In my fifties, right after receiving my first magazine from the senior's group so well known, my sciatica began to give me problems. So, almost out of desperation, I looked in a personal services section of a highly regarded provider of ads for things from house repairs to healthcare. I knew I didn't want to use one of the chains because I felt they had a good number of underpaid and disaffected staff. So I made a choice of a guy who listed a good sounding model of care, was licensed, had degrees in physiology and specialized in sciatica. Here's an account of the encounter with Ben, my masseur:
Well, the place looks clean. Nice waiting room. Mellow music. Wonder how long this guy's been here. Hope he's not a guy that's just faking it or looks like a troll or something. Oh well, just as long as he can give a good massage and help with this pain in my back and leg. Ah, here comes. Looks good. Tall with a beard. Good affect.
"Hi, Bill, right?" he greets me.
"Yeah that's right. Good to meet you, Ben. So, you know what's going on with my back from our email contact?" I reply. He's well groomed, neat beard. Clean clothes. Wearing a pair of gym shorts and a tee but guessing it gets really warm doing his job so that's no biggie.
"Yep. Sciatica, right. It's a big problem in my field. There's really no cure but maybe with a routine of massage and other things you're doing we can get you feeling better. I make no promise of immediate relief or cure, though. Just to make it clear." he inquires."
"Yeah, I know. I've been in healthcare for a few years. Which makes me a danger to myself, right." I laugh.
"Well some of you folks do form preconceived notions that are hard to change. Alternative healthcare is not quite as fact and science based but there's a lot of anecdotal stuff showing massage is effective for some in pain control." he says.
"Well, I'm pretty stubborn about sticking with the scientific route but I don't have a closed mind about alternative. And, if you can help this pain in my side and down my leg then mission accomplished." I reply.
"Ok, well the fee is sixty dollars per massage or I offer a ten pack for five hundred fifty. If you want to test things out and then decide you want a massage routine that's always there. I'll take you back to the room. You have a choice of draping or not. I see this is your first professional massage?" he asks.
"Yeah, it's me taking a leap of faith. I know I shouldn't be this way but the thought of a guy giving me a massage kind of creeped me out. And letting a woman wasn't an option since it would really piss the wife off." I tell him.
"No prob. I get a lot of men that feel funny if it's their first time. It's all professional. I put a towel over areas in the pubic region. I go by my training but if anything feels uncomfortable or painful just let me know and we'll adjust. You do need to know there's going to be some pain if I'm going to work on the sciatica. I'll be doing some deep massage in the sacral and buttock and thigh areas. That's usually the main areas and I think I remember you mentioning those areas." he tells me.
"That's right. And I expect there's going to be pain. I've been doing self massage an it hurt like hell but afterwards it gives me some relief. Here let me get the fee for you. Here you go, sixty bucks." I answer.
"Ok, then let's go back to the room and get you started." he says.
Mmmm...nice mountain photos on the hallway walls. That's cool. Ah, big room. Has a big table. Like the smell. Some kind of lavender. New age. Kind of a stereotype thing but guess it relaxes for getting a massage.
"Alright...I'll let you get undressed and come back in about five minutes if that's good for you." he tells me.
"Yeah, think I can undress in that time. How do you want me on the table?"
"We'll start with you face down. There's an opening in the table for you to put you face in. It keeps your neck from having strain. There's a towel there on the end of the table. Once you're disrobed just get on the table and put the towel over your buttocks region. I'll let you decide how far you want to disrobe. And if you want to have draping or not. Oh, yeah, let me get you a water out of the fridge over there." he says.
"Thanks. I'm kind of thirsty from being nervous. I'll probably just do no drape. What the hell. sure you've seen plenty of bodies in your field. I know in my work it just becomes something that is routine." I reply.
"Yep. Being undraped is no biggie. Whatever is comfortable. Oh, by the way, you filled out some medical stuff online. Can I get a signature?" he asks.
"So this is a consent to treat?" I ask.
"Right. I have to make sure I have all my client's consent for the health department to allow me to practice. And for all the privacy stuff." he answers.
"Ok. Let's do it." I tell him.
"Alright. So, I'm going to leave and let you get ready. I'll be back with a choice of oils and towels."
Ah, nice and warm in here. Guess it's no big deal getting naked for this. Still, what if I get a hard on? Guess it happens but I don't want to get hard from another man touching me.
Damn, this table is comfortable. Hey not bad putting my face in this hole in the table. He's right. I don't feel my neck hurting like it does when Suze gives me a massage at home using pillows. Have to cut a hole in the bed for her to put my head.
Ok, I'm ready. Let's get this going. I hope I'm not paying for this time out of the hour I'm paying for. I'm sure he'll set a timer once he gets in here. Should have kept my watch on to make sure. But how could I see it with my head in this hole?
