On average, a 60-minute massage can cost anywhere from $60 to $150, according to online service marketplace and lead-generation platform Thervo.
Many people think massages are a luxury service. But the reality is, for many folks, it's necessary for their overall health. And with prices like that, it can definitely price out some people.
Well, in Indianapolis, Ivy Tech’s therapeutic massage program offers free 60-minute massages completely open to the public and bookable online.
Dr. Bethany Gray says the student-run clinic gives future massage therapists valuable hands-on experience (pun intended) working with clients while also offering a service that might otherwise be out of reach for some people in our community.
"When I see the people walking out, I see how much benefit they get from this, especially the people who maybe can't afford a professional massage. They can come to the clinic and get a massage that they otherwise would never even have, and those people are very grateful for the service," Dr. Gray said.
Students begin learning massage techniques as soon as the second week of their coursework at Ivy Tech, and start working with members of the public in the student clinic during their second semester.
For many students, that first appointment can be intimidating, but it quickly changes.
"They get really nervous the first time that they're working with people in the public," Gray said. "But after that first massage that they do, it totally changes, and then they become the therapist."
The experience helps students build confidence while developing the practical skills they'll need after graduation. In addition to learning massage techniques, students study anatomy, physiology, pathology, ethics, and communication. Beginning in spring 2027, students will also gain experience operating the clinic itself, including scheduling appointments and managing front-desk responsibilities.
"It's not just about giving the massage. It's about knowing how to run the business,” Dr. Gray said. “I've known a lot of students that start their own business afterward and are really successful."
Ivy Tech's therapeutic massage program prepares students for careers in a variety of settings, including spas, wellness centers, medical offices, chiropractic practices and private practice. Students also complete the education required to pursue massage therapy licensure in Indiana.
Dr. Gray, who is both a licensed massage therapist and doctor of acupuncture, has spent years building and leading massage therapy programs. She joined Ivy Tech Indianapolis in 2025 from the Bloomington campus, in part, because she saw an opportunity to help grow a relatively new program and expand opportunities for students.
The program, still in its infancy, operates out of the recently renovated Illinois Fall Creek Center (IFC). Redesigned with the School of Health Sciences and School of Nursing in mind, the state-of-the-art facilities are the perfect space to grow.
"I really like getting into programs that are new and seeing how much I can improve them, how far they can grow and the different things that the programs can do," Gray said. “I want to give our students really big opportunities.”
For community members, the clinic offers more than just a free massage, though, Dr. Gray says. It provides an opportunity to support student learning while receiving a service that can improve overall wellness. Dr. Gray says she got into acupuncture because she wanted to help people become healthy.
“I wanted to kind of show people that they could do other things to help with their health journey, naturally,” she said. “And acupuncture is a great way to do that.”
Community members interested in booking a free massage can schedule an appointment through the program's online booking system. Availability varies by semester based on student clinic schedules. You may also contact the clinic by phone at 317-916-7945.
For the remainder of this semester, the clinic will run on Thursday evenings. In the spring, it will run all day on Tuesdays.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public post-secondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. Ivy Tech serves more than 200,000 students annually and offers associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training in more than 70 programs across Indiana. The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is committed to providing affordable, high-quality education aligned with the needs of Indiana’s workforce.
