Why I Price My Massage by Time, Not by “Type”
One of the questions I’m asked most often is:
“What kind of massage do you offer?”
Closely followed by:
“Why don’t you price by massage type?”
It’s a fair question — you may be used to menus that list Swedish, deep tissue, sports, pregnancy… each with its own price.
But I’ve chosen a different approach. I price my massage by time, not by technique. And there’s a very good reason why.
Because you are not a menu item
Bodies aren’t static. What you need today might very well be completely different from what you need next week — or even halfway through your session.
If I forced you into choosing a “type” of massage, I’d be deciding what your body needs before I’ve felt what’s actually going on. That doesn’t sit right with me.
When you book by time, the session is shaped around you, not a label.
The other thing is that a menu that lists all of the different types of massage assumes that you know what all of those types of massage are. It may put you off booking as you don’t really know which type of massage to choose - whereas a model that is based on time takes away the indecision and pressure to choose when you book!
Real bodies need blended work
Most people don’t fit neatly into one category.
You might:
Want deep, focused work in your shoulders
Need gentler, soothing touch for your lower back
Benefit from slow, grounding strokes to calm your nervous system
In reality, effective massage is often a blend of techniques — pressure changes, pacing changes, intuitive adjustments — all within the same session.
Pricing by time allows me to respond to what your body is asking for in the moment, without feeling like I need to deliver something you booked but isn’t right for what your body is telling me.
There’s no “upgrade” for deeper work
A big misconception in the massage world is that deeper or more targeted work should cost more.
Here’s the truth:
Deep tissue isn’t better — it’s just different.
And it’s certainly not more valuable than lighter, restorative work.
Your session isn’t priced on how much pressure I use. It’s priced on my time, skill, experience, and full presence with you for that hour (or 90 minutes ).
No upselling. No pressure hierarchy. No pain-for-value mindset.
Time creates space for real change
When you book a longer session, you’re not paying for “more techniques.”
You’re paying for:
Time to properly assess what’s going on
Time to let your nervous system settle
Time to work thoroughly, not rush
Time for your body to actually absorb the benefits
Massage isn’t something to rush through. Time is what allows it to be truly effective.
Simpler, clearer, more client-centred
Pricing by time keeps things simple:
You choose how long you want to be on the table
I take care of the rest
No confusing menus. No guessing which option to pick. No fear of choosing the “wrong” massage.
Just a session that meets you where you are.
The bottom line
I price by time because it honours:
The individuality of your body
The fluid nature of healing
The quality of the experience over the label
When you book with me, you’re not booking a “type” of massage.
You’re booking dedicated time for your body — exactly as it is, on that day.
And that’s where the real magic happens ✨
