Who is Kansas City’s Best Massage Therapist?
I belong to a few Facebook groups for my city and the surrounding areas, and a question that comes up all the time is “Who is the best massage therapist in Kansas City?” or “Who is Leawood’s best massage therapist?” At first glance, someone might think this is a great way to find the perfect therapist. After all, getting a referral from people who have had first hand experience with a service provider IS a tried and true way to find someone for yourself. And why not crowd source in a group with thousands of people?! Seems perfect. But is it?!
No.
Why?
It’s way too vague.
All that happens is 101 people throw up businesses they love and you get no further information than if you were to use Google.
What makes a massage “great” is different for every single person. One client can get a massage and think it was the best massage they’ve ever had in their entire life, and another client can go in and get a nearly identical massage from the same therapist and think it was absolutely THE WORST massage they’ve ever had in their entire life. And that is really not an exaggeration. I have worked in several spas with a lot of really talented and passionate therapists. We saw this situation play out a million times. Massage is a highly subjective experience based on a lot of different factors, and if you want to find a therapist you will love, asking for “the best” will get you nowhere. You have to find “the best FOR YOU.”
To find the best therapist for you, you have to ask more specific questions.
Things to get specific about:
Where in the city are you looking for? Think about the maximum amount of time you’d like to drive and be specific about which towns you are willing to drive to.
What type of business suits the experience you want to have? Do you want to get in the habit of going to one business for multiple services, (like a chiropractor, fitness center, hair salon)? Do you want a franchise with the cheapest possible monthly fee? An independent business owner in a cozy studio (ahem)? Do you want all the frills of a spa experience like hot tubs, saunas, multiple service options, a relaxing lounge?
What type of massage are you looking for? Relaxation, Deep Tissue, someone who does muscle scraping or uses cups? Someone who gives a great scalp/back/foot massage, for example.
Does professionalism matter to you? If so, maybe ask for a recommendation for someone that communicates well, makes it easy to schedule with, doesn’t cancel on you last minute, listens to your concerns, adjusts technique when asked, etc.
Describe the vibe you’re going for. For example: “I’m looking for a therapist who will put me to sleep on the table but who will work out the tight muscles in my lower back with deep pressure” or “I don’t care about frills, I just want to get on the table in shorts and a tank top and have them use deep tissue techniques and stretches.” “Or, I have past trauma and I want to receive a massage with someone who will make me feel safe.”
Every client has their own idea of what makes a great massage, and every therapist has their own idea of what makes a great massage. It can take some trial and error to find The Best. But when you find your therapist, hang on to them with dear life!
