Therapists and TV counselors have done a lot of talking these past few years about the Americans’ collective case of post-traumatic stress disorder. We’re stressed; we feel selfish; we’re broke. Spend money on something to make us feel good? How small-minded. Thankfully, you can get all holistic on that Catch-22 by visiting NHI’s student massage clinic. Think of it as donating your body to science: For the bargain price of $30 an hour, $25 for seniors (most professional masseuses charge upwards of $40), you can mold a student’s technique as he or she kneads your aching muscles using either the shiatsu or Swedish style. In fact, through May, all Wednesday shiatsu massages are $10 off. And the students are hardly inept — they’re open to suggestions, and with a little direction, they could rub you the best you’ve ever been rubbed. The downside: The massages take place in one large space, with tables separated by curtains (kinda like the ER), the appointments are based on the rotating schedules of classes, and most fill up on a weekly basis. But imagine the legacy you’re leaving for your masseuse’s future clientele. And isn’t a massage even better when you have to wait for it?
Readers’ Pick for Best Massage: About Face & Body