Don’t you just love a massage? Don’t you wish you could have one more often? Even though there are all sorts of healthful benefits to massage, most people consider it a luxury, even in the best of times — so in tough times such as these, it is even harder to rationalize spending the money. But there are less expensive options…
For guidance on how to safely indulge in a low-cost massage during lean economic times, I turned to Maureen Moon, a registered massage therapist for more than 28 years and past president of the American Massage Therapy Association. She assured me that you can get an excellent massage at a reasonable rate — you just have to know how to go about it. Note: People with certain medical or physical conditions — such as deep vein thrombosis, osteoporosis, a recent bone fracture, cancer or damaged blood vessels — should check with their doctor before having a massage.
Low-Cost Massage
A new massage center just opened at a shopping mall in my town, offering a price of $39.99 for a 50-minute massage — which seemed like a very good deal. I asked Moon about such places. In her opinion, storefront massage centers can be a good choice, as long as you check to see that therapists are licensed or registered or at least have proper training. But this can be tricky, as laws vary from state to state and some states have lax requirements or no requirements at all. One strategy is to ask to see the therapist’s training certificate, preferably one issued by an accredited school. You can check state requirements and whether or not a particular school is accredited on the Internet.
Other alternatives include:
- Try a massage school. If you live near a school where massage therapists train — and you don’t mind letting a student therapist practice on you — visit their clinic for an inexpensive massage. Go to the Web site of the American Massage Association (www.amtamassage.org) to locate an accredited school in your area.
- Inquire about discounts. At her office in Boulder, Colorado, Moon offers reduced rates to college students and seniors. Many massage therapists will give discounts when you buy a package — for instance, pay for five massages and get a sixth for free. And, if you’re strapped for cash and simply can’t afford the full rate, Moon advises that you share this information with the therapist. Rather than losing your business (the tough times have affected massage therapists too, after all), a therapist may be willing to give you a break on the price.
- Enlist a partner. Exchange massages with your spouse or friend, urges Moon, who believes that people don’t touch each other enough and that physical connection in itself is beneficial. If you’re giving the massage, she recommends that you position yourself above the other person — sitting on a couch with him/her seated in front of you on the floor. Using the pads of your fingers, massage your partner’s scalp, shoulders and neck.
- Massage your own muscles. While not as effective as professional massage, self-massage is relaxing and therapeutic. For example, Moon suggests lying down on a massage ball (www.healthybodyball.com) or tennis ball and rolling back and forth on it to ease tension out of back and shoulder muscles. Or you can give yourself a foot massage using a massage rub that has an essential oil, such as eucalyptus for energizing or lavender for relaxation. However, essential oils aren’t without risk. So if you take medications or have any medical conditions, consult with your doctor before using them.
Massage has many benefits, from stress relief to improved circulation to soothing sore muscles. Chances are, you need massage more than ever these days. Even when your budget is tight, your muscles don’t have to be.
