Compare 648 massage therapists in San Francisco, CA. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
648
Massage Therapists
100%
Accepting patients
88%
Most common: LMT
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
San Francisco punches well above its weight in healthcare. UCSF is a top-10 national hospital, and the city's 95%+ insurance coverage rate is among the highest anywhere. The tradeoff is cost: provider fees here reflect the city's overall cost of living, and even insured patients can face significant out-of-pocket expenses.
San Francisco has 648 massage therapists. The most common credential is LMT (88%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
SF is compact enough that most residents are within 20 minutes of a major hospital. UCSF's two main campuses (Parnassus and Mission Bay) anchor the western and eastern halves of the city. California Pacific Medical Center on Van Ness serves the northern neighborhoods. Muni and BART make car-free healthcare access genuinely possible here, which is unusual for a US city.
Providers practice throughout San Francisco. Mission District is a vibrant, diverse neighborhood with community health centers serving a large Latino population. Pacific Heights is an affluent neighborhood with concierge practices and proximity to CPMC and UCSF. SoMa is the South of Market area is close to Zuckerberg SF General, a Level I trauma center. Castro is a historic LGBTQ+ neighborhood with strong affirming care options and community clinics.
Nearby hospitals include UCSF Medical Center, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, and California Pacific Medical Center. Local training programs run through University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and University of San Francisco. UCSF Medical Center is among the top 10 hospitals in the nation, specializing in cancer and neurology.
A first session begins with a health intake form and brief discussion about your goals, problem areas, and any medical conditions. The therapist will leave the room while you undress to your comfort level and lie on the massage table under a sheet. During the session (typically 60 to 90 minutes), the therapist works on the areas discussed, adjusting pressure based on your feedback. You should speak up if the pressure is too much or too little. After the session, the therapist may recommend stretches, hydration, and a follow-up schedule. Mild soreness for a day or two after deep tissue work is normal.
See a massage therapist for chronic muscle tension and pain (especially back, neck, and shoulders), recovery from sports injuries or intense exercise, headaches or migraines related to muscle tension, fibromyalgia, stress and anxiety reduction, post-surgical recovery (with your surgeon's approval), pregnancy-related discomfort (with a prenatal-certified therapist), and as part of a pain management plan alongside medical treatment. If you have a medical condition, check with your doctor before starting massage therapy.
60-minute session: $60-120 · 90-minute session: $90-170 · With insurance (when covered): $20-50 copay · Massage school clinic: $25-50 · Corporate wellness: often subsidized
San Francisco, CA has 648 licensed massage therapists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of massage therapists in San Francisco, CA are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
SF has Healthy San Francisco, a city program that provides basic healthcare access for uninsured residents regardless of immigration status. For employer coverage, Kaiser, Blue Shield, and Anthem are the most common carriers. Medi-Cal managed care runs through SF Health Plan. Covered California participation is strong.
A 60-minute session costs $60 to $120. A 90-minute session costs $90 to $170. With insurance (when covered): $20 to $50 copay. A massage school clinic session costs $25 to $50. Actual costs in San Francisco, CA depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Massage is usually out of pocket. If your doctor prescribes massage for a medical condition, you can use HSA/FSA funds. Workers' comp and auto injury insurance often cover massage as part of injury treatment. Many employers include massage in wellness benefits.
In San Francisco, the main healthcare systems are UCSF Health (academic, highly specialized), Sutter/CPMC (broad community coverage across four campuses), Kaiser Permanente (closed network with its own facilities on Geary), and Zuckerberg SF General (the city's public safety-net hospital). Your insurance plan will often determine which system you use.
Some massage therapists in San Francisco, CA accept Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid does not cover massage therapy in most states. A few state programs include limited massage benefits for pain management. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Medi-Cal participation before scheduling.
For chronic pain or injury: weekly or biweekly for four to eight weeks, then tapering. For wellness and stress management: monthly sessions. For sports recovery: weekly during training season. Your therapist will recommend a frequency based on your goals. With 648 massage therapists in San Francisco, CA, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
Healthy San Francisco is a city-funded program that provides healthcare access to uninsured San Francisco residents, including undocumented immigrants. It covers primary care, prescriptions, and hospital visits through the SF Department of Public Health network. It's not insurance, but it fills a real gap for residents who don't qualify for other coverage.
Many SF primary care panels are full, especially in popular neighborhoods like the Marina, Pacific Heights, and Noe Valley. UCSF and Sutter/CPMC periodically open new patient slots. One Medical and Carbon Health offer membership-based primary care with same-day availability. Community health centers also accept new patients on a rolling basis.
Top accepted carriers in San Francisco, CA include qhp-56707, qhp-30751, qhp-23603, and qhp-10091.
Insurance coverage for massage therapy is limited. When covered, it typically requires a physician prescription for a specific medical diagnosis. Workers' compensation and auto injury insurance cover massage as part of rehabilitation. HSA and FSA funds can cover massage with a doctor's letter of medical necessity. Some employer wellness programs include massage benefits. Out-of-pocket costs are the norm for most people. Community massage clinics and massage schools offer reduced-rate sessions.