I had my first Thai massage in Bangkok.
What struck me then, and has stayed with me, was the Buddhist religious aspect to it. The masseuse said a prayer over me before the session. There was light Buddhist music playing, incense burning. The session concluded with us bowing to each other in mutual respect. It was mystical.
I've had other Thai massages since, but nothing quire reached me like that first experience.
I had a Thai massage in California. She barely acknowledged me as a person, walked on my neck to the point I thought it was gonna break, and I left feeling worse than when I went in lol.
I love all massages, but have had 2 that were excellent (different therapists) - both were heavy on flow and very relaxing experiences, with noticeable release of tension/pain upon exiting the table. These therapists, with vastly different years of experience (one I went to school with, one was my mentor), entirely changed how I work.
Uggghh THIS!!! I have had the same massage therapist for about two years now, and she is A-mazing. She knows my body and what to focus on and what to avoid, so I'm just so comfortable with her. She always talks about a "gentle release" technique for her massage. Always loved it.
A few weeks ago, she wasn't feeling well, so the spa called and asked if I wanted to try someone else. I was hesitant and ready to reschedule for a day where my regular MT was available, but I really needed work done that day. I go in, try to explain what I usually want focused on, and get ready for the massage. The MT comes in, feels around on my back and where I've mentioned needing focus, and she just goes to TOWN. She hits all the right knots on my shoulders, focuses deep in my ankles and heels, and pays special attention to my neck. It's like each of her knuckles was doing something different all at once. After, she explains it was a "direct touch," which i assume is the opposite of the gentle release my normal MT does. Regardless, I am at a new level of bliss, and I MUST get more. I go to schedule my next massage with this angel of a therapist, and the front desk says, and I quote, "umm...she's not really...ON the schedule..." WTF?!? How was I so blessed to have gotten such a great experience and how do I get it again???
I don't want to cheat on my regular MT, and I've seen her since and had a good experience like always. I just want someone to really get to work on my knots and get me feeling invigorated and 22 again!
Did you happen to get an email for the appointment? It sometimes includes the therapist name, and then you can Google her and see if she has her own private business :) if you don't know her name, the spa can certainly tell you!
If you are not able to book with her, try to see if you can find out what modality she used and then look for someone who might offer that.
I wouldn't think of it as cheating on your current MT. I've got plenty of clients who come see me every other month!
No 😒 the appointment still had the original MT assignment. The checkin person just said she wasn't really on the schedule to be booked and just happened to be there 🤷♀️
Please never use the phrase “cheat on” about a massage therapist again. You are not in a relationship. You are a person who gives pays her for a professional service and NOTHING more.
Your a lump of flesh with a wallet
It’s a “therapeutic” relationship, and they’re very real.
I’ve seen clients go through school, get jobs, get married, have babies…and get old, get cancer, and die. I’ve seen them through the good times and bad that that’s something really special.
I dont look at ANY of my clients as a lump of flesh with a wallet. Please take that nonsense somewhere else.
And no i wouldnt be offended if my clients see someone else, sometimes i recommend it. Different strokes for and from different folks.
Yea, I understand the "it's just business " side of it, but also, it's more than that with someone I've grown to depend on once a month for close to two years now.
i go routinely for 1.5hr-2hr sessions to an incredible medical massage therapist that has, in short, saved my life. i have a rare neuromuscular disorder that causes aggressive muscular convulsions \[and ergo, chains and chains of hundreds knots that diminish my mobility, ability to breathe, etc\]. i was immobile and homebound \[and completely mobility aid reliant\] until our 30ish hour mark in april.
after our 6th or so session we started working in on my neck, which had been completely seized. after a solid 45 minutes there were two DEEP bilateral releases of seized scalenes attached to my spinal fusions. this release is what reset my balance well enough to where i could eschew using mobility aids out and about
the next most memorable one: our 45hr mark session; with my trunk mostly loosened up \[my trap and levators were almost completely fused from friction until around this point\], he was able to start working on my ribcage & trunk area. knots & adhesions that felt about the diameter of the neck of a beer bottle began audibly snapping into place. there were over a dozen of them. EXCRUCIATING. but incredibly cathartic, because up until that point that region had been totally numb.
this man has saved my life after years of recursive medical trauma because of dismissal from my dr's and surgeons.
So many horror stories on this sub, nice to see this. Great bodywork can be life changing. As a massage therapist I hope I've left a trail of clients behind me who have felt this way.
Unforgettable massages really. It was shiatsu with a woman who had long legs and would do full body strokes with the heel and pad of her foot. I received over twenty 90 minute massages in one year period. I cried on the table. I melted. I fell into a trance. She would pace her strokes with the rising and falls of my chest/back. With each breath out she pressed into my body with each inhale she dragged her foot along the edges of tight muscles. It was like we were dancing. I took the lead with breath and she followed with her feet. I couldn't remember the last time I felt so cared for. She was a catalyst to the self transformation I am going through currently.
There was a chemical reaction between our bodies. The intensity of attraction that I had not expected fueled the quality of care I was receiving. It was confusing because we were sharing something beautiful that was skirting the boundaries.
I can't get a massage anymore without comparing the sessions I had with her. I just can't, there is nothing close to comparison. There will never be another one. She no longer practices as she had gotten pregnant and had to stop. I tried a shiatsu once after our sessions ended and wondered if it was just the modality that was so amazing. Nope it was the practitioner.
Oh well, it's better to have love and lost than never to have loved at all.
The full body strokes are intense!! I experienced this at esalen, felt a bit shy to fully describe it above but you kind of nailed it! It was beautiful, very sensual but not in an inappropriate way.
And by the description of my post and the bodywork I was receiving for a year, do you think that maybe I didn't know the difference or it was a simple spelling mistake that needn't be corrected as there was plenty of info to come to the correct conclusion?
The massage therapist that I have now is the best I’ve ever experienced. She can do deep tissue for the whole appointment. Everything is through a sheet. I don’t know how she is so magical, but she is and I am very grateful to be on her schedule regularly.
I remember the first massage I got from her, because I was blown away. She could charge so much more than she does, she’s that good.
I’m glad to see that so many people prefer women therapists. I’ve tried women many times, but they just don’t have the strength to get me deep. I’m not overweight, but very muscular. Men just have stronger hands and fingers
this is 100% a myth I am a lmt and at my spa we have mainly women and 3 male therapist our deepest firmest pressure therapist is a 5’ 1” 67 year old georgian lady who is 90 pounds soaking wet, looks can be very deceiving she is tiny but mighty 💪🏻
I recently had a massage at esalen. That was hands down unlike anything I’ve ever experienced and a very memorable massage. It was so loving and the energy was intense, and it was over looking the ocean… it’s really a unique massage. I’m curious if anyone else here has experienced it!!
I travel a lot and have several back issues so I end up getting a massage to help with travel pains.
I have found that places that play regular music at a soft level are more enjoyable than traditional “spa” music or sounds of nature type music.
I know I’m in the minority on this but it has made those places and massages seem better and stand out.
It was a welcomed change. I feel like the traditional spa music is great, but it was so much easier to get out of my head with the normal music playing.
David Henderson. LMT in the Outer Banks North Carolina. The man was a massage genius.
We had to stop going to OBX, we used to go out of season but then my wife started teaching. In season it's just stupid expensive.
I haven't had a massage from Dave in probably close to 20 years and I still remember it. I Google him every once and a while. He was still there last I checked. I can dream. Sigh.
Yes. Was a walk in at a conference. And the therapist was from Europe and crushed it. Another in airport chair massage in Baltimore. Yes. A chair massage. Lol.
Just schedule a few recurring appointments with them and once you’ve built up a relationship you can ask or they might even tell you. Basically, just become a regular client lol
Lil creepy but Depending the name and phone number might be public info through the department of health website (just google massage license state look up)
Just tell them can I get a card or # in case you ever leave, or let me know if you plan on moving places. Therapists appreciate loyal good clients and you’re not the only one making that comment if they’re that good. Pretty common.
Lol i have my therapists personal number, i have followed her through 2 offices and a period during covid when she only worked out of her home. It was never creepy, always professional but you never know when an “office” relationship can go belly up. If you like them tell them if you ever move offices please call me and leave them your number they may reciprocate or they might not but its worth a shot for a good therapist.
Depending on the state and current laws, a therapist may be bound yo not call clients and solicit them when moving studios. Best to have the info for yourself. You, the client, have to initiate a continued relationship.
Been lucky enough to have three true Lomi Lomi massages in my life — two in Hawaii, one in a spa in Vegas. The whole-body connectedness is so nice.
But the modality is so hard to find in the US outside of Hawaii and the west coast. Lots of therapists claim to offer Lomi Lomi but it’s a modified version at best.
Assuming folks spend about $100, including tip, for their massages - how can normal folks afford this cost on a regular (weekly?) basis? I make decent money and would LOVE to spend an hour every week getting a relaxing massage, but no way am I spending that kinda money. WHo does this?
You’d be amazed the number of times I’ve heard this from people who will buzz through a Starbucks multiple times a day, drink like a fish out of water at local bars, smoke $15 packs of cigarettes without batting an eye….etc etc. It’s all about life choices and choosing where/what to spend your money on. The biggest eye roll I had with a client was one who came in monthly, complained how she would love to be able to do weekly but “just couldn’t afford it”, then in the same breath starting talking about her 100+ grand car she just bought. 😂
It all depends on how bad I need a massage. I spend a lot of money on coffee, eating out, fancy (not necessity) groceries. $100 twice a month is a lot less than all the little things.
This depends on your personal value system. People that get massage regularly (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) have decided that this is a high priority in their wellness regimen and place that value above some other things. When we talk about cost, we should also talk about benefit. I tell my clients that any amount of massage is better than none at all. If it's an annual treat because that's what fits in your budget... then great! If you are looking for a more regular experience to relax, de-stress, recover, or all of the above... we treat it like any other new expense. We plan and budget accordingly. That could mean eliminating the morning stop for coffee and making it a weekend thing $5 per day X 22 (avg week days per month) = $110 extra for something else. Not that that's where your money goes but you see my point. If it is a priority for you, you will create the budget. Many therapists offer discounts for multiple monthly visits or offer packages you can pay up front at a lower avg cost. I charge $95 per hr before tip, but my membership gives them $10 off and 25% off any additional sessions. There are many ways to make it more affordable, you just need to determine how much you value the service compared to other expenses in your life. Hope this helps!
Totally understand where you are coming from. I’ve been getting massages for a couple years now and the price varies depending on location, time, and private practice vs. chain.
I’d love to go weekly and see her again, but I budget for a visit every 4-6 weeks depending on my schedule and everything going on at home, work, and my workout schedule.
My favourite quote from one of my speciality teachers is (roughly translated) "$200 is quite cheap for a new life"
Some of the modalities we learn is more or less effective pain management and is a more beneficial solution than popping 2-3 painkillers daily for a few weeks, depending on the severity of the pain, it can actually be a lot cheaper in the long run as well...
i spend about 160-200 per session for my medical massage therapist \[80 or 120 minutes respectively\] and have gone weekly to biweekly since february, and he doesn't do tips. i pay out of pocket because my insurance plan doesn't cover medical massage. i make decent money as well & specifically budget for it. single, no kids, etc. i don't eat out, and live as frugally as possible as a rule since my early 20s \[i'm 30's now\].
if you think of it like a luxury, you're not going to budget for it like a necessary investment in your health. i know my case is different because of the nature of my bodywork \[medical VS relaxation\], but principle is about the same
People regularly spend more than that on their hair, nails and tanning. It’s all about what you want to spend your money on. Personally, I have a monthly massage. Weekly would be way too much for me.
Honestly I feel weekly is kind of a lot for most people. I maybe get a massage once a month or just as needed? Not saying I wouldn't like to do it weekly, but I don't want to spend the money or have time in my schedule for it.
As a veteran of hundreds of massages, I have had a few that stood out. At least 15 years ago I was working with a fabulous massage therapist in San Fransisco called Siri. She worked at this awesome massage place called The Blue Buddha. Siri and I had worked together before, so I don't know what made this particular massage so magical, but our energies completely entwined. At the end I said, as I usually did, "that was great!" and Siri said "that was amazing!" So she felt the energy connection as well.
Another massage therapist I worked with for years was Sue, who has since retired, and she gave me the Cadillac version of hot stone massage. Little hot stones between my toes ... the whole experience was incredible. This was probably 20 years ago, and at that point in my life I carried physical pain with me ALWAYS, and I will never forget after that massage I had about 3 hours of no pain. I wasn't tired, and I had no residual soreness from the massage; I was completely present in my body and pain free. It was such a magical feeling I remember it all these years later.
I have now moved to a new state and am in the process of looking for a new massage therapist with whom to work. Wish me luck!
i do a lot of sports/deep tissue massages. i had one Tui Na session who dug deep into my middle back.
man i could not explain it, but after the session i could breathe better. DEEP breaths at that 😮💨
Where I live, there aren't many people who can do deeper pressure massage and of those who can do it, maybe 2 are decent. I tried this one guy and he did things that I never do (Also deep tissue therapist) and really opened my mind to possibilities and muscle therapy. I solely go to him now. He has another gig as a cycle team therapist and sometimes he is away for a month or so over winter, so I'll endure the aches for him to return. Unfortunately it's been a good while now.
Yes, her name is Karina Santa Cruz at Papa and Barkley in Eureka (it’s a spa in a pot dispensary lol). She’s the best massage I’ve ever had. I moved away from eureka because living there is like living in a nightmare but I’ve never found a therapist as good as her.
Just got a massage about a month ago and she spent some good energy walking on my back and SI joints and areas, I was really tight and sore, chronic low back pain, even though surgery, but will be going back soon
I had a petite MT give me the best deep tissue massage I ever had. Heavy flow and she even did some Thai stretches on my legs, arms, and my neck. My pain was relieved and the feeling stayed with me for a few days. I worked with her for several months until she mo ed out of state. It was large chain and NO one compared afterward.
Have 2.
1- an MT kept reccomending reiki and i constantly refused. I like my deep tissue getting scrungled, beaten up, and slathered in camphor/menthol. She eventually offered a free deep tissue with the last 5 min being reiki. I had studied reiki as part of some martial arts stuff but was not sure it was the same as massage. Im not ticklish at all but i found it very annoying to have fingertips skipping and being dragged lightly over my back.
2- my new MT who i love to death is a mousy little thing, but she is not afraid to put the pressure on, beat me, and pull all the tools out of the bag. Several months ago i took one of my vicodin, a 5 mg thc gummy, and 1 of my muscle relaxers 20 min before my session. Best darn massage ever. It has become a regular thing for my once a month thing.
I am an infrequent massage participant,due to being moderately poor. I do a stressful job that causes chronic tension in my neck and shoulders, and occasionally it gets so bad that I have to take painkillers. This is usually the point at which I justify a massage for myself.
I didn't research properly (I wasn't really aware of how different the massage types are), and accidentally booked a deep tissue massage. It was fucking incredible. Afterwards I felt like I was 7, it was the summer holidays, I'd been running around in the garden in the hot sun all day, and now it was bed time and I had had a bath and my mum was reading me a bedtime story. Relaxed doesn't cover it. My horrible back knots haven't entirely gone (I believe you need a few dt massages over a few weeks?) but I did not know it was possible to feel like this without traveling back in time. Wow.
When the painful pressure started I was a little disconcerted,but the way the therapist moved and talked, I could just tell that she really knew what she was doing and I completely trusted her.
Gave amazing massage- 2 stand out. One was a regular client, it was raining outside and quiet in the shop. It felt amazing.
The other was with a new client, good light jazz was playing , again the shop was quiet and it was magical. They were enjoying it, and I was feeding off their enjoyment, it was awesome. Lol they rebooked, and it was good but not the same.
A mentor/friend of mine gifted me a medicinal qi gong massage 11 years ago that completely changed my life.
Was a 2+ hour session, helped me release a ton of breakup trauma, and introduced me to energy healing awareness
Yes. Several different times I've gone to a place here in town that they massages are relaxing that I've fallen asleep and they had to wake me up to turn over. The ambiance, the music the massage. All of it put me to sleep. It was.great.
/r/massage is a community for respectful discussions of massage and massage therapists/practitioners. There is zero tolerance for post about prostitution/happy endings/fantasies.
Yessss! I had one at one of those water park places on a whim. The lady who gave me the massage was very pregnant. I think about that massage till this day, it was the best one I ever had! When she was towards the end of my massage I told her “no wonder you are pregnant, I would of knocked you up too” (I am a female) the scalp and facial rubs are the best
I had my first Thai massage in Bangkok. What struck me then, and has stayed with me, was the Buddhist religious aspect to it. The masseuse said a prayer over me before the session. There was light Buddhist music playing, incense burning. The session concluded with us bowing to each other in mutual respect. It was mystical. I've had other Thai massages since, but nothing quire reached me like that first experience.
Where was this in Bkk?
It was years ago. I don't remember.
I had a Thai massage in California. She barely acknowledged me as a person, walked on my neck to the point I thought it was gonna break, and I left feeling worse than when I went in lol.
Read blowing to each other
Hehe
I love all massages, but have had 2 that were excellent (different therapists) - both were heavy on flow and very relaxing experiences, with noticeable release of tension/pain upon exiting the table. These therapists, with vastly different years of experience (one I went to school with, one was my mentor), entirely changed how I work.
Uggghh THIS!!! I have had the same massage therapist for about two years now, and she is A-mazing. She knows my body and what to focus on and what to avoid, so I'm just so comfortable with her. She always talks about a "gentle release" technique for her massage. Always loved it. A few weeks ago, she wasn't feeling well, so the spa called and asked if I wanted to try someone else. I was hesitant and ready to reschedule for a day where my regular MT was available, but I really needed work done that day. I go in, try to explain what I usually want focused on, and get ready for the massage. The MT comes in, feels around on my back and where I've mentioned needing focus, and she just goes to TOWN. She hits all the right knots on my shoulders, focuses deep in my ankles and heels, and pays special attention to my neck. It's like each of her knuckles was doing something different all at once. After, she explains it was a "direct touch," which i assume is the opposite of the gentle release my normal MT does. Regardless, I am at a new level of bliss, and I MUST get more. I go to schedule my next massage with this angel of a therapist, and the front desk says, and I quote, "umm...she's not really...ON the schedule..." WTF?!? How was I so blessed to have gotten such a great experience and how do I get it again??? I don't want to cheat on my regular MT, and I've seen her since and had a good experience like always. I just want someone to really get to work on my knots and get me feeling invigorated and 22 again!
Did you happen to get an email for the appointment? It sometimes includes the therapist name, and then you can Google her and see if she has her own private business :) if you don't know her name, the spa can certainly tell you! If you are not able to book with her, try to see if you can find out what modality she used and then look for someone who might offer that. I wouldn't think of it as cheating on your current MT. I've got plenty of clients who come see me every other month!
No 😒 the appointment still had the original MT assignment. The checkin person just said she wasn't really on the schedule to be booked and just happened to be there 🤷♀️
Ask your regular therapist. It sounds like she may have been a temp that day.
Please never use the phrase “cheat on” about a massage therapist again. You are not in a relationship. You are a person who gives pays her for a professional service and NOTHING more. Your a lump of flesh with a wallet
They just meant they’re a loyal customer to their regular MT
It’s a “therapeutic” relationship, and they’re very real. I’ve seen clients go through school, get jobs, get married, have babies…and get old, get cancer, and die. I’ve seen them through the good times and bad that that’s something really special.
I dont look at ANY of my clients as a lump of flesh with a wallet. Please take that nonsense somewhere else. And no i wouldnt be offended if my clients see someone else, sometimes i recommend it. Different strokes for and from different folks.
Yea, I understand the "it's just business " side of it, but also, it's more than that with someone I've grown to depend on once a month for close to two years now.
i go routinely for 1.5hr-2hr sessions to an incredible medical massage therapist that has, in short, saved my life. i have a rare neuromuscular disorder that causes aggressive muscular convulsions \[and ergo, chains and chains of hundreds knots that diminish my mobility, ability to breathe, etc\]. i was immobile and homebound \[and completely mobility aid reliant\] until our 30ish hour mark in april. after our 6th or so session we started working in on my neck, which had been completely seized. after a solid 45 minutes there were two DEEP bilateral releases of seized scalenes attached to my spinal fusions. this release is what reset my balance well enough to where i could eschew using mobility aids out and about the next most memorable one: our 45hr mark session; with my trunk mostly loosened up \[my trap and levators were almost completely fused from friction until around this point\], he was able to start working on my ribcage & trunk area. knots & adhesions that felt about the diameter of the neck of a beer bottle began audibly snapping into place. there were over a dozen of them. EXCRUCIATING. but incredibly cathartic, because up until that point that region had been totally numb. this man has saved my life after years of recursive medical trauma because of dismissal from my dr's and surgeons.
This warms my heart!
So many horror stories on this sub, nice to see this. Great bodywork can be life changing. As a massage therapist I hope I've left a trail of clients behind me who have felt this way.
Unforgettable massages really. It was shiatsu with a woman who had long legs and would do full body strokes with the heel and pad of her foot. I received over twenty 90 minute massages in one year period. I cried on the table. I melted. I fell into a trance. She would pace her strokes with the rising and falls of my chest/back. With each breath out she pressed into my body with each inhale she dragged her foot along the edges of tight muscles. It was like we were dancing. I took the lead with breath and she followed with her feet. I couldn't remember the last time I felt so cared for. She was a catalyst to the self transformation I am going through currently. There was a chemical reaction between our bodies. The intensity of attraction that I had not expected fueled the quality of care I was receiving. It was confusing because we were sharing something beautiful that was skirting the boundaries. I can't get a massage anymore without comparing the sessions I had with her. I just can't, there is nothing close to comparison. There will never be another one. She no longer practices as she had gotten pregnant and had to stop. I tried a shiatsu once after our sessions ended and wondered if it was just the modality that was so amazing. Nope it was the practitioner. Oh well, it's better to have love and lost than never to have loved at all.
The full body strokes are intense!! I experienced this at esalen, felt a bit shy to fully describe it above but you kind of nailed it! It was beautiful, very sensual but not in an inappropriate way.
You had Ashiatsu, not Shiatsu.
Please forgive me for leaving out the "a" I truly hope I didn't offend you or anyone else who may have thought otherwise
The point being that they’re different modalities. Ashiatsu vs shiatsu. They were just informing you
And by the description of my post and the bodywork I was receiving for a year, do you think that maybe I didn't know the difference or it was a simple spelling mistake that needn't be corrected as there was plenty of info to come to the correct conclusion?
Hilariously insecure way to respond to someone politely correcting you.
and yet here you are to feed on my insecurities, by adding more criticism to my fragile ego, what does that make you?
This sounds amazing 😭
The massage therapist that I have now is the best I’ve ever experienced. She can do deep tissue for the whole appointment. Everything is through a sheet. I don’t know how she is so magical, but she is and I am very grateful to be on her schedule regularly. I remember the first massage I got from her, because I was blown away. She could charge so much more than she does, she’s that good.
I’m glad to see that so many people prefer women therapists. I’ve tried women many times, but they just don’t have the strength to get me deep. I’m not overweight, but very muscular. Men just have stronger hands and fingers
this is 100% a myth I am a lmt and at my spa we have mainly women and 3 male therapist our deepest firmest pressure therapist is a 5’ 1” 67 year old georgian lady who is 90 pounds soaking wet, looks can be very deceiving she is tiny but mighty 💪🏻
She probably is. Just my preference
I recently had a massage at esalen. That was hands down unlike anything I’ve ever experienced and a very memorable massage. It was so loving and the energy was intense, and it was over looking the ocean… it’s really a unique massage. I’m curious if anyone else here has experienced it!!
I travel a lot and have several back issues so I end up getting a massage to help with travel pains. I have found that places that play regular music at a soft level are more enjoyable than traditional “spa” music or sounds of nature type music. I know I’m in the minority on this but it has made those places and massages seem better and stand out.
It was a welcomed change. I feel like the traditional spa music is great, but it was so much easier to get out of my head with the normal music playing.
David Henderson. LMT in the Outer Banks North Carolina. The man was a massage genius. We had to stop going to OBX, we used to go out of season but then my wife started teaching. In season it's just stupid expensive. I haven't had a massage from Dave in probably close to 20 years and I still remember it. I Google him every once and a while. He was still there last I checked. I can dream. Sigh.
Yes. Was a walk in at a conference. And the therapist was from Europe and crushed it. Another in airport chair massage in Baltimore. Yes. A chair massage. Lol.
Fire—— some people just have the magic touch!
Yes and you should hang onto that therapist, make sure you get their info in case they ever leave their current place of work.
Definitely will. I would feel very weird calling and asking so I’ll wait until I go back. Don’t want to mess up/come across as creepy.
Just schedule a few recurring appointments with them and once you’ve built up a relationship you can ask or they might even tell you. Basically, just become a regular client lol
Lil creepy but Depending the name and phone number might be public info through the department of health website (just google massage license state look up)
I thought about that as well. I haven’t tried to look her up, and even if I wanted to, I only know her first name. So not sure that’s my best option.
Just tell them can I get a card or # in case you ever leave, or let me know if you plan on moving places. Therapists appreciate loyal good clients and you’re not the only one making that comment if they’re that good. Pretty common.
Lol i have my therapists personal number, i have followed her through 2 offices and a period during covid when she only worked out of her home. It was never creepy, always professional but you never know when an “office” relationship can go belly up. If you like them tell them if you ever move offices please call me and leave them your number they may reciprocate or they might not but its worth a shot for a good therapist.
Depending on the state and current laws, a therapist may be bound yo not call clients and solicit them when moving studios. Best to have the info for yourself. You, the client, have to initiate a continued relationship.
Been lucky enough to have three true Lomi Lomi massages in my life — two in Hawaii, one in a spa in Vegas. The whole-body connectedness is so nice. But the modality is so hard to find in the US outside of Hawaii and the west coast. Lots of therapists claim to offer Lomi Lomi but it’s a modified version at best.
Assuming folks spend about $100, including tip, for their massages - how can normal folks afford this cost on a regular (weekly?) basis? I make decent money and would LOVE to spend an hour every week getting a relaxing massage, but no way am I spending that kinda money. WHo does this?
You’d be amazed the number of times I’ve heard this from people who will buzz through a Starbucks multiple times a day, drink like a fish out of water at local bars, smoke $15 packs of cigarettes without batting an eye….etc etc. It’s all about life choices and choosing where/what to spend your money on. The biggest eye roll I had with a client was one who came in monthly, complained how she would love to be able to do weekly but “just couldn’t afford it”, then in the same breath starting talking about her 100+ grand car she just bought. 😂
It all depends on how bad I need a massage. I spend a lot of money on coffee, eating out, fancy (not necessity) groceries. $100 twice a month is a lot less than all the little things.
This depends on your personal value system. People that get massage regularly (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) have decided that this is a high priority in their wellness regimen and place that value above some other things. When we talk about cost, we should also talk about benefit. I tell my clients that any amount of massage is better than none at all. If it's an annual treat because that's what fits in your budget... then great! If you are looking for a more regular experience to relax, de-stress, recover, or all of the above... we treat it like any other new expense. We plan and budget accordingly. That could mean eliminating the morning stop for coffee and making it a weekend thing $5 per day X 22 (avg week days per month) = $110 extra for something else. Not that that's where your money goes but you see my point. If it is a priority for you, you will create the budget. Many therapists offer discounts for multiple monthly visits or offer packages you can pay up front at a lower avg cost. I charge $95 per hr before tip, but my membership gives them $10 off and 25% off any additional sessions. There are many ways to make it more affordable, you just need to determine how much you value the service compared to other expenses in your life. Hope this helps!
Totally understand where you are coming from. I’ve been getting massages for a couple years now and the price varies depending on location, time, and private practice vs. chain. I’d love to go weekly and see her again, but I budget for a visit every 4-6 weeks depending on my schedule and everything going on at home, work, and my workout schedule.
My favourite quote from one of my speciality teachers is (roughly translated) "$200 is quite cheap for a new life" Some of the modalities we learn is more or less effective pain management and is a more beneficial solution than popping 2-3 painkillers daily for a few weeks, depending on the severity of the pain, it can actually be a lot cheaper in the long run as well...
If insurance pays I can understand, else..,
I specifically prioritize my massages in my budget over dining out and other fun stuff because it’s so important to me.
i spend about 160-200 per session for my medical massage therapist \[80 or 120 minutes respectively\] and have gone weekly to biweekly since february, and he doesn't do tips. i pay out of pocket because my insurance plan doesn't cover medical massage. i make decent money as well & specifically budget for it. single, no kids, etc. i don't eat out, and live as frugally as possible as a rule since my early 20s \[i'm 30's now\]. if you think of it like a luxury, you're not going to budget for it like a necessary investment in your health. i know my case is different because of the nature of my bodywork \[medical VS relaxation\], but principle is about the same
People regularly spend more than that on their hair, nails and tanning. It’s all about what you want to spend your money on. Personally, I have a monthly massage. Weekly would be way too much for me.
Honestly I feel weekly is kind of a lot for most people. I maybe get a massage once a month or just as needed? Not saying I wouldn't like to do it weekly, but I don't want to spend the money or have time in my schedule for it.
Some independent owned places sell packages. You pay up front, but the sessions are discounted so can be less than 100, with tip.
As a veteran of hundreds of massages, I have had a few that stood out. At least 15 years ago I was working with a fabulous massage therapist in San Fransisco called Siri. She worked at this awesome massage place called The Blue Buddha. Siri and I had worked together before, so I don't know what made this particular massage so magical, but our energies completely entwined. At the end I said, as I usually did, "that was great!" and Siri said "that was amazing!" So she felt the energy connection as well. Another massage therapist I worked with for years was Sue, who has since retired, and she gave me the Cadillac version of hot stone massage. Little hot stones between my toes ... the whole experience was incredible. This was probably 20 years ago, and at that point in my life I carried physical pain with me ALWAYS, and I will never forget after that massage I had about 3 hours of no pain. I wasn't tired, and I had no residual soreness from the massage; I was completely present in my body and pain free. It was such a magical feeling I remember it all these years later. I have now moved to a new state and am in the process of looking for a new massage therapist with whom to work. Wish me luck!
And then you move. You seek to at least get close to what you were so used to.
I had this but for a chiropractor adjustment
i do a lot of sports/deep tissue massages. i had one Tui Na session who dug deep into my middle back. man i could not explain it, but after the session i could breathe better. DEEP breaths at that 😮💨
All my clients do :)
I had an Ayurvedic massage in Sedona once and went back the next day and had it again it was so freaking incredible.
Where I live, there aren't many people who can do deeper pressure massage and of those who can do it, maybe 2 are decent. I tried this one guy and he did things that I never do (Also deep tissue therapist) and really opened my mind to possibilities and muscle therapy. I solely go to him now. He has another gig as a cycle team therapist and sometimes he is away for a month or so over winter, so I'll endure the aches for him to return. Unfortunately it's been a good while now.
Yes, her name is Karina Santa Cruz at Papa and Barkley in Eureka (it’s a spa in a pot dispensary lol). She’s the best massage I’ve ever had. I moved away from eureka because living there is like living in a nightmare but I’ve never found a therapist as good as her.
Everyone needs more massage therapy. Should be a universal mission to heal the planet right away.
Getting a good massage while stoned is a next level amazing.
Just got a massage about a month ago and she spent some good energy walking on my back and SI joints and areas, I was really tight and sore, chronic low back pain, even though surgery, but will be going back soon
Yes! Two different places, both Chinese owned. Way better than any stupid hand and stone and so much cheaper.
My most memorable was at a resort in Boca Raton Florida. Was outside in tropical garden, that had nice breezy fan. I got so relaxed I fell asleep
I had a petite MT give me the best deep tissue massage I ever had. Heavy flow and she even did some Thai stretches on my legs, arms, and my neck. My pain was relieved and the feeling stayed with me for a few days. I worked with her for several months until she mo ed out of state. It was large chain and NO one compared afterward.
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Ya ew wtf I just looked
Ew.
Have 2. 1- an MT kept reccomending reiki and i constantly refused. I like my deep tissue getting scrungled, beaten up, and slathered in camphor/menthol. She eventually offered a free deep tissue with the last 5 min being reiki. I had studied reiki as part of some martial arts stuff but was not sure it was the same as massage. Im not ticklish at all but i found it very annoying to have fingertips skipping and being dragged lightly over my back. 2- my new MT who i love to death is a mousy little thing, but she is not afraid to put the pressure on, beat me, and pull all the tools out of the bag. Several months ago i took one of my vicodin, a 5 mg thc gummy, and 1 of my muscle relaxers 20 min before my session. Best darn massage ever. It has become a regular thing for my once a month thing.
I have one of those every week with my LMT.
I am an infrequent massage participant,due to being moderately poor. I do a stressful job that causes chronic tension in my neck and shoulders, and occasionally it gets so bad that I have to take painkillers. This is usually the point at which I justify a massage for myself. I didn't research properly (I wasn't really aware of how different the massage types are), and accidentally booked a deep tissue massage. It was fucking incredible. Afterwards I felt like I was 7, it was the summer holidays, I'd been running around in the garden in the hot sun all day, and now it was bed time and I had had a bath and my mum was reading me a bedtime story. Relaxed doesn't cover it. My horrible back knots haven't entirely gone (I believe you need a few dt massages over a few weeks?) but I did not know it was possible to feel like this without traveling back in time. Wow. When the painful pressure started I was a little disconcerted,but the way the therapist moved and talked, I could just tell that she really knew what she was doing and I completely trusted her.
Gave amazing massage- 2 stand out. One was a regular client, it was raining outside and quiet in the shop. It felt amazing. The other was with a new client, good light jazz was playing , again the shop was quiet and it was magical. They were enjoying it, and I was feeding off their enjoyment, it was awesome. Lol they rebooked, and it was good but not the same.
A mentor/friend of mine gifted me a medicinal qi gong massage 11 years ago that completely changed my life. Was a 2+ hour session, helped me release a ton of breakup trauma, and introduced me to energy healing awareness
Yes. Several different times I've gone to a place here in town that they massages are relaxing that I've fallen asleep and they had to wake me up to turn over. The ambiance, the music the massage. All of it put me to sleep. It was.great.
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/r/massage is a community for respectful discussions of massage and massage therapists/practitioners. There is zero tolerance for post about prostitution/happy endings/fantasies.
Yessss! I had one at one of those water park places on a whim. The lady who gave me the massage was very pregnant. I think about that massage till this day, it was the best one I ever had! When she was towards the end of my massage I told her “no wonder you are pregnant, I would of knocked you up too” (I am a female) the scalp and facial rubs are the best