How Much Should Massages Cost Today?

Massages heal your body and soothe your mind through various approaches. Whether you suffer from chronic pain or just want to beat a whole day’s fatigue, a massage can fix anything.

Deep tissue massage is not only good for relaxation and muscle recovery, it also brings long-lasting relief from temporary pain or ongoing chronic pain. 

However, as good as a massage can make your body feel, it can be heavy on the pocket. How much should massages cost you? What are the alternatives? Let’s dig deeper to find out.

HOW MUCH DOES A MASSAGE COST? 

Massage price lies anywhere between US$40 to US$80 per hour.  The average cost of a massage is US$75 an hour. However, the total cost will also depend on the place, travel costs, type of massage, duration, and any add-on services.

A percussion massage usually costs higher, from US$90 to US$110 per session. If you opt for an expensive spa or a professional who has years of experience, it can cost you $150 per hour or more.

COST PER MASSAGE TYPE

Here’s a quick rundown of the most popular massages and their cost per hour.

Source: https://thervo.com/costs/massage-prices

• Full Body Massage 

One of the most common massages, a full-body massage is intended to work out your whole body to relieve stress and sore muscles. 

The massage usually starts from the back and shoulders towards the feet, legs, upper and lower back, hands, arms, and ends at the head. You can easily find massage salons that offer full body massage everywhere. 

You can usually get a full-body massage by hand. However, you can also use modern massage tools such as ExoGun if you want to do it on your own.

Price: A full-body massage costs between $50 to $90 an hour.

• Couple’s Massage

A couple’s massage is when you and your partner, friend, or a close one get massaged in the same room. Your massage tables are placed side by side while you both get separate massage therapists.

The couple can choose the same or different types of massages. The Swedish massage is a popular choice amongst couples.

For a couples massage, the spa usually offers access to the sauna and other services to have a relaxing time with your close one.

Price: A couple’s massage costs anywhere between $120 to $220 for one hour.

• Deep Tissue Massage

A deep-tissue massage can work great if you want to get rid of tension from the deepest layers of your muscles. It can help relieve temporary or chronic pains, muscle knots, stress, and anxiety.

The massage can be done by an expert or by using a percussion massager with slow, repetitive strokes that penetrate deep into the muscles. 

It applies more pressure than a Swedish massage, thus more impactful.

Price: A deep-tissue massage can cost you $90 to $110 per hour.

• Swedish Massage

A Swedish massage is ideal for people who are new to massages or sensitive to touch. The massage drastically improves flexibility while helping with muscle knots and minor pains.

The masseuse incorporates several techniques, including circular motions, long strokes, and joint movements for relaxation. The massage can include the use of an oil or cream.

The longer the massage lasts, the better its impact. Hence, longer duration means more relaxation.

Price: Swedish massages cost anywhere between $50 to $90 per hour.

• Head Massage

A head massage relaxes your mind and body by enhancing blood circulation. It relaxes tightness in the head, neck, and temple areas. 

A gentle head massage using warm oil can feel amazing and reduce stress, headaches, and migraines. It also strengthens the hair follicles so your hair can grow healthier.

Price: Head massages cost from $50 to $80 for an hour.

• Foot Massage

A foot massage is all about the feet. In Chinese tradition, the massage is believed to identify and cure illnesses. It is ideal for relaxation of the whole body, especially sore soles and heels.

Price: The average rates for a foot massage fall between $40 to $50 per hour.

• Back Massage

Quite simply, a back massage does wonders for your back. A back massage is any massage performed on the back of your torso. It starts from below the neck till above your hips.

Your back goes through a lot more than you presume. A back massage can relieve stress, pain, and tension from your body while making up for a bad sitting posture.

Price: A back massage usually costs between $40 to $50 an hour.

• Sports Massage

Sports massages cure injuries caused by playing a sport and reduce the impact of future injuries. The massage stimulates the muscles to release muscle tension and chronic pains to improve flexibility and performance.

A sports massage effectively flushes out toxins from the body to improve overall health. The masseuse may give a full-body massage or focus on specific parts of the body that need healing.

Price: A sports massage ranges from $55 to $130 per hour.

• Prenatal Massage

A prenatal massage is sensitive in nature, so it is carried out by trained and certified massage therapists. Prenatal massage effectively eases tension, improves blood circulation, and reduces overall soreness from the body.

The massage can be done any time during pregnancy as it is mild and mainly focuses on lower back, hips, and legs.

Price: A prenatal massage lies between $70 to $120 for an hour.

WHAT ARE THE COST FACTORS FOR MASSAGES? 

Here are the cost factors that will affect your total massage bill.

• Massage Types

As seen previously, all massages don’t require the same techniques and skills, in consequence, they don’t all cost the same. 

A deep-tissue massager, that requires a lot of techniques, is one of the most expensive one. Some smart massage tools, like Exogun percussion massager, are available on the market to allow you to massage yourself safely from home. 

• Specialized Massage

Specialized massages for medical conditions require special therapy training, thus affecting the cost. If you are an older adult or if you need a prenatal massage, the massager will have to put extra effort and care into the session.

Massages for muscle rehabilitation also cost extra due to their sensitive nature.

• Duration

A typical massage usually lasts for an hour or 90 minutes. A more extended session will cost you more as they mean more work for the therapist. 

As a deep tissue massage aims to heal muscle scarring and relieve tension, longer sessions give the masseuse more time to reach deeper into the muscles. 

The rates increase gradually on a 15 or 30-minute basis.

• Location

The location of the massage parlor can be a significant cost factor. A spa or massage studio will charge you more for a regular massage than a massage therapist at his space or your place. Your geographical location will also determine the massage prices in your area.

A spa charges more as it requires extra money to run the business. A massage at your own place can significantly cut-down your travel costs and save you time.

• Travel Costs

Perhaps unsurprisingly, travel costs add to your total bill and are calculated by overall factors throughout your way to the massage place. When the masseuse gives massage services in the comfort of your home, they might charge extra hourly charges or higher rates.

• Packages

If you frequently require massage services for overall health improvement, you can opt for a massage package. When you need a series of percussion massage sessions, you can inquire about a package that will save you some money. 

You might find a package with reduced hourly rates or free add-ons that will be good for you both physically and mentally.

If you want repeated massages, it is better to go to the same therapist if you are satisfied with them in the first sessions. The therapist is likely to understand your needs better after each passing session, thus serving you better.

• Additional Services

Many spas offer add-ons such as aromatherapy and sugar scrubs. If you want to treat yourself with an additional service, they will add to your total bill.

Here are some add-ons you might want to consider:

- Neuromuscular Therapy Massage: $65 for 30 minutes

The specialized massage triggers pressure points to help with chronic pains and movement dysfunctions caused by bad posture or trauma. The massage can reduce low back pain, headaches, and joint pains.

- Cupping Therapy: $25

The treatment is a form of alternative therapy that increases blood circulation, reduces muscle tension, and promotes cell repair.

- Chemical Peel:  $100+

It is a well-known treatment that improves skin appearance for smoother, wrinkle-free skin. The different peels target specific skin issues such as youthful-skin peel and anti-acne peel.

AFFORDABLE PERCUSSION MASSAGE ALTERNATIVES 

You can think of percussion massage therapy as a preventive medicine that promotes your overall health. However, even a standard massage can cost you a good amount if an experienced masseuse or therapist does it.

Sadly, a percussion massage can put a dent in your wallet that might take away your peace of mind. You certainly wouldn’t want to keep thinking about the price to be paid while relaxing.

If you want to start healing but can’t afford to visit a spa every few days, we have a more affordable percussion massage alternative for you.

An affordable percussion massager can be revolutionary in your fitness journey. Using your own tool at home means you only have to pay the initial cost of purchasing the device. 

Massage guns are usually easy to maintain with washable attachments and a rechargeable battery. They are compact and lightweight, so you can easily carry them with you in your backpack, gym bag, or briefcase.

A percussion massage gun can help your muscles recover faster after a workout or a tiring day. The machine delivers slow, repetitive strokes that penetrate deeper into the tissues for pain relief and increased muscle functions. 

An effective percussion massager such as ExoGun has adjustable frequencies that can be adjusted according to your pressure needs. It is an all-in-one massager that can give more powerful massages than a hand massage.

The massage heads interchangeable attachments with the gun can work on the most sensitive areas and the toughest of muscles to relieve tension and pain. For instance, you can use ExoGun on full power for a high-intensity massage, or slow it down for lesser impact.

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