While my parents were in town, I scheduled a family spa day.  My Mom was quite excited about this.  I had her scheduled for a Facial and a mini-pedi.  I scheduled massages for my Dad and me.  Neither of us had ever had a massage.  I was VERY excited.  He was VERY skeptical.  Neither of us relax very well.

I Got Lawrence

They scheduled my Swedish massage with Lawrence.  He's been doing this for about eight years, and it DEFINITELY shows.  At the beginning of the massage, I was lying face-down on the comfy table, and I said, through the bottom opening of the head rest, "Now, I'm going to need to ask you questions about this so I can blog about it."  He said "But, if you do that, you won't relax."After about five minutes, I believe that I sub-consciously decided "blog-schmog" because I stopped talking and started relaxing.  That Lawrence, he's good!

The Healing Power of Massage

I'm totally NOT going to launch into some new-age guru talk about the healing powers of touch.  Quite frankly, I don't know enough about that to authoritatively discuss it.  HOWEVER, I can say that massages should be MANDATORY during parental visits!  Nothing dials down the anxiety faster than knowing I'm in a closed, private room with lovely, soothing music playing, a pleasant scented candle burning, and that my parents are similarly in closed rooms, effectively being held hostage (in a good way) by their technicians.  I.e.  THEY CAN'T GET TO ME for at least one hour.  Bliss. . . 

However, there is more to my enjoyment of the massage than having peace and quiet for an hour.  Anyone who is old enough to read this and/or old enough to schedule and pay for a massage will completely understand what I'm saying here.  Or, at least, you will after you have your first massage:

It is nice to be kneaded and/or touched without EXPECTATION of anything other than a monetary tip.  GET MY DRIFT?  It was so much more relaxing.  Certainly, I love a nice hug from my husband.  ESPECIALLY if that hug doesn't get all grabby.   Which is rare.  Hence, my enjoyment of the massage. 

There are health benefits associated with the massage: improved circulation, de-toxification, relaxation.  Those are all good reasons to get one, too. 

What to Expect During your Massage

I had the Swedish massage, which is a nice, relaxing option for beginners.  I don't have any particular problem areas, to my knowledge, so Lawrence gave me a good once-over.  He said he did sense a bit of tension in my shoulders, like, they were up at my ears, which isn't ideal.  Probably because I am a writer, and I sit, hunched over my keyboard, pecking away for hours at a time.  Here's how the whole thing went, if you are curious about what happens. 

• I filled out a checklist notifying them of any ailments I have.  (None that I'm aware.)
• Lawrence greeted me in the lobby.
• He took me back to the treatment room and chatted with me, again to see if there were any areas that I would like him to focus around, or stay away from.
• Then, he left, and I got undressed, except for my undies, and got under the sheet.
• He came back in and started the massage.
• The massage involved kneading, pulling, and gripping certain areas.  (Sounds naughty, but it isn't.)  Also lots of nice hot towels in different areas. 

After the massage was finished, I said to Lawrence, "Your clients must LOVE you."  He smiled and blushed. And then told me to relax and left the room.   

Massage for Everyone!

I would dearly love to make this a monthly habit.  My verdict re: massages is that everyone can benefit from them.  They are healthy, relaxing, and stimulating all at the same time.