getting a massage today

[Clo !]

I am getting a massage today at a local day spa.  I have traded in the past mostly to be disappointed.  So I decided to pay for one.  I am looking forward to it, but at the same time, I am not.  So far I have not found a therapist who is as thourogh as I am.  Now, I don't want to be picky, but I can't help it.  Has anyone else had these feelings?  Or should I just shut up and go with the flow?

 

[Tifa]

I've felt this way too -- "why isn't she really getting in around the pisiform?  How come she stops at the ankle - doesn't she know the foot is part of the leg?  I sure could use some traction here!  She worked the rhomboids but not pec minor . . . "  Maybe it's communication on my part because goodness knows I'm not perfect -- my neck work could be a lot better, etc.

 

[Diego]

getting a massage today

Never shut up in my opinion. When my clients come to me the massage is about them. I like it when they are specific as to what they want (not to the point of telling me how to do my job but I like them to be clear about their intentions), don't want, like and don't like. I like to think that the client and I together come up with the course of the session--if not, sometimes my ego can get in the way! LOL!Tell the therapist what you want...but there is no guarantee on technique--we're all different!!ENJOY!Lanie

 

[aronbayarea]

I just spend 6 months looking for a new therapist!  I had trouble finding someone deep enough.I finally found a therapist at a Chiropractor's office in my local area.  She is wonderful.Hopefully this one will work out for you.    

 

[Pastor Art (((SFECU)))]

I agree that communication is very important. I have SI problems, so I always tell the therapist that I really want that worked on but not how. If I feel that they didn't address that area, I will find someone else that might. However, even if they don't work as I would have, I appreciate what was good about the massage and I ALWAYS take something away as a learning experience.  In the end, though, we are consumers and just need to find that connection with the right therapist for us, just as our clients have. I know I have clients that tried a few therapists before deciding my work was for them and I also have sent some clients to other therapists who have a different approach or style. Just be happy to have some time-out time for yourself, if nothing else. Enjoy and don't give up!Michelle

 

[: )]

getting a massage today

 So far I have not found a therapist who is as thourogh as I am.  Now, I don't want to be picky, but I can't help it.  Has anyone else had these feelings?  Or should I just shut up and go with the flow?

Same here!!  I think about that all the time, "Man, I wish I could find someone who was as thorough as me" ;D.  To this day I have never had a therapist do my hands right....I found a therapist a while ago that went to the same school as I and she was great but she would always stop at the wrist ???, even after I told her I want my forearms and hands done.  Soooo....one day I kindly asked her if she wouldn't  mind me showing on her how I like my hands done....still turned out to be a fluff job.  You would think in being in our profession  other therapists would understand the stress we put on our arms and hands.  

So I agree to let the therapist know what you want...sometimes they get it sometimes not :-/  Doesn't hurt to ask I guess.  

 

[Jim D]

I finally scheduled a massage for myself for Monday evening!  I am so excited!  I have only had one other massage this year.  I am paying for this one and quite frankly, I think I need to do this for myself.  The only regular bodywork I've received was in school...sad to say, I have not yet made receiving a regular practice.  

 

[Courtney]

I'm so relieved to see this thread.  Like several of you, I have yet to find an MT who can give me what I consider to be a decent massage.  I hate to pay for bodywork because inevitably, once the massage is over I feel like I've just wasted $70-$100.  Unfortunately, I've been burned on many of my trades before and only have one semi-reliable person  that I still deal with regularly.She's out of the country right now and in desperation I booked an appt. with a new MT last weekend.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.Operating illegally from his home, never did an intake interview, talked through the whole session (including a very creepy personal story that made me very tense!) and finally, treated my body like a speed bag....so much painful percussion that I had bruises and soreness all over the next day. Whew...thanks for letting me vent.  I feel much better.

 

[momof2girls]

getting a massage today

deleted

 

[Artism]

getting a massage today

I'm so relieved to see this thread.  Like several of you, I have yet to find an MT who can give me what I consider to be a decent massage.

If you're still looking for an MT in the MA area PM me, I know several whom I've traded with and they give decent to good massages. It is hard to find though.  

 

[chefjoezieger]

It's nice to know that I am not the only one. I recently had a good massage from a dear friend, also a MT, but I did have to tell her several times to lighten up.  I know she does not really go too hard, but I have pain issues fron Vagus Nerve Syndrome. Since I have not been able to get a clear answer to exactly what happens with this condition, I cannot expect anyone else to be able to relate. Before that it was nearly a year since I had just my back worked on by my former employed, and I thought she broke something. It was awful!

 

[MrRawr]

getting a massage today

deleted

 

[Gaaaaaaaaaaz]

I too have had difficulty finding someone I like.  I like parts of many people's massages but the whole doesn't always work!  The other issue is having friends who give a great a massage and are willing to trade but location is too far or inconvenient.  I just found a new guy last week who is great!  Yay! Can't wait to go back in a few weeks.  Hopefully I still feel the same!An aside

Also if anyone plays "Enya" or any other cloying psuedo "New Age" music I want to get off the table and run! There is so much more effective healing music and I respect a body worker who knows the difference.

That's kind of an off-putting statement.  I don't think a person's music choice is necessarily related to their "healing" abilities but rather what they personally find soothing.  I can understand Enya being an irritant simply because its overplayed but that certainly doesn't mean its bad music - its just not your thing.  You may find some sort of drumming and chanting soothing and healing while I find it kind of creepy and distracting.  Or perhaps you enjoy complex classical music while a classical musician may not be able to relax to it because their mind has to tune into it too much.  Out of curiousity, what kind of music do you feel is worthy of respect?  I realize you may be just expressing your personal preference but it struck me as kind of judgemental.

 

[Pompal 09.]

getting a massage today

While finishing school, I have been actively trying to establish a network of people to trade with. It seems to me that one of the best things about my schooling has been the exchanges. I love both sides of the process, the giving and the receiving, and if the one side gets lost in the "real world", I think I will feel as though I am missing 50% of the experience!I have a couple of fellow students I exchange with on a regular basis outside of school, and have been trying to expand that to include practitioners and students outside my class with some success. It can be difficult to deal with the proximity and scheduling issues that come up, but at this point I feel quite motivated to overcome the challenges.Maybe it's because it's all still pretty new to me, but unless I have had a just plain bad experience, I am able to find benefit from all the treatments I have received. They can vary from person to person and time to time in terms of continuity and content, but even a treatment that has rough spots often has inspired ones as well. I look at them as educational as well as enjoyable.

 

[Leon]

getting a massage today

Maybe it's because it's all still pretty new to me, but unless I have had a just plain bad experience, I am able to find benefit from all the treatments I have received. They can vary from person to person and time to time in terms of continuity and content, but even a treatment that has rough spots often has inspired ones as well. I look at them as educational as well as enjoyable.

I feel the same.  I did have one not good massage from a gal in school, but otherwise I think it's a learning experience.  The one I went to on monday was very different from the massage that I give.  But she did some moves that I don't do and inspired me to mix things up a bit in sessions with my clients.  I scheduled another appointment with her because I respect what she knows and I think that just as my clients tell me what they like/don't like I can tell her my preferences and see if she can adjust to help me have a more enjoyable experience.  If she can't then maybe I'll shop around, but I've got to give her the opportunity to become MY massage therapist.

 

[Zippi]

I can relate to so many of the views offered on this subject. In fact I was just discussing this the other day with a few of the therapists I work with. I've found that when I try out a new therapist (trade or paying) I look for what they do best (great at energy work, excellent neck work, great deep tissue, best overall relaxation, etc.) and then in the future when I am in need of that particular type of work I can call on them. Because face it, trying to find one therapist who embodies everthing we want or need is practically impossible. There is one guy who if I had to pick my favorite therapist would be my #1 choice (even though it might be a close call). HOWEVER, he really does a lousy job on the face and that is my absolute favorite "feel-good" area to have worked.  So anyway, all that said, I just really try to focus on what they do that really works for me and then don't expect to get from them what really isn't part of their expertise. It seems to keep me happy!

 

[Wicked]

getting a massage today

deleted

 

[ben a]

Macalla - points taken.  However, I don't think you quite got mine.  Its not in defense of any particular kind of music including Enya (yes I do include some of Enyas music  in the mixes I play).  Nor do I assume to know what type of music you like - the examples I gave were purely to get a point accross.  The point being that what you find to be "healing" may not be the same thing that others find to be healing because it is subjective as you also noted.  I do agree that music can be very healing for most people and it does add a great deal to a massage.  Keep in mind though what you feel its adding and what your client feels its adding can be two very different things.Requesting to know what music you do play and respect is more out of curiousity.  I enjoy a very wide range of music from jazz and bossa nova to alternative rock and pop and lots of things in between - clearly not all or even most of which is appropriate for massage.  (I did have one client in school who brought in Pink Floydd to listen to during massage though) The music I use for massage generally falls into "new age" and "world" music which is generally not where my knowledge lies.  It sounds like you have some sort of insight into these types of music or perhaps another category/genre that you find more healing.I apologize if I sounded harsh and defensive to you - intention doesn't always come accross appropriately in emails...The point of my post while directed at your comment is not intended as an attack, but as something for people to think about as are most statements people make here.  We are all here to learn, share and grow.   If you post anything at all here you should expect that you may get a response whether affirming, appreciative, critical or challenging.We all judge in some form or another whether we like to admit it or not.  Judgement can be something as small as thinking that you won't like someone (or their treatment) because of their music preferences or thinking you won't have anything in common with someone who has a GED rather than Ph.D. (or vice versa) - the examples could go on and on.  I think its important to question these judgements no matter how small and challenge ourselves on them.  Its part of growing and part of being a massage therapist.  We need to provide massage with the clearest of intentions and with the smallest amount of judgement possible. If we practice non-judgement to the best of our abilities in our daily lives it will more likely come through in our massage treatments as well.I hope that doesn't sound too preachy... not my intent... nor is my intent to say that you are a big 'ol judger - just meant to be food for thought.