Massage therapy has been a popular healing method among many people who want to relax their bodies, reduce stress, and ease pain naturally. However, one of the most common questions people ask before booking a session is, “How much is massage therapy, and is there any way to get cheap or affordable services? The simple answer to this question is that massage prices vary depending on different factors. These factors include the area where you receive the massage, the experience of a therapist, and the type of massage you choose. And surprisingly, there are some affordable options that can help you to save your money.
Let’s explore the average costs of massage therapy, the factors that cause the changes in prices, and tips to find all the affordable options.
Average Massage Therapy Rates
If you are wondering “how much is massage therapy” on average, most therapy sessions range between $60 and $120, depending on location and therapist. Here are the ranges for average prices in different types of massage:
- Swedish massage: $60 – $90 per hour
- Deep tissue massage: $70 – $100 per hour
- Sports massage: $80 – $120 per hour
- Hot stone massage: $90 – $140 per hour
Factors Influencing the Price of Massage
Here are a few factors that may affect pricing for massage therapy.
Location
Depending on where a person lives, prices may vary for massage therapy. Generally, people in urban areas pay more for massage therapy services as compared to rural areas.
Experience of the Therapist
Experienced therapists charge higher than beginner or intermediate-level therapists in their field of expertise.
Type of Massage
Different types of massage therapy, like hot stone or sports massage, might require specialized training and equipment for providing the service, which may cause the high pricing.
Duration of the Session
Longer sessions are usually more expensive than shorter ones. As therapists work harder and spend several hours relaxing your body, they charge you high prices.
Ways to Find Affordable Massage
If you are concerned about “how much is massage therapy” before booking a session, don’t worry; there are multiple ways to receive an affordable or even free massage. If you know where to look, you can find discounted or even free massage services that provide the same quality as expensive treatment. So, there is no need to worry about the quality of the massage at all.
Discounts and Promotions
There are lots of clinics that would offer discounts and promotions, especially for a first-time client.
Massage Schools
Undoubtedly, there are massage schools present in every city, and all the therapist students need a real person for training.
Therefore, these institutes usually advertise cheaper rates or sometimes free services to train their students in a better way. Normally, these messages tend to be around $20 per hour.
Refer Others
Several massage clinics and spas offer referral services. If you bring a new client, you can get a discounted or even free massage without being worried about its quality.
Shorter Session
If you can’t afford service for an hour, book something shorter. In this case, you can focus only on relaxing or rejuvenating your specific body parts. Ultimately, you can save your time as well as money.
Subscription Service
Some massage clinics offer subscription services that provide discounted rates if you sign up for multiple massages. For example, if a massage costs $99 per hour for nonmembers, it will cost you $50 per hour if you have a subscription.
Insurance Coverage
There are a number of insurance companies that cover massage expenses too. So before receiving a medical massage, you should check with your insurance company to understand the costs you may need to pay.
Community Massage Clinics
Community massage clinics usually provide lower rates and sometimes have financial assistance programs.
Online Promotions
Groupon or LivingSocial is another option for discounted rates for massage therapy sessions.
Wait for Off-Peak Hours
As you know, most spas and massage clinics charge high during weekends and evening time because these are peak hours. If you are flexible with your schedule, you can receive services at cheap rates during off-peak hours.
Conclusion
Massage therapy is an effective option for tension release, stress relief, and pain management. Massages seem to be costly, but they can be made cheaper in some ways. You may consider various options in terms of the place of therapy, experience of the therapist, and types of massage to suit your wallet.
Always check with your insurance and look for discounts or special deals. In this way, getting a massage could be more affordable for you. A little planning and searching allow you to reap the benefits of massage therapy without spending too much. If you still wonder, “How much is massage therapy?” then visit a spa or massage clinic near you to get the exact prices for their services.
