I went to Eden for a massage after having gone a few times for facials (which were, generally, enjoyable but pretty basic for the price). Whenever I get a massage, no matter where, I tell the massage therapist to concentrate on my neck, shoulders, and back and to not touch my legs. I do this because, as a runner, I trust my ortho and my PT for any issues/injuries to my legs/feet/knees and I certainly don't trust a massage therapist who I know almost nothing about, who I am seeing for the first time, to mess with my legs. The beginning of this massage was no different - I was clear that I did not want a leg massage but that I was there to deal with any tension in my upper body. Brooke, the massage therapist, started the massage WITH MY LEGS! I should have but didn't say anything until she got to my right leg, where I have been having a lingering knee issue (again, dealing with that through my ortho and PT). When she got close to my bad knee, I gently reminded her that I was not interested in her massaging that area and she did it anyway. Not only that, but she applied pressure to the outsides of my kneecap, asking how much it hurt. Now, I understand she was trying to be helpful but before the massage even started, I told her not to massage my legs at all. Since she must have felt she knew more about my body/injuries than I do, she did it anyway, even after I asked her again not to.
This felt a) violating and b) damaging. At base level, when you ask someone not to touch a part of your body and they do it anyway, it does not feel good. Further, I had been dealing with my knee issues separately and now, after she did whatever she did, I have been having much more severe pain.
The best part was after the massage when Brooke lectured me on my running stride, giving me horrible advice for the shoes I wear and talking about shin splints (I don't even get shin splints). I have been running for over 10 years, I have completed over one dozen marathons and I have worked with running coaches on my stride, my pace, my endurance, etc. I did not appreciate the advice; not at all.
I am set to run my 15th half marathon this Monday and I'm afraid that after this terrible experience, I will not be able to finish. I've been waking up in the middle of the night with knee pain - something that definitely was not happening until this massage. So, my opinion: if you are an athlete, I do not recommend Brooke for massages. Probably, if you want a good massage from her, don't tell her if any part of your body is in pain. She will likely make it worse with her prodding and then top it off with some crappy advice. read more