Massage Therapy in New York, NY
Compare licensed massage therapists in New York City. Below the listings you'll find published NYC prices, how to check a New York license, HSA and FSA rules, and what the research shows.
Arteva Acupuncture
Arteva Acupuncture provides comprehensive acupuncture services designed to promote physical and emotional well-being. The practice focuses on individualized care, utilizing traditional Chinese medicine techniques to address a variety of health issues. Services include pain management, stress relief, and support for chronic conditions. Arteva Acupuncture is committed to helping patients achieve balance and harmony in their lives through natural and holistic methods.
Integrative Healing Arts
Integrative Healing Arts provides a range of holistic health services aimed at promoting overall wellness and addressing specific health concerns. The practice combines traditional and modern therapeutic approaches to offer effective treatments for pain management, stress relief, and chronic conditions. Services include acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutritional counseling. Integrative Healing Arts is committed to providing personalized care in a nurturing and supportive environment, helping patients achieve balance and harmony in their lives through natural and integrative methods.
Les Acupuncture & Bodywork
LES Acupuncture & Bodywork, located in the Flatiron District of New York City, provides affordable, professional, and effective health care treatments through acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, therapeutic massage, and dietary therapy. The practice has been recognized as one of the best places for acupuncture in NYC by CBS and has been featured on BuzzFeed for its cupping therapy. LES Acupuncture & Bodywork helps patients recover from chronic pain and internal disorders, offering treatments for allergy and asthma relief, pain relief, insomnia, anxiety, depression, fertility, and weight loss. The mission is to improve patients' health through compassionate care and thorough listening to address their concerns effectively.
New York Pain Medicine
NY Pain Medicine provides comprehensive pain management services aimed at enhancing physical and emotional well-being. The practice focuses on individualized care, utilizing a combination of medical treatments, physical therapy, and alternative therapies to address a variety of pain-related issues. Services include chronic pain management, injury rehabilitation, and support for musculoskeletal conditions. NY Pain Medicine is dedicated to helping patients achieve pain relief and improved quality of life through personalized treatment plans.
Sean V Cotter, Dc
Sean V Cotter, Dc offers a comprehensive range of services aimed at promoting holistic health and well-being.
How New York licenses massage therapists
Massage therapy is a licensed profession in New York under Education Law Article 155, overseen by the NYSED Office of the Professions. "Massage therapist" is a protected title, and licensed therapists usually write LMT after their name. A New York license requires:
- at least 1,000 hours of study in required subjects, including at least 150 hours of hands-on practice;
- a passing score on the New York State Massage Therapy Examination, the state's own exam;
- CPR training within the past three years, and a minimum age of 18.
How to check a license
- Go to the NYSED online verification search, which covers massage therapy.
- Search by the therapist's name or license number.
- Check that the license is current and the name matches the person who will treat you.
If someone offering massage doesn't appear, ask what license they hold.
What massage costs in NYC
On October 10, 2026, four NYC practices listed these 60-minute prices on their own websites:
| Practice | 60 minutes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eastside Massage (Upper East Side) | $150–$160 | Deep tissue $155; prenatal or reflexology $160. Says it uses New York-licensed therapists. |
| Bodyworks DW (FiDi, Midtown West) | $160 | Senior therapist; 90 minutes $230. Says all its therapists are New York State licensed. |
| Enshrine Health & Massage Works | $200 | "Master-level" therapist; sales tax extra |
| Pain Massage NYC (Midtown) | $150 | Rates effective August 2026. Says it offers state-licensed therapeutic massage. |
Enshrine's pricing page does not say its therapists are licensed, so check the license yourself.
Insurance, HSA and FSA
HSA and FSA funds pay only for medical care as IRS Publication 502 defines it. Costs that are merely good for general health don't qualify, so massage for relaxation usually won't. If massage is to treat a diagnosed condition, ask your plan administrator what paperwork it needs. Insurance coverage varies by plan, so ask your insurer before booking.
What the evidence supports
| Use | What the research shows |
|---|---|
| Low back pain | The American College of Physicians lists massage for acute and subacute pain, based on low-quality evidence (ACP, 2017). |
| Neck and other pain | Benefits are weak and mostly short-term (NCCIH, 2019). |
| Migraine | Few studies, with inconsistent results (NCCIH, 2023). |
| Anxiety | Mixed results in people with medical conditions; little research in anxiety disorders (NCCIH, 2020). |
Safety. Massage from a trained therapist appears low risk, and rare serious harms such as blood clots, nerve injury or fractures have been reported, mostly after vigorous massage (NCCIH, 2018). Talk to your clinician first if you take blood thinners or have a recent blood clot, a bleeding disorder, a recent fracture, burns, severe osteoporosis or cancer (Mayo Clinic).
Massage shouldn't replace a medical evaluation of new or worsening pain. For rehabilitation after an injury, compare physical therapists in NYC. See also our back pain page.
Frequently asked questions
Do massage therapists need a license in New York?
Yes. "Massage therapist" is a protected title, and you can check a license in the NYSED search.
How much is a 60-minute massage in NYC?
$150 to $200 at the four practices above, as of October 2026.
Can I use my HSA or FSA for massage?
Only when it's medical care for a condition, not for general relaxation.
Does massage help back pain?
It may help acute and subacute low back pain in the short term, but the evidence is low quality.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
- NYSED Office of the Professions, Massage therapy license requirements and online verification search (checked October 10, 2026)
- NYC prices: each practice's own website, linked in the table (checked October 10, 2026)
- IRS, Publication 502 (2025 edition)
- American College of Physicians, low back pain guideline (February 2017)
- NCCIH, Massage therapy (May 2019); provider digests on headaches (June 2023), anxiety (August 2020) and massage therapy for health (December 2018)
- Mayo Clinic, Massage therapy (consumer page; checked October 10, 2026)