Have you ever wondered what would happen if your massage table collapsed during a session? One second, you’re leaning in for that perfect pressure; the next, the table legs give out, and you land elbow-first on your client’s back. You roll off the client, knock a candle off the shelf, and—boom—the place is on fire. The client is groaning. You’re apologizing. You reach for the fire extinguisher, and in the back of your mind, you’re thinking, Am I going to have to sell a kidney, or does my insurance for massage cover this?
But there’s more. As I’m putting out the last flame, I have another question: Does my insurance cover my particular modality? Welcome to my brain. 🙂
After plenty of late-night worrying, I decided to figure out which policies cover which modalities. Turns out, I have good news to report, but first, let’s briefly unpack what massage insurance is.
General Overview of Insurance for Massage
At its core, insurance for massage is protection. It shields you from financial fallout if something goes wrong. Whether it’s a client claiming you caused an injury, a slip-and-fall in your treatment room, or even property damage, insurance ensures you’re not footing the bill out of pocket.
Most massage therapists rely on two main types of coverage:
- Professional Liability Insurance: This protects you if a client claims your massage caused harm. It’s like malpractice insurance in other professions, ensuring your techniques—and your reputation—are covered.
- General Liability Insurance: This handles the unexpected “oops” moments. A client trips over your massage chair? Covered. Someone spills water on your electrical equipment? Also covered.
Now, when I became a neuromuscular therapist and started using tools, I had a whole new set of worries. Tools can be incredible for targeting specific issues, but they also come with risks. What if I accidentally use too much pressure with a tool and injure someone? That’s when I wondered if basic policies covered most modalities. And to my surprise, they did.
Unique Insurance Needs for Niche Specialties
When it comes to niche specialties, most of the major insurance providers have you covered. Reiki? Yep, covered. Sports massage? Absolutely. Myofascial release? You bet. Even modalities like cupping and reflexology are often included. Look at the nine main insurance providers on the chart. Check marks all.
| Insurance Provider | Ashiatsu | Cupping | Deep Tissue | Sports Massage | Prenatal Massage | Asian Bodywork | Oncology Massage | Reiki | Energy Healing | Equine Massage | Reflexology | Rolfing | Swedish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABMP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AMTA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| InsureLMT | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Massage Magazine Insurance Plus | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| NACAMS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Massage Council | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hands-On Trade | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Alternative Balance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| InsureBodywork | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
(Oh, and here’s Mark’s disclaimer: While the information provided is based on the available data from the respective insurance providers, it’s recommended to contact each provider directly or consult their official policy documents to confirm the most current and detailed coverage information.)
If you don’t see your modality listed on the chart, don’t panic. That chart would be too big for the page. So, here are the additional ones that all nine cover, according to my research:
- Hot Stones: A massage technique using heated stones to relax muscles.
- Bamboo Therapy: Utilizes bamboo sticks for deep tissue massage.
- Craniosacral Therapy: Gentle manipulation of the skull and spine to relieve tension.
- Chair Massage: Performed on a specially designed chair, focusing on the back, neck, and shoulders.
- Hawaiian Bodywork: Traditional Hawaiian massage techniques.
- Shiatsu: Japanese massage involving finger and palm pressure.
- Lymphatic Drainage Massage: Aims to stimulate the lymphatic system to reduce swelling.
- Myofascial Release: Focuses on relieving tension in the fascia.
- Myoskeletal Alignment: Combines massage and postural alignment techniques.
- Neuromuscular Massage: Targets specific muscle groups to alleviate pain and tension.
Also, note that policies often include a broad range of practices under umbrella terms. For example, “bodywork” could mean everything from shiatsu to Thai massage.
But if you don’t see your modality on the chart or list, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can always email me (because, yes, I nerd out on this stuff), or call the provider directly.
Insurance for Massage: Get a Policy (Price, Perks, and Peace of Mind)
So, to recap: Most of the big insurance players cover everything from Reiki to reflexology to sports massage. Checkmarks galore on the chart, right?
If your specialty isn’t listed, don’t assume the worst. Policies often bundle techniques under umbrella terms like “bodywork.” Still unsure? Call the provider or shoot me an email (mark@makethemostofmassage.com).
Last, you’re going to want to compare price, perks, and the specifics of policy coverage before committing.
This is where my cheap massage insurance guide can help you out. It breaks down the numbers, benefits, and limitations of the nine providers above, saving you from potential headaches—and kidney sales.
If you find this information helpful and want to continue to hear a perspective outside the usual industry voices, please share this page and the cheap massage insurance guide. It’s the only way this kind of independent insight gets out there—and it helps more therapists like us stay informed.