an affordable one is even harder.
I have found that a good massage at least once a month really helps my body. I feel better...I sleep better....and I have less joint pain after a massage.
I have many different kinds done to me ...mostly it depends on how I feel at the time. if my gut is tender I try to stay away from abdominal pressure including the kind that comes from having my back worked on. the best for me has been reflexology. they hit the trigger points in the hands and on the feet as well as stretch my legs and arms. I usually have some upper body done at the same time.
if things are real bad and real tender then I just have some light work on the hands and feet and then some cranial and temple rubbing.
the real problem is that I feel guilty spending the money to have it done as often as I would like. Most massages cost anywhere between $65 and $75 an hour...and in hotels...forget it...$100 to $120 an hour. It is not that I can't afford it, but there are other things to spend money on and I feel guilty spending that much on myself.
Now i am not sure if I am allowed to mention companies on this site....if not then I understand if the folks have to remove the name...if they do and you want to know it...write to me.
and this is not an endorsement....just an alternative. In our area a new company has opened that is a massage club....the normal costs for the massages for non-members is $65....but for members it is $49 for the first one each month and $39 for any more that month. it is a neat concept....the only catch is that you have to sign up for 1 year at $49 a month and that covers your first massage each month. if you don't get a massage that month...then it carries over and the next month you can have two and still only pay the flat monthly rate. Again...this is not an endosrement...just information on how to get an inexpensive massage.
The chain MASSAGE ENVY has locations all over the USA. Something like 600 franchises. I am sure there are some great ones and some not so great...but if you think massages help...here is a place that may help and not cost so much doing it.
dx IBS 1999 UC 2000 CD 2001
Tested BIOGEN TYSABRI (gave me 2 years of remission)
currently on Low Dose Netroxene (started Jan. 19, 2007)...against Dr's wishes, he was pushing for Remicade. Stopped the Naltrexone July 28th...will start Humira Aug 28th 2006
Crohns is currently active and has been since April of 2005
50 yrs old