Massage Therapy

Both New York and New Jersey license massage therapists. Check the license, ask for the fee for the session length you want, and don't assume insurance will pay.

Credentials and how to verify them

"Massage therapist" is a protected title in New York. If someone offering massage doesn't appear in the state lookup, ask what license they hold.

What it costs

Fees depend on session length, technique and setting. On October 10, 2026, four NYC massage practices listed $150 to $200 for a 60-minute session on their own websites (Eastside Massage, Bodyworks DW, Enshrine and Pain Massage NYC). Not every practice states that its therapists are licensed, so check the license too. Ask for the price of the exact session length you want and whether add-ons cost extra.

Insurance, Medicare and HSA

• Private insurance: Coverage varies by plan. Ask your insurer whether it covers massage therapy at all, under what conditions, and whether the therapist must be in network.
• Medicare: Original Medicare doesn't cover massage therapy. Some Medicare Advantage plans may, so check your plan's benefits (medicare.gov).
• HSA and FSA: These accounts 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. For massage to treat a diagnosed condition, ask your plan administrator what documentation it needs.

For more on account rules, read how to use an HSA or FSA for holistic care. If you need rehabilitation after an injury, compare physical therapists.

Last reviewed: October 2026.

Massage therapy is a hands-on healing practice that involves the systematic manipulation of the body's soft tissues — muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and fascia — to relieve pain, reduce stress, improve circulation, and promote overall physical and emotional wellbeing. It is one of the oldest therapeutic practices in human history, with evidence of massage appearing in ancient Egyptian, Chinese, Greek, Roman, and Indian medical traditions.

Today, massage therapy is a licensed healthcare profession in many US states, including New York and New Jersey, practiced by Licensed Massage Therapists (LMTs) who complete state-required training (1,000 hours in New York, 600 in New Jersey) and pass state licensing examinations. Massage is increasingly integrated into hospital settings, pain management clinics, cancer care centers, sports medicine facilities, and physical therapy practices as a recognized therapeutic modality.

Common Types of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is thought to work through a combination of mechanical, neurological, circulatory, and psychological mechanisms. Most of these are proposed rather than established.

Mechanical Effects

Proposed effects of direct manipulation of soft tissue include:

• Adhesion breakdown: Sustained pressure and stretching break down areas where muscle fibers and fascia have become stuck together following injury, overuse, or chronic tension — restoring normal tissue glide and reducing pain.
• Fascial remodeling: Slow sustained pressure applied to fascial restrictions allows the viscoelastic tissue to soften and reorganize, improving mobility and reducing referred pain.
• Trigger point deactivation: Sustained pressure on a trigger point causes the muscle spindle to reset, releasing the local contraction and its associated referral pattern.

Circulatory Effects

• Blood flow enhancement: Massage promotes vasodilation and increases local circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues; it is also proposed to help clear metabolic waste products such as lactic acid.
• Lymphatic stimulation: Light massage strokes, particularly in lymphatic drainage techniques, accelerate the movement of lymphatic fluid, which small trials suggest can reduce edema.

Neurological Effects

• Parasympathetic activation: Studies report that massage can lower heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, which may shift the nervous system from sympathetic (stress) into parasympathetic (rest and repair) state.
• Endorphin and serotonin release: Touch is thought to stimulate the release of endogenous opioids and neurotransmitters associated with pain relief, pleasure, and mood regulation.
• Gate control pain modulation: Massage is thought to stimulate large-diameter sensory nerve fibers that inhibit the transmission of pain signals through the spinal cord.

Psychological Effects

Touch itself is a powerful therapeutic agent. Clinical research suggests that massage can reduce anxiety, depression, and subjective pain ratings. A 2015 Cochrane review of 25 trials of massage for low back pain found short-term improvements compared with inactive treatments, but rated the evidence low or very low quality (Cochrane).

Key Insight: A 2005 review in the International Journal of Neuroscience reported that, averaged across the studies it reviewed, massage therapy reduced cortisol levels by 31% and increased serotonin and dopamine by 28% and 31% respectively (Field et al.). These are averages across small studies, not results from a single trial.

Pain and Musculoskeletal Conditions

• Chronic Pain — Regular massage is one of the most accessible interventions for persistent musculoskeletal pain; trials show short-term benefit, with low-certainty evidence.
• Back Pain — For chronic back pain, a Cochrane review found short-term benefit with low-certainty evidence; for acute back pain there is only one small trial.
• Fibromyalgia — Some trials report pain reduction, improved sleep, and better mood from regular massage.
• Migraines — Massage targeting the head, neck, and shoulders may reduce migraine frequency and severity, according to some trials.

Mental and Emotional Health

• Anxiety — Studies suggest massage can reduce anxiety symptoms and increase feelings of calm; cortisol findings come mainly from a 2005 review of small studies.
• Insomnia — Some people sleep better after massage, though the evidence for insomnia is not well established.

Systemic and Other Conditions

• Digestive Issues — Some small trials suggest abdominal massage may help IBS, constipation, and digestive motility.

Before Your Appointment

• Arrive a few minutes early to complete intake paperwork and speak briefly with your therapist
• Avoid eating a heavy meal right before your session
• Communicate any health conditions, injuries, medications, or areas to focus on or avoid
• You don't need to shower beforehand, but many clients prefer to

The Intake Conversation

A responsible massage therapist will always take a brief health history before your first session, covering areas of pain or concern, any contraindications, pressure preferences, and your goals for the session. Do not hesitate to mention injuries, surgeries, skin sensitivities, pregnancy, blood clotting disorders, or any areas you are uncomfortable having touched.

During the Session

You will be asked to undress to your level of comfort and lie on a cushioned table under a sheet and blanket. You will be professionally draped throughout — only the area being worked on is uncovered at any time. Professional draping is expected practice; state rules vary.

Your therapist will check in about pressure throughout. Speaking up about pressure, temperature, or discomfort is always appropriate and encouraged.

After Your Session

It is common to feel deeply relaxed, slightly drowsy, or lighter and looser than when you arrived. Drink plenty of water to support tissue hydration. Mild soreness for a day or so after deep tissue work is typical and resolves quickly.

What Most People Miss: Many therapists find that the benefits of massage build with regular sessions, so judge it over a short series rather than a single visit.

Credentials to Know

Verify a therapist's license through your state's massage therapy licensing board. For specialized techniques like lymphatic drainage, oncology massage, or prenatal massage, always confirm the therapist holds specific training beyond their base licensure.

Questions to Ask

• What is your training background and licensure status?
• Do you have experience working with clients with my specific condition?
• What modalities do you specialize in?
• How do you handle pressure preference adjustments during a session?
• What is your draping policy?

Find a licensed massage therapist near you: Browse our massage therapy directory to connect with qualified LMTs in your area.

• Pain Management — Massage therapy is a cornerstone non-pharmacological tool for acute and chronic pain management.
• Sports Medicine and Recovery — Sports massage is a standard component of athlete training and recovery protocols at every competitive level.
• Mental Health and Wellness — The reported calming and mood-supporting effects of massage make it a natural fit for mental wellness programs.
• Prenatal and Postnatal Care — Prenatal massage reduces pregnancy-related discomfort, improves sleep, and provides meaningful emotional support.
• Women's Health — Some people use massage for menstrual discomfort.
• Functional Nutrition — Some practitioners combine massage with dietary guidance to support comprehensive recovery from chronic conditions.