.jpg)
AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau
The benefits of massage are widely known. A good rubdown will alleviate post-workout soreness, stretch weak and tight muscles, and some claim it even treats depression and anxiety. Massage also has the reputation of costing a pretty penny, and like other spa treatments, requires an investment of precious time. The good news is that several establishments in the Washington area are starting to package sessions to fit into demanding schedules and slimmer budgets.
The new Lunar Massage in Mount Vernon Triangle offers 20-, 30-minute or hour-long clothes-on massages, ranging in price from $26. Ask about the quirky massage-and-nap combo if a lunchtime snooze is imperative (don’t worry – they will set a timer for you).
In Virginia, check out Health Magic, located on the top floor of the bustling Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. Choose from 20-, 30-minute or hour-long massages on one of about a dozen tables in an otherwise plain storefront. After work or on the weekends, the volume inside the mall can be distracting, so bring your mp3 player with some relaxing tunes to neutralize the noise. Prices start at $25.
Local gyms oftentimes offer on-the-go massage services to their members. At different times during the day, Results Gym has a staff technician available for neck and shoulder therapy, charged incrementally at $1 per minute.
After trying these pared-down versions, you may be tempted to graduate to a traditional, 90-minute massage. No patience for the fuss of a salon or day spa? No problem. The Grooming Lounge has locations on L St. in Farragut North and at the Tysons Galleria, and specializes in therapeutic services for gentlemen. They even have a massage designed for the golfers among us, and all clients can enjoy a martini in the waiting room. Now that’s relaxation.
Comments