Prices vary by location, the therapist's experience level, the facility type and reputation, the length of the session, and whether you add on extra services like body scrubs or aromatherapy.
If your massage therapist works in a non-medical office, a good part of your fee goes to the facility, not the therapist. Therefore, even though tipping is not required, doing so can make a huge impact on a massage therapist's take-home pay. Swedish massage involves long, slow, kneading strokes with light to deep pressure, and sometimes tapping and vibrating hand movement techniques.
The focus of a Swedish massage is to gently relieve muscle tension and relax the entire body. Swedish massage—called "classic" massage in Europe—is among the most popular types of massage. Wear comfortable, unrestrictive clothing to your appointment so you can remain relaxed getting dressed after the session. For a full-body Swedish massage, most therapists recommend undressing to your comfort level.
Some people undress completely, while others leave underwear on. You are typically covered with a sheet or towels during the session, with the therapist uncovering only the body part they are working on. Swedish massage uses mostly long, gentle strokes intended to relax the body and relieve stress and tension.
Deep tissue massage involves similar strokes and techniques but uses more pressure and typically focuses on relieving pain and tension in specific areas rather than the whole body. Ask questions, confirm their availability, and hire the right therapist when you're ready.
