1. 20 Ways To Get The Best
Massage For Your Money

2. 1. Venue
 You have a choice:
 Corporate run franchised spas – ex: Massage Envy
 Medical clinics
 Privately owned wellness centers
 Private therapists
 Your choice from this selection will greatly influence the
nature and value of the massage you receive.
Oftentimes, the difference between these venues lie in
the ownership.
 You must discern which of these focus more on the type
of massage you are looking for in order to get your
money’s worth in value and experience.

3. Corporate Run Franchised Spas
 Whether a corporation owns a few or hundreds nationwide, these
spas tend to be the McDonalds of the massage industry. It may be
cheaper, but remember, you get what you pay for.
 They hire massage students right out of school, so your therapist
usually has limited experience. Although this helps a therapist get
started and gain experience, these institutions often exploit them
because they underpay, and overwork the therapists they hire.
 Consider that if the therapist is not getting great internal customer
service and consideration from the franchise owner or the
corporation’s directives; and if they are overworked and in pain,
they will not be happy and that energy can affect the quality of the
massage you receive.
 Oftentimes, insecure franchise owners and management will
manipulate clients with claims that the therapist they like or
specifically request is not available. The reality is, they require
therapists to sign no compete contracts so that you are prohibited
from following your favorite therapist when they leave to seek
better opportunities.
 These spas focus on Relaxation predominantly. To know if the spa
you are considering is one of these, check to see if they are
nationwide, or how many locations there are in your state.

4. Medical Clinics
 Usually, the focus of these clinics is recovery. Most often,
their clients are victims of accidents or hereditary
conditions that require a great deal of physical therapy.
 Massage in a location like this is usually only for 10-20
minutes per insurance directives.
 Most often, physical therapy has precedence over
massage in this environment.
 Regardless of additional pain areas you may want
addressed, the insurance company’s requirements direct
the treatment and the doctor dictates what body areas
the Massage Therapist can massage.

5. Privately Owned Wellness Centers
 These centers focus on actually Therapeutic Massage.
 They hire very talented and experienced therapists.
 Massage Therapists in wellness centers are more
focused on eliminating muscular problems and pain.
 These centers are great for treating accidents, injuries,
muscle tension and strain, stress and athletes.
 Some wellness centers are owned by Chiropractors. If
this is the case, the purpose will be redirected from
Massage Therapy, to Chiropractic Care. In such a
situation, treatment recommended will be very frequent,
and unless you pay separately for a longer massage,
massage in this type of clinic will be 10-20 minutes
dictated by insurance directives. Make sure you check to
learn the focus of the center.

6. Private Therapists
 There is a lot of choice with private Massage Therapists.
Options include, price, time, location, style and
convenience above all.
 Private Massage Therapists may have their own location.
They may rent a room in an office or spa. They may
come to your home or office location.
 There are no restrictions in addressing your pain
problems.
 Usually, private Massage Therapists are more
therapeutic in nature, and have a greater freedom in
exercising their massage styles.
 You can develop a good working relationship with your
therapist and get the care and relief you need

7. 2. Price
 The reason that many people walk away from a massage feeling like
they didn’t get their money’s worth is because of the venue they
chose to receive their massage in.
 The type of massage you receive may depend greatly on your
choice of quality over quantity when you consider price.
 The corporate franchised spas have lowered pricing, but quality
takes a hit. To compensate, they will push monthly membership
contracts and products to make up the difference.
 If you want a quality massage, you need an experienced Massage
Therapist with no restrictive directives that prevent them from
exercising the full range of their education and skills to effect your
muscles in a positive way.
 Massage prices range from $50 and up, and depend on whether or
not the venue is running a special or discount for the lower pricing.
An average price range for a 60 minute massage is $90.

8. 3. Time
 Most people are unrealistic about the time needed for a
good massage.
 Depending on the style desired, greater time may be
needed than the standard 60 minutes.
 More time may be needed depending on the condition of
the muscles.
 More time may be needed depending on the level of
pain.
 More time may be needed depending on how many pain
areas the client complains about, and how well they
want those areas addressed.

9. 4. The Type of Massage
 There are three main types of massage that govern the
industry:
 Relaxation – Swedish massage, a light to medium rub down
– full body.
 Deep Tissue – More focused muscle tension relief; not
always full body
 Therapeutic – Muscle tension, stress and pain relief; deeper
pressure, deep tissue, predominantly spot specific according
to client pain; includes muscular and structural integration
and alignment.

10. 5. Front Desk Staff
 Are they helpful in accommodating your scheduling
requests?
 Are they familiar with the therapists and their massage
styles?
 Can they properly communicate the difference between
styles to you?
 Are they warm and friendly?
 Do they truthfully tell you your favorite therapist’s
schedule of availability?
 Do they match you up correctly, according to your
request with the type of therapist you need?

11. 6. Improper Matching
 This can occur when the spa is more concerned with their
bottom line, than with giving you the service you are paying
for.
 This can occur when the client does not adequately
articulate the type of massage they need.
 This can occur when the client confuses their desire for
“Deep Pressure” in a Swedish Massage, with a “Deep
Tissue” Massage.
 This can occur from indecisiveness of the client as to what
their massage needs are.
 This can occur when a spa owner fails to respect the style of
the massage therapist, and insists on the therapist
performing a different style. For example, many therapeutic
massage therapists don’t do Swedish massage, but in a
corporate run franchise, the owner may insist that the
therapist does Swedish.

12. 7. Expectations
 Reasons the client’s expectations may not be met.
 If the client has a lot of pain issues
 If the client has limited time
 If the time needed to address the pain issues greatly
exceeds the time paid for.
 If the client cannot make up their mind what they expect or
want the therapist to do, or if they constantly change their
mind during the massage.
 If the client attempts to direct the therapist on what to do
and how to do it.
 If the client failed to properly communicate their
expectations to the therapist.

13. 8. Indecisiveness
 Indecisiveness can be the catalyst for failed
expectations.
 If the client’s muscular needs exceed the type of
massage or time requested, they may leave not feeling
any sense of relief, nor value for their dollar.
 If the client overlooks the issues in their tissues or
refuses to allow the therapist to address obvious
muscular problems; they may leave without feeling
relief. They may get upset when they feel their tension
and pain return within 1-2 hours of having received their
massage. For example, the client that says, “My body’s
all messed up, but I just want relaxation.”

14. 9. Controlling & Redirecting
 When management in a spa does this, they disregard
their clients and therapists in favor of what best suits
their business. Customer service takes a hit.
 When clients do this, they disrespect the skills and
competence of the massage therapist, who invested a lot
of time and money in their education, certification and in
continuing education that is required to sustain their
license.
 An example of this is a client who tells the therapist that
they want them to spend 5 minutes on their legs, 10
minutes on their arms, 15 minutes on their neck and
shoulders, and 25 minutes on their back.

15. 10. Cleanliness
 A spa or massage environment, whether it be a clinic or wellness
center has to be clean.
 It is unprofessional if there is musty or offensive odors.
 It is unprofessional if linens do not appear to be properly laundered.
{Wrinkled, torn, excessive (colored) stains. Sometimes oil stains will
be present, but should not be predominant.}
 It is unprofessional if dust is very visibly present. (Fans, vents and
ceilings should not have dust bunnies)
 It is unprofessional to utilize improper equipment, such as surgical
caps in place of face covers on the table.
 Clients need to remember that massage involves close contact
between the Massage Therapist and client. Proper hygiene is
necessary and considerate. Please do not come to a massage if you
haven’t showered, brushed your teeth, or washed your clothes or
failed to use deodorant. Heavy smoking odors are also offensive and
are hard to remove from the rooms.
 Remember that Massage Therapists have the right to refuse to work
on any client, and inconsideration in hygiene is the #2 reason a
therapist will exercise this right.

16. 11. Professionalism
 Professionalism starts with the appointment
 It is enhanced by the environment
 It is embellished by the staff
 It is cemented by the Massage Therapist and the
treatment

17. 12. Lack of Communication with
the Therapist
 Most spas and centers/clinics provide an intake or medical
questionnaire upon the first visit.
 Many clients either are not forthright on these questionnaires, or
they forget information that should be on it, or they simply refuse to
give it.
 Many past injuries or conditions are discovered by the therapist
during sessions, as questions are asked.
 If the client does not communicate about previous or current
injuries or illnesses, the Massage Therapist is placed at a
disadvantage which will ultimately affect the quality and level of the
massage treatment.
 Additionally, in order to receive adequate focused attention on
trouble areas, the therapist must be apprised of all possible
contraindications, endangerments or sensitive areas.
 Cancer is a contraindication for massage because massage can
cause it to metastasize and spread. This condition is never treatable
by massage without authorization from your doctor in writing. This
is the #3 reason a therapist will exercise the right to refuse
treatment.

18. 13. Inappropriate Behavior &
Expectations
 The Massage Therapy industry has been greatly undermined
by a large number of Asian based brothels masquerading as
legitimate massage businesses, as well as unlicensed people
selling themselves via massage.
 Massage Therapy has a Code of Ethics that prohibits sexual
based behavior, sensual massage, or sexual manipulations
of any sort.
 A Massage Therapists could lose licensure if they indulge in
such inappropriate behavior.
 Massage Therapy does not include “Finishing off,” “Happy
Endings” or any other related sensual based requests.
 Massage Therapists have the right to stop a massage
session, or refuse to work on a client that acts
inappropriately during a session. This is the #1 reason a
Massage Therapist will refuse to work on a client.

19. 14. Problems With Pressure
 The most common problem with pressure is the confusion
people have concerning a desire for Swedish Massage with
deep pressure, or Deep Tissue Massage.
 Most people who want relaxation with pressure expect the
Massage Therapist to use their hands to give them Swedish,
but utilize more pressure. This is actually damaging to the
therapist’s hands, and causes them great pain. It is better if
the therapist uses their forearm to apply deeper pressure in
a Swedish massage.
 Deep Tissue is not Swedish with more pressure. Deep
Tissue is deep focused pressure applied to muscular
problems, and has nothing to do with relaxation techniques
like Swedish. Releasing the muscular problem can bring
relaxation, but Deep Tissue is not a relaxation technique.

20. 15. Following The Therapist’s
Recommendations
 Most Massage Therapists make a recommendation to
each client, depending upon the muscle assessment they
did while massaging the client.
 These recommendations enhance the benefits of the
massage and, in most cases, prolong and extend them.
 Most clients do not heed these recommendations, which
will ultimately speed their muscle’s recovery from
stressors, and promote more supple and relaxed muscle
tone. Additionally, following these recommendations can
ultimately save the client in time, money and pain.

21. 16. Distinguishing Between
Relaxation & Therapeutic Massage
 You must be able to distinguish between Relaxation and
Therapeutic Massage or you may not be pleased with the
services you receive.
 You cannot confuse Deep Pressure desired for Swedish with
Deep Tissue.
 If you seek the type of massage that addresses and
eliminates muscular problems, tension, stress and pain, you
want Therapeutic Massage.
 If you seek the luxury of a spa experience strictly for
relaxation, then Swedish Massage is what you are looking
for.
 If you want a mix of relaxation with some focus on muscles
to release muscular problems, you need to request Swedish
with deep pressure.

22. 17. Medical History
 This information is crucial to assist the therapist in
providing the best and safest treatment for your
particular needs and requests.
 Of major importance would be communicating about any
condition that is contagious. It is best not to go to a
massage with the flu or similar conditions or viruses, as
spas are an environment that requires cleanliness due to
the personal nature of the contact between the therapist
and client.
 If you are under the care of a physician, depending on
the condition or problem for which you have sought a
physician’s care, you may be asked to obtain a written
release from your doctor giving you clearance to get
massage.

23. 18. Accidents & Injuries
 This is something the Massage Therapist needs to know
about, especially if you are still under physician’s care for
the injury, or if it is a very recent injury.
 Depending on the sensitive nature of the injury and the
client’s pain level will often dictate the type of therapy they
should have. If there is a lot of inflammation, then light
Swedish Massage is probably best until the inflammation is
reduced considerably.
 Once inflammation is eliminated, Therapeutic Massage
would be best to eliminate the adhesions, knots and shock
to the muscle caused by the accident. Of course, the
therapist still needs to be mindful of the clients level of
discomfort.
 Clients must be sure to communicate with the therapist to
inform them of pressure issues.

24. 19. The Experience of the
Massage Therapist
 Swedish Massage is the standard. When Massage Therapists
are in school, they are taught the basics of massage, and
exposed to several other modalities of massage. However,
Swedish is the basic massage style that all therapists are
taught. The other standard that most therapists know is
Deep Tissue.
 Therapists are required to take continuing education classes
as a requirement to maintain their license. Many therapists
that are interested in enhancing their technique or adding a
new style to their repertoire, take advantage of the variety
of modalities taught in the continuing education classes.
 Years of experience is not the only measurement of a
therapist’s experience. Many therapists gain knowledge and
experience from studying books and theories about muscles
or simply intense observation of their clients. There is a lot
a therapist can learn from the bodies they work on if they
pay attention. There are also Massage Therapists with a
natural gift for massage.

25. 20. The Passion & Commitment
of the Massage Therapist
 A Massage Therapist that loves what they do is easily recognizable.
They take a real interest in their clients and their muscular
problems.
 They have a need to eliminate muscle problems, even if you weren’t
aware of them, or didn’t ask. Their heart intention is to ensure that
you feel better.
 A Massage Therapist that is passionate about what they do puts a
lot of love into their massage. They don’t rush through the session
just to get it over with. They aren’t there just for a paycheck. They
are also interested in trying new techniques if they perceive that it
will benefit the client.
 They are truthful with their clients, and help client understanding by
educating them about their muscles and why they are experiencing
the pain or tension problems they have.
 They offer a treatment plan and give (homework) some options of
some simple adjustments or changes the client can make to either
ease or assist the muscles, enhancing the massage treatment to
eliminate pain, and maintain the best muscle tone for stress free
living.