Rubbed The Right Way -- A Massage Table At Home Could Be Just What You Knead

That felt so-o-o-o-o good, I thought, as the masseur finished an hour of rubbing, kneading, and pushing and pulling on my body.

I dug into my wallet and handed him $40. That didn't feel as good.

I'm not alone in knowing that a good massage can do wonders for, among other things, stress reduction, relaxation and good mental health. Last year, there were an estimated 75 million visits to massage therapists, says the American Massage Therapy Association.

I'm also not alone in having a budget too small for the once-a-week massage I'd get if I could afford it. Professional massages generally cost from $30 to $80 per one-hour session.

There may be an alternative: Buy your own massage table and, with your partner, give each other a massage.

My wife and I now have a portable massage table in a spare bedroom, where we soothe each other as many times a week as we want. A dim light, a portable heater and easy-listening music create a mood just like that at a professional massage therapist's office.

"Stressed out today?" I'll ask my wife at the end of a tough day. "Then lie down and I'll give you a massage."

Proven stress reliever

Studies have shown that too much stress can be bad for your health - causing headaches and stomachaches, even raising your blood pressure. In my case, at age 49, it doesn't help that high blood pressure and heart disease run in the family.

In my wife's case, it doesn't help that she's a substitute teacher.

Stress is reduced during a massage, says the industry association, as your blood circulation increases and as lactic acids are removed from your tight muscles.

It can also improve mental health as you simply feel pampered and special, and have some uninterrupted touch and attention showered on you by a loved one.

"There is pretty amazing therapy in touch itself, because we are touch-deprived in our society," says E. Houston LeBrun, a Seattle massage therapist and current president of the American Massage Therapy Association.

My search for a massage table started on the Internet. Through mail order, I could have bought a table ranging from $300 to $1,500. Too expensive.

Looking through newspaper classified ads didn't work at the time. When I was looking, no one was selling.

Next, I visited some Seattle-area massage schools to check bulletin-board notices for used massage tables. All I found were notices by students wanting to buy a used table.

Finally, I started calling massage therapists listed in the phone book.

"Do you happen to have a massage table you might be thinking about selling?" I asked more than two dozen of them.

Bingo. A therapist, now 70, in Tacoma said he had one in his basement that he no longer used. "Sure, I'll sell it to you," he said.

The agreed-upon price: $115.

While those who get a massage might not care what they lie on, a professional table is a big plus for the massage-giver - its height and shape go a long way in preventing back strain.

And, the more comfortable the person giving the massage, the better and longer the massage likely will be. A table also has a built-in headrest that makes lying face-down more comfortable.

But how to do massage?

Now the question was how to learn some basic massage techniques so my wife and I wouldn't feel as though we had lain down in the path of a hippo.

Our answer was a "Partner Massage" class taught through the the Experimental College. For the two of us, it cost $20 to register and another $28 the night of the class.

Eight couples spent three hours learning the basics of back, feet and neck massage - the favorite parts to be worked on, according to our instructor.

We learned that major strokes should always be done toward the heart. We learned to start by first spreading oil or lotion over an entire area - like covering a canvas. We learned light fingertip circles, back kneading and the forehead stretch, among other things.

Next to us were Stan and Cindy Freimuth of Bellevue. Said Cindy: "He gets massages once a week. This is a way to save a little money."

Not professionals

Clearly, having a massage table and three hours of instruction didn't make us experts or professionals.

And, as LeBrun warns, we are not equipped to try to do things like deep-tissue massage or other work that might do more damage than good.

But, at our novice level, we've already found many benefits of having our own in-house massage corner - despite friends' disbelief that someone would want such a thing in their home.

We have found newly discovered time, intimacy and relaxation - and that certainly can't hurt a marriage.

-------------------------- Tips on becoming a masseur --------------------------

Here are some resources should you decide to buy a massage table and take introductory massage training:

Supplies

-- To buy locally, look in the Yellow Pages under Massage Equipment & Supplies. About a dozen suppliers are listed.

-- On the Internet, search for "massage tables." You'll find listings for several suppliers.

-- Watch the classified ads for a used table.

-- Call massage therapists and ask if they have a used table for sale.

Classes

There are a number of massage schools in the area, also listed in the phone book. Call the one nearest you to find if it offers massage training for nonstudents. Some examples of what's available:

-- Brian Utting School of Massage offers an "Introduction to Massage" class about once a month, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays, $60. 206-292-8055.

-- Brenneke School of Massage offers a two-day "Novice Course" about once a month, Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, $100. 206-282-1233.

-- The Everett location of Seattle Massage School offers a "Day of Massage" class about once a quarter, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, $50. 425-339-2678.

-- The Experimental College offers one or more sessions of "Partner Massage" each quarter, taught at various times. Fee varies. 206-543-4375.