It's a Good Pain

A friend of mine didn't think this sounded very encouraging when I told him about massage therapy here. His idea of a massage is one that is relaxing and comforting. While that is probably nice, I favor the one that actually tries to work out the knots and find the troubles and help your body to heal. And the truth of this kind of treatment is that it hurts. But through it you learn to relax, even in the pain, and you learn how to communicate with the trained masseuse even if you don't know the language.

I like that therapy here is a combination of massage and chiropractic. They are incredibly skilled at finding the areas that hurt and working on them before realigning your back and neck. The whole process is quite different than chiropractic in the States - you usually don't find many in the States who will incorporate massage, and they tend to do all their work while you're lying on the table. In China you lay face down for the massage and some of the adjustments, but for the bulk of the next adjustments, you usually sit on a chair. The therapist cradles your head in his arms while he twists your neck and pull your head upwards. I confess that it looks a little scary, and most foreigners want to opt out of this part of the treatment. The key is to relax. The other is to trust. They really do know what they're doing.

Thankfully treatment is very affordable. For a thirty minute massage and adjustment it costs around 30RMB (5USD). I am very grateful for good pain.