Call it the red moon rub.
A pair of massage studios in Williamsburg and Greenpoint is offering a treatment to help soothe period pain that is perfect for anyone who suffers from Aunt Flo’s rage, according to its creator.
“If you’re experiencing any pain or tension or grief to do with your monthly cycle, this will help,” said Rachel Beider, who owns Massage Williamsburg and Massage Greenpoint, which focus on women’s health.
The establishments rolled out the “Moon Cycle Massage,” which includes a medley of techniques to stamp out discomfort, this month.
First, a deep-heat pack with flaxseed and lavender is applied to the lower back and abdomen, where cramps affect women most. After that, the therapist’s magic hands get down to work using a rose-geranium infused oil, which is recommended for balancing hormones. The technician then focuses her attention on wherever the client needs it most, and finishes the session by serving a cup of organic raspberry-leaf tea, which alleviates cramps and premenstrual cycle symptoms, according to Beider.
Many of her patrons get massages to reduce pain during their periods, and she thought offering them her personal remedies might further ease their suffering, she said.
“A lot of my clients were going through the same thing every month, with a massage either before or during their periods where they needed a lot of focused work,” Beider said. “I thought about what kind of things I do for self care when I’m at home.”
A 60-minute rub goes for $130 and a 90-minute one costs $185. Customers can also purchase a year-long package of either length with two free sessions.
No one has signed up for a moon cycle massage yet, but the therapists have been hard at work practicing on each other, and give the remedy two thumbs up, Beider said.
She hopes the treatment will help women and men — who can enjoy some of the studios’ non-menstrual services — open up about periods once and for all.
“There’s a lot of stigma with talking about periods in general, it’s not something that people bring up without being prompted,” she said. “I think this opens up the conversation.”
Try it yourself at Massage Wiliamsburg (169 Wythe Ave. at N. Sixth Street in Williamsburg, www.massagewilliamsburg.com) or Massage Greenpoint (37 Greenpoint Ave. at West Street in Greenpoint, www.massagegreenpoint.com) $130/hour, $185/90 minutes.
