I've been checking out local massage practices, as I just moved to Raleigh. I've gotten professional massages for almost 10 years as a way to manage my health. Additionally, I'm a massage therapist too, so meeting my high standards has been a tricky task.
This one is by far the most professional & impeccable practices I've been to, on every level.
I appreciated their intake form, as it not only asked about past surgeries & medications being taken, but also listed specific medical conditions that could contraindicate different modalities of massage. I can tell practitioners are motivated to do no harm.
I loved how the waiting room was separate from the greeting area. It provided a place to calm down before the session, & eliminated the awkwardness of trying to use the bathroom beforehand. The receptionists were both friendly & informative.
I was lucky to have Anna as my therapist for a 90 minute myofasical release massage. She was INCREDIBLE. She was on par with some of the teachers I learned from in school. I would feel honored to learn from her, because I can tell she's had years of experience, & puts her heart & soul into her work.
Some things I liked about Anna's massage:
-She was very clear in her directions, & she was also considerate of the things I'd written on the intake form. I could tell she paid attention to what I wrote. I didn't have to spend 5-10 mins before the session detailing what works for me.
-She kept it light! It's really hard to find therapists who actually listen to me when I tell them I want lighter pressure.
-She massaged my abdomen. Abdominal massage helps me release tension from a surgery I had when I was a baby. It also helps me breathe with more ease. I NEEDED that.
-Her draping was perfect! I felt safe the entire time. Her method was non-invasive, precise, & artful. I aspire to be able to move around a client as gracefully, & mindfully, as she does.
-She touched every muscle that I can name off the top of my head. I could tell she knew her anatomy & kinesiology. She helped me understand where I was holding tension, without even saying a word to me. She managed to address every area on my body in 90 minutes. Her time management was amazing.
-I LOVED the oil she used. It felt like velvet on my skin. I don't usually like to use oil, just lotion. I couldn't tell the difference. The oil was high quality, didn't irritate my skin, & didn't smell overpowering at all.
Some things I liked about the practice as a whole:
-Friendly staff that met me where I was at with my day, & made me feel safe the second I stepped inside the doors.
-I loved the little bins in the rooms to put my belongings in. It was easy for me to gather my things afterwards, & I didn't leave my jewelry behind on accident.
-Clear directions, clear communication, and transparency. It seems like the practice is big on making sure that clients know what's happening with changes being made within the practice. I saw a very clear letter posted throughout the building, letting customers know about an upcoming price increase. I valued that because a lot of places aren't transparent with customers on price increases.
-The website was easy to navigate. I knew exactly how much I'd be paying for any given modality that I asked for. Again, as a therapist, this is important to me because often times, an average client doesn't understand the difference between varying modalities, & why some are more difficult to perform than others. I felt at peace knowing that therapists are being compensated fairly for the modality they're performing.
-Clean environment. I was never concerned about the building, or rooms. I can tell the staff takes great pride & care in keeping the environment (and bathroom) organized, clean, & comforting. The room was peaceful. The layout was well thought out & welcoming for all types of people/backgrounds.
All in all, I highly recommend this place. I have nothing but inspiration and peace after my session. Thank you so much! I'll be back! read more