Massage - what is your favorite type?

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   Riverspointe Spaposted 16 years ago

   As a spa, we would like to know:  what have been your best, and worst experiences in a spa? What was great about your services there, and what was not so great? (whether it was a facial, massage, waxing, etc, so that we can improve our services!)

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      Mark Knowlesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Deep tissue massage is my personal favorite.

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         Riverspointe Spaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for the reply! Deep tissue is my favorite too (my name is Brooke).  Have you tried Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy?  It's a deep tissue massage done with a therapists FEET, using gravity to apply deep, luxurious pressure. It is my ultimate favorite!  Check it out!
         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY-XA0OD4xE

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      Laughing Momposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      I guess I've never had a bad experience, but when I was pregnant with my son, I went to a masseuse who was trained in pregnancy massage.  I went once every two weeks through my last trimester and twice a week for the last month, and I have to say, those were the best I've ever had.

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         hopalopa67posted 16 years agoin reply to this

         I've never had a massage from a professional. Is there anything to look out for?

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            Laughing Momposted 16 years agoin reply to this

            I'd make sure whoever you went to was qualified.  There are alot of places out there that aren't in the least bit professional, nor do they do a real massage justice. 
            Make sure whoever you're going to is licensed, and ask about their training.  Also find out if they specialize in anything.  From the looks of your avatar, it doesn't seem you'll be needing pregnancy massage anytime soon.   Keep the location and the asthetic appeal of the office itself in mind.  If it's located in a rundown building between two condemned shops in a REALLY bad part of town, I'd look elsewhere.  And when you get inside and find the place dirty and has a bit of a 'slutty' feel, I'd do the same.  You might end up with more massage than you were counting on.  They don't have to be tremendously expensive, but they're not going to cost $5, either.  Most chiropractic offices work with professional masseuses, if they don't have one on staff.  That might be a good place to start looking.
            If you're married, I can tell you that a gift certificate for a good massage will get you out of the doghouse faster than any bouquet of flowers or box of chocolates!

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               Riverspointe Spaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

               So true!  Shop around for your therapist.  Not every therapist is a perfect fit for every client - and yes, credentials are a MUST!!  A therapist should have AT LEAST 500 hours of schooling - some states require over 1000. 
               
               And happy endings...please folks, it's such an insult to those of us who have chosen Massage Therapy as our career, and have spent a lot of time and money to learn the healing arts.

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      Jodi Hoekselposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      My best experience at a spa was a day package at am awesome spa. The atmosphere was heavenly with tranquil music and very warm and inviting decor. The package included a Hydronating facial, seaweed body wrap, salt glow body treatment, light lunch, and a deep tissue massage.
      
      My favorite massage to have by a sspa is deep tissue. Yet I have found it is rare to find a massage theripist that has proper knowledge of how to provide a deep tissue massage.

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         Riverspointe Spaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Mmmmm....that day package sounds heavenly!  And very true - many of our clients either say that their deep tissue massage was more of a lotion-application, or that it was too painful.  A good deep tissue massage should balance pain with pleasure, and be a therapeutic experience.

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            Jodi Hoekselposted 16 years agoin reply to this

            Yes, I agree..I feel the best a massage therapist could do is consult with their client prior to the massage to obtain what outcome the client is seeking. My best deep-tissue was with the therapist asking me on a scale of 1-10 the pain level. She was well knowledged with working out knots.The outcome I seek with a massage is to work out the knots to release toxic blocks in my body. I had my best deep-tissue massagas when I was a hairdressr in a highly rated day spa.

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            Mark Knowlesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

            It is almost impossible for a spa to attract a practitioner that can provide good deep tissue massage. They simply do not pay their staff enough. I specialized in deep tissue and movement therapy - and there is no way I could have given as many massages as is expected in a spa setting. The most I could do was 4 clients a day.

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               Riverspointe Spaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

               That is generally true, but not always.  Spas generally pay on a commission basis, but the rate varies widely.  I have worked at some that do not compensate well, and therefore motivation to do deep tissue work is less - but I think many employers have realized this, and increased the price of deep tissue massages, or increased the commission for DT to better compensate the therapist.  Gratuity is also part of a spa setting - 15-20% (same as at a restaurant) is customary. 
               
               It also comes back to credentials.  A good therapist will be trained to know how to give effective DT massage without exhausting themselves, using Neuromuscular Techniques, and using their body weight instead of brute force to deliver deep pressure.

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                  Mark Knowlesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                  I disagree. I weigh quite a lot thank you and have extremely good body mechanics. It is not possible to give 8-10 hours of good quality deep tissue massage 6 days a week which is what is necessary to be able to earn a decent income.
                  
                  Unless they have changed the payout structure drastically that is. I have not looked into it for some time. As a matter of interest - what hourly pay do you offer to DT therapists.

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                     giantstepsposted 16 years agoin reply to this

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                        Mark Knowlesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                        That was certainly my experience - although maybe things have changed. I was offered several jobs in spas, but the workload was too great. Quite apart from the physical effort - to do good deep tissue work, you also need to get into the head of the client. The spas I was offered work expected me to go straight onto another client within about 3 minutes or work cleaning the rooms if there was no client booked. There is no way I could get the last client out of my system in that environment. 
                        
                        Don't have feet issues any more after ten years of massages.

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                           giantstepsposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                           I've done sub work for friends at spas and that's been my experience too. Doing 7 or 8 massages a day with only an hour for lunch and a few minutes in between clients is just too hard. That's why most spas have high turnover rates when it comes to massage therapists. I guess it's a good place for some people to start there. I know quite a few people who worked at spas for the first few months after graduating from massage school.

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                              Riverspointe Spaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                              I'm really bummed that spas out there operate like that...I've worked at 3 spas, and all of them have asked me what my limit for massage hours is, and have worked within my healthy boundaries (I guess that's Colorado though!).  There is certainly a healthy balance to be aimed for - to respect the integrity of the therapist, but also to do some business.

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                     Riverspointe Spaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                     I was not suggesting that you are not a great therapist!  I'm sure you are! 6-8 hours of straight DT would be a brutal day for sure.  Thankfully, not everyone wants DT.

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      alekhouseposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      I like almost any kind of massage. But my favorites are: deep tissue, pressure point massage, shiatzu, swedish, and cranial

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   Mishaposted 16 years ago

   Breeding spammers, Mark?
   
   On the topic - women nipples get my vote

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      CabinGirlposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      So naughty

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         Mishaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         So tender

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   Colebabieposted 16 years ago

   Umm one with a happy ending?
   
   I got a hot stones massage. That was very nice.

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   embitcaposted 16 years ago

   I prefer shiatsu and accupressure. And I think Thai massage. I'm pretty sure I've had that as well. I do like hot stones too.
   
   The only thing I hate about some spas is the upsells. Do not try and sell me something while my face is covered with mud and I'm wearing cotton pads over my eyes! I am not buying!
   
   Oh, and several times I've had deep tissue or even just plain old Swedish massage, I have actually developed bruises the next day. So I prefer massage without the sadism
   
   And one more thing (geez, only one). I cannot stand chatty massage therapists. You are doing great work if I fall asleep and you have to wake me! Stop talking! LOL

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      Riverspointe Spaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent feedback!!  You are not the first person to wish for a quiet massage session - a good therapist will not lead the client into conversation.  The body will not rest until the mind and mouth are quiet.  Thank you for the upsell feedback as well - you're right, it's not polite to bombard a captive audience with sales pitches!

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      wanttorelaxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Is Thai massage similar to shiatsu? I have been looking at shiatsu massagers for my home - http://shiatsumassager.net/ - particularly something for my feet. It would be great to go for an 'official' shiatsu massage, but I don't have the time. I was hoping to see if a Thai massage was like, just in case I ever schedule one with a masseuse in my area.

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   Joelle Burnetteposted 16 years ago

   I love getting a deep tissue massage with someone with strong fingers and who knows what they are doing.
   
   I've had one really bad experience with a massage...my mom loves the hot stone massage, so I thought I'd try it. I ended up getting burned by the stones that were a tad too hot. And that was at a restort! I've never tried that one again.

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   blondepoetposted 16 years ago

   Just a pair of nice manly hands will do running all over me body mmmmmm

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      Jodi Hoekselposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      LOL... that is the best... Yet, I would hope it would be in an intimate location.  ; )

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         blondepoetposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Woo hoo  Jodi is in bring it on all ye blokes you got to know what you are doing though...

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            Jodi Hoekselposted 16 years agoin reply to this

            So true.. yet when two are covered in oily passion I would hope nature would take it's course..woo hoo! ; )

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               blondepoetposted 16 years agoin reply to this

               Oh yes Jodi bring on the oil lots of oil woooooooo hooooooo dripping wet hahahah

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                  Jodi Hoekselposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                  Ha ha ha... I'm out to shop for some eye candy and oil...yum!

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   badcompany99posted 16 years ago

   My massage was really lovely until the damn police raided the place. And I never even got my money back !!

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      alekhouseposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Cute! You're such a funnyman! (Actually, I'm assuming you're a man. I don't really know for sure.) Are you ever truly serious?

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         badcompany99posted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Of course I am a man, well except at the weekends but thats a tale for another day. As for being serious I leave those serious thoughts for my Cabin Girl

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      Jodi Hoekselposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      That's what happens when you get a massage from the red-light district! LOL

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         badcompany99posted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Are there other massages ?

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   guidebabaposted 16 years ago

   I would love to go for Butt Message.

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      alekhouseposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      WHAT?

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         guidebabaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         Yes! Really !

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   laringoposted 16 years ago

   Swedish massages are great and I also love an  ultimate facial which includes the neck and foot massage. ait's a great renewal.

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    Jewelsposted 16 years ago

    I've heard the professional life expectancy of a massage therapist is quite short. Burn out is common.
    
    Shiatsu is very effective for me, and also Lomi Lomi (lymphatic) is a wonderful and indulgent experience.

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    ocbillposted 16 years ago

    deep tissue for me. Older muscles need a good recovery .

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