r/massage

Long time massage enthusiast here. I find when I identify a prospective therapist and want to get an idea of whether we'd be compatible, I will ask about massage techniques that I've found especially outstanding like Esalen or Lomi Lomi. These don't seem to be mainstream at least here in New England. The exchange with the therapist (I try to avoid corporate spas and studios) very often comes to a dead end with those questions. Wondering whether these methods are shunned for some reason or just unfamiliar and out of their comfort zone. Feels like I'm searching for a needle in a haystack, though I've found a few over the years who'll be interested in learning and they're usually worth the investment in teaching and coaching. I will often then share some instructional videos on the method and have had a couple if successes.

I am at ten years of massage, and I am feeling like I'm at the end of my rope. I hate going in to work every day and my body hurts so so much. If you have left or are leaving the field, what are you doing?

LMT and I do a good amount of firm work. Although I tell my clients that the cradle is to rest their head and not designed for extra weight, people will do what they do. All of the face cradles I use generally will loosen over time, and it means that when the cradle slips my clients' heads go with it. Not ideal, not had any major issues, but I really don't want this happening if I can avoid it.

I am looking for the most secure and sturdy face cradle - both where the cradle tilts up and down for angle, but also where it leverages to raise and lower the whole thing. Cost is not an issue. Comfort is not a concern. The sturdiest face cradle is what's important. What do you use that works best and can take a beating day in day out?