If you find a massage therapist you love, I recommend see if he or she gives massages independent from a spa. This will sometimes give you the freedom of determining a venue you are comfortable in (such as your own home), but more importantly...

In researching the local health spa industry, I've discovered the ATROCIOUS fee many spas take from their therapists to rent space & allow them to practice there. Often, therapists are paid per job, with no hourly rate, yet they need to be on-call & on-location in case someone wants a massage. I discovered one spa that paid the therapist under 20% of what it charged the client, making tips an even more important factor in determining therapists' income.

If you do want to continue attending a spa, perhaps ask how much of the fee you pay actually makes its way to the therapist whose work you so enjoy.

Respond Share Posted 31 Jan 2010 (43 Views)