Find a massage therapist in San Diego, CA

Find massage therapists in San Diego, CA

Find massage therapists in San Diego, CA

Share a few details and we'll show you the best massage therapists in your area.
Zip code

Find massage therapists in San Diego, CA

Share a few details and we'll show you the best massage therapists in your area.
Zip code

Top 10 massage therapists in San Diego, CA

Clients agree: these pros are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
JustinCredible Massage

JustinCredible Massage

5.0(3)
Serves La Jolla, CA
Mikey V. says, "Amazing experience from start to finish. Justin is the only massage therapist that I've used for deep tissue work for the past 3 years. He gives incredible tactile pressure the entire time and I highly recommend his massages to anyone." Read more
Relax,llc

Relax,llc

5.0(1)
8 hires on Thervo
Serves San Diego, CA
Pamela F. says, "Lisa was very friendly as well as professional. She did a great job of giving my husband & I a nice relaxing massage. We will use her again!" Read more
Primary Kneads Massage And Wellness Spa

Primary Kneads Massage And Wellness Spa

4.9Exceptional(14)
22 hires on Thervo
Serves San Diego, CA
Helen A. says, "Hadn’t had a massage in 2 yrs-Sarah was so good at working out the kinks-felt so relaxed afterward- thank you, Sarah!" Read more
Wellness On Wheels Unltd

Wellness On Wheels Unltd

5.0(1)
2 hires on Thervo
Serves San Diego, CA
Steven M. says, "They truly understand and embody what it means to stimulate multiple senses at the same time; a calming soundtrack, intoxicating pure clean essential oils, fine soft linens, and again, that magical healing touch. It was absolutely blissful. I’m quite impressed with the way they manage to set up and truly create such a serene environment regardless of circumstances. I cannot endorse wellness on Wheels Unltd enough! Schedule a massage with Julia!" Read more
Manus Magicae

Manus Magicae

New on Thervo
Offers online services
1 hire on Thervo
Serves San Diego, CA
I offer a unique and wonderful healing experience! I've been massaging since 2010 and doing Reiki since then as well. I'm a Reiki Master and a Massage Therapist. I offer Swedish, Sports, Lympahtic, Thai, Deep Tissue, Aromatherapy, Craniolsacral, Pregnany, and both chair and table massages. I also have a few other healing methodologies that I can incorporate into every healing session. I have a large spread of oils that range from aromatherapy, THC, and CBD. The overall experience is beyond amazing and you will never leave feeling nothing but awesome, relaxed, and healed. Looking forward to connecting with you soon! I love and really enjoy hea...
Sopak Massage

Sopak Massage

New on Thervo
Serves San Diego, CA
Good for trigger point and relaxing Have knowledge from 2 massage schools more than 1,000 hours and have experience more than 5 years
Feel Good San Diego

Feel Good San Diego

New on Thervo
1 hire on Thervo
Serves San Diego, CA
I am a very very good massage therapist. I'd give full body massages. I make you very very comfortable if you pick me you will love it. I have been doing it of 3 years now and I love it. I have some good special skills
Hands Of An Angel Massage Therapy

Hands Of An Angel Massage Therapy

5.0(2)
Top Pro
3 hires on Thervo
Serves El Cajon, CA
Alex S. says, "Amazing hands" Read more
Sports Bodywork

Sports Bodywork

5.0(1)
Serves San Diego, CA
Andrew J. says, "Really good focus work and easy to set up. Would recommend to anyone looking for muscle recovery work!" Read more
Bliss & Zen Acupuncture Health And Wellness LLC

Bliss & Zen Acupuncture Health And Wellness LLC

5.0(2)
Serves San Diego, CA
Sean F. says, "She is amazing. Hands like gold. Can go deep or do soft." Read more

Your Massage Therapy questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thervo.

Massage therapy costs $50 to $90 per hour on average. A shorter, half-hour session costs $30 to $65, while an extended, 90-minute session ranges from $90 to $175. Prices vary by location, therapist experience, and the type of massage. Prices are typically higher for therapy that requires specialized training, such as prenatal or sports massage, or in-home sessions where the therapist comes to you.

Below are the average rates for common massage types:

  • Full body or Swedish massage costs $50 to $90 per hour.
  • Deep tissue massage costs $80 to $120 per hour.
  • Prenatal massage costs $70 to $120 per hour.
  • Sports massage costs $55 to $130 per hour.
  • Couples massage costs $120 to $220 per hour.
  • Hot stone massage costs $85 to $150 per hour.
  • Chair massage costs $1 per minute.
  • In-home massage therapy costs $100 to $130 per hour.

Tipping a massage therapist 15% to 20% is common in most areas. Tipping is not expected at medical offices or hospitals where massage is often covered by insurance. If your therapist works for a spa or non-medical office, a significant portion of your fee goes to the facility, not the therapist. While tipping is not necessarily required, it can make a huge difference in a massage therapist's income.

  • Most therapists prefer cash tips since it's immediate and they don't have to wait for it in their paycheck.
  • If you are using a coupon or gift certificate, tip based on the regular price of the service.
  • Consider tipping more during the holidays if you see the same massage therapist regularly.

A wide array of massage therapy techniques exists today, from slow soothing strokes of traditional Swedish massage to Ashiatsu massage, where a therapist uses their bare feet as the primary massage tool. Common types of massage therapy include:

  • Swedish massage – Long, slow, kneading strokes with light to deep pressure, focused on relaxing muscle tension
  • Deep-tissue massage – Similar to Swedish, but using deeper pressure to reduce pain by releasing built-up muscle tightness, knots, and trigger points
  • Aromatherapy massage – Swedish relaxation massage incorporating essential oils and specific fragrances aimed at helping your mood
  • Hot stone massage – Swedish-like massage using heated stones, instead of just the therapist's hands, to enhance circulation and reduce pain
  • Shiatsu – Japanese massage technique using fingertip pressure on specific points on the body to improve energy flow, or Qi
  • Sports massage – Deep pressure and targeted techniques to reduce muscle pain and improve mobility of a specific area of the body; not just for athletes
  • Prenatal massage – Light-pressure Swedish massage aimed at relaxing muscle tension and stress during pregnancy

Swedish massage is the most recommended massage technique during pregnancy because it focuses on relaxing muscle tension and improving circulation using gentle pressure applied to the muscles. 

Prenatal massage can help lower stress, decrease leg and back pain, and improve sleep and mood. However, be sure to clear any type of massage with your doctor first, as massage therapy is a contraindication to some medical conditions.

Avoid these types of massage during all stages of pregnancy:

  • Deep-tissue massage
  • Shiatsu
  • Hot stone massage
  • Deep acupressure
  • Percussive tapping techniques
  • Cross-fiber friction
  • Pressure on the abdomen

Insurance may cover massage therapy costs if you have a prescription or referral from a medical doctor. Coverage and requirement details vary greatly by insurance carrier and plan. Contact your insurance provider to confirm the details of your policy in relation to massage therapy coverage.

Medicare does not typically cover the cost of massage therapy unless it is determined to be medically necessary to alleviate symptoms—like swelling or impaired joint function—from a medical procedure performed on the same day.

When searching for a massage therapy service near you, be sure to:

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

Asking the right questions can help you choose the massage therapy service that best fits your needs:

  • Are you licensed and insured?
  • How long have you been a massage therapist?
  • What training and certifications do you have?
  • Where else have you worked?
  • What types of massage do you specialize in?
  • Do you have experience with my specific problem?
  • Do you offer any add-on services?
  • Do you require a health questionnaire?
  • Do you offer package deals?

Reviews for San Diego massage therapists

Recent success stories from people in the San Diego area.
Ben P.
"JustinCredible" lives up to his name. He is professional, personable, methodical, precise, and strong; Justin provides world class body work. There is a genuine serenity, a calm strength about Justin that transmits a sense of trust, that somehow you intuitively know he isn't there for the payday... and the results prove it. He listened to, but more importantly understood, what was bothering me and focused deeply on those areas, unlike like so many others who address issues fleetingly because their eye is on the clock and they feel they have to finish their "routine". I've been searching for several years for someone that can provide this level of body work and now I can stop looking. -Ben
JustinCredible Massage
Jesse A.
Massage was awesome! Sarah was prompt and is a very knowledgeable therapist. She took care of my needs without hesitation, and had my back feeling perfect in no time. I highly recommend to anyone seeking a proper massage by a professional massage therapist! Thank you again!
Primary Kneads Massage and Wellness Spa
Fanchon G.
Regina is very knowledge and caring. I would highly recommend her for your therapy needs.
Hands of an Angel massage therapy
Kenneth J.
I was struggling with sciatica to the point where I was about to lose my mind to insanity from the pain. I've never had a massage before because I didn't feel comfortable with strangers touching me. Joni was a friend so that helped to ease me a bit. After my massage I felt like a new person in a new body. I haven't had a major sciatica attack since our massage session and that was over 6 months ago. I've since named her Ms. Magic Hands because she made my pain disappear!!!😊😊😊😊
Bliss & Zen Acupuncture Health and Wellness LLC
Angela A.
Evan Bryan Massage
David C.
Great massage and to the point. Felt great afterwards
Thelmas Therapeutic Massage
William S.
Very good therapist. Really knows her buisness. Will hire again!
Heavenly European Massage Isabella
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