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Years ago, my sweetheart gave me a gift card for three complimentary massages. This would be a first for me and I wasn't sure what to expect.
What I didn't expect was, well ... read on.
My first visit was at 7:15 in the evening. It was dark outside and I didn't know the area, but I found it without much trouble. The building looked reputable and the front window read "Chiropractor’s Office" so I assumed it was legit.
When I walked into the office it looked closed except for one overhead lamp burning at the reception desk. A thirty-something guy sat behind the counter.
He knew my name and seemed friendly enough, although I thought his eyes looked a bit shifty. I hoped it was my imagination.
He introduced himself and quietly led me back through a large dark room filled with chiropractic equipment and on to a smaller, shadowy room.
He opened the door and waited while I walked through. The room was wall-to-wall storage boxes and there was a massage table with crimson-colored sheets placed in the middle of the room.
Sensing my anxiety, he apologized for the appearance. He went on to explain that the room was a work in progress and would eventually look more presentable.
I feigned approval, but a knot formed in my gut. Was this a scam? Was this guy a real massage therapist??
James (not his real name) stood in the doorway and told me to undress and climb beneath the sheet, then started to close the door. Now, I was really nervous.
“You want me to take everything off?” I said, trying not to sound like a fretful little girl.
“You wanted a full massage, didn’t you?” He replied.
Did I? My mind started to spin. Who knows?!?
I had a gift card for a free massage! How did I know what kind of massage I was supposed to have?
Was I in the right place? Should I stay ... all by myself ... in the dark ... with this stranger?
“Um ... yes. A full massage.”
Burning with apprehension, I glanced around the room while removing my clothes.
I noticed a framed diploma hanging on the one wall that wasn’t covered up by boxes. It was from a reputable massage therapy school in the area, but I still wasn’t quite convinced.
I thought about just getting dressed again. I’d go out and tell him that I had forgotten that I had another appointment and I couldn’t stay.
Instead, I finished undressing and the completely naked me scrambled underneath the red sheet and pulled it up to my chin. There I was, stiff as a board, heart pounding, perspiration beading my brow, shadowy candles flickering in the corners, lying in wait.
This was the first part of a two-part article. Click here for Part Two
Further reading to learn more about the benefits of massage therapy:
Medicine Net – Massage Therapy. Web. 14, February, 2012
http://www.medicinenet.com/massage_therapy/article.htm
Mayo Clinic – Stress Management - Massage: Get in touch with its many health benefits. Web. 14, February, 2012
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/massage/SA00082
Find a Massage Therapist:
American Massage Therapy Association – Find a Massage Therapist. Web. 14, February, 2012
http://www.amtamassage.org/findamassage/results.html?q=&l=davie%2c+florida&searchcat=famt
Reviewed February 15, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith
Add a Comment2 Comments
Massage helps ease the pressure and pain, which can also reduce the chance and frequency of headaches. Therefore, it is advisable to take massage therapy session once in 10-15 days.
July 26, 2016 - 9:36pmThis Comment
I think its important to have massage therapy as a treatment option. I recently started offering my patients in Longview WA massage to be complimented with their chiropractic adjustments.
March 9, 2012 - 12:05pmThis Comment