how much does it cost to get a massage?

Seriously, I'm talking about a legitimate massage. Not any of that "happy ending" stuff they have at all those Korean places in Birmingham.

I've been having serious tightness in my neck, shoulders and back lately, and it is driving me up the wall. I think a nice, vigorous half-hour massage would make me feel a whole lot better. I've never paid for a massage before. Anybody know how expensive it is?

An hour's drive from here. :)

:spray:

But I'll pass this on... My massage therapist was a woman, but I was told by other people there that they prefer a man, since they have stronger hands... :shrug: :hi:

This reminds me of George Costanza, but I think I'd prefer a woman with strong hands. But a dude will do, if only he can get rid of these kinks in my back. :)

And almost every guy I asked said he'd be more comfortable getting a massage from a woman. I'm still not sure why. Turns out that there were two where I went, one man and one woman. I was awfully relieved when I got the woman... Can male massage therapists find work? :shrug: :hi:

:D

:hi:

:shrug:

Actually, I was quite nervous. I waited until the week it expired to finally redeem my "gift." I had no idea what to expect, so I called my partner from work, who knows everything, and he had a house full of relatives, so he shouted questions to them while I was on the phone... :blush: :hi:

x(

p.s. My friend replied to your post, #8. It probably varies, depending on where you live and what kind of place it is, big, small, offering other services, etc., but that's what it costs him here in NY. I believe it costs him less when he buys a package of several. :hi:

I think deep-muscle massage would probably be just the thing for your complaint.

What does that really mean? Do I have to worry about an organ getting punctured? :hi:

Don't worry about organ puncture. A good massage therapist will try really hard to avoid that. ;-)

because here in Germany you can get a prescription for massages from the doc and they won't cost you anything. When you're in pain, the doc usually prescribes a series of massages by a licenced therapist spread out over several weeks.

For immediate relief, try an old-fashioned hot water bottle. When I get home from work all tense and pissed off at the world and feel this awful tightness you describe, I wrap a towel around the hot water bottle (filled with really, really hot water!) and put it in the back of my neck when I go to bed. The warmth will slowly seep through the towel and I find that it really does help ease the muscle tension in the neck and shoulder area.

I've been going now for almost 4 months since the accident, at least 2 times a week and it has cost me a grand total of around 30 Euro. I love it here in Germany!

And stop calling me Squeaky. Hrmf.

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...between American and German (European?) medical practice.
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Americans rely much more heavily on pharmaceutical treatment
(and surgical) and German (European?) doctors are trained in
a much wider variety of therapies (at least it was this way
up through MOST of the 20th century).
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That may have changed since I took interest in such things...
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...Squeaky.
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with my insurance its no extra charge however,

specialist with a long list of credentials and certifications. If youlived up here I would be sending you a PM already.

Which is what you want. Look for myofascial release and deep tissue massage in the list of things the masseuse offers.

Mine is partnered with an accupunturist/herbalist so she makes her own herbal massage oils. I go every 2 weeks and it does wonders for my fibromyalgia.

TIP: check the net for Massage Schools. You can get a discounted massage there.

and if all you want is an occasional relaxation massage, try a good nail spa. My nail shop has massage for $30 for 1/2 hour.

EDITED to ADD: my medical plan does not cover it but because I have a physician's order, I can use my HSA to pay for it.

It was awesome. Left me all relaxed and jelly like. Is the sign of a good massage a feeling like you can barely walk when you get off the table?

The schools by me are about $40/hour and I've always been very happy. The usual (non-student) rate is about $75-$100/hour. Or there's a franchised chain called Massage Envy that is closer to the school rates - however they push monthly memberships (not a bad thing if you can swing it and find you like them). http://www.massageenvy.com/

You'll probably pay a little more if you want some magical woo woo transmogrifico-enhanceification of your "energy fields" in addition to just a good massage.

and what specialties the particular masseur/masseuse has. I've been lucky in always somehow finding really good massage therapists whenever I've had to move around. You can check around with day spas, massage clinics, new age stores, & chiropractors' offices. If you've never gotten a massage before, you will be sore the next day, so drink a lot of water & plan on taking a long soaky hot bath after you get home from your massage.

dg

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..."It was a dark and stormy night..." and END with "...and MiddleFingerMom
lived happily ever... well... for a... um... you know... for a shorttime."
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I can just hear THAT exchange.
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Masseuse: I love you longtime.
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MiddleFingerMom: Well, thanks for the vote of confidence, but don't get your hopes up.
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With the use of that smiley, don't I win the Internet or something?
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I'm bipolar...I can stay up, so to speak, for days..... :evilgrin:

You're probably taking the more realistic approach though, as I'd have a heart attack inside of 17 minutes. x(

I do the spa thing, and see a guy that's been doing massage for 13 years or so. His rate is $85 an hour.

... provided by women from any of the various -stans.