Denied Massage?

[msredbird51]

My husband and I recently returned from a great cruise on the Glory--the 12/1 sailing. We had a few minor hiccups, but all vacations do. Overall it was fantastic (like our four other Carnival cruises). My biggest complaint (concern?, question?) involved the spa.

 

Like I do on all my cruises, I booked a hot stone massage for the last night. As a new mom it was something I'd very much been looking forward to, even more so than usual. I arrived for my massage and was greeted by the very friendly masseur. She brought me back to the room and we began chatting. She asked the usual questions, "Where do you carry stress?, and "What do you do to relieve stress?". I answered the questions and a minute or so later, in making small talk, I kind of laughed and said that with a three month old at home I don't get much time to relieve stress these days. The masseur kept talking, asked about my daughter, and then after another minute or so proceeded to tell me she didn't think she could give me a massage since I was three months postpartum. She said she needed to leave the room to go check with her supervisor, and returned a few minutes later saying the policy says they couldn't give me a massage until I was six months postpartum for my natural delivery (one year if it had been a c-section). She said it's dangerous to the organs to get a massage postpartum because they're not fully back in place. So I was turned away, having paid nothing. Since I wasn't charged or anything, I wasn't mad per say, but left quite disappointed. A) because I really wanted a massage, B) because it seemed odd, and C) because I would've preferred to have been made aware of any such policy before showing up and in essence wasting my time.

 

When I returned home I called my OB/GYN who said she saw no reason I couldn't get a massage. That she didn't know of a problem with postpartum massage, and that she had cleared me over two months ago for any and all activities I wanted to engage in. I also did some Googling and didn't really come across anything saying it was dangerous to have a massage postpartum, rather beneficial.

 

So, my question is......Has anyone ever heard of this type of policy before, particularly with Spa Carnival? Have you had issues with the spa? If so, did you do anything about the issues? There's a part of me that wants to contact customer service, not so much looking for some sort of compensation, but more so as feedback. But, then I wonder if I'd be wasting my time doing that too.

Edited December 16, 2013 by msredbird51

[tonit964]

Did they ask you this question on the form you filled out?

 

I don't think they should rely on casual conversation to determine when you had your last baby.

If it is a policy, it should be on the form they give you.

 

I'm positive they are just overing their behinds. They will not turn away potential $$$$ for no reason.

[dolphins76]

I have heard of this before. I have been to quite of few spas and I can't remember the exact explanation but something to do with the temperture of the stones and the damage organs and something about oils that stimulate the uterus.

 

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[dolphins76]

Oops that could damage organs that are yet to be fully healed.

 

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[arush5268d]

Keep in mind - these are spa rules. Not something that the medical community produced.

[dolphins76]

Correct...and I am sure it is for liability.

 

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[arush5268d]

Correct...and I am sure it is for liability.

 

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They are worried about liability yet they will stick needles in you all over.

[missypriss19]

Never heard of such. I have been an OB nurse for over 20 years and have never heard of this nonsense. We even encourage massage during pregnancy. by 3 months postpartum the uterus is back down in the pelvis where it normally is. I think they were covering up for the ignorance.

[arush5268d]

Never heard of such. I have been an OB nurse for over 20 years and have never heard of this nonsense. We even encourage massage during pregnancy. by 3 months postpartum the uterus is back down in the pelvis where it normally is. I think they were covering up for the ignorance.

 

 

I had a dog and BINGO! was his name-o.

[msredbird51]

Did they ask you this question on the form you filled out?

 

I don't think they should rely on casual conversation to determine when you had your last baby.

If it is a policy, it should be on the form they give you.

Exactly. That's what I found really odd. I had been to the spa earlier in the week for a pedicure and had already filled out their form. It asked a few simple questions about whether you suffer from things like stress, headaches, acne, etc....basic things they can help treat with their services. You know, sell you more treatments. Which, based on my answers they definitely tried to do while I was getting the pedicure. But, to the best of my memory I don't remember any questions on the form being medical or asking if I had recently had a baby. If I wouldn't have made the joke in casual conversation she would've never known. And I certainly never saw, or was given, any sort of documentation with their policies.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. Based on these replies, my doctor's thoughts, and my growing disappointment the more I think about the way it was handled I think I am going to contact customer service. I know I'd like to see them make policies like this more visible to avoid frustrations. Maybe some feedback will help with that.

[arush5268d]

Keep in mind the spa is managed and run by an outside company - not Carnival.

 

But go forth and conquer. Hopefully some good can come from this.

[Colorado Kat]

That is all so strange. I'm sorry this happened to you. If it was important, it should have been on the forms you filled out.

[Lerin]

Something very similar happened to me on a different cruise line when I was pregnant.

I had gotten an ok from my midwife to get spa treatments, but they said they weren't comfortable with it. I ended up getting a facial and mani/ped. They were very apologetic. Later someone told me that many believe that massaging certain parts of the body in the 1st trimester can lead to miscarriage. Many other dispute this as Old Wives' Tales. Probably the same situation for you. Maybe truth, maybe an Old Wives tale.

I think it's a liability thing. Sort of bothered me, but I understand them not wanting to get in trouble from their managers or to get sued. I'd rather not get a massage from someone is is scared to touch me anyway.

[lisajm]

I have been a Labor and Delivery Nurse for 23 years, working at women's hospital. We have massage services at our hospital where someone can buy a massage for someone that is NEWLY delivered. They will not do them on the day of delivery, but other than that there is no contraindication. We have long term antepartum patients, as well. They can have a fifteen minute at no charge every day.

Having said that, I'm sure they were just trying to be safe. Treat yourself to a massage now.

[Crusin6]

I have been a Labor and Delivery Nurse for 23 years, working at women's hospital. We have massage services at our hospital where someone can buy a massage for someone that is NEWLY delivered. They will not do them on the day of delivery, but other than that there is no contraindication. We have long term antepartum patients, as well. They can have a fifteen minute at no charge every day.

Having said that, I'm sure they were just trying to be safe. Treat yourself to a massage now.

 

And get a facial and body wrap as well!!!

[vacruizer]

Very odd the argument about the damage to internal organs.

 

I had a massage a month after gallbladder removal surgery from a licensed therapist here at home with no issue or concern from the therapist, and a massage on a cruise just over 2 months after a hysterectomy.....they asked about it on the medical form, questioned me verbally to make sure all incisions were healed and I would comfortable on the table, and went on with the massage. This was on Carnival. They did ask me about it, but didn't seem overly concerned about damaging anything internal. I'd been cleared by my doctor 6 weeks after surgery for all activities, and was back in the gym doing Zumba and swimming by 8 weeks after. :confused: Seems like that could cause more damage than a massage.

[Butterbean1000]

I was 6 months post thyroid cancer surgery and the masuece had to get "permission". She told me at the time it was a liability issue. I got my massage.

 

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[dolphins76]

There is a difference between a massage and a hot stone massage. If you read the forms that you signed it does state they can choice not to do any type of treatment if they due to any preexisting surgical, or medical problem including giving birth within the last year. I had to call my SIL for that one because I knew when she was on CCL last there were treatments she could not get because of this very reason. Did you happen to read the fine print? Or keep a copy? I understand it was disappointing because I loved my massages while beimg pregnant!

 

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[dolphins76]

I just asked my SIL if she could scan the form amd email it to me..I will post when I get it :)

 

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[urbanhawk]

To the O.P......That is disappointing about not being able to get your massage-it would have been a great way to end the cruise. I am a firm believer in the benefits of massage. (I treat myself to a 1 1/2 hour every 2 weeks.) I've never had a massage done with hot stones, but it is something I'd like to try...I'm just curious, if the massage could have been done without the hot stones? was this even offered, or maybe you would have been given the same (illogical) reasoning? Truly sorry to hear about your experience.

[RuthlessBoss]

There is a difference between a massage and a hot stone massage. If you read the forms that you signed it does state they can choice not to do any type of treatment if they due to any preexisting surgical, or medical problem including giving birth within the last year. I had to call my SIL for that one because I knew when she was on CCL last there were treatments she could not get because of this very reason. Did you happen to read the fine print? Or keep a copy? I understand it was disappointing because I loved my massages while beimg pregnant!

 

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This was my thought also. A regular massage certainly is common and can be helpful, but not harmful in any way.

[irishnyc]

While their reasoning may be a little off, you were probably better off not having a massage by them.

[Sparky2]

My husband and I recently returned from a great cruise on the Glory--the 12/1 sailing. We had a few minor hiccups, but all vacations do. Overall it was fantastic (like our four other Carnival cruises). My biggest complaint (concern?, question?) involved the spa.

 

Like I do on all my cruises, I booked a hot stone massage for the last night. As a new mom it was something I'd very much been looking forward to, even more so than usual. I arrived for my massage and was greeted by the very friendly masseur. She brought me back to the room and we began chatting. She asked the usual questions, "Where do you carry stress?, and "What do you do to relieve stress?". I answered the questions and a minute or so later, in making small talk, I kind of laughed and said that with a three month old at home I don't get much time to relieve stress these days. The masseur kept talking, asked about my daughter, and then after another minute or so proceeded to tell me she didn't think she could give me a massage since I was three months postpartum. She said she needed to leave the room to go check with her supervisor, and returned a few minutes later saying the policy says they couldn't give me a massage until I was six months postpartum for my natural delivery (one year if it had been a c-section). She said it's dangerous to the organs to get a massage postpartum because they're not fully back in place. So I was turned away, having paid nothing. Since I wasn't charged or anything, I wasn't mad per say, but left quite disappointed. A) because I really wanted a massage, B) because it seemed odd, and C) because I would've preferred to have been made aware of any such policy before showing up and in essence wasting my time.

 

When I returned home I called my OB/GYN who said she saw no reason I couldn't get a massage. That she didn't know of a problem with postpartum massage, and that she had cleared me over two months ago for any and all activities I wanted to engage in. I also did some Googling and didn't really come across anything saying it was dangerous to have a massage postpartum, rather beneficial.

 

So, my question is......Has anyone ever heard of this type of policy before, particularly with Spa Carnival? Have you had issues with the spa? If so, did you do anything about the issues? There's a part of me that wants to contact customer service, not so much looking for some sort of compensation, but more so as feedback. But, then I wonder if I'd be wasting my time doing that too.

 

They must have had a problem with someone in the past. Otherwise, I doubt if they'd turn down your money!

[msredbird51]

To the O.P......That is disappointing about not being able to get your massage-it would have been a great way to end the cruise. I am a firm believer in the benefits of massage. (I treat myself to a 1 1/2 hour every 2 weeks.) I've never had a massage done with hot stones, but it is something I'd like to try...I'm just curious, if the massage could have been done without the hot stones? was this even offered, or maybe you would have been given the same (illogical) reasoning? Truly sorry to hear about your experience.

I love the hot stones. So relaxing! Try it! That said, the masseur said no massage at all, of any kind.

Edited December 16, 2013 by msredbird51

[dolphins76]

Did you read the fine print?

 

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