Zhong Huang Spa

Since coming back from China and getting massages there, I wanted to try to find a more affordable massage spa in the US. I think it is probably good for your body to go regularly, if possible. I hadn't been actively looking though, but I guess that is when you often find the things you need. 

Last time I went to Flushing, I had come across a cafeteria that had a long buffet, and allowed you to pick five items for five dollars. This was probably the closest thing I found to the little eateries in China. I was able to get the steamed eggplant with cilantro that I liked, along with wood ear and celery, and broiled tofu skin. Today I decided to go back to that eatery, since I have more free time. On my way there, I saw signs for massage spas. Since my Chinese reading has improved, I could now understand that it was 25 dollars an hour for a full body massage. Since there were many, I used yelp to look at reviews. 

One place, called Zhong Huang spa, was rated very well. They were slightly more expensive, at 30 per hour, but reviews stated that the workers there were a lot more skilled in acupressure and Chinese medicine. I decided to try it. 

They do not really speak English, which is fine for me. I even helped interpret for a random stranger who also went to the spa. At first it was relaxing, so relaxing that I almost fell asleep--but then the real massage began. This ended up being an incredibly painful massage. My masseuse was very skilled, and pointed out many of my problems right away. However, he was also merciless in trying to fix these problems. I yelped in pain a few times and he said, politely, "you have to endure the pain, otherwise it won't get better." During the session he explained, "when non Chinese come for massage, they want it to feel good. If it is painful they get mad, and my English is not good so I can't explain to them that it is supposed to be like this." In fact, they actually don't call their massages "massages", they call it "body work." 

After the massage, I felt like I had been beaten up. I dragged myself to a tea house to get a bubble tea, and then crawled onto the metro, curled up into a small ball and leaned against the rail. I felt exhausted! But in 30 minutes, I felt great. I ended up meeting a former colleague for coffee. When I arrived he said, "are you okay? You look like you've been crying." I was, on the massage table! There were some areas that were so painful that my eyes watered. 

Now I'm on the train to Poughkeepsie for a wedding, and I feel really good. I will definitely go back to that massage place again.