Massage Therapy in Wellington

Fresh linens per client (non-negotiable), clean towels, washed hands or shower before your session, and clean equipment. For mobile massage, the therapist should arrive with laundered linens in a sealed bag. If linens look reused or the table is sticky, end the session — this is the clearest professionalism signal there is.

If you value the zero-commute, post-massage-straight-to-couch experience, yes. The therapist brings a table, linens and oils; you need a clear 3x2m space. It typically costs 20-50% more than clinic rates. For deep clinical work, a clinic with a hydraulic table may still be better.

It depends on the country. In the US and Canada, 15-20% is customary. In the UK, Australia, New Zealand and most of Europe, tipping is appreciated but not expected, especially for clinical or remedial work. In Asia, practice varies — check the local page. Never feel obligated at a medical or physio-adjacent clinic.

Usually about 1.4-1.5x the 60-minute price, not 1.5x exactly — the marginal half hour is cheaper because setup and consultation are already done. If you have multiple problem areas or want full-body plus focused work, 90 minutes is better value than two short sessions.

Four: What qualification and training do you have? What's the full price for my session length, including travel if mobile? What should I tell you about injuries or conditions beforehand? What's your cancellation policy? Clear answers to all four is the baseline for a professional operator.

Evidence supports massage for short-term relief of non-specific low back and neck pain, best combined with movement and strengthening. It won't fix a disc problem or replace physio for a diagnosed condition. If pain radiates down a limb, causes numbness, or follows trauma, see a doctor or physio first — a good therapist will say the same.

A 60-minute session runs NZD $80-$140 at clinics and independents, with Auckland and Wellington at the top. Mobile massage runs $100-$170 including travel. Sports and clinical massage sits at $90-$140 per hour.

Not as a standalone treatment. ACC funds physiotherapy and some allied treatments for injuries, and massage may be delivered inside those programmes, but you can't book a massage and claim it from ACC directly. Budget for it as a private expense.