What to Expect

Most massages occur with the patient getting onto a table in a horizontal position, allowing the masseuse to apply pressure to most areas of the body. There are also massages designed to be administered while the patient sits in a chair or lying on a mat. For at-home massages, the patient may lie on a bed or the floor. And there are also massages administered while immersed in water.

Massages can be clothed or unclothed, gentle or rough, delivered in a Spartan room, a locker room, or in a dimly lit cubicle  perfumed with fresh flowers or oils. It all depends on the facility and the client's goals. Some day spas can charge hundreds of dollars while more economical massages may be as cheap as $20 for a quick rubdown. A licensed, trained therapist will cost more than someone who has enthusiasm but little training.

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the seedier side of the business. So-called “massage parlors” can be found in many big cities. These consist of little more than a front for prostitution and offer few therapeutic benefits. When in doubt, check out the online reputation of the business. It should be fairly clear which are medicinal or designed for relaxation and which service a different need.

Massage therapy is an increasingly popular occupation. The United States Department of Labor reports that massage therapist employment is expected to increase 23 percent over the next decade, which is faster than average for all occupations.

The American Massage Therapy Association is the largest non-profit association for massage students, therapists, professionals and training institutes. The association has 51 chapters and promotes education, licensing and benefits of massage through its 51 chapters. It's important to ensure that your therapist is affiliated with the AMTA.

The AMTA reports that the massage therapist is likely to be in practice alone and charges an average of $68 for an hour of massage. That translates to an average wage of $43 per hour for all massage-related work in an office, spa, salon, health club, or health care setting.

While there are many different types of massages, most of them occur in spas. There are two very popular types of massages. They include Swedish massage therapy, the most common type in the U.S. A therapist will knead muscles with long, smooth strokes and circular movements, manipulating muscle layers using lotion or oil.

Also popular is aromatherapy massage, which uses essential oils that energize, reduce stress and increase balance.