Almost every week a new Asian foot massage business seems to open up in town. It amazes me how these people can come together to launch a fully staffed business in a very short time. For them there is no scarcity or bad economy. Every time I see an ad for a grand opening of one of these, I wonder how I missed that link or why more cultures don’t come together in the same way to build each other up. I’ve wondered if these cultures don’t have competition, malaise, fear, and fraud among them; that is, the energies that have pushed back so many other ethnic groups, including my own. They seem to appreciate that one person can have a dream for a business, but it takes more than that one person to put it all together. I appreciate it too…and give Asians a lot of credit for this essential trait.
So I was curious about this “foot massage business” and since I can’t always afford a massage, it seemed like an inexpensive option. After all, the Asian community is at the forefront of reflexology and oriental therapeutic treatments, so it is very beneficial to receive sessions from them; even if it’s just a “learning experience”. It is necessary to treat yourself here, that many of these businesses have a history or seem to have a connection to the porn industry. There are all kinds of stories of police arrests among other sting operations across the state/country. Some are not “shy” about promoting their services and their ads can be found in cheap and/or free local magazines and newspapers. In fact, I know people, men and women (but especially men) who have sponsored and gotten their “happy jerks.” This indulgence is either a plus or a minus depending on who you are and what you’re looking for in a massage. As a therapist, one has to make a decision as to whether or not they want their profession to align with this for money’s sake, and/or if they want to dignify their skill set and keep their profession honorable.
Every few weeks I notice coupons in one of those coupon magazines that come in the junk mail, advertising 60 minute foot massages for $19.99. I thought, wow… that’s cheap… I wonder what they do in the 60 minutes… The advert stated that they add shoulder/back, head and hand massage with foot reflexology, and that there was the option of receiving a full body massage for $35.00 using special herbal oils. So I called and told them I wanted to see them but I didn’t make an appointment. I drove up shortly after and looked through the glass doors. It was so dark that I could only see my own reflection. I opened the door and looked around, but maybe it was too bright outside for my eyes to quickly adjust to the darkness inside. After a few moments, a man came up to me asking if he could help me. I looked around, said no thanks and left. All those images of the “happy looking” men walking out of that place next to the spa I used to work for in Studio City flooded my mind and I felt dirty for going in…to form my own opinions. What were the pros and cons of patronizing a place like this?
My experience has shown the following “pros” and “cons” combined (in no order of priority/importance):
1. It’s weird going in or out of these facilities, especially if you’re a therapist.
2. Hardly anyone there speaks English. This means that your therapist will not talk to you all the time.
3. Usually you don’t want anyone to know you’re there, so turn off your phone.
4. It’s cheap! Worth $15-$20! $35 for full body massage! …but you get what you pay for.
5. These places are often convenient… right next to your job, for example, so there’s no need to park your car right in front. Just drop it off at work or the grocery store across the street.
6. The staff is usually very attractive, like the people in your beauty salons.
7. It is quite dark inside, so you may not recognize others or they may not recognize you.
8. You can give a fake name and disguise yourself.
9. You don’t take your clothes off unless you go to that “back room” for the “full body” massage.
10. The overall environment embodies the culture of the staff.
11. Certifications and licenses are prominently posted in the “front lobby”.
12. You get served right away, usually, and finish right on time.
13. Tipping is a must! The therapist waits expectantly while you pay or collect your things.
14. General reflexology is carried out in a large room with other clients doing the same next to you.
15. Most of the prominently posted “Certifications” are copies of certifications and are not always CA certified (and you don’t know if they are real).
16. From a therapist point of view, the staff appear to have no more than 250 hours of training and in anything other than Shiatsu/Reflexology.
17. The staff is made up of men and women.
18. Be prepared for a staff member just in from a smoke break.
19. You can’t choose your attendant unless you have made reservations and asked someone by name.
20. Most of the bosses in these places appear to be white and/or not black.
21. I think “foot soak” is just a pan of warm water, nothing more.
22. Everyone seems to be very tired and somewhat frustrated with their work.
23. If you’re an athletic (muscular) woman, expect them to be extremely abrupt/rude (change assistants without warning and speak their language with “sneering gestures” while doing so) and don’t protest…they won’t. I don’t understand you and I’ll move on. (My Asian colleagues have often asked me why I think I need to be so “muscular and tomboy”… Culturally, they believe women need to be “thin but soft” to attract and retain men. Others say “The Qi in the muscular woman is too strong. This could be why the female assistants seem to opt out” and let the male assistants massage me. These men acted like I was a freak and did not treat me like a lady I think this is because I don’t seem to be as “soft” as they thought women should be.)
24. I’ve seen men get serviced shirtless, but ladies shouldn’t try this!
25. Ladies shouldn’t wear their sports bra or just a tank top on top, hoping to get more back and shoulder action. They will simply cover you with a towel and continue with their “robot routine”.
26. Don’t ask them not to touch your face. They don’t understand you (unless you tell the customer service person who could translate if they understand).
27. Ladies should wear comfortable yoga-type clothing. Jeans, shorts, dresses or skirts are not allowed. You’d think shorts would be cool, but I tried it on and no…no…!!
28. Part of her routine is to “stretch” her legs, which from a therapist’s point of view is a Shiatsu-like stretch in the style of the “spinal twist” of yoga. Jeans are too tight and inflexible for this stretch and shorts can become groin-strangling ropes and treats, especially if you have a “very jealous” male assistant. Mine seemed to have been looking for a particular reaction or to show the power of him. I felt like he was pleased that he had “won” me…the muscular tomboyish woman…(but I knew he wouldn’t understand my language if I complained so I didn’t…)
29. There don’t seem to be breaks between customers, so the staff are very tired.
30. These businesses are sometimes open from 10 am to 10:30 pm in general, but one can find some that open later.
I have decided, based on my own observations and experiences, that I will no longer patronize these establishments. My first objection is that we do not speak the same language. When I say “that hurts”; “please don’t touch my head or face”; or “I don’t want to be stretched like that”, these instructions/requests are met with a smile and twitches and they just go about their business, or until someone comes over to translate, which may be too late and/or cause a scene in this big room of service providers.
In my opinion these are not legitimate massage therapists and give credit to those who believe that “anyone” can give a massage or do reflexology. They are in line with the other spa chains and franchises that are simply in the “business of making money” and not in the “business of health of people and then money”.
Legitimate bodyworkers, like myself, are genuinely concerned about the health and well-being of their clients and people in general. We don’t “judge” you, which in my experience I think these places judged me.
When a person goes to get a massage at any center, they shouldn’t have to wonder if they are fat, skinny, muscular, black, short, tall, ugly, pretty or what not. Yes, in my particular business, clients will ask about their health conditions and what I encounter while working on them. Some will ask for suggestions on which way to go to address a health issue. Sometimes I know and sometimes I don’t. Others lament trying to lose weight or gain weight or have low energy or soreness after a workout etc and yes I have a background in nutrition and wellness as well as weight management/personal training and have no issues to make recommendations that know how to work However, this is usually not the reason to come.
Although I make recommendations on how to eat in the days following your massage session with me, this is simply to nourish the organs affected by your session and prolong its therapeutic results. The ultimate goal is for your health to improve, which will happen with your perseverance in going to treatment and following the suggestions. Yesterday, a client told me that she considers my opinions/treatments to be in line with her team of doctors. It was a sweet compliment and I believe him. She has seen results and experienced “my power” as she calls it, and it feels great that she has attracted someone so open and available for healing.
Mostly we get massages because we believe they are good for us and our health. They feel good and we want to feel good. The economy is definitely a concern, but we understand that we get what we pay for. The people who patronize foot massage businesses and spa chains are often making an economic decision, not necessarily a health decision. I would like to be sure that my therapist has had some training in an accredited US school and is licensed and certified by the state or county in which I receive service. I would also like to know that the establishment is honorable with labor standards and is not related in any way to the porn industry. Finally, I would like to know that there is no prejudice; that everyone speaks the language that I speak; that my money is worth as much as any other sponsor, and that my spirit and my body will be honored in the professional provision of the contracted service and for the improvement of my health and vitality.
