1. I'm a pilot. I have serious back problems. Duh! I had back surgery in 2010. Recovery was marginal at best. I had a chiro that did magic in 2011. But...the long legs to Asia and continuation around the world still hurt.

2. Recently, I started to get massages* while on a long trip. Not only did I feel relief, I didn't have the long hard recovery I usually have when I got home. A massage at the very least increases blood flow...reducing the possibility of a blood clots that we are all susceptible to due to prolonged spells of sitting.

3. Goal: I'd like your help to create a list of reputable massage parlors to heal broken pilots and/or prevention thereof.

4. I will start with two places that have worked for me.

a. Shanghai: RB Massage. Outside the Hilton, turn left, walk a couple of hundred yards. Walk inside, they have a multi-choice menu. I've had a foot massage for 88RMB's ($14). It's one hour, your feet are soaked first. Then there is a somewhat painful massage that goes through all the bones in your feet up to your mid-thigh. You sit there feeling pain but know it's doing what it is suppose to do. I've had the body massage there too. Also priced at 88RMB's...for an hour. This is a body massage with your clothes on. I suggest wearing a t-shirt and sweats. It's fantastic for the price. At one point my masseuse stood on my back and ground her heels into my back. #23 is my masseuse.

b. Guangzhou: "Blue Saphire" massage. Recommended from the concierge. From the China Hotel go to McDonalds and continue past the Dong Fang Hotel. You will pass a neon sign that says "Massage", pass that...not recommended by the hotel. Turn left at Renmin street (no affiliation)...walk about 1/8 mile. You will pass an aluminum building (China Bank). Pass the open air fish market. Next you will see a blue glass building that says 'Sapphire Building.' You will see a sign that says "Foot Massage" at the second floor. Walk past the security like you own the place and walk up the stairs to the second floor. You will be greeted by a lady speaking in English as if she's expecting you. It's 88RMB's for a 70 minute body massage. It starts at the head (scalp) facing up and ends at the back facing down which is opposite of what I'm use to. The final back portion is with oil. Everything previous is dry with a towel over your body. The oil-back massage is intense and hit what it needed to. The cons: The room is lit up more than what I'm use to. There's a ceiling mirror(?) Best to keep your eyes closed. There's more noise than at RB in Shanghai. The Pros: You get an oil portion. It's hard. Long. Effective. Great customer service when you walk in. You get a glass of tea with lemon, three bags of assorted nuts and 6 Romano tomatoes(?) For $14 it was awesome. Better than RB. I will go back for the foot massage tomorrow (for the same price.)

*no happy endings.

 

This is going to be fun

 

Try the 500 Yen Breakfast Lady.

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/ca...-lady-kix.html

I was joking, of course, when I suggested that "breakfast" was code for something other than a morning repast, but all I know is what actually happened to us in BKK.

Our tour guide took us to his local Thai Massage parlor instead of those co-located in large hotels. My husband and I were shown into a small room with two thin mattresses. Before long, two very young girls (could not have been more than 16 years old) came into the room. They looked surprised that these Westerners wanted a foursome! Anyway, we told them we really wanted a traditional Thai Massage, but it turned out they didn't know the first thing about it. I came out of that session feeling like I just got beat up by some rogue cop of the Seattle Police Department! We later met up with our tour guide, who winked at us and asked "how was it?"

I researched Thai Massage after getting home. I can say unequivocally we did not get a Thai Massage from those two girls. Heck, my Westerner husband can give a better massage. And he doesn't know anything either.

 

Yes. Yes it is.


I have nothing worthwhile to add to this thread. Have a good day gentlemen.

 

Isn't it JB Massage? and yes, good value for a great massage. Their body massages are great but also try: Buy one of their cheap bottles of red wine and get an hour foot massage while watching the sports channel. Better yet, take your flying partner and both sit there drinking and watching sports while wincing as your feet get punished.

 

...speaking of foot massages----does China have "Dr. Fish" like Korea does?

 

OK, I'll take a cheap shot at this thread.

Caddyshack 14 Dollars The Hard Way - YouTube

 

I read that "Chainsaw" gives massages in the sleep rooms at the AOC, for a Scooby snack.

But, don't try to figure out if he'll be in the hub on any given day...You can't look at his calendar.

 

Try Antoine Roccamora. He's a half-Black, half-Samoan dude who comes highly recommended.

 

The ads that pop up under these threads are priceless. I can attend Antonelli College and major in massage therapy. It'll be a long time before I cam match JB/ RB or Blue Sapphire.

No ads for Thai massage, though.