20 Questions

Questions to Ask a Massage Therapist

Essential questions to evaluate a massage therapist's qualifications, experience, and approach to ensure you receive safe, effective, and personalized treatment.

1

What certifications and training do you have?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their professional qualifications and shows whether they have the necessary training and credentials to provide safe, effective massage therapy.

2

How long have you been practicing massage therapy?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their experience level and reveals their track record in the field, helping you assess their expertise and reliability.

3

What types of massage do you specialize in?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their areas of expertise and shows whether they offer the specific type of massage therapy you're looking for.

4

How do you assess and address specific pain or tension areas?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their approach to problem-solving and reveals their methodology for identifying and treating specific issues.

5

What is your approach to pressure and intensity?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their technique preferences and shows whether their approach aligns with your comfort level and treatment goals.

6

How do you handle different health conditions or medical concerns?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their knowledge of contraindications and reveals their approach to working with clients who have specific health conditions.

7

What are your thoughts on communication during the session?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their communication style and shows their approach to ensuring your comfort and addressing your needs during treatment.

8

How do you handle different body types and what is your approach to comfort?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their sensitivity to individual needs and reveals their approach to making clients feel comfortable and respected.

9

What are your thoughts on continuing education and staying current with techniques?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their commitment to professional development and shows their approach to staying current with massage therapy best practices.

10

How do you handle different stress levels and what is your approach to relaxation?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their understanding of stress management and reveals their approach to helping clients achieve deep relaxation and stress relief.

11

What are your thoughts on different massage oils and products?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their product knowledge and shows their approach to using appropriate products for different skin types and preferences.

12

How do you handle different scheduling needs and what is your availability?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their flexibility and reveals their approach to accommodating different scheduling needs and maintaining consistent availability.

13

What are your thoughts on different massage environments and what do you provide?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their setup and shows their approach to creating a comfortable, professional environment for massage therapy.

14

How do you handle different payment methods and what are your rates?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their business practices and reveals their approach to pricing and payment options for different client needs.

15

What are your thoughts on different massage frequencies and what do you recommend?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their treatment philosophy and shows their approach to developing personalized treatment plans for different client goals.

16

How do you handle different client preferences and what is your approach to customization?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their flexibility and reveals their approach to adapting their techniques to meet individual client needs and preferences.

17

What are your thoughts on different massage benefits and what do you focus on?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their treatment focus and shows their approach to addressing different health and wellness goals through massage therapy.

18

How do you handle different client concerns and what is your approach to addressing them?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their problem-solving skills and reveals their approach to addressing client concerns and ensuring satisfaction.

19

What are your thoughts on different massage techniques and what do you prefer?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their technical preferences and shows their approach to selecting and applying different massage techniques for optimal results.

20

What are your expectations for the client-therapist relationship and how do you maintain it?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their professional approach and reveals their expectations for maintaining a positive, therapeutic relationship with clients.

Best Practices for Massage Therapist Interviews

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Verify Credentials and Certifications

Always check their professional credentials and certifications. Look for licensed massage therapists with proper training and ongoing education.

Discuss Your Specific Needs

Be clear about your health conditions, pain points, and treatment goals. This helps ensure the therapist can address your specific needs effectively.

Ask About Their Approach to Communication

Ensure they prioritize open communication and are comfortable discussing your needs, preferences, and any concerns during sessions.

Question Sequences

The Credentials and Experience Sequence

1
What certifications and training do you have?
2
How long have you been practicing massage therapy?
3
What types of massage do you specialize in?
4
What are your thoughts on continuing education?

The Treatment Approach Sequence

1
How do you assess and address specific pain or tension areas?
2
What is your approach to pressure and intensity?
3
How do you handle different health conditions?
4
What are your thoughts on different massage techniques?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Skip Credential Verification

Always verify their professional credentials and certifications. Don't assume they have proper training or licensing.

Don't Ignore Communication Style

Pay attention to how they communicate and whether they're comfortable discussing your needs and preferences openly.

Don't Overlook Comfort and Safety

Ensure they prioritize your comfort and safety. Don't work with therapists who don't take these concerns seriously.

Conversation Templates

The Credentials Assessment

1
Step 1: Start with: "What certifications and training do you have?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "How long have you been practicing massage therapy?"
3
Step 3: Explore with: "What types of massage do you specialize in?"
4
Step 4: Conclude with: "What are your thoughts on continuing education?"

The Treatment Philosophy Focus

1
Step 1: Begin with: "How do you assess and address specific pain or tension areas?"
2
Step 2: Investigate with: "What is your approach to pressure and intensity?"
3
Step 3: Explore with: "How do you handle different health conditions?"
4
Step 4: Clarify with: "What are your thoughts on different massage techniques?"

Further Reading

"The Complete Guide to Massage Therapy" by American Massage Therapy Association
"Massage Therapy Safety" by National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage
"The Massage Therapist's Handbook" by American Massage Therapy Association

Find Your Perfect Questions

Search our collection of thoughtful questions for any conversation or situation