Massage therapist in Philadelphia?
March 12, 2012 12:24 PM Subscribe
Licensed massage therapist in Philadelphia? (that will talk to me a bit about anatomy?)
My back has been bugging me, and trying a massage first is more fun than going to a doctor or a physical therapist. Does your wicked-smart, patient massage therapist have a conversation with you about what muscles (that you didn't even know you had) were extra tight and/or a stretch that would get at them?
How much should I expect to pay for a good massage? How much should I tip? (I'm a dude. What should I wear? I don't care about the gender of my massage therapist.)
My back has been bugging me, and trying a massage first is more fun than going to a doctor or a physical therapist. Does your wicked-smart, patient massage therapist have a conversation with you about what muscles (that you didn't even know you had) were extra tight and/or a stretch that would get at them?
How much should I expect to pay for a good massage? How much should I tip? (I'm a dude. What should I wear? I don't care about the gender of my massage therapist.)
I had a really good experience at the Massage Arts massage school. The massages are done by supervised students or apprentices who are gaining hours on the way to becoming licensed. The prices are discounted but the services are very good. The students are pretty enthusiastic about massage, anatomy and helping you figure out your own body. Mine recommended some stretches and exercises for me to do to help with my most troublesome areas. Worse comes to worst, you're only out $35 for an hour massage.
posted by Katine at 1:44 PM on March 12, 2012
posted by Katine at 1:44 PM on March 12, 2012
To answer your other questions: Tip 15%-20% for a good experience. Wear whatever, you're gonna get naked and covered by a sheet anyway. You can leave undies on if you're uncomfortable, but I think most people get naked. Anything else just gets in the way.
posted by Katine at 1:48 PM on March 12, 2012
posted by Katine at 1:48 PM on March 12, 2012
(massage therapy student in California here)
I looked up education requirements in PA. It's 600 hours so I'm sure kinesiology is part of the education requirement, and thus a good percentage of MTs should be able to tell you what muscles are tight or have adhesions, or why your scapula is being pulled in this or that direction.
Katine's idea of going to a student clinic is a good one as the kinesiology is going to be fresh in their minds, although you won't know how far along in the program they are, and MT students vary radically in their skill level. MTs out in the world really vary in their focus, so if they've been doing energy work for a decade, for example, they might not know. If you don't go to a school clinic look for someone who specializes in deep tissue (and ignore anyone who lists off a bunch of modalities as they're just trying to market themselves).
Also - it's your trapazeus and rhomboids :)
posted by MillMan at 2:33 PM on March 12, 2012
I looked up education requirements in PA. It's 600 hours so I'm sure kinesiology is part of the education requirement, and thus a good percentage of MTs should be able to tell you what muscles are tight or have adhesions, or why your scapula is being pulled in this or that direction.
Katine's idea of going to a student clinic is a good one as the kinesiology is going to be fresh in their minds, although you won't know how far along in the program they are, and MT students vary radically in their skill level. MTs out in the world really vary in their focus, so if they've been doing energy work for a decade, for example, they might not know. If you don't go to a school clinic look for someone who specializes in deep tissue (and ignore anyone who lists off a bunch of modalities as they're just trying to market themselves).
Also - it's your trapazeus and rhomboids :)
posted by MillMan at 2:33 PM on March 12, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
Caveat: I myself never went to her for a massage.
posted by sciencegeek at 12:49 PM on March 12, 2012