What type of massage music do you play in your treatment space? How does it reflect the personality of your massage practice? Does your spa use a high-quality digital subscription service? We asked massage therapists of all stripes how they choose music for their massage treatments and how it reflects their personality as massage therapists. Here’s what we found out:

1. Many of you have a Client Centered Approach, giving your clients free reign to select their own music, or presenting a limited set of options (that both you and the client can work with)

2. Some of you have a trademark musical style that reflects your personality, like Wisdom & Funk who plays R&B by default.

3. Many of you love a variety of music, especially healing, relaxing styles of music like Native American, classical, and instrumental music.

4. Those who got a little tired of "water sounds" made the switch to soft rock, jazz, and pop, and your clients enjoyed it too!

Read all the massage music recommendations we received and leave a comment below telling us about your own musical preferences, and what that says about your massage practice!

I use a variety of music including instrumental, harp, Celtic, and a few of my favorites are Enya, Loreena Mckennitt, and Celtic Twilight. I also use Native American flute, Japanese music, and others, the most important thing about the selection of music I choose is to make sure it is relaxing and conducive to the healing affects of my work ~ Liz

During my years at a busy ski resort I got really tired of the wind, birds and water sounds. I made the switch to soft rock and never looked back. In fact I kept a few classic rock dvd's handy and many of my clients requested the more upbeat music. ~Jane

Since I mostly do deep tissue work on control freak-type clients, I play soothing music to make them as relaxed as possible. It doesn't always have to be new age or 'soundscape', just as long as the tempo is slower than the heart beat and has a beginning, a middle and an end. Most of my clients subconciously need to be able to 'follow' the suggestion of the music. If they feel confused they get antsy and twitchy! The music definitely has an impact on the client's overall experience. ~ Barbara

I play music from around the world: Céline Dion, African, Arabic, Italian, French tenors (always relaxing), some water music, Violins meditations. Because I am also a hypnotherapist I do some hypnosis when asked. ~Violet

I have a collection of about 60 different cd saved on itunes... I choose the music I play during the session according to the client preference and personality and type of work the client needs. ~Sara

I use client centered approach by using a service that give me access to thousands of commercial streams. The client may then choose the music they like or leave it to the practitioner. This not only eliminates any complaint but gives insight into the internal aclient state. It's led to more than a few interesting conversations. ~Al

I play a variety of most all music from chanting to classical. I love Chopin, Romantic Arias, Beethoven for deep tissue is really great because it makes me powerful. Sometimes I pop in an opera like Madam Butterfly, or La Traviata. Leonard Cohen's deep voice....I guess it depends on the client and the application. 

~Ursula

I allow my clients to choose the music I play. I stipulate that the music cannot be profane or vulgar (so I won't even have anything like that available, but it sets the expectation). Once I implemented this I found my clients relaxed quicker and as a side note, 2 specific clients who suffer from depression due to conditions told me that because I allowed them to listen to THEIR "zen" music, they felt more positive and optimistic in addition to feeling rejuvenated. I think allowing them to choose their own music allows their body to enter an effortless natural healing state for a more thorough treatment to take place, without any force on our part.
It reflects the personalized nature of my practice where I believe my clients are in tune with their bodies and can take an active role in their own healing. When they listen to the music from their last massage it just might take them back to that healing space...or remind them that it might be time to come back for another massage. ~Brianne

I predominately use Native American flute music, but if a client has a different preference I do my best to accommodate them as it is "their" time to relax. ~Jerry

Client's choice - from a selection I offer. Fun to try to tune in with somebody and guess what they'll like... I also think about myself when I present the options, don't want something that drives me up the walls But also shouldn't like it too much, otherwise I'll tune in with the music more than with the client... I prefer real instruments, long tracks and no sudden changes in rhythm or volume. No words if possible, but if there are, then ideally unintelligible - I think it's easier to 'be in the zone' and relax than getting drawn into processing words. OK, unless you're doing hypno-massage or something where you use the words. Or more sophisticated InnerTalk music CDs with subliminal messages (stumbling across those got me thinking). As a side effect of working with music, I find that I can't have treatments myself to the same music or it'll feel as if I'm working (as much as I love what I do and I love the music). ~Astrid

It depends on who's on the table. I have clients I know like piano, guitar, native american. Clients who I know will be trying not to wiggle if anything has a beat. I play a lot of world music along with the above mentioned. New clients will likely get a soft instrumental. I try to let them know if they have something they like, they are welcome to request it or bring their own too... which has landed me working to the audio version of a Harry Potter book. ~Maire

For the most part I use healing music such as Heart of Reiki and such. But there are times when the client prefers something they like. ~Lisa

The reputation is established by the name of my studio--Wisdom and Funk. One of my early clients wanted to hear R&B. I love R&B. I created a playlist and have not looked back. Lucky for me, my newer clients love it, too. Here is a sample of one of my playlists:

Funny How Love Is..... from Southparkbuddha on 8tracks Radio.

~Anna

I really enjoy using music from Dean Evanson, Stephen Halpern and the group 2002. I tend to avoid music with vocals as clients have provided negative feedback on it. ~Holly

While I prefer nature sounds or a blend of Celtic or Native American, I have found it best to ask my clients what they might prefer. I do have a Lady who enjoys a mix of instrumental blues ie: Ronnie Earl. ~James

I have several playlists, but generally listen to modern music. Whether indie or jazz (personal fondess for jazz, 70s AM radio and things like Coldplay). Clients continually comment that I play the best music of any massage therapist, or thank me for not playing Enya or water sounds. I play the kind of music I want to listen to. When I (or the client) wants something more "traditional", I play instrumental music - the bulk of the songs pulled from movie soundtracks. ~Katherine

I have a wide variety and have found clients seem to prefer the Celtic CDs and some the Native American. I have found a large percentage of my clients DO NOT like the Eastern/Indian-type of music and some do not like the Native American either. One client brings his own play list which includes Jimmy Buffet, Blues Bros, the Ignuanas, Sammy Davis, Jr......a full spectrum of music! I was really good and kept my hands on during the "YMCA" song! If a client tells me their preferences/dislikes, I note it in their folder so I know what to play/not to play to help them reap the most from their session. ~Janet

I try to play 528hz music all the time, or music which raises the Alpha brain. However flute, water, Native American and soft-flowing Christian meditative music all work for me as well.~Kweli

I play a mix I have about 6 hours of music on my Ipod. I have Nora Jones, Stephen Helpern, David Young, Mario Frangoulis, Sade, Michael Buble, Fairy music, Jazz, French love songs anything that has a smooth groove. ~Geri

If we do not have a multiroom studio, but work one on one, it is really nice to ask the client what they prefer. At least 50 % make a choice in my practice, some in fact prefer no music! One of my best received sessions ever was to U2. An older gentleman liked big band. ~Kelly

When clients comment on the music I take the opportunity to ask what type of musical instrument they like and make a mental and written note on their chart. So when I see them on their next session they can fully enjoy their service ~Lissette