of water during the day or so after your massage may help.
