We have needs, like food, clothing, and shelter in order to survive. Once those are secure, we have wants that can make our life easier, better, or more enjoyable.
Then there are luxuries. Many people think of things that are expensive, hard to obtain, indulging, something not essential but pleasurable. We think of luxury cruises, vehicles, hotels, homes, yachts, and jewelry. When money is short, luxuries are the first thing that are reduced from spending. We associate it with other words like extravagant, decadent and opulent.
A luxury can depend on your point of view. Many people will say they need a car, but can they survive without one? Some people don’t own a car and manage to survive. They bike, use public transportation, or –gasp– walk. They can get where they want to go and do what they want to do. Or, how about cell phones? Some do need to be reachable and able to communicate at all times, but most don’t. Try to convince someone to give theirs up now. Good luck.
The point is that some things that are not needs can be considered a luxury.
Massage is not a luxury for those living with pain. Pain that doesn’t let them sleep through the night and find rest. Pain that hinders daily activities. It’s not a luxury for those in a very stressful situation, who need some peace and to be able to think a little clearer again. It’s not a luxury for those trying to get and stay healthy. Health should not be a luxury. Massage is not more of a luxury than cars, cell phones, and the numerous entertainment devices and gadgets society tells we need.
If massage is a luxury, it is an affordable one. Just about everybody could afford to get a 30 minute massage a month, or at least get a 10 or 15 minute chair massage. It is one that is good for you and benefits you. It’s one you can enjoy and not worry about. You don’t have to be concerned with the security of it, like locking jewelry in a safe or home security, which causes more stress.
Most massage is not pampering. It doesn’t have to be done at Le Spa de Fancy Pants. All it takes is a quiet space, a table, clean sheets, and some temperature control for your comfort. Massage is taking care of you. It makes your muscles feel and perform better by working on them and makes your mind and body better by reducing stress.
If massage is a luxury, then so are pain relievers and stress relief. Come in and get the massage you need.
Barry is a licensed Massage Therapist at Main Street Massage in Hudson, Ohio. Find out more about him, his business, and massage at www.HudsonMassageTherapy.com
“Le Spa de Fancy Pants” love it……Great blog!
Thanks Ele for reading. Glad you liked it
This is an important issue to tackle. Massage is most often categorized along with manicures & pedicures, hair salons, and other beauty sections, rather than in health & medical categories. I agree that because one of the top issues massage helps with–pain–it goes beyond luxury. It’s about health and wellness. The more we talk about it in this light, the more likely people will use it as such.
Thanks. It bothers me to see people living with pain that massage can help. I’m planning to share this message on other venues also.
Reblogged this on Diane Fisher, LMT and commented:
It’s not a luxury, it’s a way of Life. 🙂
It’s a very good way of life. Unless you want stress and pain.
Thanks Diane
I believe that the more that people understand the health benefits of massage, the less this is considered just a luxury. Then again, many people don’t care about their greatest asset, their health. Massage is part of my lifestyle, and I thank goodness it is.
I think it’s getting more accepted also Renee. I’m glad massage helps you out.
luzury? Is peace a luzury? Massage gives you peace of mind. thank you for indepth notes.
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Thanks Joanna. Good point that peace of mind is no luxury
Thank you, it is so true, massage is not a luxury, its time to realize that their is a place for massage, part of our health routine.
Thanks Heather. It’s odd that people will put up with pain, buy pain relievers, and not sleep well but then think of solving the problem as a luxury.
People tend to need to see another POV on how they spend their money. I often ask people to add up how much they spend on their co pays on their medications. And most of the time 1 massage a month ends up being cheaper.
I think that’s true Jess. In an earlier post I discussed that also. Sometimes people can actually save money with massage.