@BestLovingTouch As I've had a lot more experience as a massage therapist in my past than in cuddling, I'd have to contest your thought about the lack of a spiritual connection between the giver and receiver. It takes a great deal of connection for someone to understand the true nature of how and where tension is in the body at the source. You may have a knot in your shoulder, but maybe it's because you put more emphasis of weight on one side... and that might come from a hip issue due to your first experience with cramps that was never fully addressed... or maybe you have a mild ankle injury, or knee injury... or maybe you have too much tension only in both shoulders because you're always flinching from stessful situations, avoided car accidents (which sometimes are worse for the body than an actual collision), family members being seriously ill, or so many other issues... the entire body, physically and emotionally are connected... you might even hold stress in your quad because of some unresolved issue when you were a child that caused your fight/flight response, but froze up instead of taking any action. When a massage therapist is truly gifted at their craft, they see all of you for who you are when giving you the massage. Unfortunately with this fast paced society and end on end appointments/ schedules, most rush out of the physical side of the session and don't take the time to assess what was just done, give feedback, or even just take in the fullness of what just happened. Taking simple 5-10 minutes of discussion after the session is something that has been neglected in the massage therapy industry... something I miss from when I was doing my clinic hours where every client at least filled out a feedback form.
Can i do half n half?
Now that would be the creme de la creme.
Oh yes. I couldn't figure out if I wanted cream of crab or manhattan crab soup. Server suggested both in the same bowl, it was great. It wasn't mixed, but layered so I could mix it at my discretion.
I pick cuddling even though I'm a massage therapist. Partly based on what I need more. I think it matter a lot what is the greater need you have at the moment of choice. That being said, both is an option if everyone involved is comfortable with it, although the massage during cuddles won't be on the same level as a massage at full professional mode.
Only an hour? Massage. An hour just isn’t long enough for a cuddle. Cuddling calms my mind and body, but it takes longer than an hour for me to ease into that state. For a massage though, the massage therapist can quickly hit those tense muscles without me having to do anything.
On the other hand, if I had several hours, or better yet all day, cuddling easily wins, hands down.
@Catloaf check out my karma. Same here
If I had lower back, jaw or neck tension then definitely a massage. My massage therapist is amazing at therapeutic massage. But for the soul and the peace it brings to my life for the week afterward—cuddling 100%