7 Massage Therapy Tools (Plus Important Skills)

Massage therapists use their expertise to help clients relieve pain, reduce stress and increase their body’s overall comfort. These professionals often use a variety of tools, methods and skills to treat their clients. If you’re interested in becoming a massage therapist, learning about these elements can help you determine which services to offer. In this article, we explain what a massage therapist does, discover what tools massage therapists need to succeed and review the types of skills these professionals commonly have.

What does a massage therapist do?

A massage therapist is a professional who uses their knowledge of anatomy to apply manual pressure to a person’s muscles or soft tissues. Different massage tools and techniques can often ease tension in a client’s body or help rehabilitate an injury. Often, massage therapists have dedicated clients who book appointments for treatments. They can also offer guidance on best practices for muscular relaxation or advice on stretches and light exercises that may benefit clients.

Depending on their credentials and level of expertise, massage therapists can speak with their clients about their medical history to help find an optimal treatment plan and increase their level of day-to-day comfort. Massage therapists may also collaborate with medical doctors, physicians, chiropractors or physical therapists when administering health care services to a client.

What tools do massage therapists need?

Massage therapists typically use a variety of tools to help them enhance treatments. For instance, massage therapy tools can often help professionals apply more varied types of pressure to a client’s body. Consider the following seven options:

1. Massaging sticks

Massage sticks, which are medium-length plastic sticks, are a common massage therapy tool used to ease strained muscles. Massage therapists use these tools to ease sore muscles from an injury, as they can relieve spasms when applied to a specific area of the body. These sticks may be electric or manual, depending on your preference.

2. Balls

Massage therapists also use balls to ease muscle soreness in their clients. These balls range in size and texture and offer different benefits depending on their intended purpose. For example, a massage therapist may roll the ball over a client’s back muscles to encourage vascular circulation. You can choose either rubber or foam balls, depending on the severity of the injury.

3. Massage oils

Massage oils are specialized balms that help a professional move their hands across a client’s body fluidly, allowing them to provide more targeted treatments. They’re often a crucial part of a massage therapy session, as these oils can allow professionals to soothe a client’s skin and help them remain calm. Massage therapists may use different scents to create a relaxing atmosphere for clients, including peppermint, lemongrass, lavender and eucalyptus.

4. Hot stones

Massage therapists often heat stones to treat clients with severe injuries or particularly tense muscles. These stones are typically flat in appearance and contain basalt, which can retain heat for long periods of time. Professionals can carefully place these stones on clients’ backs or stomachs to enhance massage techniques, as heat can also improve vascular circulation.

5. Head and neck tinglers

These tools typically involve a small handle and long metal prongs you can use altogether to scratch a client’s head from the top to the bottom. They’re often a popular manual massage tool, as they can soothe specific nerve endings on a person’s scalp or neck muscles. Head and neck tinglers can range in size to accommodate heads of all shapes.

6. Heated pads

Massage therapists can also place a heated fabric pad on a client’s body to help release tension, encourage vascular circulation and relieve muscles. It can also make skin more soft and impressible, which can allow professionals to administer more in-depth treatments. Massage therapists can place them on different parts of their clients’ bodies to target different muscular areas. These pads often range in shape and size to accommodate these various regions.

7. Massage therapy chairs

Massage therapy chairs involve electric mechanisms that administer treatments to clients sitting on them. Massage therapists often use these chairs to supplement manual treatment options. They typically have a series of adjustable components, including an armrest, a head support pillow, a padded seat and chest pads. Professionals manipulate them according to a client’s specifications so the clients can sit comfortably during a session. These chairs are typically lightweight and portable for streamlined transportation and set-up protocols.

What skills do massage therapists have?

These professionals commonly develop a variety of skills that allow them to use massage therapy tools effectively. Consider the following hard, soft and technical skills:

• Interpersonal skills: Because massage therapists often engage with people throughout a workday, they often have excellent interpersonal skills that allow them to form positive and connections with clients. As a result, these professionals can often hold easygoing conversations that help make clients feel comfortable during sessions.

• Physical strength: Massage therapists use tools to apply certain amounts of pressure on their clients’ bodies to relieve tension. As their clients may have different muscle tones and body shapes, these professionals often engage in strength training to treat their patients adequately.

• Listening skills: Massage therapists often have high-quality active listening skills so they can fully understand a client’s request. For instance, if a client wants to feel more pressure on their shoulder, a massage therapist has to understand their specifications so they can choose a safe and comfortable tool option.

• Physical stamina: As these professionals may use massage tools and techniques on several clients in one workday, they often have a lot of physical stamina. This skill allows massage therapists to best assess a client’s needs and provide high-quality services throughout a shift.

• Decision-making skills: Massage therapists are often responsible for determining which tool options can provide a proper method of treatment for clients. As a result, they typically have high-quality decision-making skills that allow them to deduce their clients’ needs.