Should you tip your massage therapist?
Short answer: At Brookfield Massage, tipping is never expected.
Registered Massage Therapists are healthcare professionals, and in many clinic settings gratuities are not customary. I often tell patients, “You wouldn’t normally tip your physiotherapist or your dentist, and you don’t need to tip your massage therapist either.”
That said, massage exists in both healthcare and spa environments, so the answer can depend on where you are receiving treatment.
Is tipping expected for massage therapy?
In many private clinics, multidisciplinary practices, and healthcare settings, tipping is not expected.
Registered Massage Therapists in Ontario are regulated healthcare professionals. We assess, treat and help prevent physical dysfunction and pain, and our work is guided by professional standards set by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario.
At Brookfield Massage, I do not consider tipping part of the treatment fee or part of the expectation around care.
You are paying for the appointment itself. That is enough.
Why is tipping common at some spas?
Massage also has a strong history in spa and hospitality settings, and that can make the tipping question confusing.
In spas, resorts and hotels, gratuities are often built into the culture of the service. Some therapists working in those settings may also rely more heavily on tips as part of their income.
Because of that, tipping practices can vary depending on the environment. So while I do not expect tips at Brookfield Massage, I would not assume every massage therapist or every workplace handles gratuities the same way.
Are Registered Massage Therapists healthcare professionals in Ontario?
Yes.
Registered Massage Therapists in Ontario are regulated healthcare professionals.
That distinction is important because massage therapy is not only about relaxation or luxury. RMTs can assess and treat soft tissue and joint dysfunction, pain, tension, movement restrictions and other musculoskeletal concerns within their scope of practice.
Of course, massage can still be relaxing. Many treatments are.
But relaxation does not make the service any less clinical or healthcare-based.
At Brookfield Massage, treatment is individualized. I look at what is happening with your muscles and joints, what may be contributing to your symptoms, and what your body needs that day.
That is very different from thinking of massage as a luxury service that requires a gratuity on top.
What can I do instead of leaving a tip?
If you had a great experience, there are things you can do that help my business much more than leaving an extra $10 or $20.
Tell someone about me.
Recommend Brookfield Massage to a neighbour, friend or family member.
Leave a positive Google review.
Share my business with someone who has been looking for an RMT in The Beaches.
For a small local practice, those things have a much longer-lasting impact.
A tip is kind.
A referral can bring someone through my door who becomes a patient for years.
A positive review can also help someone who has never met me feel more comfortable booking their first appointment.
Those things genuinely help Brookfield Massage grow and thrive.
What is Brookfield Massage’s tipping policy?
At Brookfield Massage in The Beaches, Toronto, tipping is never expected.
Please do not feel awkward when it is time to pay.
Your treatment fee is enough.
And if you really loved your treatment, one of the best things you can do is tell someone.
Your trust, your recommendation and your review mean more to me than a tip.
Do you tip an RMT in Ontario?
Tipping is not generally expected in many private clinic and healthcare settings, although customs can differ in spa environments.
Does Brookfield Massage accept tips?
Tipping is never expected at Brookfield Massage.
What is a good way to thank your massage therapist?
A referral, recommendation to a friend or neighbour, or a positive Google review can be especially valuable to a small local practice.
Is massage therapy considered healthcare in Ontario?
Yes. Registered Massage Therapists are regulated healthcare professionals in Ontario.
Sources / further reading
College of Massage Therapists of Ontario — Code of Ethics
College of Massage Therapists of Ontario — Information for patients
Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario — FAQs on massage therapy and gratuities
By Meghan Brookfield, RMTBrookfield Massage | The Beaches, Toronto
Comments