Gift of Massage

Be a Gift Magician - Make Her Stress Disappear with Massage

Who's getting and giving a massage gift?

• Overall, women are more likely than men to give gift massages (32 vs. 23 percent).
• Of the men who gave massage as a romantic gift, 58 percent gave it to their spouse, and 32 percent chose a "significant other."
• In comparison, women's gifts of massage went to spouses just 28 percent of the time and only 14 percent went to a significant other. Forty-one percent gave massage as a gift to a friend and 39 percent to a family member.

• 43 percent of women have had a massage in the last five years compared to 25 percent of men. However, 17 percent of men had a massage in the last 12 months compared to only 12 percent last year.
• A male-female "yin and yang" seems to characterize the use of massage for health reasons: women are more likely to have discussed massage therapy with their doctors (24 percent vs. 14 percent), but men have massages for medical reasons more often than women (35 percent vs. 27 percent).
• When it comes to usage of massage, women use it more often than men. However men's usage has increased.

Source: 2007 American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) survey results

Finding the Right Massage Gift

Unique Massage and Spa Boutiques

If you want to treat her you can give her a one-of-a-kind, exceptional massage. If you would like to allow her flexibility of where she chooses to have her massage, I recommend buying her a Spa Finder Gift Certificate or Gift Card, which you can buy online.

Spa Finder is a network of over 5,000 spas all over the globe, and has a range of price points, so she'll be able to find something completely unique. A great last minute gift!

Advantages:

• Exceptional massages in world class spas
• Pre-screened, qualified massage therapists
• Beautiful and unique decor and massage products
• Extensive list of services and locations globally

Disadvantages:

• Depending on her choice, may be pricey

Advantages:

• Lower cost and great value
• Convenient locations, usually in shopping malls or strip malls
• Pre-screened, qualified massage therapists

Disadvantages:

• Quality may vary from one store location to another
• Most chains require you to buy into a year's membership, but for a gift, you can purchase a gift card or certificate.

• Elements Therapeutic Massage - massage only, located in half the U.S. states, requires membership or you can buy a gift card
• Hand & Stone Massage Spa - massage, waxing, and facials as well, located in 11 U.S. states, mostly Western and East/Southeast and Canada, requires membership or you can buy a gift card
• LaVida Massage - massage, facials, waxing, and peels, location in the United States, Canada, Russia, and Spain. Gift cards available.
• Massage Envy - massage and facials, very affordable, the largest by far with over 500 locations nationwide, requires membership or you can buy a gift card
• Massage Heights - massage, facials, and foot scrubs, locations in fifteen states, many in Texas and California, very green and eco-friendly, uses Akhassa products, requires membership or you can buy a gift card
• Zen Massage Clinic - massage and facials, "no contracts, no membership fee", six state locations in Texas, Kansas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

Finding an Individual Certified Massage Therapist or Independent Massage Center

If you would like to find an independent massage service, it is very important to start by finding a certified massage therapist who has the proper training. If you already know the spa or massage service you'd like to use, be sure to ask about their training and certification. If they are in the United States, they should be a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and/or the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

If you would like help in finding a service near you, use one of the following links:

Click here to use AMTA's Find a Massage Therapist® form

Click here to use a NCBTMB nationally certified practitioner form

Massage for Moms

Source: American Pregnancy Association.

Great companies know the benefits of giving a massage! 77% of the companies identified as the “100 Best for Working Mothers” offer massage therapy to employees.

Massage therapy has been proven effective in:

• Relieving back pain
• Boosting immune system
• Reducing anxiety
• Lowering blood pressure
• Treating migraines
• Decreasing carpal tunnel symptoms
• Easing post-operative pain

Kinds of Massage

Once you find the right massage therapist, you will be offered a wide range of kinds of massage to choose from. If you have never gotten or given a massage before, it can be overwhelming, and pricing will differ based on your choice. I've been getting and giving massages once a month for many years and I would recommend starting with one of the top three kinds of massage.

The top three most popular massages are:

• Swedish massage
• Aromatherapy Massage
• Hot Stone Massage

All great massage therapists will be happy to help you select the right choice for the women you have in mind.

An extra nice touch is to make the gift card or gift certificate part of a spa-themed gift basket for her. Depending on your budget you can include:

• Bath Products
• Loofah brush
• A Robe
• Slippers
• Massage Oil
• A CD of Relaxing Music

Some spas sell their own line of massage products, so you can ask about their gift basket pricing as well.

How to Give a Massage

Watch this video for tips and techniques...