'Fluff and Buff' -- why many spa massages don't feel that great

"Fluff and buff" is a common term of derision that many experienced massage therapists use about the treatments given in some spas. It means a massage that's so light that's it's not terribly effective. The way I describe it is it's just like asking someone to scratch an itch on your back ... and they scratch a bit but they just don't get it. It can be very frustrating for a client.

This doesn't mean good massage should hurt or feel too harsh. Good massage should feel soothing. However, if you have any areas of specific stress, 'knots' or chronic pain a deeper massage will 'get to' those areas and begin to relieve the grip and drain they have had on you. That's what you're paying for and less can well, seem like just not enough.

Fluff and buff is fairly typical at larger spas and sometimes hotels. Often the massage therapists have less clinical training than a therapist with his or her own practice does. They also know they won't see you to work on problems repeatedly. Their goal is to get the session done OK and move on. A massage therapist who runs his or her own practice has to do meet their client's needs each time because repeat business is the only way to keep the doors open. A long term professional relationship with your massage therapist is a wondeful tool in creating and maintaining your health and well being goals. We're great allies with often a great deal of training and information to offer for many of the health challenges you will face over the years.