Before today, I’d never gotten a professional massage before. I don’t know why, I’m surprised, myself, that I haven’t. Most of my friends have, if not in Chicago, New York or California, then on vacations to tropical places. But somehow the massage has eluded me on my visits to Hawaii and the Virgin Islands. Anyway….
Earlier this week Allison sent me an email about this promotion Pretty City promotion called “Love You” where participating salons and spas in large cities across America were featuring popular treatments for only $59. The promotion was also raising awareness of The Heart Truth, a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease.
So, I clicked the link and browsed the list and noticed that Luxe Salon & Spa, which is only a few blocks from my apartment, was offering a $59 hour-long massage which is normally an $85 value. “So, why not give it a try,” I thought? Also, I’ve been having back issues and pain associated with stress and repetitive motion, so it could only help!
I just got back a few hours ago, and it was awesome. I don’t really have the experience to say, but I think that Leah the massage therapist at Luxe is the best. I had scheduled an hour-long full-body massage, but in reality after checking out my shoulders and back, she spent most of the time, 45-minutes up there. For which I’m thankful, because they’re nice and loose now. Mostly, while Leah was working on me I felt so decadent. And not that I really felt guilty about it, I loved it. I deserved it, I told myself, but I kept thinking about every movie I’ve ever seen where some big fat guy was getting a massage and someone came busting in saying “The cops are here!” I kept feeling like someone was going to walk in. I need to relax more. I also kept thinking how celebrities like Madonna or Oprah Winfrey probably get massages every day.
Laying on the heated bed at Luxe with the aromatherapy and the soothing music and everything, I wish I could have stayed there all day, but out into the cold I went to meet up with Dallas for lunch. Great experience.
10 responses so far ↓
1 Dave // Feb 3, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Not sure how I found your site. Very odd. But what caught me was this little story. It’s funny to hear someone with the same reservations at getting a “therapeutic massage”. I had my first one just about the same time at a local salon/spa, but although it was enjoyable, I really wasn’t able to relax too much. I had the same images of the cops busting in or something. It definately felt decident, but I kind of felt a bit strange later in the day. Not sure why. Kind of weird. Oh well. HA! I feel really weird talking to a complete stranger, but HA! what the hey right.
Hope your having a great 2007.
- Passing Ship in the Night (Dave)
2 dad // Feb 3, 2007 at 10:23 pm
Just to say massage is great it did help your back to relax. Had one done when I did a marathon in Ocala Florida.
Enjoy the cold weather
Dad
3 jocelyn // Feb 4, 2007 at 3:24 pm
yeah. massage. i remember working for the apartment people … 99? and this guy told me about the student massages at the chicago school of massage therapy (they were on belmont then, they recently moved downtown). hour long for $30. i think it might have been my first pro(ish) massage. i wasn’t quite sure what to expect. i was pretty hooked, though. it took me several years to get a student massage that was ‘eh,’ too.
i’ve also had my share of professional massages, too, and yeah, they are great. if i was loaded like oprah, i would DEFINITELY get one every day. period. i have a lot of back and muscle things going on, and you better believe they wouldn’t be there if i was getting a massage every day.
then again, if i were that rich, i’d also have a personal trainer and chef and would be down 10-15 pounds, too!
anyway, glad you enjoyed it. they are definitely a highlight when i can get one.
4 Killian // Feb 5, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Happy Ending?
5 Chris // Feb 5, 2007 at 12:51 pm
you should go to the massage school on Chicago (I think). Hour long massages are only $30..
6 Richard // Feb 6, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Amanda and I got a couples massage five years ago on our honeymoon in Jamiaca. That was the only time I’ve had a professional one. I remember it almost hurt while she was doing it, but afterward my muscles felt great. Loose and relaxed.
7 tien // Feb 7, 2007 at 10:58 am
yeah, happy ending?
8 Leah // Mar 21, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Rachelle,
One of my friends forwarded your blog to me and I am a massage therapist.
For me, I love being someones first massage therapist. I take time before the massage to answer any questions my client may have, and to make sure they know that this experience is all about them. It is also important to me that the client knows that if they have any questions or concerns to let me know, because I am not always a mind reader. Educating is key as well, for there are many benefits that massage can help with not only for muscle soreness, but emotionally as well.
There are many types of massage that most people are not aware of, so I would like to share some different types with you that are more specific and I will try to describe them to the best of my ability, but investigate for yourselves.
Visceral Massage: works with your organs to help them get unstuck. Each organ has their own rythm and I had some work done in Denver by one of my teachers and I told him that it felt like my heart was stuck. Tim was able to softly feel my hearts rythm and unwind it and I felt this huge release happen.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage: this works with your lymphatic system which helps to fight off viruses, dis-eases and pretty much all invaders of your body. We have more lymphatic fluid in our bodies than blood. This is such a profound technique and helps so many people from edema, cancer, recovering from the common cold or flu more quickly.
Maya Uterine Massage: This is NOT an internal therapy, it is external….I even questioned this at first. This is such a beautiful therapy that helps women with their cycles, any reproductive issues a woman may have. This is also very beneficial for men with gout, prostrate issues just to name a few.
Well, I could go on for every about the many different types of therapies out there. I just want people know they have the power to really be aware of their bodies, for they tell you your entire life story if you just quietly listen.
Blessings,
Leah
9 jeannette // Apr 1, 2007 at 12:23 pm
first one?? how did i not know that? we might have to go get some when you come to visit!
10 Lizz Pugh, LMT // Apr 18, 2007 at 2:48 pm
One of the biggest things that people are surprised about when they come in for their first massage is that receiving is a skill. I know that sounds strange–you just need to be still and get rubbed, right? There are many psychological aspects at play. The best thing to do is to take nice deep breaths and try to focus on the therapist’s hands as much as possible. If your mind goes to laundry, raids, etc., take a deep breath and focus again. I’ve been a licensed therapist for years and even *I* still have a hard time really relaxing while I’m getting a massage. So don’t feel bad at all–that’s normal, and it will come with time. Congratulations on entering the world of massage! I hope you continue to get treatments and love each one better than the last.
Leave a Comment