Which massage?

[monkey68]

I'm going to Atlantic City this coming weekend, and I'm planning a little trip to the spa. I know I want a massage, but I can't decide between a regular massage or a deep tissue massage. I've gotten massages before, but I'm not sure which kind, since the guy I usually go to is this Chinese guy who doesn't speak much English. I just point to where my pain is, and he's amazing at what he does. So any opinions? There's not much of a difference in price, so that's not a real issue.

 

[golfgal]

A regular massage is more of a relaxing type massage, the deep tissue massage can actually hurt if you have some really bad knots, etc. When I am on vacation I usually take a regular massage but if I go to my massage therapist because my back is sore or whatever she does a deep tissue massage.

 

[Pakey]

I would not get a deep tissue while on vacation. I'm pretty sore after one. I can almost fall asleep during a regular massage. Definitely my idea of what I want on vacation.

 

[Imzadi]

A regular massage is more of a relaxing type massage, the deep tissue massage can actually hurt if you have some really bad knots, etc. When I am on vacation I usually take a regular massage but if I go to my massage therapist because my back is sore or whatever she does a deep tissue massage.

I agree. I love a deep tissue massage. A "regular" Swedish massage does nothing but knead the muscles and feel good in the moment to a couple hours afterwards.

Whereas a deep tissue massage can hurt right away, but can really get in there and remove the knots & kinks. This is a longer lasting massage, and more beneficial because, instead of simply kneading the muscles, it gets in there and moves the muscles back into their right places. I've actually heard muscles POP as they slide back into place where they belong. It hurts initially because the muscles were in the wrong place. Moving them back, they may be tender. But, in the long run, they feel better as they are back home where they belong.

It depends on what type of massage you want and need.

 

[minkydog]

I'm with the others that say deep tissue massage. Regular massage doesn't do a thing for me; i need that deep touch. It doesn't really hurt, IMO, but it sometimes is briefly uncomfortable especially when I've got a lot of tension in my neck or lower back. Afterward I drink a lot of water and I"m kinda of "loose" for awhile but I'm not really sore. Massage makes my nose and face congested, so I sometimes need to take a sudafed or tylenol.

Mmmm, massage...

 

[clh2]

no deep tissue massage for me! Just give me a regular one

 

[2bearsmom]

The only massage I've ever had was a hot stone aromatherapy massage on a cruise a few years ago. I'd do just about anything for another!

 

[lemondog]

I had a deep tissue massage once and I literally had bruises afterward. Bruises! Obviously the massage therapist did it a little too strongly, but it was extremely painful for me. It was my first massage ever and I didn't know I could tell her to lighten her touch. Then I switched to regular massages and I love them! Don't think I'll be going back to deep tissue anytime soon.

 

[monkey68]

So I went ahead and booked it for the regular massage. I'm scheduled with a male, so hopefully he'll have a firmer touch. The woman who was doing the booking said if I tell him where my pain is, he can go deeper in those areas, not as deep as a deep tissue, but focus on that area, I guess. I'm actually really looking forward to it, I've never had a massage in a spa, the guy I see here is kind of no frills place. Just a bunch of stalls with curtains dividing them, and you can hear everything going on in the other stalls and in the check in area. But I go to him because he really is great and it's cheap. But at a proper spa, I've never actually been, so I'm looking forward to that.