I heard on NPR last week that some financial analysts are officially using the word recession to describe the state of the American economy. Finally, the suits are understanding what those of us in the trenches have been feeling for quite some time!

Recessions are stressful. Massage helps with stress. And for people with chronic pain, massage can feel less like pure indulgence and more like a medical necessity. I know for me, I’m happiest and most productive when I’m receiving regular bodywork.

But the going rate for massage where I live is around $65/hour, with at least one massage therapist I know charging $85/hour. (That’s the discounted rate, if you don’t have workman’s comp insurance to cover her normal cost.) I don’t know about you, but I can’t afford that every week or every other week. If you value massage therapy like I do, it’s still important even if you can’t scrape together the change because you’re too busy buying beans and rice.

Here are some ways you can get free, or extremely inexpensive massage.

  1. Make friends with a massage therapy student. When I was living out in Arizona, I studied tai chi with a person who was going through massage school, and had the opportunity to be a practice client for him several times. If you’re lucky enough to know someone going through massage school, ask them if they need practice bodies. You might not get a fantastic massage, especially if the student is early on in their schooling, but you might also get someone with strong intuition and great technique from the beginning.And in many states with massage therapy licensing, it is also illegal for massage therapy students to charge for their practice hours. So while it’s not ideal for the student, it is entirely free for you.
  2. Make friends with a massage therapy school. Students have to complete many hours of practice time on their own, outside of scheduled clinic, and often they find themselves scrambling for bodies. If you’re not that lucky enough to find someone going through massage school, have the students come to you. My school has a bulletin board in the student lounge where people from the community have listed their phone numbers . They’re like personal ads: “Willing body for log hours! Gives great feedback!” Several of my colleagues have found some great practice clients this way. Call up your local massage school, if there is one nearby, and ask if any students need log hours. Again, depending on the state, there is no cost to you.
  3. Sign up for student clinic. In addition to log hours, massage students often see the general public through a student clinic run by the school. Typically, schools will charge a reduced rate; my school charges $30 for an hour. You may also have to fill out a short evaluation for the student, and you may not get to choose which student you’d like to work on you. But the upside is that you can arrange the appointment through the school, you may find someone you like very much. You will also almost certainly find someone who is closer to the end of their program. This (hopefully) translates into a better massage for you.
  4. Barter. Massage is a great tool for barter. Among the skills that I’ve heard of massage therapists bartering for:
    • Bookkeeping, accounting, or financial planning
    • Yoga or dance classes
    • Graphic design, business cards, anything that will help with marketing
    • Website design or technical support
    • Office space
    • Artwork
    • Tailoring, dry cleaning, laundry service
    • Yard work or housecleaning
    • Fresh vegetables from your garden

    However, barter doesn’t pay the rent, and massage therapists need to pay rent just like you do. So offer barter to your local massage therapist if she’ll take it, but don’t be offended if she asks for money instead. Also of note: this approach may only work if your massage therapist is a sole proprietor. If he mainly works out of a spa, he may not have the freedom to barter.

  5. Just ask. Some massage therapists will offer the first session for free or at a reduced rate. I don’t recommend this every single time — again, massage therapists need to pay rent too! — but it’s a nice option for occasional use. There are a couple of office buildings and shops around where local massage therapists have left postcards advertising this option; keep your eyes peeled and you may come up with a gem.
  6. Referrals. Ask your therapist if he or she needs more clients. Sometimes massage therapists will be willing to give you a free or reduced-rate massage if you refer a new client to them.

There you have it: six ways to get a free or low-cost massage. Now get out there and beat that stress!