A post marathon massage for NYC Marathon runners & those wanting pain relief anyway

There is no chance in hell I will ever run the New York Marathon, but I have no problem surrendering to the massage table for a sports massage designed for post marathon trauma-ed bodies. just calm down spa in the Flatiron District feels that post 26.2-mile pain.

The spa uses the homeopathic product Topricin, an anti-inflammatory pain reliever made from all-natural ingredients versus the chemically mysterious ones found in BenGay and IcyHot. Think: topical analgesic without that wicked stench. just calm down calls this Sunday- timely treatment Run, Forrest! Run! (after the movie, because you know how that Gump from Greenbow, Alabama sure could fly like the wind blows).

Since all that running doesn't always do the body good, a deep massage can do an excellent post recovery trick. The homeopathic properties of the scent-free Topricin use therapeutic ingredients like arnica and belladonna. (There is a kids version of the cream too.)

When I went in for the Run, Forrest! Run!, my aesthetician/wellness priestess, Jenna Mormelo, immediately targeted my pain from laptopping in bed and tightness from working out. My treatment began with a body-invigorating inhale of ginger essential oil. Then Jenna focused on maneuvering and aligning me with a rhythm of long and short medium strong strokes. She eventually accelerated to deeper massage once my muscles warmed both from her work and the affects of the Topricin. Using her hands, elbows and forearms she massaged deep into my lower back, shoulders and neck. Jenna was incredibly intuitive and worked with pressure points to relieve some of the pent up tension from bad posture and the carrying a heavy bag every day. I felt like an athlete on that table getting the royal treatment for winning a game. With each knot, she massaged and shook them out with vigor and purpose. It felt like her hands were literally climbing up into each knot until them disappeared.

I love what Jenna said about the rhythm of her bodywork: "Every massage is a dance for me. It’s very freeing to do what you feel the person needs."

What I hate, is the feeling when a massage feels like a formulaic routine the aesthetician memorized. Jenna was stellar at working an area and relieving the area for as long as it needed. I found it interesting when she said the side of me with less pain was the most tight and tense side. She also noted that besides the Topricin softening the skin, it acts as an indicator of how dehydrated you are. If it absorbs quickly, you need more water!

Also, I tend to neglect my legs, so it’s always a shock to me when I use the foam bar at the gym for stretching, or someone massages my legs for me to realize how tight those muscles can get. Full disclosure: Jenna worked the side of my butt in a way that really opened up the tightness in hips from sitting and riding a bike all over town.

As for just calm down? The most accurate way to describe it is adorable. But it’s warm and charming in a not too feminine way so as to keep men from booking. In fact, there was one man enjoying a glass of wine before his treatment. Note: No wine before the detoxifying Run, Forrest! Run!

The spa caters to couples and there is a perfect space for large parties to indulge in mani-pedis be it for bachelorette parties or a post brunch beauty boost.

With the NYC Marathon just days away on Sunday, November 1, just calm down is having a special rate for the Run, Forrest! Run! treatment. Typically $130 for an hour massage, those who bring in their marathon number get the winning price of $103.50. After you’re done, then pop by the cupcake shop next door and enjoy that box of chocolates – dark chocolate though!

just calm down 30 west 18th street ny, ny 10011 212-33-0032 www.justcalmdownspa.com