Find a massage therapist near you
A massage therapist uses hands-on techniques to relieve muscle tension, pain and stress. People book a massage for relaxation, sore muscles, sports recovery, or as part of care for an injury. A good therapist asks about your health first, respects your comfort and boundaries, and keeps you covered except for the area being worked on.
Find massage therapists by city
- New York, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- Philadelphia, PA
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Austin, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- Columbus, OH
- Charlotte, NC
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Nashville, TN
- El Paso, TX
- Washington, DC
- Boston, MA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Portland, OR
- Detroit, MI
- Memphis, TN
- Louisville, KY
- Baltimore, MD
- Milwaukee, WI
- Albuquerque, NM
- Fresno, CA
- Tucson, AZ
- Sacramento, CA
- Kansas City, MO
- Mesa, AZ
- Atlanta, GA
- Omaha, NE
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Raleigh, NC
- Long Beach, CA
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Miami, FL
- Oakland, CA
- Minneapolis, MN
- Tulsa, OK
- Bakersfield, CA
- Wichita, KS
- Arlington, TX
- Tampa, FL
- Aurora, CO
- New Orleans, LA
- Cleveland, OH
- Honolulu, HI
- Anaheim, CA
- Henderson, NV
- Stockton, CA
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Riverside, CA
- Orlando, FL
- Santa Ana, CA
- Cincinnati, OH
- Irvine, CA
- Newark, NJ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Greensboro, NC
- Lincoln, NE
- Jersey City, NJ
- Anchorage, AK
- Durham, NC
- Plano, TX
- Chandler, AZ
- Buffalo, NY
- Madison, WI
- Chula Vista, CA
- Gilbert, AZ
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Reno, NV
- Toledo, OH
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Lubbock, TX
- Laredo, TX
- Irving, TX
- Chesapeake, VA
- Glendale, AZ
- Garland, TX
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Boise, ID
- Arlington, VA
- Norfolk, VA
- Spokane, WA
- Santa Clarita, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Richmond, VA
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Hialeah, FL
- San Bernardino, CA
- Tacoma, WA
- Huntsville, AL
- Modesto, CA
- Des Moines, IA
- Fontana, CA
- Moreno Valley, CA
- Frisco, TX
- Rochester, NY
- Fayetteville, NC
- Yonkers, NY
- Cape Coral, FL
- Worcester, MA
- Columbus, GA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Little Rock, AR
- McKinney, TX
- Augusta, GA
- Oxnard, CA
- Amarillo, TX
- Tallahassee, FL
- Birmingham, AL
- Grand Prairie, TX
- Montgomery, AL
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Sioux Falls, SD
- Overland Park, KS
- Huntington Beach, CA
- Peoria, AZ
- Knoxville, TN
- Vancouver, WA
- Glendale, CA
- Providence, RI
- Akron, OH
- Brownsville, TX
- Tempe, AZ
- Mobile, AL
- Newport News, VA
- Shreveport, LA
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Chattanooga, TN
- Aurora, IL
- Ontario, CA
- Eugene, OR
- Elk Grove, CA
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Cary, NC
- Salem, OR
- Rancho Cucamonga, CA
- Oceanside, CA
- Clarksville, TN
- Garden Grove, CA
- Pembroke Pines, FL
- Lancaster, CA
- Fort Collins, CO
- Springfield, MO
- Palmdale, CA
- Salinas, CA
- Hayward, CA
- Corona, CA
- Paterson, NJ
- Murfreesboro, TN
- Alexandria, VA
- Macon, GA
- Killeen, TX
- Kansas City, KS
- Springfield, MA
- Sunnyvale, CA
- Hollywood, FL
- Roseville, CA
- Charleston, SC
- Bellevue, WA
What do massage therapists do?
- Swedish and relaxation massage
- Deep tissue massage
- Sports massage
- Prenatal massage
- Trigger point therapy
- Myofascial release
- Hot stone massage
- Chair massage at work or events
- Medical or injury-focused massage
- Couples massage
How do you choose a good massage therapist?
- Check that the therapist is licensed where your area requires it, and look up the license.
- Tell them about injuries, health conditions, pregnancy and medicines before the session.
- Ask what training they have in the style you want, like sports or prenatal massage.
- Ask about draping. A professional keeps you covered with a sheet at all times.
- Speak up about pressure. A good therapist checks in and adjusts.
- If you want to use insurance or health savings funds, ask if they provide the needed paperwork.
Most states license massage therapists, and many cities require a separate business permit; ask for the license number and look it up.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Are you licensed, and what is your license number?
- What kinds of massage do you specialize in?
- Do you have experience with my condition or injury?
- How long is a session, and is that time on the table?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- Can you give receipts for insurance or health savings accounts?
Red flags to watch for
- No license where one is required, or refusal to share it.
- No health intake questions before the first session.
- Not using a sheet or towel for draping.
- Any sexual comments or touch. End the session and report it.
- Claims that massage can cure diseases.
What changes the price?
- Session length
- Type of massage
- Therapist experience and credentials
- Spa, clinic or mobile setting
- Add-ons like hot stones or aromatherapy
- Membership or package pricing
Questions people ask
Is it normal to be sore after a massage?
Some mild soreness for a day or two is common after deep tissue work. Sharp or lasting pain is not. Tell your therapist next time, and see a doctor if it does not ease.
When should I avoid massage?
Skip it if you have a fever, a contagious illness, a recent injury that is swelling, or a blood clot. Ask your doctor first if you have a serious health condition or are pregnant.
Do I have to undress fully?
No. Undress only to your comfort level. You will be covered by a sheet, and the therapist uncovers only the area being worked on.