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Massage therapy is a wonderful way to unwind and relax. It can help you deal with stress, anxiety, and pain. And it can even help your body recover from injury or illness.

If you’ve been thinking about getting a massage, congratulations! You’re going to love it. But before you do, there are some things that you should know about what not to say or do with your massage therapist.

Massage therapists are trained professionals who frequently spend years perfecting their skill, but they are also people like you and me who experience emotions. In order for them to provide you with the best experience possible, it is crucial that you approach them with deference and consideration as their customer.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide on what NOT to say or do with your massage therapist.

1) ASK YOUR MASSAGE THERAPIST TO GO SEE A MOVIE / COME TO YOUR HOUSE / ETC.

One of the most important things to remember when you’re working with a massage therapist is that they’re not your therapist. They are not your doctor. They are not your friend—at least, not in the way you might think.

A massage therapist’s job is to offer massages to clients. They don’t care about your ex’s infidelity, how much you spent on this blouse, or why it didn’t fit properly. They don’t want to go to a movie with you or be asked over to watch Netflix with you and your dog. A massage therapist expects to be handled with respect and professionalism, just like any other professional.

Your massage therapist will probably ask some questions about what’s going on in your life, but this is generally because they need context for what kind of massage treatment would be best for you. If you tell them about how much stress you’ve been under lately, for example, they’ll know that deep tissue work might not be the best choice for what you need right now—maybe try out some relaxation techniques instead!

2) DON’T MAKE EXCESSIVE NOISES IN MASSAGE ROOM

If you want to make sure that your next massage is as relaxing as possible, there are a few things you can do to help the situation. First and foremost: don’t make excessive noises in the room. Even if you’re having a fantastic massage and can’t quite believe how great it feels, it’s important to keep your vocalizations to a minimum—you don’t want to distract your therapist from what they’re doing!

Additionally, you must be aware that you are not the only client in the space and that creating loud noises can be very upsetting to others. Try to keep your volume down if you’re having a good time so you don’t annoy other customers!

Also, excessive noise can be interpreted as a sign of impatience or frustration. If you’re not enjoying your massage, it’s important to communicate this to the therapist in a calm and respectful manner.

3) COMMENT ON OUR LOOKS/ATTRACTIVENESS

Finding your massage therapist attractive is common, and remarking on their appearance is also acceptable. However, it’s crucial to consider how the individual you’re making these remarks about will take them. Your massage therapist won’t likely like being treated like a sexual object because they are an expert. They should be treated with the same respect that you would accord to any other expert because they are there to provide a service. (such as a doctor or lawyer). It’s best to praise someone’s appearance in a respectful manner that doesn’t make them feel awkward or ashamed.

4) POKE YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE ROOM TO LET US KNOW YOU’RE READY

You’ve scheduled your massage appointment, making sure you know where the studio is located and arrive on time. Now what? Your massage therapist may be ready for you to come in immediately, or they may need a few minutes to prepare for your session. It’s important that you accept their need for privacy and respect their time. They, too, are humans with basic needs, and they may need to use the restroom or make a quick phone call before your session begins. If you’re ready to go in immediately, let the receptionist know that!

5) Start Undressing While We Are Still in the Room

When your massage therapist goes to get their supplies, this is the perfect opportunity for you to start removing your clothes. This will let them know that you’re ready and give them time to prepare the room before they come back out. This also helps eliminate that sense of discomfort or awkwardness that sometimes accompanies the first meeting of a massage therapist and their client. The more at ease they are, the better your experience will be!

6) DON’T TOUCH US

Not touching the massage practitioner is arguably the most significant massage etiquette guideline. The massage therapist is in charge because massage is a sacred craft. It’s just a natural part of the process that you aren’t permitted to touch them. Touching them could be seen as sexual abuse, which is not what massage is intended to be. Because it’s such a unique experience that calls for total trust between the two parties, it’s crucial to adhere to the conventions of etiquette.

Related Article: What Percent Do You Tip Your Massage Therapist?

After a relaxing hour or two, it comes time to leave your message, and you suddenly realize that you are unsure of how much to tip your therapist. You were prepared to pay for the massage, but what about the tip? What is the right amount, and should you do it for all massages?

 

If this is your first massage, you might feel completely lost because tipping can seem complex to those who are not used to doing it. Fortunately, it is not as difficult as it might seem, so this is a brief explanation.

WHY SHOULD YOU TIP?

Despite the price you may pay for your massage, your therapist is not getting all of it. Most therapists are paid an hourly wage which, contrary to the often high costs of a massage, is usually not that high. In some cases, massage therapists may double or even triple their hourly income through tips.

 

Tipping is the best way to show your therapist that you appreciate their work. It’s a way to say thank you for their work. As a labor-intensive job, therapists appreciate the extra recognition for their services and will be even more eager to accommodate you the next time you come by for a massage.

 

A good massage can make you feel wonderful for weeks, so keep that in mind as well. For some, it might even imply that they won’t experience excruciating agony for a few weeks, improving their quality of life. An overall feeling of wellness will undoubtedly help you in all aspects of your life, whether they are professional, social, or personal. Given that your massage therapist’s work is so important to your health, you should view tipping as a means to respect and appreciate them.

WHAT PERCENT SHOULD YOU TIP?

According to experts we spoke to, you should tip between 15% and 20%. 20% is a generous amount, but it is also much easier math which is why most people choose to go this route when tipping.

 

For a 20% tip, all you need to do is figure out what 10% of the massage cost is and double it. It is easy math, and your massage therapist will appreciate the extra cash.

 

You can also ask yourself some questions to guide you along. Think about how much effort your therapist put in and how much your wellness is worth to you. Ask yourself how good you feel and how much of a tip you think that is worth.

DOES TIPPING APPLY TO ALL MASSAGE THERAPISTS?

At spas and resorts, the massage you receive will typically be for relaxation. For these types of massages, you should anticipate tipping your therapist.

 

However, tipping is typically not required if you receive a therapeutic massage. In these therapeutic environments, your therapist would not anticipate me, just as you would not tip your doctor. This is usually the norm for massages that take place in chiropractic offices, physical therapy clinics, and wellness centers. In general, if you receive a massage for therapeutic or medical purposes, you do not need to leave a gratuity.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE UNHAPPY WITH YOUR MASSAGE?

In some cases, you may not be happy with your massage. Whether the pressure was too much or too little or the therapist acted unprofessionally, there are several reasons why you might walk away from your massage disappointed.

 

It can be tempting not to tip if you’re unhappy, but this is not the best practice. Unless your therapist was truly terrible and you did not feel like they were a professional at all, you should still tip.

 

You can always tip only 15% if you’re not satisfied. Tell your therapist what you liked and did not like about the treatment as well as how you would like it to go the next time. Sometimes, the therapist was still developing their mastery of a new method. Other times, the counsellor might not have known what you anticipated.

 

Ultimately, it is up to your own discretion. If the therapist was unprofessionally late or extremely rude, you can always make your own decision as to whether you want to tip them.

IS IT ALRIGHT IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO TIP?

We get it: Sometimes, a massage is a splurge and not something you can otherwise afford. Paying an additional 15% to 20% may just not be in the cards for some people, especially if the massage costs upwards of $150.

 

Your therapist will sympathize if you are unable to pay. But make sure to appreciate your therapist and perhaps even give them a card after paying rather than just leaving. Offering a modest gift is something else you can do if the therapist is someone you see frequently. A tiny token of appreciation will do the trick and won’t set you back as much money as a 15%–20% tip.

 

Overall, though, the best practice is to always set aside tip money for a massage. It is certainly ideal to include your tip in your budget as part of your expenses for your well-being.

 

CONCLUSION

Massages are a wonderful way to pamper yourself and unwind after a demanding week, but it’s essential to keep in mind that they require a lot of work from your therapist. The best method to express your gratitude to your therapist for all that they do to help you feel happier and healthier is with a sizeable tip. Stick with 15% to 20% if you were looking for a range of how much to leave, and you will be on the right track.

 

Related Article: What Should You Not Do During A Massage

Related Article: Do You Tip Your Massage Therapist At A Chiropractor?

Do you tip your massage therapist after a relaxing chiropractic treatment?

If you’re like most people, you don’t even think about it. But the answer is actually more complicated than you might think.

Massage is a calming activity. It’s one of those activities that can improve your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. And when it comes to massage therapists, they are experts with frequently decades of experience using their hands and bodies to aid in the maximum amount of customer relaxation.

But what about after you get treated at a chiropractor? Do you tip them, too? Let’s Discuss!

UNDERSTANDING THE MASSAGE THERAPIST’S JOB DESCRIPTION

Massage therapists are licensed healthcare professionals with specific job descriptions and responsibilities. While some people think it might be easy to give a massage, there’s actually quite a bit more to it than just rubbing someone down with oil or lotion. It’s an art form that requires training and experience.

A typical massage therapist will have training in Swedish massage, which focuses on stress relief and relaxation; sports massage therapy, which aids in the recovery of athletes from injuries; deep tissue massage therapy, also known as trigger point therapy; lymphatic drainage massage therapy; reflexology therapy (also known as zone therapy), which uses pressure points on the feet or hands to relieve tension in other parts of the body (such as headaches); or other types of massage.

In addition to these basic types of massages, some therapists may specialize in particular types of massage, such as prenatal massage, which is designed specifically for pregnant women.

In essence, massage therapists use a variety of techniques and approaches to help relieve stress, alleviate pain, reduce inflammation and improve the range of motion in the body. This can be especially helpful for people who suffer from chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia or arthritis.

But all things considered, massage therapists are often independent contractors who work for themselves rather than being employed by a massage clinic or spa. They set their own hours and generally charge by the hour or by the session.

SO, SHOULD YOU TIP YOUR MASSAGE THERAPIST AT A CHIROPRACTOR?

While tipping is not required for a massage, it is customary to do so in many situations. If you have a good experience and want to tip your therapist, that’s perfectly acceptable! However, if you don’t feel comfortable with the idea of tipping someone who has helped you relieve stress and pain, don’t worry about it. The most important thing is that they make sure they are providing quality service and addressing any concerns or issues that arise during treatment.

If you are unsure of how much to tip, it’s best to ask your therapist what they would appreciate. Generally speaking, a tip of 15-20% is standard for a massage therapist or chiropractor who provides excellent service. But keep in mind that tipping isn’t required by law or custom!

Related Article: What Percent Do You Tip Your Massage Therapist

Related Article: How often you should get a massage?