When I told my aunt that I’m going to school for massage therapy, she was elated. “I get massages every other week,” she said, “and have been for years. I consider it absolutely necessary to keep me sane.”

She runs her own business doing outpatient drug and alcohol counseling. There’s a lot of stress involved, and receiving massage that frequently is probably one of the best possible things she can do for herself to maintain her physical and mental health.

But recently, I had a client ask me: “Do most people get massage as a luxury?” I was a little surprised that someone would ask this, and didn’t really know what to say. Is it a luxury to have no back pain? And more importantly, if my clients see massage as a luxury (read: unaffordable and/or frivolous), how am I ever going to make a living in my new career?

Admittedly, I’m biased. I’m not one to get pedicures or fancy hair treatments. I don’t even wear makeup most days. If I were going to go into a career that focused on providing aesthetic and luxury services only, I wouldn’t last very long, because honestly, I just don’t see the point. (No offense intended to estheticians — those services are great, but they aren’t something I’m all that interested in for myself.)

Massage might be expensive, but I’m a firm believer that it can help people recover from injuries faster, regain range of motion, and generally live their lives free from pain. Massage therapists are working in chiropractors’ offices, physical therapists’ offices, and mental health clinics. Businesses — even the conservative Maine outdoor retailer behemoth I used to work for — will offer professional massage to employees, understanding that it can help with pain and stress, keeping their workers productive.

But there’s no debating that it’s expensive. Around here, massage runs $60 – $65 per hour, significantly more if you go through a spa. And because of the incredible mountain of red tape, most massage therapists won’t accept insurance, even if your health plan will pay for it. That’s a lot out of pocket, but I firmly belive it’s a worthwhile expenditure. (Stay tuned for an upcoming post from me about the silliness of HMOs not paying for so-called “alternative” treatments like massage and doctor-prescribed supplements. But that soapbox will wait for another post.)

What small and not-so-small things do you treat yourself to? Would you consider massage a necessity, for your mental and physical health?