Getting a handle on the nation’s fiscal aches and pains can’t be done in a day.
Rubbing out American’s physical discomforts, however, is a different matter.
That’s why area massage therapists are staying busy, even as the economy erodes discretionary spending power for many Americans.
"These guys who used to come in twice a year are coming in once or twice a month," said Clyde Randle, a licensed massage therapist who’s worked at the Amon G. Carter Jr. Downtown YMCA in Fort Worth for 18 years. "It’s just been a phenomenal year."
An informal, random poll shows that while some customers have trimmed the number of visits, massage therapists apparently aren’t taking the beating that other workers are.
"I’ve been averaging four to six new people a month," Randle said, adding that although visits from overworked doctors are down, brokers and other financial types are coming more. "I’m seeing a different group of people who never came in before."
"The trend is pretty clear," said Nilda Tull, director at North Texas School of Swedish Massage. "If you don’t have insurance, a lot people are turning to alternative methods. We have very good success in keeping them going."
The licensed massage therapists at the Arlington massage school gave 545 massages in February, 491 in the same month last year and 409 in February 2007, Tull said.
Massage therapist Danette Wicker said she does a steady business with Fort Worth school-district custodians, housekeepers and other blue-collar wor- kers. She tries to keep hours flexible to fit their schedules
"It’s great to get them in because they do backbreaking work," said Wicker, a 12-year veteran who runs Danette’s Urban Oasis, a one-woman operation in Fort Worth’s Cultural District. "I get some cops and firemen. I get nurses, due to my scheduling."
Recent layoffs at Pier 1 Imports hurt, as did city of Fort Worth job cuts and The Bombay Co. bankruptcy, Wicker said. But she’s still gaining clients, even if some of her regulars come less frequently.
"I’ve made it where it’s part of their health regime," said Wicker, who charges $20 for 30-minute massages and $40 for one hour. "I always give some kind of incentive. I give them a free hot-stone massage or a free foot scrub for the husband if the wife comes in."
"I’ve structured it so it’s not a luxury," Wicker said. "I haven’t changed my prices since 2003."
Brad Brown, a 41-year-old insurance-agency owner, is a Wicker client. He likes to get in an hour-and-a-half session twice monthly.
"I just tell her where it hurts, and it doesn’t hurt anymore," Brown said. "I have her hammer on it, and it just puts me to sleep."
Randle, whose rate for YMCA members is $30 per 40-minute session, said he has noticed some new wrinkles.
Before the economy went south, many executives would start the week with a massage. Now they tend to come in on Thursday or Friday, presumably to unwind from a week of corporate pummeling, leaving his "older gentlemen" to fill the Monday and Tuesday slots, Randle said. Some of his tips are up, too.
"The tips are up from the ones who are most stressed," Randle said.
Regardless of the money, everybody seems to be grateful to feel better.
"It’s either 'Thanks’ or 'Thanks a lot,’ " Randle said. "Or they’ll look at me and say, 'When can I come back again?’ They didn’t know this would make them feel so good."
Wicker hears the same thing.
"People will change a doctor quicker than they’ll change a message therapist," Wicker said.
I’m seeing a different group of people who never came in before."
Clyde Randle,
massage therapist
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