With a little knowledge, finding a massage therapist to addresses your needs becomes easier.

                    IN A NUTSHELL:

    √          1. For specific issues look for LMTs that offer specific massage modalities, instead of general massage.

    √          2. If you want experience look for an LMT that has been in business for several years.

    √          3. Find an LMT that belongs to a related organization (AMTA or NCBMTB or others).
 
    √          4. Cut-rate massage places are popping up all over and may employ LMTs who just got their license.
                    If you choose them be especially patient and be willing to work with them.

  √  √        5. Find an LMT and train them to your specific needs with a minimum of three sessions.

  √ √         6. Verify they have a valid and current license from their state or licensing agent. In Texas it is the TDSHS.

  √ √         7. Good communications through your sessions can make a big difference.

 √ √ √       8. Don't look for an LMT based on their gender, as discounting the other important factors may not be in your best interest.
                   Gender should is of little consequence when it comes to training and experience, in order to meet your needs!
                  

                           SPECIFICALLY:

1. For specific issues look for those LMTs that offer specific massage modalities. Those who have more training than the state requires are also great candidates for your time and money, whether it be greater than 300 or greater than 500. This is a pretty sure bet that they are really interested in solving issues beyond the standard relaxing massage, called Swedish or full body massage. They have taken the initiative and time to get further training to address more client issues.
    

2. If you want experience look for an LMT that has been in business for several years. Usually the longer the better.
    

3. Find an LMT that belongs to a related organization may mean more dedication, such as LMT that belongs to the American Massage Therapy Association, AMTA, or the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, NCBTMB.
    

4. Cut-rate massage places are popping up all over and may employ LMTs who just got their license. Because these places may have a high turn around of LMTs you may not get the same LMT every time. Be willing to work with them and do remember to tip them well, as they may not be receiving much compensation for the cut-rate prices offered by their employer. Don't take it personally if you feel like you get an up sale every time you go there. They may be required to do this or may even receive compensation if you purchase more sessions from them. Also consider if the price is cut-rate, lots of people may be flocking there. If they don't employ a lot of massage therapists, then they may be overworked.
   
   An overworked therapist that receives little or very short breaks between clients may not be able to give you their very best. Overworked therapists can also be prone to injury to themselves, forgetting proper body mechanics and creating a short career for themselves. You can always ask them how much of a break they are allowed between clients when they get busy.
   
   Massage therapists that work for themselves can also be over worked. However because they have to answer only to their clients and not also to a boss or a manager, they have more flexibility and leeway to schedule appropriate and effective breaks between clients than the therapists that have little to no choice!       
    

5. Find a LMT and train them as to your needs, give a therapist several sessions before looking for other therapists, or you may find yourself going from therapist to therapist with no relief or reduction in stress, pain or discomfort. Because everyone is unique in their own sleep positions, stress levels, home or work activities, and comfort or pain levels, it may take several session to specifically hone in on your most pressing issues and provide enough relief to notice a difference.
   
   A therapist may also provide you with tips and information that you can use between massage sessions to help with your particular issues if needed. Massage should not be considered a solo or a one-time event. You need to work with the therapist as well as work with yourself, providing self-care, time from stressful events, evaluate your sleep bedding, sleep positions, computer ergonomics as well as possible exercise and other daily routines.       
    

6. Verify with the TDSHS (Texas Department of State Health Services) their credentials or see any complaints regarding any Licensed Massage Therapists (LMT).
    

7. Good communication through your session can make a big difference between a standard massage and one that address your needs in particular. Don’t be afraid to ask for more or less pressure or to work in a different area. You have the right to ask to have your massage customized, not only are you paying for the session but you can help the therapist to discover what works best for you, and what doesn’t.  LMTS are not mind readers and it may take several sessions for you to really get the relief you are seeking.
    

8. Do look for a massage therapist based on their gender, but look for LMTs that have more hours of training. Their sex shouldn't matter as much as their training and experience. A desire to feel really comfortable and relaxed when getting a massage is important to receiving a good massage session. But looking for a massage therapists based on their sex and discounting other factors is no way in your best interest. All the pain or stress you have accumulated, are dealing with now, or day-in and day-out, will not necessarily find you relief if you are limiting yourself to gender specific. That constant and reminding pain in your lower back, shoulders or neck will not necessarily be reduced any better by a male or a female therapist.
   
   Try to recall when you, a family member or a friend really got hurt bad. That pain sent a signal of real and pending importance to the situation. The emergency aspect sent a more logical signal to the person's brain telling them that gender doesn't matter, what really matters is a good and experienced doctor, and now. Take that experience and realize your body shouldn't have to go through more pain or stress just because you are being gender specific. If your stress or pain level is considerable now, don't wait until it is unbearable to make that logical leap of faith.
   
   After you have receive massages from several therapists and get use to how to relax and how to help your therapist hone in on your specific issues, asking for more or less pressure as needed, then you may understand that gender choosing does not necessary determine the quality of your massage experience.    
    

FYI
A law was passed in Texas, in 2007, that changed the required hours from 300 to 500 hours of training to get a license and in 2008 this law will go into effect. Current LMTs are grandfathered by this law and are not required to increase their hours to maintain their license. So a large amount of Licensed Massage Therapists (LMTs) still operate under the old requirements, with a minimum of 300 hours.

Bonjour and HAPPY HUNTING!