Where/How to Find a Good (Cheap?) Massage with No Sex?

Scrooge McDuck on 08/01/2015 - 22:27
Last edited 09/01/2015 - 08:52

As a bodybuilder, I endure regular muscle aches and pain days after intense workouts. I would like to add massage/manual therapy to my regimen to stretch the muscles, promote circulation, relieve pain and if nothing else to relieve stress and provide enjoyment. However I have hesitated due to apprehension about the cost and/or an unsolicited lewd encounter.

So where or how can I find a good cheap non-sexual massage? Are good quality and cheapness mutually exclusive? How can one differentiate between the sexual and non-sexual services?

I suspect that it could be possible to model for a therapist in training to save on cost, but my Googling has yielded no specific results. Can anyone provide information about this?

My Googling has yielded this: http://www.massageswap.com.au/

However the search results are dubious and it seems to be mainly patronised by gay men (not that there's anything wrong with that).

EDIT: I'm from Sydney.

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • Tuesdaygal on 08/01/2015 - 22:58
    +2

    I've had a few free sessions from massage therapy students. Can't give you specifics because they were just random freebies, right place at the right time stuff (someone came to my gym and set up a table for a few hours, another was from a flyer etc). Why don't you ring around places that offer massage therapy and ask if they have practice sessions that are low/no cost? Good luck!

  • [Deactivated] on 08/01/2015 - 23:48

    My mother has had massages at some joint in a local shopping centre, and claimed it (or part of it?) with her private health fund. Not sure how that works though (and she's gone to bed now so I can't ask)..

    So.. cost wise, do you have private health insurance?

    • Scrooge McDuck on 08/01/2015 - 23:49

      No, I don't.

      • [Deactivated] on 08/01/2015 - 23:52
        +3

        Then you could go to a GP and discuss how your aches/pains affect your daily life/work and ask for a treatment plan to see a physio. This should give you 10 free physio sessions per year (with a physio of your choice, I believe? not sure on that part though).

        I've not done this myself but I know it certainly exists. Hopefully other OzBers can confirm and offer more details for you on this. But it is another option for some free massage of the non kinky variety :)

        • [Deactivated] on 09/01/2015 - 02:58
          +3

          I think it's a maximum of 5 visits per year for free/discount and only for very serious chronic/terminal conditions. I suppose it would depend on the GP to whether they think OPs issue qualifies.

        • coin saver on 09/01/2015 - 08:19
          +2

          In SA we get 5 free allied health visits per year if over 50 regardless of our medical condition.My wife goes to a Exercise Physiologist which maybe more suitable to your requirements (avoid your aches and pains). Normal Physio,Dietitian etc. are also available. Sorry i do not know if this is available in other states.

        • highon2str on 09/01/2015 - 10:06
          +1

          it's called a medicare careplan. 5 free visits per 12 mths.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/01/2015 - 15:58

          @highon2str: My bad, thanks to all who corrected me :) so it's 5 rather than 10 free visits. Cheers all.

          I got it confused (or rather just assumed it would be the same number of free visits) as the mental health care plan, which gives you 10 free visits to a psychologist per year. Also a very good one for everyone to know!

          Thanks again for the correction.

  • iridiumstem on 08/01/2015 - 23:50
    +1

    My girlfriend said she uses ones in the mall and they cost her around $30~$40 per hour. Check your local mall?

    • bonezAU on 16/01/2015 - 00:00

      Damn, where you do you live? In Perth the going rate in any mall (and even in small dodgy looking "Thai Massage" places) is $65-80 per hour for a full body massage. I haven't seen anything less than that for many years, with the exception of 'student' massages, but I've never been to one of those. I'm sure they are fine.

      I make the most of cheap (non-sexual) massages when I go to SE Asia, they're too damn expensive here.

      • iridiumstem on 16/01/2015 - 00:44

        I have no clue what sort of service she gets, but I live in Canberra.

  • johndowy on 08/01/2015 - 23:54
    +2

    This is Australia we are talking about right? Why would you suggest that any massage place provides such services? We're not in Thailand or something like that.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/01/2015 - 00:12
      +8

      'straya has a sex industry too, ya know.

      • plmko on 09/01/2015 - 01:24

        The only difference is you have to ask the guy in china town, pretending to be a cook on a ciggy break to 'inspect the kitchen' before you're let into the premise. :)

      • iridiumstem on 09/01/2015 - 12:55

        Actually, I think they have strict laws on how it is advertised and where it is allowed. In Canberra, I know that Fyshwick is where those services are serviced in. Not that I've ever used those services (My GF knows I am on Ozbargain).

        • [Deactivated] on 09/01/2015 - 16:00
          +2

          Look in any newspaper's advert section at the back. "Adult Services". Note the massage parlour ads. No mention of sex or happy endings… just massage.. but it's highly suggestive and pretty obvious :)

  • AMLagonda on 09/01/2015 - 00:59
    +2

    The massage shops in the malls are fine for a cheap massage, no hanky panky.

  • gevidian on 09/01/2015 - 08:12
    +2

    Look for the local massage school where you can get cheap and reasonably good student massages.

    http://www.adelaidemassageplus.com.au/student-clinic/

    • Kiwi131313 on 27/02/2015 - 18:54

      I have been looking for one of these in Adelaide! Thanks! Just to clarify though, they say on their website:

      All consultations at the clinic are $80 per session, except for student massage at $35 per session.

      I take 'student massage' to mean a massage conducted by a student, not a discount for students?

  • djones145 on 09/01/2015 - 08:16
    +2

    Thailand! lol

    which state you from?

    you should also consider a rumble roller, those things are awesome, practically all cross fit users use them

    • Scrooge McDuck on 09/01/2015 - 09:00

      I'm from NSW, Sydney.

      You mean for self-myofascial release? That's become very popular at my gym within the last few years. I might take that up if this doesn't work out.

  • the-mal on 09/01/2015 - 08:22
    +3

    You won't get propositioned in big shopping centres (think Westfields and the like). Or the open-air places at markets - just make sure they're visible to the public.

    You can also go to massage schools/colleges, places like this or this place where you can get a free/cheap massage but the quality will vary since they're students.

    If you're walking through an alleyway or have to go up a set of stairs, that's your cue to run away.

  • AMLagonda on 15/01/2015 - 23:53

    Where to find Good cheap Sex, No Massage? :p

  • sa-ozzie on 16/01/2015 - 00:28

    look up remedial massage ..I get one every 2 weeks $60 p/h and it is definently worth every cent

  • paddy567 on 18/01/2015 - 21:16
    +1

    Sydney Massage School in the city offers really cheap hour long massages in a big room with their students. Absolutely nothing naughty about it. You won't get cheaper, and I have found them mostly, though not always, very good.

    In fact, I've had tonnes of massages all over Australia and never been anything but above board. Vietnam was a whole nother kettle of fish. Talk about awkward; least arousing situation ever.

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