What to look for
Massage therapists cover Swedish, deep-tissue, sports, pregnancy, hot-stone, aromatherapy, and increasingly trauma-informed bodywork. The category divides between clinic-based therapists, mobile / home-visit, and spa-employed. Sports massage overlaps with physiotherapy — though only physios diagnose and treat injury formally.
- Federation of Holistic Therapists, CThA, or BMTC membership
- Recognised qualification (ITEC, VTCT, BTEC Level 3 minimum)
- Public liability and professional indemnity insurance
- Initial consultation including health screen
- Sports massage specialism if injury-related
- Quiet, private treatment space
Typical pricing: £40-£75 60-minute massage, £55-£95 sports massage, £80-£140 hot-stone (UK 2026)
Regulator / certification to look for: Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT), Complementary Therapists Association (CThA), BMTC