My first time at Essentials Massage and Facials for a one hour massage with hot stones, aromatherapy, and a sugar scrub.
The facility is clean and modern, front desk was friendly and professional, and the Massage therapist was polite and knowledgeable. She used a wide variety of skillful techniques and modalities; a couple of which, were new to me. Her pressure was perfect; not too light, and not too heavy. I did upgrade my massage to a more therapeutic massage, as opposed to a lighter relaxation massage. She used the hot stones correctly, and even incorporated hot towels in the beginning, to relax my muscles. Something I was really surprised about, was the fact that she added stretching to the massage. Although that is certainly something that a therapist is taught, and within their scope of work, I would say in all my years since graduating as a Massage Therapist myself (2012), and in getting massages over the years, I have never had a therapist stretch me as she had (not since leaving school). I thought that I was a pretty "bendy" person (if you're a "Friends" fan, you'll recall Phoebe telling Chandler, "I'm very bendy!"). I try to stretch regularly, and still occasionally do yoga. But today, I realized how unbelievably stiff I am. She pushed and pulled, until I was in the shape of a twisty pretzel. At the end, she did a sugar scrub on my feet. I left feeling quite sore, but it was a good sore.
Moving forward, I would request a deep tissue massage, but I just want the hands. The hot stones came with my package, but have never really been a fan favorite of mine; the same with the sugar scrub. The aromatherapy was nice. And I certainly could do without the stretching. I need to work on my stretching routine at home more often, before I can be tugged at and extended to that degree. Still, one of the better massages I've received in the area.
I definitely recommend! read more
