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on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 02:01 AM AST - 41786 Reads
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This winter I traveled to Shanghai for a 17-day visit. As a massage therapist from the States, I was looking forward to throwing myself into the hands of the Shanghainese. My friends had told me how they were getting daily massages at about US $8 per hour. I couldn't wait.
The first day here I walked the two blocks to Blind Man Massage, on Yan'an Rd where I met Number Sixteen. She wouldn't tell me her name.But when I inquired, she did tell me that she had learned massage from her family. She was good, intent on helping, and spoke some English, I didn't know at the time how rare that is.
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She had some great tricks: Some I duly noted and others I wouldn't dare take back to my practice. For instance, after she had surmised that my lower back was really whacked-out, she took the bed sheet, folded it lengthwise, slipped it under my back (I was supine at the time), climbed up on the table, stood over me and lifted my lower back up into an arch using the sheet. Bravo! Aah...it felt so good!
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I was impressed. She worked on me for 90 minutes instead of the 60 I had requested and the front desk charged me accordingly, 85 RMB -- less than US $12. It was clear this was going to be my favorite part of my trip to Shanghai.
Two days later I was back. I met Number Ten and Number Five two days after that, but they lacked intention and it was just a rub, but for US $8 it was still a deal. The next week I ventured further into the neighborhood and found a place, on Changle Rd, specializing in foot massage. I couldn't read the name in Chinese characters but the huge sign with a foot and mapped reflexology points made it obvious even to me. The work, beginning with a soak in warm tea, was performed in front of a large-screen TV playing what I think was a Chinese soap-Opera, which got a little uncomfortable during the brief but steamy love scene. The massage was okay, but the hygiene was lacking and the front desk attendant snored periodically. |
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A few days later I found an oasis, Dragonfly Massage, at 20 Donghu Rd. The prices were higher so I opted for a shorter 30-minute neck and shoulder shiatsu session for 60 RMB. Walking into the treatment room, I became happily aware that the 100% increase in fee was going to be worth it. The interior was a dream by any standards, the comfortably bright reception area opened to two quiet candle-lit rooms divided by shoji screens. The treatment room had several recliner deck-chairs, but the outstanding feature was the walls. Two of the room's three permanent walls had fountains built into the length of them. The effect was hypnotic, completely blocking out the sounds of the city -- a most welcome respite by this time in my trip. Another plus, they were using aromatherapy, pure essential oils, which was lovely. The therapist was good. I think, I can't say for sure, because finally I was so relaxed I fell asleep. I may have drooled. On my way out, they gave me a coupon to try their other location at the Kerry Center Gym.
Later that week, a friend and I booked appointments at Dragonfly’s'Kerry Gym location. Unfortunately this locale is lacked the charm of the original Dragonfly, though it incorporated fountains and silk robes into the venue. The treatment room was set up seemingly against the natural flow of the practitioner. For instance, every time she went from one side of the table to the other she had to step up onto the fountain and kind of hop over it. Furthermore, a booking snafu had me waiting for about 35 minutes for a practitioner to taxi over from another location and the massage when she did arrive was just average. I missed Number Sixteen.
During my short trip to Shanghai I received about 8 sessions of massage. On the up-side, I received 8 massages in 17 days. One of which was therapeutic, one of which was extremely peaceful and relaxing and several that were nice.
To top it off, we got a picture with the "Blind Man Massage" Santa while they were out promoting. On the down-side, the skill of the practitioners is extremely varied and unpredictable. And as in the States, it is obvious that Massage Practitioners here do not get paid sick days. One practitioner was so sick I could smell the infection in her lungs on her breath (because it was inches from my face -- I'm recovering quickly thank you.) Also, although at first glance it would seem the businesses are clean, actually the standard of hygiene is not high. For example, although a clean face cradle drape is used, the cloth underneath it seems saturated by the bad breath of the earlier patrons.
In summary, my advice to those seeking massage in Shanghai:
- Get referrals
- Be prepared to leave if your therapist is gravely ill
- Bring your own small spray sanitizer, (I used grapefruit seed extract diluted in water)
- And/ or wear a bandana with a few drops of essential oil on it (this great to put between your face and the stinky face cradle). I used a lemon lavender blend.
I hope this helps all who are looking to sample the massage in Shanghai. As for me, I can’t wait to get back to Shanghai and continue my adventure.
Nicole Gainey LMP will soon be relocating to Shanghai and can be reached at healing@checkpointmassage.com
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