One Hour Mini-Escape

by Mimi Barre

Are you stressed, over-worked, exhausted, or achy all over? You need a vacation, but there just isn't time. So catch a one-hour escape: a therapeutic, one-hour, full-body massage.

The first step is to find a well-trained, reputable massage therapist. Look in the yellow pages under Massage, therapeutic. Avoid any with funny- sounding names. Many spas, day spas, full-service beauty salons and facial clinics offer excellent massages. Call to find out what kinds of massages are offered. For relaxation, you want a Swedish/American massage. If you have extreme muscle tension and like a good workout, go for Deep Tissue. Acupressure or Shiatsu are other fine options. A one-hour massage will cost from $66 to $130.

What can you expect? The therapist will greet you, ask a few health questions and show you to the massage room. You will be instructed to undress (you may keep on your underwear) and to lie on the comfortably padded massage table under a sheet or towel. You will always be kept modestly covered. The therapist will leave the room to wash her hands while you get ready.

The massage will include long, soothing strokes, kneading, and perhaps thumb pressure on release points. An almond oil or an oil scented with essential oils for aromatherapy will allow the therapist's hands to glide over your muscles and work out stress and tension. The room will have subdued lighting, and the fragrance of the essential oils will help you to relax. Soothing, meditative music should be softly playing. Guests frequently find the entire treatment so relaxing that they fall asleep.

At the end of your one-hour escape, you will feel refreshed and renewed, ready to take on the battles of life. The more often you have massages, the more readily you will relax and thereby find greater and greater benefit. Frequent massages should be considered a part of your regular health routine.