As a (former) Licensed Massage Therapist, I am very much aware of what to look for in a Massage…read moreTherapist. Even without trying, I am unintentionally analyzing everything from start to finish; this can be both a curse and a blessing. Unfortunately, it can also sometimes make me a harsh critic; in other words, my standards are quite high.
I've lived in Virginia for 9 years. In those years, I can literally count just one therapist that I experienced that exceeded my expectations, prior to this massage. All others fell short...and I don't mean "just barely". I mean so bad, they made me question whether they actually received an education, or were simply hanging fraudulent certifications and licensures on their walls.
Stress Free Therapeutic Massage (Miss Lydia) reminded me of how remarkable a skilled massage therapist can be. From start to finish, she was indeed incredible!
My husband purchased me a 90 minute Groupon. After leaving a message on her voicemail, I received a text message, requesting that I visit the website to schedule. She was booked out somewhat ahead, which now makes perfect sense.
As someone who's worked in the field, I understand the importance of being on time for your appointment; there is often paperwork involved for first time visits, and most therapists run a pretty tight schedule, not allowing much idle time between clients. Therefore, if you're late, it runs into the next clients appointment, leaving the therapist faced with cutting your time short, which is often a difficult decision, because they certainly don't want to lose you as a client either.
Finding the facility was somewhat tricky for me; I had a small commute to the office, and I wasn't familiar with the area. For reference, this place sits in the back of a building that says "Chiropractor" on the front. If you're looking at Pancho Villa, it's right to the left of the restaurant. Parking is in a lot in the back of the building. Lydia's office is up the steps, to the second floor.
Upon arrival (at just after 1pm for my 1:30pm appointment), one of her clients was just heading out. Just as expected, I had some short paperwork, and she got me in 10 minutes early, at 1:20pm.
She started with me face down, which ironically is my preferred method. She started on my back, focusing on my noted trouble points (low back and neck). Her pressure remained steady and consistent throughout the massage, showing that she was a seasoned professional. She has great deal of physical stamina and excellent manual dexterity. I personally prefer a firm pressure, and she achieved the perfect level of pressure throughout. She ended the massage just on time, at 10 till 3pm. At no point did I feel like I wasn't receiving the upmost attention and care. Lydia remained professional and skilled, utilizing a variety of techniques. She possesses the ability to use different modalities/approaches to address her clients' needs. Her facility is clean, her demeanor is warm, welcoming and professional. I highly recommend her!
