Do you get massage?

[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.

[chickwhorips]

i have been a "victim" at one of the schools. it went well. my friend that is a great mt got me to go in and have a couple done because they were running low on "victims". no problems at all.

i've been on the other end with beauty school and glad i had "victims" to work on.

[jsgeneroso]

Hi.

I love massages. I get them as a gift for myself after each triathlon. I think that as hard as you work you body massage is a non pharmaceutical way to aid recovery.

[Deborajen]

I don't know what others would consider to be "regular massages" but I got my first massage last weekend and have an appointment for another one this weekend. My legs were getting soooo tight from running that I was afraid I'd injure myself with bad form, or I wouldn't be able to finish a long run, or both. It helped loosen things up, but other muscles have been pulling kind of funny since then so I'm getting a second one in hopes of getting things more stable.

Some people like to get massages for a special indulgence, but for me they're more of a treatment to correct a problem. Part of that is because they're expensive and I indulge on other things (bike stuff, etc.!), but right now while I'm preparing for a half marathon, they're well worth the money.

Deb

[chickwhorips]

Some people like to get massages for a special indulgence, but for me they're more of a treatment to correct a problem.

i use to get them done all the time to correct a problem. (pool diving injury.) now i kinda have to live with the pain till i can get into town every few months.

[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.

[spokewench]

I have some issues - and I'm getting old - the issues are an old back injury and also stress sits in in my shoulder - so I go to this great massage guy. He is this bear of a man with hands to match!

He works on my hips and lower back to get me more limber there which makes riding much more comfortable and he works on my shoulders and neck so I don't have knots in my shoulders

It is wonderful. He does deep tissue massage so sometimes the next day I'm pretty sore, but after that I'm feeling might good!

[kaybee]

Dogmama said: "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!")." You are so right! Unfortunately, some of us work FOR men, who just don't understand why we might need an occasional afternoon off just to clean the house or run errands. I've been telling my boss for years that I need a wife!

KB

[Dogmama]

Dogmama said: "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!")." You are so right! Unfortunately, some of us work FOR men, who just don't understand why we might need an occasional afternoon off just to clean the house or run errands. I've been telling my boss for years that I need a wife!
KB

Quick thread hijack -

When was the last time a man burned a vacation day to clean & run errands?

[Triskeliongirl]

I found I only needed massages when I had unresolved bike fit/biomechanical problems. I have a 3 cm Leg length discrepancy from a cycling accident 5 years ago. Until I got a corrective crank set, they helped, but didn't alleviate my pain. But, once I got my bike position corrected, I found I don't need them anymore. When I was in transition from old to new crankset, I still had a problem with a frozen SI joint, and I saw a physical therapist that performed a very painful type of masage on me in which she pressed very hard and rocked my sacrum, but in time it loosened up and I never needed a massage again. I know pro athletes get them to hasten recovery, but I think the rest of us can recover on our own. However, my physical therapist also mapped out a program of stretching and back strengthening exercises that I do regularly that keeps me loose.