Hi, hope some massage experts can help with this question. I had a massage yesterday, the first in 6 months. The therapist commented that I was very tight and recommended more frequent massages. She said that nobody’s muscles had ever"kicked her out like" mine did. I’m a 5’6" 130# female. Somewhat lean but definitely not muscular or even particularly strong. I could definitely improve my flexibility. I could definitely feel her working through knots, some felt like bone they were so hard. I don’t really struggle with excess muscle soreness. Does this ring a chord with anyone? I also wonder if she isn’t more used to working on less fit, chubby people. Thanks a lot,
I haven’t had a massage yet where they didn’t say I was “very tight” and recommend weekly/monthly massages. Most would say that no matter who was on their table. Some would say that if a bowl of jello were laying on their table. May be true, but it’s more often than not their standard sales pitch. IMO.
I started regular weekly massage 2-3 months ago and the issue that your masseuse raises isn’t necessarily that you are ‘kicking her out’ as she describes, but rather that you are toned. Your muscles are strong and less flexible than most of middle America (who she probably sees most often). My masseuses (sp) and I had a language barrier describing this for a few sessions and it finally got across to me that my muscles are much more toned, built, strong and are more sinewy than their average customer. In turn they feel very hard to the touch for the masseuse and it is difficult to get deeper and into the spaces between muslces/tendons/etc…
The quick test I did was to sit in my chair with my legs at a 90 degree angle to the floor. If you jiggle/shake your knees in and out you can sort of see my leg muscles move. When I was overweight they’d shake like jello. Now that I’m nearly at race weight they barely move because of the built up muscle. The change in muscle is a surprise for most people and what is muscle might feel like a knot to them, so be careful.
I kind of suspected what you guys said. The spa primarily caters to the rest/relaxation/beauty crowd so I’m a different customer for them. thanks for posting
Pat
I have been a massage therapist working on mostly athletes for over 12 years and never used that term " getting kicked out". If it felt like bone, it probably was. I have been abused more than once by therapists trying to "work " my glutes and all they do is hammer on my hip!! Stretch alot and get a good massage from someone who regularly works with athletes a few days before a big race. People always ask me how often they should get worked on and I always tell them that unfortunately it all depends on how deep your pockets are!! A good one is great, just like pizza and… well you all know the rest. But a bad one is still pretty good.