Jill-This is a tough one. I too have been sorely disappointed after a massage. There are a few things to do:
1-Get a recommendation from a person you trust for a therapist...ask around. Chances are good that somebody you know has had a great experience (or you will at least know what places to avoid!) Be sure to ask the person what they liked about their massage....if they just love how soft and gentle the therapist was and you like deep tissue work, this might not be a good fit. You can always call the therapist and ask what kind of work they do.
2-If you are in a state that requires a license, then look for a therapist with that license. Though I have had good massages from those without a license, I generally have had better experiences from those who had to undergo a good education in anatomy, physiology on top of practical courses. (Texas requires a license....Go to
http://www.massagetherapy.com/career...eboards.php#TX to see your state requirements.)
3-Decide what type of massage you are looking for and "interview" a potential therapist before even getting on the table. Most therapists I know are happy to answer questions as well as talk about expectations so that the client walks away happy. If a therapist does not practice a certain modality you are looking for (ie sports massage, pregnancy massage, etc...) they usually have a good enough network of people in the industry to be able to send you in the right direction.
