One of the WORST massages EVER!

[Carl]

I just had one of the worst massage experiences ever. The 'therapist' was a nice enough person, but she did everything that a basic massage essentials class teaches you to *not* do!

I was in a car accident and I am seeing a new chiropractor and decided to try one of his massage therapists. I explained that I like a strong massage therapist and he suggested "E".

Well, when I arrived, the front desk attendant said she was running behind about 15 minutes. I said that I would have liked to be called about this before arriving and the attendant started to argue with me, saying that there wouldn't have been enough time, 'It just happened with this last client'. WTF? They have my cellular number and since I had been rushing to get there 15 minutes early as I always do for my appointments, a simple phone call would have meant I would have had time to take my time, go get a smoothie with my daughter, whatever...anyway, unprofessional, right from the start!

So, the MT 'E' comes to get me (late) and takes me to the room, tells me to get undressed and get on the table, face down. No intake, no questions, nothing. When I am on the table, she asks me if there's anything I am allergic to-I say' Yes, Biotone.' She has an alternate oil (thank goodness) and so she begins the massage.

What commences feels like a clumsy bear pawing randomly at me.

Then she begins to talk. The talking and questions do not stop even when I answer in short, one word sentences and try to bring the focus back to the massage with comments like 'My traps are so tight!'.

So, she next SUDDENLY puts an elbow just above my scapula and leans in with her about 240 pounds of body weight. No petrissage, no palpation, just a WWF-esque move that takes my breath away. I am literally in too much pain to speak and I inhale sharply as I hear/feel a sickening crack of my anterior ribs as they become misaligned. When I am able to breathe I tell her 'That is too much for my bones!' and she replies 'What you are feeling is the nerves trapped under the muscles.' I then tell her that I heard/felt a lot of cracking and popping and pain. She doesn't touch that area, apologise or anything...she just moves on to another area. :roll: I finally asked her to please use just hands and no elbows or forearms (because her brusque approach is truly frightening to me and after the cracking of the ribs I felt really unsafe).

Next, she makes a comment about a tattoo I have and asks me about it. Then, she asks about my religion! :evil: The next horrible thing to happen is that she leves my ENTIRE buttocks exposed :shock: (we are talking no sheet on my back, the sheet slipping down on my mid-thighs as she works on my lower back) and she occasionally, just grabs it and yanks it to the side (no tucking) but leaves my buttocks exposed for 90% of my table time.

The other horrible thing she did was to throw oil on my back like a Priest tossing holy water. Not good. Not good at all.

I was appalled by the entire experience. Finding out that she has been a MT for 11 years shocked me. I was sure she was a new student.

What makes someone so careless? I am so passionate about this art, that I can't wrap my head around such carelessness, sloppiness, laziness and unprofessionalism.

 

[Yavish]

WOW

That was some bad massage experience! I don't like it when the therapist doesn't ask you if you have any specific problems or concerns, because then it appears that they just have their routine and will stick to it and they are taking no interest in the patient. It kind of makes it look like they are out to make a buck but that they don't care about you and your problems or their profession that much. You want a therapist that loves his or her job, not one that is simply making a living. Patients are pretty good at sensing this.

The 15 minutes late is ashame, but I wouldn't make too big of a deal about that as long as they gave you your full time.

As for draping, I recently had a massage where the massage itself was great, as the therapist did a great job on my stomach, quads, hamstrings, etc...She was very thorough. The only problem was, when working on certain parts of the body, she tended to get so carried away with what she was working on that her draping was a little shoddy. Once or twice I actually had to subtly move the drape, and I do think she accidently exposed a certain area when working on my stomach. Once she finished working near my outside hip area, I think she realized that she had exposed me and very quickly covered it up. I think it was accidental, but her draping methods need improvement.

A therapist should really only talk to ask the client specific questions about pressure or comfort, or if the client wants to talk...the therapist shouldn't talk for the heck of it, and politics/religion can always be a little bit hairy of a subject. The problem I have is that these type of subjects tend to get people riled up rather than relax them.

 

[Chi4Now]

I sure hope that you didn't pay. I wouldn't have paid. No way...

 

[Halema]

I noticed you are here in San Diego. It was too bad you had to experience such a horrible massage, sorry to hear about that. Not trying to diminish your experience but I have had so many bad massages here in San Diego, including from HHP's that are similar to your experience.

The two I've traded for have been good and there are a couple therapists that I have also found to be good (that I paid for), if you are interested, pm me and I'll give their names and work locations.

 

[ngantuk99]

i would so sit down with your DC and copy your post to give to him.
i definitely would not be going back to that establishment.
i might also send a copy to the owner/manager of that location.

i'm sorry it was so bad.

 

[Gymnasticsferlife.]

i would so sit down with your DC and copy your post to give to him.
i definitely would not be going back to that establishment.
i might also send a copy to the owner/manager of that location.

i'm sorry it was so bad.

Yes, after I proof read it and correct the typos!
I was so irritated that I typed it out (in a dim room) and posted it without proofing it What a dork I am sometimes

Anyway, thanks for the replies (I *did* pay, because it was a pre-paid appointment but when I told the Chiropractor, he spoke with "E" who was apologetic and offered a free session :shock: I'm a little scared of that!).

Kathryn, I tried to PM you but couldn't...please send me a PM if you can and/or email me because I'd love assistance in finding a better therapist locally.

Blessings and Be Well!

 

[Bobby]

Hi,
Just sent you a pm, let me know if you get it!

 

[Moe]

Thanks, Kathryn! I responded

I edited my post (only once but it says twice :?: ) to correct the angry typos

I had another bad experience with another therapist. This was from a professional (graduate) at a local school clinic. I keep looking for quality work, to no avail! I just am so tired of wasting money on sub-standard services! I have a small number of friends who are good therapists but I really want someone I can just see professionally and get work done with no strings attatched, ya know?

 

[Larry the Owl]

work, to no avail! I just am so tired of wasting money on sub-standard services! I have a small number of friends who are good therapists but I really want someone I can just see professionally and get work done with no strings attatched, ya know?

Come see me...I'll treat you right!

 

[lumpy]

Come see me...I'll treat you right!

Well, I think that factoring in the cost of flight, loss of work etc. while traveling to GET to you would make it cost-prohibitive : but thanks anyway!

 

[Ashkin]

I definitely know how you feel... I don't even like letting them know that I am a therapist right away. Just so I can relax and get a good massage. I would definitley tell the chiro not to refer anyone to her anymore for your reasons. I myself often wonder how these people are still practicing!!! I know what you are going through though, I am at the point where I will not get a massage in NJ because you never know what you are going to get.