I just got back froma so called "hour long" massage. Bull..the woman worked on my back and my belly, for just about 30 minutes, not one hour. Charged me the one-hour price. My shoulders are still tense, my legs didn't get touched, nor my arms.

I am pissed off. I *hate* trying to find a decent massage person. This is the second massage from this woman, the first was ok, she didn't do the face, or the hands, but I thought, well maybe next time, she is just getting a feel for my body.

She was getting a feel for how little she could do and how much she could gouge me. Thats what she was doing.

Cate,
I went to get my haircut today and someone other than my stylist washed my hair. I was so incredibly relaxed I could have melted into the chair when she was washing my hair, very relaxing. Turns out she is the new massage therapist at the salon so I booked for next week. I guess my point is, don't give up on massages-I had all but given up but I think I may have finally found someone that will give a really great massage.
Jill

Sorry to hear your experience wasn't a good one. I took massage therp. in school during my nursing studies. But we were taught to ask up front what people wanted not just assume. Unless it was a first experience then we may show a few things and see what the person likes. It is hard to get anything you pay for now a day. People just don't care. I have a friend who has home health care coming in. One woman stayed 15 minutes but made her sign a paper stating she was there a full hour. The ones that do stay the full hour don't do much in the way of helping her. I know she is a difficult person to work with but they get paid for doing nothing basically. I work hard for my clients. Always readig and looking into ways to make things better and such. On occassion I run late but stay over the extra time. I agree that it is hard to say something to someone when you are not happy with their work but you should have in this case since you are paying for service you didn't get. I don't understand the belly thing either. That is one spot we would only do if there was a reason and only with the client's permission. I hope the next one is better for you. You certainly should never come out more stressed then when you go in.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TriGirl:
Why would she massage your belly? I have gotten lots of massages and my belly was never part of the deal. That just seems weird to me.
QUOTE]

I have had several massage therapists massage my belly, but most of them ask first, as it is strange to some people.

Dawn

Why would she massage your belly? I have gotten lots of massages and my belly was never part of the deal. That just seems weird to me.

I always try to get recommendations on stuff like this rather than going in cold for just the reason you mention.

Sorry you had a bad experience. I'm also puzzled by the coat thing. A cape sounds kind of stylish to me. I think the woman should have taken no for an answer.

quote:

Originally posted by jillybean:
It is so hard to find a good massage therapist and I so relate.

I'm sorry to hear that this seems to be a common experience. I have probably had less than a dozen massages in all, and a few of those were seated, which almost don't count. I have never had a BAD massage. I have had massages that were a bit too intense or that didn't live up to my expectations, but none that I would classify as BAD, really.

My experience with the gym masseuse is my first "repeater" experience ever. All my other massages have been 1-timers...on a cruise, while visiting my bro in FLA last year, at a health fair, etc.

I too have had some really bad massages. I would have either brought up immediately that the massage was not the full hr and was not paying the full price and would have let her know right away that I would not be back.
I have left more massage appts more stressed than when I went I went in. I had a massage before Christmas I left and was so freezing cold I had to come home and take a hot bath....the massage "therapist" and I use that term lightly...got there the same time I did and apparently the heat was off all night because it was ICE cold in the room. I mentioned it to her and she just continued on without a repsonse.
It is so hard to find a good massage therapist and I so relate. I hope you find someone who is really good and hope your next massage is well worth it.
Jill

its just been a bit of a long day. This morning, after church, one of the church ladies gave me a coat.

Its not a bad-looking coat, but its huge on me.

And I really didn't want it. She kept offering and I kept saying thanks, but really don't take the trouble. Unfortunately, now I have it (apparently everyone was worried about me not having a traditional coat..I have a wool cape I've been using).

And then getting a crappy massage on top of that, my back hurts...

I like a good massage myself from time to time.

So, one day I am at this big Spa in Nashville waiting to be called back.

A blind woman with a walking stick came out and got me. RED FLAG number one!!

She practically felt her way all the way back to the room. First I thought that would be a good thing because she relies on her hands for so much, she might give a really good massage.

It was the worst experience of my life. First I froze because she didn't realize how cold the room is when you are butt naked. There was a heat lamp that she had turned on but was facing up at the ceiling. Just miserable!!! Do ya think she could tell by the goose bumps that something was wrong?? I went home more tense than when I went in!!

I think it's your responsibility to tell her that the massage you're getting from her isn't what you are looking for, esp. if you're thinking about going back.

Back in October, I made an appt. with the masseuse at my gym for the first time, as a birthday present to myself. I, too, was disappointed that she didn't massage my arms/hands and feet--some of my favorite parts of a massage!

I ended up going back in November and, before I got on the table, I told her my preferences. I said I wanted less pressure in the back massage (it was a bit too intense for me) and more attention to arms/hands and legs/feet. She was very gracious and did what I asked, and I tipped her commensurately.

When I went back in December, I reminded her of my preferences and again got what I wanted. It's not the best massage I've ever had, but it's a good massage, she changes to my preferences, and she is very convenient to my work so I can go right after work, when I am most stressed out/tight.

It's only fair that you give her the benefit of the doubt. Sure, she might be a slacker...then again, she might not. She might really want to know that she's not giving you the service you desire. You won't know until you tell her what you want and see if she gives it to you.

She's the owner, unfortunately.

I called there after I posted and cancelled the appointment I'd made for two weeks from today. I told the receptionist that I was not happy with the massage that I had received, and that was why I was cancelling.

Cate,
I feel your residual pain...

I had the most wonderful massage therapist in Indianapolis. I call him my angel. I still try to see him every time I've been back in Indiana.

I have been to so many people here in Atlanta and I can't seem to find one really good one. (I did find one when we stayed at a resort, but he is too far away.)

I even went to one of THE "Premier" Spas in Atlanta, the first massage was ok, the second time I went, there wasn't even a "donut" on the table and had to lay with my head to the side. My neck was worse AFTER the massage than before.

I hope that you and I both find someone worthy of our time and money.

Dawn

Complain Cate! Call her back or talk to her manager. If she knows how disastisfied you are she may be willing to give you a free massage to make up for it or refund part of your money.

I'm sorry what should have been a relaxing experience ended up causing aggrevation!

Cate,

Why didn't you say something to her? I know, I know...it's much harder to say something in person than it is to vent to a friend or on the board. I do.

Have you made another appointment? How about putting in writing exactly what you expect and present this to the next masseuse.

I know that I love(d) my psychologist, but occasionally I felt a couple of minutes were being shaved. Some days I was able to point out when we started - in a nonaggressive manner. Some days I couldn't.