Opinions on Massages?

B

Bunbun

Cathlete
For Christmas, my boss gave us all gift certificates to a spa that offers, among other things, massages (this was instead of doing our usual deparment lunch at a restaurant, usually one with food that I don't care for cause it's drowning in some sort of buttery/greasy sauce). :) Anyhow, this is probably really silly of me, but I have been reluctant to schedule a massage--I am afraid that the therapist might rub too hard and cause some sort of injury, and also, I'm not sure how I feel about a complete stranger touching my body. Does anyone here get regular massages? Would you recommend that I get one, and does anyone have suggestions on dealing with my probably irrational fears about it? Or should I just use the gift certificate on a manicure, and call it a day?

TIA!
Bunbun
 
I absolutley love massages. Most massage therapists will do what ever kind of a massage you like. If you don't want a deep muscle massage they won't do one. I prefer those myself. Most of your fears will disappear after the first massage. I was quite nervous with my first one. I have finally found a girl that I think is wonderful and I try and get one every 3 to 4 weeks. I don't know if I would feel very comfortable with a male massage therapist! I would definitely go with the massage over a manicure...:)...Carole
 
Hi Bunbun,

I share your "irrational fear". I too don't like the idea of a stranger touching my body. On the other hand, my DH gets a massage nearly every week and he schedules an hour and a half each time he goes. You don't even want to know what he spends on massages in a months time--LOL! He can't get enough of it (he has a very stressful job).

I say try it just this once. You might like it, and if you do--let me know--maybe I'll rethink my position on it.

Michele:)
 
I love them. I go to a woman, so there isn't the fear of a member of the opposite sex thing. I just wish the good feeling they give lasted longer.
 
I love them!! I was nervous the first time I went, but I got over that real quick! :) I always tell Dh that a massage is a REALLY good gift for me. With two little ones at home, that quiet, only me time is heaven.

I'd recommend going to a women first so you feel more comfortable. At this point, I don't think I'd care. :7

As someone posted eariler, give it a try! :) :)
 
Haven't tried reflexology--I am *really* ticklish on my feet. Anyone use any particular type of massage? This place offers Swedish, Shiatsu and sports massage....I have no idea which to try--since it looks like everyone loves massages and I should at least try it. :}
 
I love them, too. Once every 2 weeks I get an hour and a half deep tissue massage and I can't rave enough about how much better I feel and how much better my performance is. Before I started getting massages, I felt I was sore/injuring myself all of the time. Now I rarely feel that way.:) I go to the same guy every time ( he is my favorite guy just behind my husband and son :) ) so he knows my problem areas, but you can easily communicate that to therapist on your first visit.
I say go for it!

Becky
 
I think that's what's great about your gift- you can try it, and you haven't spent anything for it!

I like getting massages!!! I've had them done by men and women- I guess I'm easy like that!! LOL. I also figure they see backs all day and they really don't care. My BIL is a massage therapist and I know he doesn't care!! But I'd probably NEVER have him do one- that would just be weird!!

My words of caution- if they go too hard and you're not used to it, you can ask them to stop and go lighter. It's hard sometimes, but well worth speaking up. I've had one where I didn't say that, and was sore for 2-3 days afterwards!

If you like the harder massage, but you're afraid of being sore, I suggest putting some ice packs on your back (or take an Advil) once you get home to stop the inflammation and reduce the soreness.

Otherwise, just relax and enjoy!!!! :)
 
I try and do a harder workout before my massages, so that the massage feels even better!! Other than that, I don't do anything differently. Well, maybe a little yoga before I go, to get me all relaxed and make the relaxation last longer!!

It should be VERY odd if you do get sore- but since you've never had one, the lactic acid the massage can release might cause the soreness. I just wanted to mention the remedies in case you start to feel something hours after the massage- don't worry about it, though, because that isn't the point! ;)
 
<I try and do a harder workout before my massages, so that the massage feels even better!!>

Ok, that's funny--I was thinking I should do one of the GymStyles, which really kill me, before the massage so that I would feel that I really need a massage! Great minds (or sick minds?!) think alike. ;)
 
I'm not sure how I feel
>about a complete stranger touching my body. Does anyone here
>get regular massages? Would you recommend that I get one, and
>does anyone have suggestions on dealing with my probably
>irrational fears about it?

I think massages are wonderful!

But I always meet the person who is going to be my masseur/masseuse before the appointment, while we are both dresssed, and talk to them a bit. If I don't feel comfortable with them with my clothes on, I won't feel comfortable exposed. And I would never have a male stranger give me a massage (beyond shoulder and back). Definitely meet with and choose your massage therapist beforehand.

During the massage, you have to make your needs known as far as the amount of pressure you want, any areas that are problematic where you'd like more work done, or where you want the therapist to be careful. I usually find that massage therapists don't go deep enough at first.

Remember that the therapist needs your feedback to make the massage work for you.

As far as being naked in front of a stranger, heck, I don't even want to be in a bathing suit on the beach in front of people I know! But during a massage, you can wear any undergarments you feel comfortable with (I keep my drawers on, but remove my bra) and you are covered with a sheet or blanket. The only parts that are exposed are the parts being worked on at the time, and the massage therapist will ask you to turn over, etc.

And be sure to drink a lot of water after your massage, to help your body with cleansing. (But not too much before, because you don't want to have to pee during the massage!)
 
Bunbun,
I love them! Most of the time you can choose what time of massage you want...swedish massage, deep sports massage, life stone massage or muscle therapy massage. All are wonderful and based on what you may need at the time. A good message therapists is an expert at making you feel comfortable and will help you choose the right one based on your needs at the time. Just relax and enjoy.....I'm going for a sports therapy massage next Thursday:) ......one of my stocking stuffers from my DH.

Robin:9
 
I have only had two massages. Both were done by women. I felt weird at first, but after it starts, I only thought about how wonderful it was. Anyhow, I vowed that I would go once a month, and I never find the time to go. The one lady was so talkative I wanted to tape her mouth shut. I say go for it. If you don't like what they are doing ask them to adjust. Have fun with it. By the way, I don't know the rules, but I left my underwear on. Melissa
 
Okay, well I don't know about you Bunbun, but after all this positive feedback, I'M booking a massage:p

Massage Therapy is actually covered by my health care plan at work, up to $500 a year. So why I haven't done this before now, I have no idea. Nervous, I guess.
 
I love massages. It's something I tried for the first time two years ago. If it were in my budget I'd get one every week if I could but alas, I only splurge when I want to reward myself for something.

I just have to commend your boss for giving a non-food gift. In our office they only know how to give candy, pizza, cake, and other junk for rewards. If only more bosses were like yours.
 
I get a massage once per month and find that it's become an essential part of maintaining my health and fitness. I have found a woman that is excellent. I don't think I would be that comfortable with a man, same as I am with my ob/gyn, I prefer a woman. As everyone has already said, it's key to find someone that will suit you. Just like a good hair stylist. But, you won't know that until you try it. You can ask for a female when booking if that's your preference. And, they want you to tell them what kind of pressure you want. Since you're new, they will probably start with medium pressure and then ask you if it's too hard, too soft, etc. Another thing that I appreciate in my massage therapist is that she doesn't talk too much. I've had a few in the past that can be chatty. She knows I'm there to relax and enjoy the massage. So, we talk briefly when I arrive and catch up and then that's it.

Go for it! :)
 
I love them. I get them often andi don't care what sex the therapist is. It is too relaxing to worry about that!!!! I have never had a bad experience with a therapist hurting me. You jus tneed to be very clear about what you want them to do and how much pressure is sufficient. They aren't mind readers.


Sounds like you have a very considerate boss!!!


jes
 
Hi Bunbun! I can't be objective here because massages are my life!:), I am a Registered Massage therapist. Given the options and considering that this is your introduction to massage, I would go for the Swedish massage. These are the classical soft tissue manipulations (kneading, scooping....), shiatsu works with slow, deep, specific compressions along the bodies energy meridians (most correspond with the paths of the nervous plexi). Sports massage would be more specific to your individual areas of concern with deeper work, use of ice or heat, passive range of motion and more work in the tendons of the muscles as opposed to the muscle bellies.
The therapist is trained to address your concerns and thoroughly answer your questions, they will come up with a treatment plan based upon your health history and a brief interview which may include orthopoedic testing to address any specific soft tissue concerns that you have. The massage should not proceed until you have given your informed consent for the proposed treatment planned. You might want to ask for a 'general full body' massage for the once over. If the therapist is doing ANYTHING that makes you uncomfortable in ANY way you need to tell them, this is your experience! If the pressure used causes you to hold or jam your breath or you feel your body holding on to tension as opposed to releasing tension it's completely appropriate for you to tell the therapist. Your body will be draped (covered in sheets) and the therapist will only undrape the part being worked on, you should not be exposed in anyway that makes you uncomfortable.
Response to touch is an individual thing as we all have different levels of comfort and various associations with it, massage is a wonderful and unique experience which brings with it increased body awareness and for most a feeling of physical lightness that can resonate for days and for some for weeks. I love my work and feel privileged to be able to provide so many with an oasis in their long and busy days. To have someone thank me for getting rid of their persistant headaches or help them recover from a car accident or a nasty fall more quickly gives great meaning to my life. I still get excited about receiving massages. I am getting one tomorrow evening and am already full of happy anticipation knowing how terrific I'll feel afterwards. I hope you take this opportunity and enjoy it to it's fullest. Don't close your mind if you don't love the first one, the first time I had deep gluteal and hip work done I cried like a baby, not because it was physically painful but because it was a profound emotional release. As a result of that experience I have paid close attention to stretching these muscles and not allowing emotional stress to physically manifest itself in that area. I could go on and on and on about massage ad nauseum, massage literally changed my life and I truly believe that the world would be a better place if more people made it a part of their life.

It wouldn't be right not to include a caveat, massage is not for everyone, you have to do what feels right for you at this point of your life.

Please let us know how it went if you do opt for the massage. You deserve to feel as good as massage will make you feel.

Oops, someone's at my door, pardon any grammar or spelling errors please!

Take Care
Laurie:)
 
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