My search is finally over 💆‍♂️

Ever since I stopped going to the local massage school for discounted massages early in 2023, I have been missing having a regular massage routine. I feel my best when I am regularly getting massaged.

I was going to the school because it was only $40 for a full hour of massage. Here in the USA, that is incredibly cheap. Crazy, I know. However, most of my massages there were lacking in terms of the results I was looking for. The students were still learning and that often meant their skill level was very low. Although it was cheap, I decided I needed to stop going there and in turn save some money.

I hadn't forgotten about my love for massage, but I couldn't fathom paying these new prices that most massage therapists are charging now. $80/hr seems to be the new minimum and it's common to see some therapists charging $100+/hr. I just cannot afford that right now, especially not with HIVE still being so damn low in terms of price.

I told myself I would begin getting massages again in 2024. I just needed to find the right massage therapist. I began scouring Google Maps in search of a local massage therapist who still charged $60/hr like I was used to paying before I discovered the massage school. I struggled to find anybody that fit my criteria until finally, I discovered April Martin and her business https://www.backatease.net/.

The first thing that caught my eye about her is the way her space was decorated. There were many tapestries, which I am a huge fan of. It was a single-bed space in a familiar area only 15 minutes from my apartment. It seemed to be something I'd find in a place like Asheville, NC, a spot where I've received some of my most memorable spots.

I began to investigate her website. I found that she has been doing massage since 2009 when she graduated from the very same school I was visiting for my cheap massages. This meant she had a solid 15 years of experience. That part checked out too.

Then I was very pleased when I noticed that her hourly rate was still $60/hr. I instantly gave her a call but ended up leaving a voice message as she was still off for the holidays. Thankfully, she did get back to me and I booked my first massage with her.

I've had massages from nearly 50 different people, some great, and others not so great. I can already tell that April ranks towards the top of the massage therapists that I have been lucky enough to experience. Her skill is exactly what I was looking for.

Her personality is also ideal for me. She was bubbly and talkative before the massage, but didn't speak during the massage outside of a few times such as when I was asked to flip over and have my face down on the table. It was a mixture of total relaxation, but also some healing. I like my massages to be deep and what others would probably consider painful. My body can handle it and I love that feeling of being sore for several days afterward. I can confirm that was most certainly the case after this first massage.

I immediately booked another one with her 3 weeks after the first one. I plan to visit her every 3-4 weeks as I like her technique. I wish I could go weekly, but that would end up being $240/month. If I go every 3 weeks, it equals out to about $86/month when you average out the whole year. This to me is an investment in my body, one that I will not neglect any longer.

I'm so happy that I finally found my massage therapist and I look forward to my next visit to Back At Ease with April on January 31st.

Are you a fan of massage?

If so, how often are you getting a massage?

I know some people who have never had a professional massage in their life. I think that is insane. If you are one of those people, then I highly recommend you seek out a massage therapist and give it a try. Your body will thank you.

^{Follow my curation trail}