Massage: Not Just a Luxury

Just as most of us discover when we become middle-aged, new aches and pains appear where none were before. Activities we've been doing for years sometimes become difficult because of the pain of bending, lifting and squatting. Often, driving a long distance results in lingering neck and shoulder pain and stiffness. We're just not as young and limber as we once were. Seeking relief from some of these everyday twinges, tensions and stiffness, I tried therapeutic massage.

The massage studio I used seemed like a refuge of relaxation as soon as I walked in the door. The walls are shades of soothing lavender. The decor of the lobby includes feng shui. Added to that are interesting things like a Shaman's stick, feathers, beautiful stones, and a hand painted lotus branch across one wall. I waited in this lobby area for a few moments while the masseuse finished a massage. The ambience of the room seemed to set the tone for the rest of the session.

Cindy, the massage technician and owner of the studio, showed me to a private room and asked me to disrobe, lie down on the massage table face down, cover myself with the sheet, and call out to her when I was ready. This smaller room was also painted in tones of lavender, with an interesting mix of decor. As I undressed, I noticed a beautiful Native American dream catcher, a Pueblo rainstick, geodes, bonsai plants and modern art. The room was warmer than the waiting area had been. By the door were the certificates that the masseuse had earned, displayed in lavender frames. The massage table was very comfortable, neither too hard or too soft, and there was an area for my face that allowed my eyes, nose and mouth to be free, allowing me to breathe and see without turning my head one way or the other.

As the masseuse entered the dimly lit room, very soft music began to play. I don't know if it was Native American, Peruvian or Celtic, as it had all of those qualities to it at times, but it was very relaxing and pleasant. Cindy began with my neck. She applied wonderful feeling oil to her hands and waited until it was warm before touching me. As she worked on my neck muscles with her strong thumbs, I felt tension flooding out of my body. My breathing slowed and I knew that this was going to be a wonderful experience.

Cindy offers several services. There is the standard one hour, full body massages, which is what I chose. There is also a half hour massage that concentrates on the body from the waist up. She also does massages with cupping, warm rocks, and deep tissue. She will also tailor a massage for your specific physical problem. For instance, if you are having a problem with a painful knee, she will do the massage you chose, and then concentrate on your knee.

By the time Cindy was working on my legs, I was in a state of consciousness that was not sleep was also not exactly awake. My mind floated freely and all sorts of pleasant memories played tag through my mind. After my legs, Cindy returned to the top half of my body and massaged my arms and then my hands. The feeling of having my hands massaged was a happy surprise. She massaged my palms with her strong, oiled thumbs and I groaned aloud. Each finger got attention, and this part of the massage felt so good I almost cried.

The two basic massages offered, the thirty minute half body, and the sixty minute full body, cost $30 and $60 respectively. I have been told that these are very reasonable prices, that in some areas of the country the prices for those services are half again higher.

Thinking about a massage costing $60 may be off-putting to some, but only until they give it a try.

My massage actually lasted much longer than the hour that the massage itself was happening. My skin felt like it was glowing even when I went to bed that night. The tension didn't return to my neck and shoulders for at least two days. My knee still feels better, though still twinges on bending. I also think the peace of mind, the serenity that the massage brought to my mind, lasted for more than 24 hours, too.

I am now hooked on massage. I wish I could afford to have one every week, but since that's not practical for me, I am going to treat myself to a massage once a month. My mind, body and spirit deserve it.