Working With or Renting From a Chiropractor: What Massage Therapists Can Expect

One of the most common places to find massage therapy is within a chiropractor’s office. Speaking of which, this was actually my introduction to massage therapy. After a motor vehicle accident, the chiropractor I was seeing spent several months recommending a massage before I finally decided to schedule a 60-minute session in his office.

Massage therapists typically work in one of two ways in these settings: either as employees under the chiropractor’s business or by renting a room while maintaining their own independent practice. Both options come with pros and cons, which can help a massage therapist decide which path fits their career goals and lifestyle. Because what’s a benefit for one therapist might be a drawback for another, I’ll summarize what you can generally expect from each scenario.

Working directly for a chiropractor is currently the most common setup for massage therapists wanting to collaborate. Right from the start, you’ll notice the difference in language—chiropractors refer to those they treat as patients rather than clients, and you’ll quickly adopt the same terminology.

As an employee, you have immediate access to the chiropractor’s established patient base, leading to faster referrals and a steady flow of massage appointments. Many of these patients will present with complex or chronic conditions you may only have read about in textbooks during massage school—conditions like multiple sclerosis, psoriatic arthritis, disc herniations, and more. This setting offers valuable hands-on experience treating real-world cases that challenge your skills and clinical reasoning.

Most chiropractic offices accept insurance, which affects treatment planning because patients must work within their insurance deductibles and visit limits. This often means massage sessions tend to be shorter and focused on specific areas rather than longer, full-body massages. Keep in mind, pay rates for massage in these settings are generally lower than what you might find at a spa, due to insurance reimbursements—except in cases involving work-related or motor vehicle accidents, where liability insurance is involved.

While the financial rewards may be modest, working alongside a chiropractor can be extremely rewarding in other ways. You become part of a healthcare team helping patients manage pain and improve quality of life, which is a meaningful and fulfilling experience. Renting a room from a chiropractor, on the other hand, allows you to maintain full autonomy as an independent business owner. This flexibility can be ideal if you have other commitments or prefer to control your own schedule.

Although you’ll likely still receive referrals from the chiropractor, patients won’t be able to use their insurance benefits to cover your massage services. This can limit some patients who are hesitant to pay out-of-pocket for additional treatments on top of their chiropractic care. However, it also means you’re not limited by insurance-approved visit caps, which can give you more freedom in treatment planning.

Running your own practice means handling marketing, bookings, and business operations. While this entrepreneurial approach is empowering, it requires self-discipline and a willingness to manage the administrative side of your work. Some therapists thrive in this environment, while others may find the business aspects overwhelming. As you get started with your practice and begin building referral sources, it is important to avoid any form of fee-splitting or referral bonuses between you and the chiropractor, or any healthcare provider for that matter. This practice is not only unethical, but also illegal in most states—even if it’s framed as a “mutual referral” or includes gifts instead of money.

Oftentimes, chiropractors are willing to negotiate rental agreements—especially for newer therapists who may not yet have a steady clientele to cover a full month’s rent. Overall, collaboration with the chiropractor in this model tends to be less formal, but maintaining a good professional relationship can still lead to valuable referrals and networking opportunities.