Reply #12: Yes. Somewhat mixed experience

[Bossy Monkey]

The guy was very, very highly recommended to me. In fact, I had given a girlfriend of mine (now ex-, but not because of this) a massage by him, and she had a very good experience. So I went to try to get my back problems under some kind of control. There were two problems. The first problem was that he wouldn't take any kind of direction. I had pain in my neck and lower back and wanted him to focus there. Instead he just did what he wanted to do. Problem two was what he wanted to do, which seemed to be to trace out my pelvis and take it out with his bare hands. I had the most astonishing bruise for the next six weeks or so. Go figure.

Oh, and I had earlier gone to a masseuse for the same reason. She was a lot more mellow but even less effective. I had to make her switch off the new age muzak, which sucked so bad it made me even more tense.

So I guess what I'm saying is to get recommendations, recommendations, recommendations. Ideally you might want to look for somebody who'll do what the client asks instead of sticking to their own program.

What I eventually did for my back was to buy a slant pillow and sleep on the floor a lot. Of course, I don't know if your back is the problem or whether this would be a solution for you. Best of luck regardless.