I've always wanted to get regular massages, but I don't live a charmed life. I had never even gone to get a massage until a couple months ago. I would say that the number one perk of living in a Chinese city is the ability to walk down the street and get a high quality $2 massage whenever you like. I'm not kidding. Seriously, I got a fabulous massage for about $2 a couple days ago and I plan on going back tomorrow.
I am quite the little bundle of stress. I don't think I've ever really learned how to deal with stress or found an effective coping mechanism for it. Instead, I've usually just kept it bottled up until it exploded in my face. The reason that I'm going back so soon is that one session barely scratches the surface of years and years of bottled up stress that has manifested itself in my tight neck and shoulders.
The kicker here is that my massage therapist, Dr. Feng, is blind. He's amazing and highly talented. There are actually a couple of blind masseuses at this one particular place. I've heard that people who lack a sense experience the others more intensely. Thus, a blind person can have a heightened sense of touch and give a better massage. I'm definitely a believer. I don't exactly know why he is better than the other masseuses, but I can certainly feel the difference when I walk home and feel rather loose.
Besides actually getting massages, I'm seeing how I need to take better care of myself. There's no need to hold some much stress in and not take a stab at processing it. I'm only now taking the first baby steps in order to change my reaction to situations and choose not to be stressed, but for this week especially, I'm focusing on taking care of my neck. I hope to make some serious progress in the area of stress through these massages.
Does anyone know much about massage therapy?
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I've never had a massage, but from what I understand they're quite expensive. In China, you can pay $2 for a quality massage? Who would have thunk it? Of course, that get's me wondering about the economy down there, and how $2 may equal $20, but I guess that's not important right now. What matters is the fact that it seemed to work for you, so maybe it'll work for other people too.
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Mind Control is Easier Than You Think
Actually - here massages run about $75 per hour for a certified massage therapist and maybe $55 an hour for a student. Crazy, isn't it? I mean compared to $2.00!
It's about 15 RMB (Renminbi, the People's money) or 2 American Dollars for a decent massage. I'm sure the massages at some of the spas in the city run much higher. Other massage therapy techniques run higher as well. But the basic massage is quite affordable.
I believe this is the way it is for two main reasons. The average Chinese person wouldn't pay Western prices for massages. You have to charge what people can pay or else you have no customers. I have to call ahead and make an appointment to see Mr. Feng the morning of because he is usually booked up. Most times you can just walk in. Also, massages here are really valued as a form of medicine. It's not uncommon for someone to go every week, twice a week to maintain their bodily health.
So, if anyone comes to China, maybe I can treat you to a massage!
www.progressiveu.org/blog/americangirlinchina
A friend of mine is a massage therapist. I would go with her to her classes sometimes and I learned quite a bit. Massage is a great way to heal so many things aside from stress. One woman did a study on the affects of massage on her ADHD son. After a couple of weeks of regular treatments, he became much calmer and more focused. Massage is an excellent way to help the body to heal itself, whether it be physical or mental.
ooooo massages...
The best massage of my life was in Vietnam. It cost about $10, which is super expensive for that country, but pretty cheap to us. It was a really high-quality massage!!