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How do I find a qualified Massage Therapist?

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Contributed by: Julia Morrow, CMT/LMT on 11/21/2007

This time of year, more than any other, is a popular time for folks to go see a massage therapist, have a therapist come to their home, or buy massage gift certificates for a loved one. But how do you know what makes a qualified massage therapist? What does "licensed" mean? Is it the same as "certified"?

Certified: Anyone who graduates from an accredited massage school is called "certified", since they have received a certificate from the school. The word "certified" also can mean a therapist has taken CEUs (Continuing Education Units) in a specific modality such as pregnancy massage or geriatric massage.

Licensed: However, just because a therapist is certified does not mean they are legally allowed to work anywhere! For this, they must buy a business license (AKA 'permit'). In this geographical area, a therapist must buy the Los Angeles license. This allows them to work in a chiropractor's office, a physical therapist's office, a spa, go into client's homes, etc. Nearby cities have their own licenses, so if a therapist wanted to work in Santa Clarita, for example, he or she would have to buy that city's license. He or she would have to buy Simi Valley's license or Pasadena's license to work in those localities. It is frustrating for the therapist and can be quite expensive having to get various licenses. This is because California is one of the few states that does not have a state license!

So what should the consumer do? Always, always ask if your therapist is licensed in your city. The majority of therapists in private practice, unfortunately, are not. They are working illegally and unethically. Most are certified and will tell the client that, hoping the client won't ask about licensing, because the public doesn't know the difference between the two words. Feel free to ask to see the therapist's license, as well, if you want to be sure. Just as you wouldn't want an unlicensed plumber to come into your home, you wouldn't want an unlicensed therapist working on you!!

There are a great many professional, licensed therapists out there waiting to give you a massage or sell you gift certificates! Just be sure to educate yourself a bit about the massage profession so you'll be safe!

For more information, contact: Julia Morrow, CMT/LMT; massagebyjulia.com

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