Are Discounted Massage Salons Okay?

Once you do get a professional to moderate, I wonder what they think about these chain massage salons where you pay a monthly fee which includes a one-hour massage each month and any additional for an extremely discounted rate. Are these assembly line massages and should be avoided, or are they are great service at a great price?

OK, I am finally up and running on the site and can start answering questions!

Amber, as for the chain massage businesses, I would say it reallllly depends on where you go. First, yes discounted rates on massage can be a great thing, but this also means that they have discounted wages for their staff. Lots of massage students or recent graduates start off in places like this (and some spas as well) in order to get experience before heading on to something better. While some students are actually quite good, there is really no guarentee that you will get a great massage. If you are looking for students to work on you AND a big discount, I would recommend trying to find a massage school close to your home that has a student clinic attached. Rates are incredibly low and you might luck out with one of the better students. Second, I would check to see if the therapists are actually licensed in the chain massage locale. While an unlicensed person can give a good massage, a licensed one will have a much better chance at actually addressing long term health problems and will be aware of contraindications in each person's case. It really just depends on if you are going to actually get work done or just going for a relaxing hour. Hope this answers you question...if not just write back to me!

Julia,

Thanks for the information. The place I go to is called Massage Envy, which I believe is a national chain, and their paperwork says that each massage therapist is licensed. It's just really hit or miss there from my experience and whether you get a good therapist or not, but it makes sense if they are recently out of school and getting in some experience before moving on.