Have You Ever Had a Professional Massage?

I've had a few and they are worth it! Although, I had my last one at a local massage therapy school for half the price. Still a good massage but it was much more in the budget. I've only had women massage me that I remember, but a man has done reflexology on my feet (that's great too if you want to try it).

OH MY GOSH!!! YES!!!!!!

I don't care - strong hands make my day!!!

I usually get 90 minutes....

Depending upon what's going on - i've done:
Hot Stone/Rock therapy - hhhhmmmmm!!!!!!
Deep Tissue
Swedish...

Oh yeah baby!!! i used to go 2x a month!

YES it is DEFINITELY worth the money!!! I have had at least 5, and would go weekly if I could afford it. My husband does a lovely job, but he is NO masseuse! ;) I have had Swedish, pregnancy, and hot stone. Hot stone is by far my favorite, but it can also be pricey. I have never felt comfortable enough to have a man massage me, so I always have women. It has always been strong enough and I always walk away SO relaxed!

Nuts...now you have me "craving" a massage...

Yes, woman, well worth every penny! I wish I had more pennies mind you. :p

Loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove a professional massage! St Michel's in Prairieville, LA I love you! Will never forget my first, lol. The first time was a woman, and it was so good that when the hour was over, I put my shirt on inside out, my hair was poofy, I was walking like I was drunk......I had to sip water and sit a minute to get my bearings before driving home, lol. If I pay for a full treatment for someone (mom, bff, whatever as a gift, I offer to be the designated driver so they don't have to shake off the happiness so fast). :)
I like men and women, don't care who does it as long as they do it. :) Strangely the guy that used to massage me and I talked a lot. (But he was from the same town in England that my husband was from, and we had things to talk about). Usually, I don't like a lot of talk----just let me melt, please. But a professional massage is light years away from anything "sexual" so there's no need to feel uncomfortable if it's a guy.
I have had expensive spas in expensive places (Southlake, etc) and I've had normal places like Massage Envy or one local place that I don't think was a chain. They are just as good, just not as fancy on the inside. Whatever. My eyes are closed anyway.......as long as it's clean! Massage Envy is where I go now.
I don't go for the gentle rubbing though. I can get that at home. I want them to work those knots out. (I've been asked a lot what I do to get them, because I get a lot). And if they can massage, then do a little stone massage, then massage some more, I have to just lay there and gather myself a few minutes before I can sit up. It feels like they are pouring hot oil on your back that melts away the icky in your back, but it's not liquid at all---it's stones! Go figure.

I go 3-5 times a year for one. My first one was horrible. I had never been and didn't know what to expect, what the etiquette was, etc. She gave me a deep tissue massage. I walked out of there hurting. I was bruised and the next morning couldn't move!

This is what I've learned: ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS tell your masseuse if s/he is hurting you. You're paying for them to do this for you, so make sure you enjoy it!

I've always had a female massage me. It's a personal comfort thing. I typically go for 90 minutes unless I'm having a whole spa day, then I only do 60 minutes. (The girl who does my facials gives me a facial massage while she's doing that, so I skip that part completely.)

Is it worth the money? Absolutely, beyond a shadow of a doubt, YES!

Love.

I used to get one once a week, since massages nix my migraines. It's a hail of a lot cheaper for insurance to cover massage than imatrex, so I paid between $7.50 per hour as my copay (10% with one insurance), and $20 an hour (straight co-pay).

For the past 2 years I've been paying out of pocket ($75 an hour) because my husband was hired by an east coast company with east coast insurance (Cigna, which is only accepted out here in hospitals and JC Penny's). Even though there are LMPs and SportsMed people on staff at the hospital, Cigna wouldn't pay ... and I quote -from calling to find out what the massage benefits were: "We absolutely do not cover massage, with or without a 'prescription' (insert snarky tone of voice). We're not paying for your sex life."

EXCUSE ME?!?! What kind of slum were those idiots raised in???

Okay, fine. Instead of $300 a month for massage, they've been paying $2500 a month for imatrex (plus several grand a year for doctor's appointments), and I pay out of pocket for massage once every other month or so. Excluding when my son is impatient at Children's hospital, since they have massage therapists on staff free of charge for parents.

Now we have Premera Blue Cross, again, and we're back to the straight co-pay. THANK GOODNESS.

I've had massages all my life. From sports med (as an athlete), to 'just for fun' (pure bliss), to migraine prevention (mine are triggered by a nerve ganglia in my neck that gets pinched when my neck and shoulder knot up, and flat light. Weekly or biweekly massages keep me down to 2 or 3 a year as long as I wear my sunglasses when it's cloudy out... instead of 3 or 4 a week.)

Male, female... it doesn't really matter. I tend to prefer those who are Brenneke trained over any other school (locally... Brenneke just had the *best* training). I also prefer 'mixed modality' which means that they're using multiple techniques (swedish, cs, sportsmed, deep tissue, shiatsu, lomi lomi, modified rolfing, etc.)... but I'll also go in -out of pocket- for a "fun" one from time to time (hot stone, thai, shiatsu, etc.).

Going on a "search" for a massage practitioner for me is always mandatory. One move I went to over 20 different therapists before finding "the one". That was the worst. One guy rocked me back and forth like a beached whale while making popping and beeping sounds with his mouth. A few others have just been incompetent, or woo-woo, or brunehilda, or whatever. Not a good fit. Usually, however, it only takes a couple of people to find "the one".

I have 2 lifetime favorite LMPs. One's male, and one's female.

Yes, love them! Make sure you tip!! I had prenatal as well as post baby and it was great. For those it was a woman.

I probably go 1-4 times a year. I've had a man once and I walked out in pain because he was too rough and it hurt. I dont have an issue wuth a man, not self conscious, its just that the one i had was too rough and didntvrespond well to me communicating that. Ever since, I specify a woman because of the touch... They seem more able to adjust to how strong you want the massage.

I like the aromatherapy, hot stone, basic relaxation. The last spa I went to had a mixture ( pick 3 types) and I loved that. I've been for 1 hr and 1 Nd 1/2 hr.

The only thing I did and did not care for was a seaweed wrap which was really messy and hard to get off my skin in the shower.

I love facials as well and they also include a head neck shoulder massage!

Enjoy!

Yes, many times!!
Some are worth the money, some are not. It depends on the massage therapist and if they are any good.
Communicate with them. Tell them exactly what you want. Are you there for a relaxation massage? Are you there for certain areas? If you want them to go deeper, tell them.
I am a "retired" massage therapist and have had many massages by fellow students, my teachers, by both men and women, had pregnancy massages, been to very pricey hotels for spa treatment and have been to student clinics and paid half price. I have gotten relaxation massages, swedish massages, hot-rocks massages, reflexology and injury rehab. I have gotten some fabulous massages and some not so fabulous. When scheduling with a therapist find out how long they have been in the business. Try to find someone with some experience and ask your friends who they use. After your massage you need to be sure to drink extra water so you can flush out all the toxins from the massage. If you don't flush you will be sore.

Absolutely. But like anything else you have to find a good one.
I have always preferred to go to a woman. But the man at my chiropractor's office is awesome. I have had lots of sports injuries and health issues that he has helped me with.

Worth every penny! At first I was a little timid, but you undress to your level of comfort and the way they have you flip over on the table and such everything is very discreet and professional. I normally request a woman because I thought I would feel weird having a guy massage me that wasn't my husband, but I inadvertently ended up with a guy one time and it was one of the best massages I have ever had! I have had terrible head and neck pain from lugging two babies around, so massages have really brought me out of my aches and pains.
We have several hair/esthetics/massage schools in the area and I go to them. Students actually do my massages and they are very good. It only costs half of what I would pay at a regular salon. (Most salons charge $65 for an hour massage and I can go to a massage school and get an hour massage for $35) They are so awesome! Try one. It is such a luxurious treat! Facials are awesome too!
A.

I've probably been getting them for the past 11 years now. Yes it's worth the money! lol I usually go for a full body massage for an hour and a half. I've had men and woman. I don't prefer one or the other though I do want a strong hand. If you have a preference just tell them. Love them!
C.

I just had my first one a few months ago and WOW it was heaven! It was only a half hour long, which wasn't long enough because it went by so fast. I had a woman massage me, she asked me what areas I would like her to focus on and I filled out a form before I went in and you can check off areas you do not want to be massaged. I can't wait to go again, well worth the money for me!

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YES, IT WAS WORTH IT ! ! !
I've had two. Once was a "couples massage" I gave my wife for a day of mother's day activities. We did things all day. We were in there for 55 minutes. She and I both loved it. I asked for a woman for the both of us because I didn't want my wife to be embarrassed, but when we got there we asked for a man. LOL.

We just had a light lunch. After the massage I took my wife home and she got a nap before we went out for an evening dinner and movie. She said she had a wonderful time.

The second massage was a foot and calf massage for 30 minutes I got for Father's Day. It was WONDERFUL ! ! ! A big lady did it. She wasn't big as in Fat. She was 6' and big boned. She did a great job.

Good luck to you and yours.

I have had prenatal massages and then massages when not pregnant. I LOVE them and feel so great afterwards. I prefer guys b/c they are stronger and can get deeper into the tissue which is best for me.

Ive had them & its gone both ways for me. I like deep tissue massages & Ive only had one female who has been able to use the correct amount of pressure to my liking but I usually dont request one way or the other. Although, after the last massage I got by a petite Asian woman I was left feeling like I wasted my $$. I kept telling her I needed more pressure & she just wasnt capable of doing it so I will probably ask for a male next time. I usually save massages for when Im at a hotel that has a spa as a little treat. Its a bit more expensive, but arent we worth it? Im lucky that my husband is a Chiropractor so I get massaged & adjusted routinely by him now =)

Well worth the money!
If the money is an issue call a massage school and schedule an appointment with an intern. They are just as good just better priced. :)
Make sure you communicate with your therapist. They are not mind readers. If they are going too deep or not deep enough let them know. If they are talking too much and not allowing you to relax the way you would like, then you need to ask them not to talk so much.
As for a man or a woman, it is a personal choice. Don't think you can't get the same massage from a woman because they are weaker. That simply is not the case. It depends on the therapist and your communication with them.
Enjoy!!! :)

It is worth the money. I prefer deep tissue(harder) and Swedish massage.
I have had good ones by women and men though I feel more comfortable with a woman. You need at least 45 minutes, but an hour and a half is awesome if you can afford it.

It IS awesome but it's a treat if you have lots of disposable income. I could never do it on a regular basis. I went for 1 hour, and massaged by a woman. I would have been too self-conscious to have had a male. It's a great gift because it's something others can't really afford for themselves.

I'm probably one of the few people that is going to say this. "I hate professional massages" I'm sensitive and find that most professional massages are actually painful for me. I've had 4 and was very sore for several days after each of them. I've tried chair, table, Spa, and therapeutic massages and have never found one I've enjoyed. I'm sure all of mine were more than worth the money I spent - About $70 for 60 minutes - with tip, for a full body table massage. They just aren't for me. I prefer to have a woman masseuse but that's because I'm very self conscious around other men except my husband. Now my husband is no masseuse but I enjoy his massages a lot more than professional.

I have gotten several massages over the years, maybe 6 or7, some better than others. I've always, ALWAYS been massaged by a woman because I think if it was a man I'd be way uncomfortable & the whole point is to relax. I have never once paid for my own massage, they've always been given as gifts from my parents & my first one was for a pregnancy massage when I was 24. I have one scheduled with my mom & sister for a couple of weeks from now & I can't WAIT! For the last few years we've gone together to a Red Door Spa at Harrah's Casino in Atlantic City because it's where my Dad worked until very recently & he got a discount so we knew we could count on a little red box with a gift certificate in it every year for Christmas. I think the regular price of a 50 minute Swedish massage is around $120, but you can definitely get them for less than that, at Red Door you're paying as much for the experience, the big fluffy robes, the whole vibe they have going on in there. I know it wasn't my money, but totally worth every penny.

Make sure if you decide to go get one that you really hydrate for the rest of that day & the next afterwards. The massage makes your body release all kinds of toxins & if they don't tell you that when you're finished you could end up feeling pretty crappy by that night. As long as you do that though, if you got a good one, you should feel all noodly & loose for the rest of the day. It's heavenly.

I've had countless and love them. But I go for deep tissue versus sweedish. Sweedish I feel isn't worth the money - too much gentle rubbing. But it's relaxing... I belong to Massage Envy too and I've had as good or better there than at the most expensive spas.

It is totally worth it! Most insurance companies cover massage now, but the going cash rate for an hour in Seattle is $75. My work (a chiropractic office) charges $60 if you pay at the time of service. Groupon and other deal sites often have them for $35-40. And yes massage schools have people work on you for free or a nominal fee, Up to $40.

I do an hour and usually once a month. I like men because they're strong and a little deeper usually, I have to tell most women I can handle more pressure than they give! My favorite therapist really works with you on posture, stretching, and retraining so you don't mess up the work she does! You can find those types of therapists in a chiropractic office usually, the spas mostly just do relaxation work (Swedish massage). And if you want serious deep tissue try hellerwork or Rolfing too!

Yes Riley, brenneke rocks! :)

I love them ! do you have Massage Envy there ? They can be cheaper. But I go to the JC Penny spa. Always have a women.

I love getting massages and prefer women. They have smaller hands and I don't have to ask them to watch the pressure as much as I would a man.

Depends on how much money... I'd not pay more than $45 an hour. Some massage schools offer massages at half price to give their senior students more experience before graduation.

I have had a few, by both men and women. I like the men better because I'm a big girl and they have big hand and "seem" stronger...at least in my mind. Hubby and I were at a resort and had a couples massage with hot rocks...that was awesome. I think massage therapists are like nail techs or hair stylists, etc. You have to find one that you are comfortable with and that you like. And one that listens to you and does what you ask. One woman was so rough with me and I was so sore...every time I moved my forearms for about 4 days after! I've had full body massages but my favorites are feet and hands only.