Massage Therapy · San Diego
Massage Therapy in San Diego, part of a care plan, not a spa day
Not all Massage is the same, and booking the wrong one is how an hour ends up not being what you needed. Maybe you want deep work on a stubborn knot, a gentle lymphatic session, prenatal care that fits this stage of pregnancy, or simply an hour where your body finally lets go.
At Saffron & Sage, our licensed Massage Therapists are trained in many techniques, and they work in the same clinic as our Acupuncturists and Doctors. Your session can fit around the rest of your care instead of standing alone.
- Licensed, multi-technique therapists
- Care coordinated with our clinical team
- Book online and pay at checkout
- HSA, FSA and LSA welcome, always gratuity-free
- Session
- About 1 hour
- Cost
- 1 non-medical credit · first visit $250
- Practitioners
- Licensed Massage Therapists
- Payment
- HSA, FSA and LSA welcome
- Where
- 2555 State St, San Diego
New patients
How much does Massage Therapy cost? Two ways to start
Massage Therapy is paid for with non-medical credits. Start with a single first appointment, or add a consultation so our team can take a fuller history and review your labs, if you have them.
1 non-medical credit
Your first Massage Therapy appointment
- About 1 hour of Massage Therapy
- Pressure and technique built around you
- A plan for what’s next
Non-medical credit + consultation
First appointment + consultation
- Your first Massage Therapy appointment
- A full consultation and health history, a $300 value, included
- Lab review if you bring recent results
New patients. Through November 26, 2026. Book online and pay at checkout. HSA, FSA and LSA welcome. We are direct pay and do not bill insurance; superbills are available on request.
After your first visit
Book Massage Therapy as you need it with non-medical credits, or save with a monthly plan from $275/month. See monthly plans
Not sure Massage Therapy is right for you?
Talk it through on a free discovery call first. Book a discovery call
Why patients book
Why our patients book Massage Therapy
These are the reasons we hear most from people across San Diego, from Little Italy and Downtown to Mission Hills and North Park. Your therapist will ask what is going on and suggest the session that fits.
Desk and screen tension
Neck, shoulders and upper back that tighten up by mid-afternoon.
Massage for office workers →Back pain that keeps coming back
Ongoing discomfort that stretching alone hasn't shifted.
Massage and chronic pain →Stress that lives in the body
Clenched jaw, shallow breathing, trouble switching off.
How touch affects the nervous system →Feeling puffy or heavy
Gentle lymphatic work, including after a procedure your Doctor has cleared.
Signs of a sluggish lymphatic system →Pregnancy and after birth
Positioning adapted for each trimester and the months after.
Is prenatal Massage safe? →Jaw clenching and headaches
Work on the jaw, face, scalp and base of the skull.
What is buccal Massage? →A real reset
An hour that belongs to you, after a hard week.
The basics
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage Therapy is hands-on work on the muscles and connective tissue, using pressure, movement and stretching to ease tension, support mobility and help your body settle.
There are dozens of styles, from slow, firm deep tissue work to light, rhythmic Lymphatic Drainage. The right one depends on what you want from the hour, how your body responds to pressure and what else is going on in your health. That is why every session here starts with a short conversation, not a menu.
We don’t make promises about results. Your therapist will be straight with you about what Massage can reasonably help with, and when something else, like a visit with one of our Doctors, should come first.
How Massage fits into integrative care here
At Saffron & Sage, Massage isn’t a one-off spa hour. Your therapist can see the rest of your plan and coordinate with your Acupuncturist, Naturopathic Doctor or movement practitioner, so your bodywork builds on what is already working instead of repeating it.
Many patients pair Massage with Fire Cupping, Acupuncture or Breathwork. Others come for Massage alone. Either way, you leave with a suggestion for what to do next, not a package you have to buy.
What it feels like
What to expect, and how pressure works
You stay covered with a sheet the whole time, and only the area being worked on is uncovered. You undress only to your comfort level. Your therapist checks in on pressure, and you can ask for more, less or a different focus at any point.
Deep work can feel intense in places, but it shouldn’t hurt. A good session leaves you feeling looser and calmer, sometimes a little tired. Drink water and take it easy for the rest of the day if you can.
Prefer something lighter?
If firm pressure isn’t for you, ask about:
- Lymphatic Drainage (light, rhythmic, calming)
- Swedish or aromatherapy Massage
- Reflexology (feet and hands)
- Trauma-informed Massage, where you set the pace
Your visit
Your Massage Therapy appointment, step by step
Book online
Choose your Massage, pick your Massage Therapist and a time, and pay at checkout. New patients start with the $250 first appointment.
Complete your intake
Complete your intake online before you arrive, so your time together starts focused on you. Drink water, skip a heavy meal right before, and plan to arrive about 10 minutes early for your first visit.
Your Massage
You rest on a warm, padded table, draped the whole time. Tell your therapist anytime you want more or less pressure.
Your plan
Your therapist may suggest a stretch, a follow-up timeline or another service, such as Cupping or Acupuncture.
Our sessions
Types of Massage Therapy we offer
Most massages use one non-medical service credit (Chi Nei Tsang uses two). Not sure which to book? Tell us what’s going on on a free discovery call and we’ll point you to the right session.
1 non-medical credit
Deep Tissue Massage
Slow, firm pressure into the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. A common choice for people who carry tension in the neck, shoulders and lower back from long days at a desk or behind the wheel.
Deep tissue, explained →1 non-medical credit
Swedish Massage
Long, flowing strokes that help you slow down. A great first Massage, or a reset after a stressful week.
1 non-medical credit
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
A light, rhythmic technique that follows the lymphatic system. People book it when they feel puffy or heavy, or after a procedure once their Doctor has cleared it.
Lymphatic Drainage, explained →1 non-medical credit
Sports Massage
For training blocks, race prep and recovery between workouts, with a focus on mobility and tired muscles.
1 non-medical credit
Prenatal Massage
Positioning adapted for pregnancy, with extra support for the low back and hips. After the first trimester, or earlier with your OB or midwife’s approval.
Before your first prenatal Massage →1 non-medical credit
Postnatal Massage
Support for the low back, hips and shoulders in the weeks and months after birth, when carrying and feeding take their toll.
Postpartum Massage →1 non-medical credit
Myofascial Release
Sustained, gentle pressure on connective tissue. Often chosen for ongoing back and neck tension, jaw tension and restricted movement.
Myofascial release →1 non-medical credit
Buccal and Facial Massage
Massage of the face and jaw, including gentle work inside the cheek with a gloved hand. Popular for jaw clenching and Facial tension.
Buccal Massage and stress →1 non-medical credit
Suboccipital Massage
Focused work at the base of the skull, where tension from screens and posture tends to build. May include Cupping and aromatherapy.
1 non-medical credit
Scalp Massage
Targeted work on the scalp and upper neck. A calming option if you spend long hours at a screen.
1 non-medical credit
Tui Na
A Chinese medicine bodywork technique using pressing, kneading and stretching. Often paired with Acupuncture.
1 non-medical credit
Thai on the Table
Traditional Thai techniques adapted for the table: acupressure, assisted stretching and rhythmic compression.
1 non-medical credit
Abdominal Massage and Chi Nei Tsang
Gentle, focused work on the abdomen. Chi Nei Tsang is a longer, deeper Taoist technique and uses two credits.
Massage and digestion →1 non-medical credit
Reflexology
Pressure on specific points of the feet and hands. Deeply relaxing, and a good option if you prefer not to undress.
Reflexology at Saffron & Sage →1 non-medical credit
Aromatherapy Massage
A therapeutic Massage with essential oils chosen for how you want to feel afterward.
1 non-medical credit
Custom Massage
A fully personalized session. Your therapist combines techniques based on your intake and how your body responds.
1 non-medical credit
Trauma-Informed Massage
A consent-forward session where you set the pace, including pressure, positioning and what areas are worked on.
Trauma-informed Massage →Your practitioners
Meet our Massage Therapy team
Massage Therapy at Saffron & Sage is part of your care with our clinical team, alongside our Doctors of Acupuncture and Naturopathic Doctors, so your session can build on the rest of your plan.
DACM, L.Ac, CMT
Dr. Scott McFarlane
Director of Clinical Excellence, Doctor of Acupuncture and Massage Therapist. Massage and bodywork, Acupuncture, Chi Nei Tsang, Qi Gong, Reiki and herbal medicine.
Read bio →Book online
Book your Massage Therapy
Choose your Massage, pick your Massage Therapist and a time, then pay at checkout. New patients, start with the $250 first appointment below.
New to Saffron & Sage? Start with your first appointment for $250, normally $300.
Book now
Location
Massage Therapy near Little Italy, San Diego
Saffron & Sage is in Mission Hills, just north of Little Italy, a short drive from Downtown, Bankers Hill, Point Loma and North Park. Many patients come in before or after work.
Hours: Monday and Thursday 8am to 2pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8am to 8pm.
Questions
Massage Therapy FAQs
How much does a Massage cost in San Diego at Saffron & Sage?
At Saffron & Sage, Massage Therapy is paid for with non-medical credits. New patients can book a first appointment for $250 (normally $300) or a first appointment and consultation for $300 (normally $600). After that, book online and pay at checkout, or save with a monthly plan from $275 a month. HSA, FSA and LSA dollars are welcome.
What type of Massage should I get?
For stubborn tension, deep tissue or myofascial release. For puffiness or after a procedure your Doctor has cleared, Lymphatic Drainage. For jaw clenching or Facial tension, buccal. For pregnancy, prenatal. For a first-time reset, Swedish. Still unsure? A free discovery call takes the guesswork out.
How do I book Massage Therapy?
Book online on this page: choose your Massage, pick your Massage Therapist and a time, and pay at checkout. New patients can start with the $250 first appointment. You can also call (619) 933-2340.
Will a Massage hurt?
It shouldn’t. Some deep work feels intense in places, but you are always in control of the pressure and can ask your therapist to adjust at any time.
Do I have to undress?
Only to your comfort level. You stay covered with a sheet, and only the area being worked on is uncovered. Reflexology and scalp Massage don’t require undressing at all.
How often should I get a Massage?
Many people come every week or two during a busy or training-heavy stretch, then monthly for maintenance. Your therapist will make a suggestion, and you decide.
Can I get a Massage while pregnant?
Yes. Our prenatal Massage uses pregnancy-adapted positioning. We generally begin after the first trimester, or earlier with your OB or midwife’s approval. If your pregnancy is high risk, check with your provider first.
Is Massage covered by insurance or HSA?
We accept HSA, FSA, HRA and LSA funds. Your plan administrator decides which services are eligible, so please check with your plan. We are direct pay and do not bill insurance; superbills are available on request.
What’s the difference between Swedish and deep tissue Massage?
Swedish uses long, flowing strokes and lighter pressure to help you relax. Deep tissue uses slower, firmer pressure to work into deeper layers of muscle. Many sessions blend the two.
Should I get a Massage or Acupuncture?
It depends on what you want help with, and many patients do both. Massage works hands-on with muscle and connective tissue; Acupuncture uses fine needles at specific points. Our team can help you choose on a free discovery call.
Is Lymphatic Drainage right for me?
Many people book it when they feel puffy or heavy, or after a procedure. If one leg is suddenly swollen, warm or painful, see a Doctor first, because Massage is not safe over a blood clot.
Can Massage help with tension headaches?
Many people book Massage for tension that builds in the neck, jaw and base of the skull. Suboccipital, scalp and buccal Massage focus on those areas. If headaches are new, severe or changing, talk to a Doctor first; our medical team can help.
What should I do after a Massage?
Drink water, move gently and give yourself a slower evening if you can. Some people feel a little sore the next day after deep work, which usually settles quickly. Tell your therapist next time so they can adjust.
Can I combine Massage with Cupping or Acupuncture?
Yes. Cupping is often added to deep tissue or suboccipital work, and many patients alternate Massage with Acupuncture. Your therapist or our team can suggest a combination that fits your plan.
What should I tell my therapist before a session?
Any recent injuries or surgery, pregnancy, blood thinners, skin conditions, and areas you want them to focus on or avoid. The more they know, the better the session fits you.
Do I need to be a member?
No. Anyone can book Massage Therapy online and pay at checkout. Membership unlocks preferred pricing, member-only offers and events, and other perks.
Where are you located?
2555 State Street, Suite 101, San Diego, CA 92101, just north of Little Italy. The entrance is on West Maple Street. Call (619) 933-2340.
Free guide
Puffy, swollen or heavy? It may not be weight.
Our free guide to fluid, swelling and lymphatic health. Learn the difference between puffiness, fluid and fat, and when swelling needs a Doctor today.
- Puffiness, fluid and fat: three different things
- The swelling that needs urgent care
- What helps while you wait for answers
Ready when you are
Book your first Massage Therapy appointment
Start with a single first appointment for $250, or add a full consultation for $300, normally $600. Not sure yet? Our team will listen, explain your options and help you pick the right Massage and practitioner.
All medical services are provided by Kasawa Medical APC dba Saffron & Sage MD. Massage at Saffron & Sage supports your overall care and doesn’t replace medical treatment. Please tell us at intake about any recent surgery, blood clots, pregnancy or other conditions. If you have sudden swelling in one leg, chest pain or trouble breathing, call 911.