Frequency Therapeutic Massage + Bodywork

Massages can be expensive. Given that they have a costly perception around them (think paying for a $400 spa day at a resort or a monthly reoccurring massage membership for $100 every month) for the majority of people, this is an expense that should be relatively thought out. If you’re going to pay a random stranger to rub your naked body it better be good, not creepy, ideally effective, and ultimately feel like it’s worth what you’re paying for.

In my experience working in spas, salons, chiropractic offices and massage studios I have seen services that cost anywhere from $45 to $185 for single session. Just the other day I saw a post from an influential bodyworker specializing in lymphatic drainage for celebrities charging over $350 for a service. The skill set and level of continued education of a massage therapist is certainly one of the factors that can set one therapists price apart from the next but what are the other factors really? At the end of the day doesn’t everyone want to feel a lot more relaxed and less in pain?

There’s an online advertising company that businesses pay to sell discounted goods and services to a high volume of customers and there’s a reason why massage coupons are so popular. This company has been active for nearly two decades and is, as far as I know, still widely used by people in the market seeking anything from entertainment to car detailing services. I remember back in the day using the site for trying new restaurants mostly and recently discovered they can now hook you up with deals on a Costco membership.

Coming home from my yearly vacation in the mountains, I’ve revisiting one of my favorite quotes I found in a book from the time when I was the massage training program at the Finger Lakes School of Massage in Ithaca, NY. These words are written by author Deane Juhan in his book “Job’s Body” and so eloquently describe how connected our thoughts and feelings are affected by our bodies largest external organ.

When I’m working with a client experiencing some amount of physical pain or discomfort, it’s near impossible for me—the practitioner to see what’s really changed, however the shift in their mood or state of mind is almost always deeply felt after a session.

Consider how powerful this is outside the context of massage therapy: our bodies function with a mechanism that not only protects but acts as a highly reliable communication device. Maybe there’s a reason humans are designed with skin and not a shell.

My name is Joe Myers and I am a nationally certified and NYS licensed massage therapist (plus a bunch of other things). I got into this work in 2015 after dealing with my own pain management and self care while playing in bands and working in restaurants (FOH mostly). This lead me down a career path that weaves in and out of healthcare, hospitality, fitness, and the arts.

In massage school I often think back to one of my teachers commenting on how massage therapy is like “the gateway drug” to a boatload of other careers and ways of making a decent living. A successful career in massage therapy looks different for everyone in it. Some massage therapists work full time and staff other providers and some work part time. Many advance with more health education and become nurses, chiropractors, doctors in medicine and alternative therapies or psychology or social work. Some stay engaged with the grind for much longer than others (I have coworkers in their 70s.) Those who stay in the game longer discover endless opportunities and environments to share their work in—spas, salons, chiropractic offices, chain massage places, music festivals, hospitals, cruise ships, restaurants, and schools. I’m sure there are others, these are just the places I’ve had experiences working in.

The point I was hoping to make when I started this post had something to do with my WHY but I think the WHERE is an aspect that often gets overlooked. I’ve always found pleasure and positive feedback in making spaces for people to come get what they need.

In my experience, getting a massage in a chiropractor’s office might relax your muscles but the experience overall is never ~relaxing~ and no amount of essential oils or “just breathe” signage is going to make a difference. Then there’s the type of person who frequents the upscale day spa and ask to use their HSA benefits to pay for services to treat their fibromyalgia and they’re pairs with a random massage therapist that is zoned out in an Enya-induced trance balancing your out-of-tuned chakras.

How do you know that you’re getting what you need?

Remember that part of your job as a massage therapist is to protect your energy!

Remember that “everyone” will not fit your ideal client or target market!

Remember that if you have the privilege to be your own boss you have the responsibility to fire sh*tty clients!

It’s also important to make sure you speak with your mentors and bosses about who qualifies as one of these types of people. But If you’ve been working for longer than a year, you’ve probably encountered one or two of these people already.

These conversations can be difficult to have and equally as important for the longevity of your career and integrity of this WILD profession.

Oh, the people you’ll meet.

therapy, getting massages, as a massage therapist

10 Songs I Started Playing During Massage Sessions 10 Years Ago When I Only Had My Music Library to Choose From:

1. Ex Confusion - When I Think of You
2. Balmorea - Ecco
3. 36 - Room 4
4. Bing & Ruth - Badwater Psalm
5. The Album Leaf - Wet the Day
6. múm - We Have A Map of the Piano
7. Brambles - In the Androgynous Dark
8. Nils Frahm - Ambre
9. Hammock - I Can Barely See You
10. Aphex Twin - Alberto Balsalm

Who thinks massage is supposed to hurt?

People who are looking for ways to explore their pain tolerance may be better off actually exercising to feel their muscles activate and experience endorphin release.

If human touch is what you’re looking for I would maybe recommend trying some sort of physical endurance fighting like wrestling or other forms of physical activity you could do with another partner.

Types of therapy involving metal scraping tools may work for you if you’re concerned about eliminating knots while feeling intense sensations.

At the end of the day, pain is in the brain!

In my massages I often think about ways I can stimulate somebody’s nervous system in a variety of ways to feel a wide range of sensations. This may include light touch, firm pressure, playing with depth, tempo, stillness, stretching, traction, exploring range of motion.

I understand for some of these clients, it’s our job as licensed massage therapists to empower our clients and acknowledge their ability withstand my elbow in their glute. But mechanically speaking, is that really what these hands are for?

Lemme know whatcha think 💪

I decided to try this new VibroAcoustic Therapy (VAT) Table from and it does not disappoint! It’s sort of hard to explain in words what it feels like but imagine listening to music and literally feeling the rhythm and the beat of the music. Or have you ever been to a concert and felt the vibrations from the speakers in the room? It’s kinda like that (but with less ear damage and hearing loss lol).

If you’re somebody that likes listening to music, relaxing, or just want to come check it out message me and I’ll send you an invite to come check it out!

Here are #6 kinda instrumental upbeat, introspective, nonetheless chill tracks I’ve been into this week:

1. Some Kind of Normal - Tom Day, Jake Lowe
2. go with the flow (against the current) - Uppermost
3. Casio Daisy - Gold Panda
4. Grid Search - Afternoon Bike Ride
5. Glimpse - Vraell
6. Evenings - Babe

ps check back tomorrow cause I got something new for something new for you to experience at Frequency 🎧🌊🫨✌️

“How often would you recommend I get a massage?”

This may be the most commonly asked question after I meet with somebody at their first session. The unsatisfying answer is: as often as you’d like. Time and money are two significant factors and depends a lot on a person’s financial situation and how much free time they have to spend. Other medical massage therapists or health care providers may recommend a treatment plan based on varying degrees of chronic pain and how to manage symptoms. This too, is unsatisfactory for me. Many of the recommendations that are made by massage therapists, chiropractors, and other doctors of physical therapy are sound but can often be replaced by lower-cost at-home remedies.

The work that I do at Frequency tends to best suited for any individuals looking to form a longstanding therapeutic relationship to achieve a specific kind of relaxation that has cumulative benefits. This means it often takes quite a few sessions (maybe 3-5 massages) before the real benefits start to present themselves. From here, I hope you’ll be able to find your frequency. For some this means every other week. Others come back to visit 3-4 times each year. The most common (and perhaps realistic) pace for the majority of my regularly returning clients is once every 6-8 weeks.

How often do you get massages?

and I have something to share with you all!!

I’ve been looking for a massage room somewhere a little closer to home. Liz has been talking about opening a clay studio / pottery shop.

Whatever could it BE?!?!