# So I had a professional massage yesterday... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 10, 2007, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253 "2007-07-10T19:57:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/41 "2007-07-13T12:57:05Z")
[QUOTE=Muffin] That would be the [Panasonic EP3513KU](http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelDetail?storeId=15001&catalogId=13401&itemId=94946&catGroupId=25092&modelNo=EP3513KU&surfModel=EP3513KU&cacheProgram=11002&cachePartner=7000000000000005702). Obviously not as good as an experienced massage therapist, but none the less, once you nestle down into one of these, you will not want to leave it. Air bags compress your arms, legs and feet, while little elves knead your back and neck as they travel up and down beside your spine. [/QUOTE] I’m sighing just looking at the picture. Now where did I leave that spare $4299? ---
**Author:** ![Lunar\_Saltlick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/977dab/32.png) [@Lunar\_Saltlick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lunar_Saltlick)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/42 "2007-07-13T12:59:40Z")
There’s nothing better than a professional massage. I’ve had a few dozen and I just can’t imagine anything more relaxing. The therapist has to be physically strong, however. It doesn’t work very well if the massage therapist can’t deliver sufficient pressure. I’ve had some great massages from guys, but some of the best have been from female therapists who were a tall 140+ lbs. Anyway, I’ve never had any pain afterward. Frankly, I’d be amazed if a therapist could apply enough pressure to cause pain. I’ve heard this complaint from several women, however. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/43 "2007-07-15T02:53:46Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] I’m sighing just looking at the picture. Now where did I leave that spare $4299? [/QUOTE] A big box store in my town has one on display and plugged in. Having no shame, I plop muself down in it, program it for just what I want, and then close my eyes for half an hour and moan and drool while shoppers pass by and look down at me. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/44 "2007-07-15T03:15:29Z")
I’ve had three or four. One was Hot Rocks massage, where the masseuse heats smooth pebbles and small rocks and then places them along the back, thighs and in between all of your toes. To die for. Completely professional. Yeah, the firs time I was frankly afraid of becoming aroused but there was nothing sexual about it. I talked, she talked, I fell silent, she fell silent. Clearly this is a pattern- the emotional comfort level is important. I can’t wait to have another one ! I have a broken back and was quite nervous about having one after the injury. She asked where the damage was, and worked around it. I’ve never felt residual pain after a massage. Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/45 "2007-07-15T03:18:42Z")
[QUOTE=Lunar Saltlick] There’s nothing better than a professional massage. I’ve had a few dozen and I just can’t imagine anything more relaxing. The therapist has to be physically strong, however. It doesn’t work very well if the massage therapist can’t deliver sufficient pressure. I’ve had some great massages from guys, but some of the best have been from female therapists who were a tall 140+ lbs. Anyway, I’ve never had any pain afterward. Frankly, I’d be amazed if a therapist could apply enough pressure to cause pain. I’ve heard this complaint from several women, however. [/QUOTE] It would depend on the purpose of the massage. I have never incurred pain from a general relaxation massage (with one exception), but when it comes to sports massages that “strip” knotted muscles/scar tissue, I find it usually hurts when being performed, and I am usually sore for a few days after: [http://www.huntingtonmassageworks.com/how\_massage\_works.html](http://www.huntingtonmassageworks.com/how_massage_works.html) > [@](#): > > When scar tissue is in the process of forming following an injury, massage techniques can initially be applied to help minimize the amount of scar tissue that will be formed by flushing out excess inflammation, and later in the healing process, can help manage the best alignment of scar tissue by performing actions and techniques that strip away and limit the strips of scar tissue that are forming bridges to undesired locations while maintaining the ones that are correctly aligned. > > Once adhesions have already formed, deep-tissue massage techniques can be applied that attempt to “break up” the undesired scar tissue connections while leaving the desirable ones behind. The scar tissue does not go away; and it does not turn back into muscle tissue; but by breaking up the adhesions, it allows the muscle to contract without tugging on other structures. This increases muscle strength, increases flexibility, and reduces pain. > > The principles being applied here are different from basic massage techniques that are focused on simply inducing muscles to relax. The effects of a treatment aimed at breaking up adhesions can be very dramatic, immediate, and long-lasting. > > The techniques used to break up adhesions involve very heavy pressure, called deep stripping, and are usually painful when performed. The pressure is always adjusted to the client’s tolerance, and the treatment will always be stopped or adjusted immediately if requested. A specific technique, called Active Release, is particularly helpful for certain muscles, and involves the client actively stretching the muscle while the stripping action is performed in the opposite direction that the muscle fibers are being pulled. > > A typical deep stripping treatment in the back of the upper shoulder blades, as an example, will typically last about three or four minutes on each shoulder once the area has been properly warmed and softened with traditional massage strokes. Ice is often used after the session to minimize soreness and avoid inflammation from the treatment itself, and the soreness may last a few days or so. The benefits, as noted, however, can be significant and long-lasting. (The one exception is general relaxation massages from my friend Karen, an ex-bodybuilder, who is a master as using leverage, and puts her whole body into it – legs and feet being a lot more powerful than arms and hands. Sometimes the massage is so powerful, intense and out and out painful, that I end up sobbing, but by the end of it, I am so relaxed that afterwards I just lay there, marginally conscious, bundled up in sheets, for at least a couple of hours.) ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/46 "2007-07-15T03:24:05Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] I had a pro massage in Turkey. [/QUOTE] Did you enjoy the use of a Turkish bath before or afterwards? ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/47 "2007-07-15T03:58:25Z")
[QUOTE=Kozmik] Did you enjoy the use of a Turkish bath before or afterwards? [/QUOTE] Ah, but have you ever been in a Turkish prison? ---
**Author:** ![Djurmz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Djurmz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Djurmz)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2007, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/48 "2007-07-15T13:39:57Z")
[QUOTE=Lunar Saltlick] There’s nothing better than a professional massage. I’ve had a few dozen and I just can’t imagine anything more relaxing. The therapist has to be physically strong, however. It doesn’t work very well if the massage therapist can’t deliver sufficient pressure. I’ve had some great massages from guys, but some of the best have been from female therapists who were a tall 140+ lbs. Anyway, I’ve never had any pain afterward. Frankly, I’d be amazed if a therapist could apply enough pressure to cause pain. I’ve heard this complaint from several women, however. [/QUOTE] I was dissappointed in my first few massages that the women I went to didn’t give enough pressure. The last one, though, pushed me right to my limit. I was about a second away from yelping, but it was great. I’m not sure of her exact position since I was already melted into the table, but she somehow sat next to the table and used the heels of her feet on my upper back. It took everything I had to stay relaxed. I stood up slowly after the massage. I felt a little nausea, but it went away after a few minutes. I fully recommend this technique. ---
**Author:** ![CapnPitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/edb3f5/32.png) [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/49 "2007-07-16T19:31:13Z")
I know there’s a joke here somewhere, but I honestly (really, truly) believe that if you don’t feel a bit dizzy and nauseous after you get up after a massage, they didn’t use enough pressure. And like I said upthread, my girlfriend got massages for us last Thursday after work at the student clinic. It was awesome. Not all the bells and whistles of a spa (but they did have nature sounds “music”), but the massages for both of us were great. They might still be students, but they sure did know what they were doing. And at $19 bucks for the _hour_ I kind of felt that I was being cheap with only a ten dollar tip. Can’t wait to do it again. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2007, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/50 "2007-07-17T02:04:14Z")
I’ve never had a massage, but I probably should because I know I’m always super tense. Lately I’ve had tension headaches literally every day when I get up and it’s absolutely killing me. I should look into it. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2007, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/51 "2007-07-17T04:01:34Z")
[QUOTE=interface2x] I’ve never had a massage, but I probably should because I know I’m always super tense. Lately I’ve had tension headaches literally every day when I get up and it’s absolutely killing me. I should look into it. [/QUOTE] I recommend the therapeutic scalp massage as well as the full body for you. Heck, it’s better than popping pills. I really hope it benefits you. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2007, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/52 "2007-07-17T19:27:18Z")
I’ve had a few professional massages and never had the soreness described in the OP. Well, one time when I’d been suffering from a spasm in the upper back/shoulder area for a week (and high-dose ibuprofen was barely touching it), the therapist worked so hard on that spot that it genuinely felt bruised… on the other hand, the next day the spasm pain finally started to disappear. I’ll take a bit of a bruise over constant pain any day. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2007, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/53 "2007-08-06T23:53:36Z")
I had a reflexology done today on my feet and lower legs for half an hour. It was quite nice and very soothing. Recommended if you are on your feet a lot, walking, running, and/or sore there. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2007, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/54 "2007-08-07T00:23:05Z")
I get massages a lot and I love them. My scalp has become one of my favorite spots, actually! I used to alternate with facials but now I do both, at least once a month. And I have definitely noticed a trend towards swimsuits in the women’s spa. Seems weird to me, as I “came up” in the Euro-type spa setting where everybody is nekkid (good, bad or emotionally scarring as that may be! 😉 ). And these are young girls with good or great bodies- I have no idea why they aren’t comfortable in a spa setting with other women. I always go commando- it’s the way it’s meant to be. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2007, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253/55 "2007-08-07T01:26:55Z")
[QUOTE=EJsGirl] I get massages a lot and I love them. My scalp has become one of my favorite spots, actually! I used to alternate with facials but now I do both, at least once a month. And I have definitely noticed a trend towards swimsuits in the women’s spa. Seems weird to me, as I “came up” in the Euro-type spa setting where everybody is nekkid (good, bad or emotionally scarring as that may be! 😉 ). And these are young girls with good or great bodies- I have no idea why they aren’t comfortable in a spa setting with other women. I always go commando- it’s the way it’s meant to be. [/QUOTE] I will put on the disposable undie-thong-thing and maybe the chest cover, but usually not, because that would get in the way. I haven’t spotted any swimsuits in my spa yet… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-had-a-professional-massage-yesterday/411253.md?page=2)