In Seattle, there are many massage parlors and independent massage providers advertising. Most of these advertisements are outdated, with dead phone numbers. Many are just escort services, interested more in sex than massage. Sex trafficking is a big issue these days, so the syndicated asian massage places are largely closed, arrested, or otherwise gone. If you do find one, the prices are very high and the services are very hard core.
For Chinese massage, like Tui Na and shiatsu, you have to wait in line at a clinic or suffer the challenges of driving around from closed "acupressure" place to closed "spa". Sometimes you find a genuine chinese or oriental massage in Seattle, such as this one described by a reviewer:
Oriental...a relaxing alternative to today's trendy spas, today announced that they have expanded their ... facilities in Kirkland.. nine new private rooms. ... Sauna Faculties...body and skin care services including Qigong Tuina massage, Reflexology, anti-aging facials, Chinese body scrubs, and herbal body wraps, hot stone massages, exotic hydrobaths, facials and more. ...mission is to provide Spa services that nurture and relax the body and soul, and bring the body into balance using the eight principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine -- Yin or Yang, Superficial or Internal, Cold or Hot, and Deficient or Replete. Some of services they offer, including Qigong Tuina massage, Reflexology, and cupping therapy, have been used extensively in China for over 2,000 years and date back to at least as early as the Shang dynasty, around 1700 BC.
They offer Tuina massage:
Qigong Tuina massage: A hands-on body massage using acupressure, Tuina (pronounced 'twee-nah') is an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is taught in TCM schools as part of formal training in Oriental medicine. This massage works holistically and is designed to work on the body's energy channels and point with a wide variety of techniques. Tuina helps to balance up the Qi energy, the vital substances, and the internal organs on which the health of a person's body and mind depend on. It releases tension, increases circulation, reduces pain, promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis. It leaves people with a deep sense of physical and mental relaxation, revitalization and well-being.
and reflexology:
Reflexology: Dating from C. 3000 BC, reflexology is based in the belief that the image of the entire body, including internal organs, is represented on the surface of the foot. Applying pressure to pressure points only on the feet, Reflexology massages help to stimulate the flow of energy, thus helping to relieve pain or blockages throughout the entire body. Reflexology is also used to ease stress and promote relaxation and is particularly helpful in treating headaches, constipation, and stress-induced disorders.
but they also offer more American fluff spa treatments like this one:
I suppose they need to take people's money if the people want to spend it.Herbal Body Wraps: These body treatments which include herbal baths, sea-salt scrubs infused with herbs and essential oils, and body wraps, are designed to open up the pores, rejuvenate the body and leave the skin glowing and silky smooth.
Seattle area massage resources: we started the seattle massage listing, which is now updated here. Escort and some massage reviews are on redBook and this Seattle Table Shower Spa website, and eroticspice, although they are scary (mostly outdated warnings of rip-offs). Seattle backpage has massage classifieds. Be sure to look at RedBook for massage reviews. Also check out Seattle Neighborhoods. An outdated article on Chinese massage parlors still comes up in Google. Chinese massage therapy is described on this page, all about Tuina and such.
Having moved here from the east coast, I have grown fond of the AMP scene here in Lynnwood. Most of the ones I've been to have sexy Korean ladies. I didn't realize Korea had such beautiful women. I'm fortunate enough to live close to a stretch of HWY 99 that has about 5 different AMP's (N. Lynnwood/S. Everett) I've visited all of them and I keep going back to one because I get way more services than any other place ;) I'm going to miss Seattle's AMP's when I leave here and have to return to the east coast and I'm going to miss my fave.
Posted by: Ron Laraby | December 20, 2010 at 11:54 AM
I am a profession massage going man. I have only found one CMT who gives the best FBSM massage around the Sacramento area. I hate trying new places especially the Asian massage parlors because in my opinion they give terrible massages. They rub you down roll you over quickly and if your lucky get a quick terrible non exciting hand job. Any suggestions on some good locations in the Sacramento Ca. area. I am always looking for new fun exciting massages.
Posted by: Jim | October 09, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Hello,
I read your entire blog and the "about me" link too, I'm just glad that I stumbled on to this blog. I'm from Asia and I admit I'm a patron of massage parlors, I even met my girlfriend because of that. Anyways, it's very informative and quite similar to what's going on here. And if it's ok with you I would like to help or share things that I've learned all these years, from a guy's perspective I mean. So, I enjoying reading the entire blog, and would love to exchange ideas with you too. More power
Posted by: Marco V. | December 13, 2007 at 07:08 AM