For most people, money is the biggest obstacle to getting regular massage. There, I said it. We don’t like to talk about money, it’s supposed to be a private issue. But I’m addressing it head on. Regular massage is a considerable budget item, and it’s important to acknowledge that.
I know this because
- I walk the walk and get regular massages and other forms of bodywork.
- I am prudent with finances, so if I don’t plan for it, massage doesn’t happen.
But if I expect you to jiggle the numbers and budget $110 for a massage every week, month, or quarter, it’s my job to tell you what you’re buying.
So here it is, what you get from a 1 hour, $110 massage.
Clarity in Pricing
I’ve always felt awkward when it comes to tipping. So even though it’s not the standard in the industry, I no longer take tips. You pay the listed price. That’s it.
I know who is charging what in this area. $110 for an hour, straight up with no tipping is on the average to low end of the scale.
A Full Hour
1 hour = 60 minutes. The clock doesn’t start until I walk in the room and actually begin the massage.
That’s not the case for every business. Massage Envy + Rubs hour is 50 minutes.
Even some full service spas operate on a 50-minute hour. But in my office, 60, 75, and 90 minute treatments last exactly as long as indicated. (Unless you’re late, then I may have to adjust accordingly.)
Ease of Scheduling
Scheduling tends to be the second biggest obstacle to getting regular massage. We never think of scheduling a massage at a time that is actually convenient to call. (In fact, there are a whole bunch of aestheticians and massage therapists I would like to visit, but I refuse to play phone tag for 3 days to make an appointment. So they don’t get my business.)
You can schedule with me online right here. And if you don’t see a time that works for you, drop me an email with some times you’re looking for and maybe I can make it work.
Attention
You get my full attention. For 1 hour, you are the superstar. You are the reason we’re in the room. Need silence? We can do that.
Want me to spend the full hour on your feet or head and neck? Sure. Warm eye pillow? Cupping? Gua-sha? CBD? Not a problem.
You get your own full attention. No phone. No demands. Just you, caring for yourself.
Experience
I’ve had 12 years of practice and hundreds of hours of continuing education. I’ve worked in clinical settings and treated clients recovering from trauma, depression, eating disorders, stress and anxiety. I channel all of my personal and professional experience and education into your treatment. I’m committed to advancing my skills and training so you receive the highest quality of care from your treatments.
Clinical prudence
I won’t practice any techniques that are unsafe for you and your health condition. In general, people on blood thinners should not be getting deep tissue massages. Ditto that for people in treatment for cancer. It’s also unwise to do aggressive stretching on pregnant women. Using cold therapy on a client with Reynaud’s is just dumb. These are called contraindications. And I won’t mess around with them.
The downside here is that I may turn you away, but that’s rare. As in, it’s only happened once or twice in 12 years. We can usually find a technique that is safe and effective for your situation.
Proper licensing
There are plenty of massage therapists offering discounted massage, operating under the radar. They may not have a practitioner license. Or an establishment license. You can check all that here.
If a therapist is operating without all the proper licenses, their insurance will be voided in the event of a claim. That’s scary stuff right there.
High quality massage oil (or cream, or lotion).
I only use the best products on your skin. The BEST. You won’t leave my office feeling slimy or drenched in oil. You won’t break out from a cheap fragrance or preservative.
Some therapists choose their products based on price. I’ve got my hands in this stuff for 20 hours a week, so I choose my products based on quality. Only the best for us!
For most clients, I use one of several products from Jojoba. It’s not actually an oil. It’s a wax ester, and it’s the closest match to our skin’s natural sebum that you can find. I buy it directly from the maker in Maine.
I use organic lotion from Organic Bath & Body; CBD oil and cream from Susan’s CBD in Colorado and essential oils from doTerra. It’s common practice to charge extra to include CBD or aromatherapy. I’ll integrate CBD and aromatherapy into treatments when indicated without the added charge.
And finally, myofascial cupping, gua-sha and craniosacral therapy are easily incorporated into your bodywork treatments, tailored to your specific goals and needs, for no additional charge.
You get to support a small local business
It’s just me! No conglomerate. No fancy management structure or corporate set up. Just a little business owner, paying her taxes, making a living, and participating in the same communities she serves. There are fewer and fewer businesses that can stay afloat in an era of big box stores and amazon. When you pay $110 for a massage, you can be certain that money is staying in the local economy.
