Do you get massage?

[colby]

I had a couple of massages around the time I injured my shoulder, maybe a month or so later. My chiropractor decided to partner with a local massage therapist, and she's really good.

I do go to the chiropractor regularly, I can tell the difference there. Since the massage is with their office, it is covered by my insurance. I haven't gone since I started training for the marathon and whatnot, but there are many days I think about it.

However... I also started acupuncture a couple of months ago, and while I haven't been in a few weeks (bad colby), it made a huge difference for me as well. I don't know whether acupuncture or massage is really a better investment of my time. Acupuncture is also most certainly not covered by my insurance, though the money isn't a huge part of the issue (I am stingy when it comes to spending money on myself, I admit, whether it's necessary or not).

Every time I go to the chiropractor I think "mmmm, massage!" but I'm not sure how to put massage, chiro, and acupuncture together with marathon training (and whatever I'm doing) to make success at reasonable time and money cost. I let my chiropractor guide me on that front, but my acupuncture and massage people are a little passive -- they don't tell me when I need it, they "suggest" it. I wish these people would communicate!!

[ClockworkOrange]

Just recently my partner and I purchased a brand new massage table from ebay.

One of the best purchases we ever made.

Now we are real novices at all of this but with the help of a book and correct oils etc it is a great feeling.

Not suggesting we are getting rid of all the knots or doing it like a professional but the lovely relaxed feeling afterwards, must be beneficial to our well being.

Sally

[tygab]

when I was a consultant, I'd treat periodically treat myself to massages while traveling for work as a way of making myself feel better about the otherwise not enjoyable life of the road (believe me, it was very stressful doing so much travel - even things as simple as trying to find food I would like to eat for dinner).

Anyway, that stopped when I decided I was not enjoying the life of the road enough to keep doing it.

Fast forward to a month ago and I have 2 gift certs for massages awaiting my use. I used one for a massage after my big ride in August as I figured I'd be pretty sore. Then it occured to me that getting them more regularly with all the x-r cize I plan to do (I wanna be really fit and do tri's and centuries and all that) maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing to do them periodically.

Being in a relaxed and healthful state is very important to me, and something I feel I've been putting off/neglecting for too long. Something I came to realize this summer as I had to wash away an accumulating amount of unhappiness about certain aspects of my life (mostly work related).

Bottom line is it's part of the 'new me' changes I am trying to make. I figure, in the long run the cost of the gym + once a month massage is a small price to pay preventatively for my sanity and hopefully health too... sure beats lots of stress related things I would get like migraines or PVCs.

And those are things that will keep me motivated to push myself even in between more outdoors fun things (time, daylight, and weather constrained).

[kjay]

I've been getting weekly massages (fairly inexpensive) for several years and although it may seem like an indulgence to some, it's a necessary healthful and relaxing therapy for me. My sessions last for 1 1/2 hours, and afterwards, I sleep all afternoon because of the deep relaxation effects of the massage. This is the only time I am able to relax so very deeply and therefore is one of the best things I can do for myself because of my history of fibromyalgia and a seemingly abnormal amount of daily muscular pain. I imagine if one were to "google" the healthful effects of massage, one would find many more that what I've mentioned here.

[kaybee]

I'm getting one this afternoon! I don't do it nearly often enough because I'm cheap, but every time I get one, I think "Why don't I do this more often?" SadieKatie, I know what you mean about the "foo-foo" stuff (I could live the rest of my life without ever getting a manicure), but massage therapy is not at all foo-foo. I just think of it as something that athletes need, like proper rest, nutrition and training.

KB

[chickwhorips]

when i worked in the spa i would get one every other week. i would trade services for them (mani/pedi = 1 1/2 hr deep tissue massage, i miss those good times. need a massage bad!)

anyone in phoenix i know a great massage therapist that comes to your home and he doesn't charge as much as going to a place (if your comfortable with that.) many massage therapists will do that, come to you for a cheaper rate, its just a matter of finding them. you can always ask a massage therapist if they work for themselves also. many do besides working in a salon or office.

[limewave]

Oooh, I'm jealous of the girls that can go every month.

DH treated me with a 1 hour massage gift card when I was 3 mos pregnant. I had never been before and was very self conscious about it (especially being pg). But it was great. I told DH that I had to go every month while I was pg because it was important to the development of our child

So, for those blissful months of pregnancy I enjoyed regular massages. Now that I'm doing more running and cycling, I'm going to try and get back in the habit. I'm sure we couldn't afford for me to go every month . . . but maybe every other?

And, my massage therapist teaches at a local school. I can ask her if its safe to sign up as a victim. I'll let you know what she says.

[makbike]

I treat myself to one every two weeks. I am one of those "victims" so to speak for I utilize the student clinic at a local school of massage. I find their students do an outstanding job and are well worth the $30 I pay for an hour of relaxation.

[Dogmama]

Life today is a complete rat race. Our "time saving" devices only add stress. Cells phones, email, PDA's and voice mail pull our attention away from the most precious possession - ourselves. As women, we have two jobs - work and home (just think about somebody walking into your house & remarking, "Gee, Fred sure keeps a messy home!").

I used to get regular (every two weeks) massages when I was single. Had less money than I have now, but made room in the budget. Then, life happened. Big job, marriage, commitments and the excuses. I am realizing that I'm a 7-hour clock wound up to 8 hours. And it happened so slowly that I didn't realize it.

Massage is therapeutic (do a Google search on it) but more importantly, it delivers a message to my core being: "You are worth this." I makes me focus on the moment, if only for 50 minutes.

I'm also going to get back into yoga - but that's another topic.