Shopping for a Professional Masseur
A good masseur, like a good waiter, will attend to your needs and remain invisible. The very best masseur can study your body for a host of non-verbal “clues” and give you exactly what you need. However, developing that kind of sensitivity may require a few sessions with gentle feedback from you. Don’t be afraid to ask for whatever it is that you want. You know which shoulder needs more work, which muscles still feel sore, and what feels so good you don’t want it to stop. Your concerns can be specific and very personal. Think about things another person might not notice, and leave it to your masseur to remember to massage your left foot after finishing your left leg.
Lying down naked, with your eyes closed, on a massage table is an act of trust that is rare between strangers. A good masseur will reward you with an hour or two of uninterrupted physical pleasure.
Caveats:
Beware of “therapists” calling themselves masseurs who torture their clients in the name of some bizarre health theory (which has usually not been adequately translated into English). Careful too of rolfers, deep zone therapists, shiatsu practitioners, and anyone else who promises a quick fix after certain mysterious points on you body have been poked while your limbs are being twisted into hazardous positions. Discuss this concept with a masseur before you begin so you know what to expect. Don’t be intimidated by puritanical “justifications” for pain or wall charts with lots of Oriental characters. One moment of pain will shatter an hour of tranquility. You shouldn’t endure anything unpleasant during a massage.
A good massage, like a good meal, will make you feel wonderful while it’s going on and for some time afterward. Nothing else matters more and shoppers should be particularly wary of the masseur who promises satisfaction only after the fourth or fifth visit.
Sensitivity is far more important that physical strength in massage so you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for lots of repetition. A masseur who insists on conversation is defeating his own best efforts. If he doesn’t comprehend your desires after the first few sessions, it may be time to move on to somebody who will.
Starters
Spend time on the massage surface before the massage begins to be absolutely certain the area is warm enough for you. Ask for more heat if you feel the slightest chill; it will intensify as your metabolism slows down and ruin the massage. You might want to request a favorite oil, scent, or musical selection. Try not to schedule appointments immediately after a massage. A good masseur will create a warm, penetrating sensation that will last for hours. Let the feeling go on.