What are the best qualities of a massage therapist? In an article for PositiveHealth. com, massage specialist Clare Maxwell-Hudson compares her own current list of qualities with that of Dr. James Mennel’s list circa 1934. Those who enjoy deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy or prenatal massage therapy from professional massage clinics might want to compare the qualities of their massage therapists in Tampa, Lutz, Carrollwood and Wesley Chapel to these lists, too. Clare Maxwell-Hudson owns The Clare Maxwell-Hudson School of Massage in London, and is the author of six bestselling books on massage. She referred to the work of Dr. James Mennel who headed the Department of Massage of the London St. Thomas’ Hospital. Following are the consolidated qualities from the lists of both Clare Maxwell-Hudson and Dr. James Mennel. 1. A massage therapist does not need to be muscular or physically powerful. Skill and ability is needed and not just physical force. Actually, Maxwell-Hudson says that a relaxed application of massage is often more to be desired. She cautions that the therapist should not try too hard because this may be counter-productive. 2. A massage therapist should be patient and persevering. The therapist should never hurry through a session but give full focus to the patient. The massage treatment should be considered as a form of active meditation. 3. A massage therapist should be optimistic and hopeful for a good outcome, and should impart hope and the desire to get well to patients and clients. Maxwell-Hudson cites Michael Dixon and Kieran Sweeney who said in their work, The Human Effect in Medicine, that the so-called placebo effect is in fact based on the power of hope. 4. A massage therapist should use his or her entire body in creating a natural rhythm for the massage treatment. The massage should be similar to a dance between the therapist and the patient. According to Dr. Mennel, the functions and actions of human life “are subdued to a natural rhythm” and massage should be able to help restore this natural rhythm. 5. A massage therapist should always be tactful and careful with his or her words. Dr. Mennel warns that the tongue “is capable of inflicting unlimited harm; and a chance word, it may be spoken in jest, will often counterbalance any good that other treatment, but for this word, might have accomplished. ”6. A massage therapist should always be smiling and should never allow his or her negative moods to be evident to the patient. Studies have shown that a smile can be contagious and making the patient smile can lessen stress, lower the blood pressure and better encourage healing. 7. A massage therapist should always appear confident in his or her demeanor and in the application of massage. This also instills self-confidence in the patient. The therapist should never appear hesitant or unsure of himself or herself and the treatment. 8. A massage therapist should always be sensitive to the needs of the patient and should adapt to those needs not only in the treatment but also in the demeanor toward the patient. Some patients prefer a chatty vibrant therapist while others prefer silence during the treatment, for example. 9. A massage therapist should always be orderly and systematic. This includes punctuality at all times, as well as tidiness. 10. A massage therapist should always be observant and alert to physical and psychological changes in each patient, and have the ability to make informed deductions based on consolidated observations. This should not only guide the treatment itself but could also lead to referral to other specialists if necessary. Knowing the best qualities to seek from a massage therapist will make you more discerning in choosing your massage therapist and massage clinic in Tampa, Lutz, Carrollwood and Wesley Chapel.