The average cost of a Swedish massage is $50 to $90 for a 1-hour session. Prices vary by location, the therapist's experience level, the facility type and reputation, the length of the session, and whether you add on extra services like body scrubs or aromatherapy.

• Swedish massage sessions range from 30 to 120+ minutes, with shorter sessions typically costing more per minute.
• Mobile, in-home Swedish massage therapy costs $100 to $130 per hour.

Tipping 15% to 20% for a Swedish massage is standard in most regions. If your massage therapist works in a non-medical office, a good part of your fee goes to the facility, not the therapist. Therefore, even though tipping is not required, doing so can make a huge impact on a massage therapist's take-home pay.

• Most therapists prefer a cash tip since they receive it right away instead of having to wait for it in their paycheck.
• If you are using a gift certificate or discount coupon, tip based on the full price of the service.
• Consider tipping more during the holidays if you see the same therapist on a regular basis.

Swedish massage involves long, slow, kneading strokes with light to deep pressure, and sometimes tapping and vibrating hand movement techniques. The focus of a Swedish massage is to gently relieve muscle tension and relax the entire body. Swedish massage—called "classic" massage in Europe—is among the most popular types of massage.

Wear comfortable, unrestrictive clothing to your appointment so you can remain relaxed getting dressed after the session. For a full-body Swedish massage, most therapists recommend undressing to your comfort level. Some people undress completely, while others leave underwear on. You are typically covered with a sheet or towels during the session, with the therapist uncovering only the body part they are working on. 

Swedish massage uses mostly long, gentle strokes intended to relax the body and relieve stress and tension. Deep tissue massage involves similar strokes and techniques but uses more pressure and typically focuses on relieving pain and tension in specific areas rather than the whole body.

When searching for a Swedish massage spa or office near you, be sure to:

• Look for a massage therapist or company that is licensed, insured, and has been in business for 5+ years.
• Verify their credentials and licensure information. Most states have a database online where you can look up a therapist's license and status.
• If your state does not require massage therapists to be licensed, look for a therapist who has at least 500 hours of training from a reputable massage therapy program.
• Look for a therapist who is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) or the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP).
• Check their reviews on Thervo and Google.
• Ask for references.

Consider asking these questions to help you choose the best Swedish massage therapist near you:

• How long have you been practicing Swedish massage?
• What training and certifications do you hold?
• Are you a member of any professional organizations?
• Are you licensed and insured?
• What is your availability?
• Do you offer any add-on services, and how much do they cost?
• Do you require a health questionnaire?
• Are you running any specials or package deals?
• What is your cancellation policy?