The timing of my first and only so far (there will be more!) appointment with Lyssa was serendipitous. I think I had her last appointment before everything got shut down due to #itscoronatime. It couldn't have come at a better time, having aches and pains from prior injuries and stiffness from having a desk job, to being shut in the house and working (very fortunately) from home which would've totally exacerbated my pain.
I have been dealing with pain and discomfort from degenerative disc disease, costochondritis, being sedentary, age, stress, etc. I've been to other massage "sport" therapists, physical therapy, orthopedics, chiro, acupuncture, had a PRP injection, stretching, yoga, pain gels.... the list goes on. My massage with Lyssa wasn't like any other massage I've had, I used to have a "no pain no gain" mentality, and while the massage wasn't a walk in the park, I definitely was not in pain but more importantly Lyssa educated me that getting a healing and beneficial massage doesn't require pain.
I felt very comfortable with Lyssa throughout and it was abundantly clear to me that she goes through great lengths to ensure her clients get the best treatment from her - starting with the comprehensive intake form, to her commitment to communication during the session (communication isn't just verbal! body language, grunts, every reaction is how we communicate) and being in-tune with my reaction and adjusting, her facility, the playlist (! this stuff matters, when you've had been through the whole massage bit, "spa" sounds gets real old), the business blog, the informative and *common-sense* newsletters..
And the actual massage itself - Lyssa truly has a healing touch and she genuinely cares, this comes through in her massage. Also she massaged under my shoulder blades and as intense as it was, I've never felt such relief in my upper back - no one has ever massaged under my shoulder blades! It was really the best session and meeting I could've hoped for before these strange times started.
Lastly, I really appreciate that the treatment didn't end with just the physical session. She continued to communicate with me via email even after the session and followed up with product recommendations and home exercise/dynamic stretching that I should do. The home exercise platform recommendation, Essentrics, alone was worth meeting with Lyssa. This has been a godsend during shelter-in-place - I have never had physical movement have such fast and lasting benefits!
TL;DR - Lyssa is the real deal. Start Essentrics now.
Ps. Lyssa, we're almost there! I look forward to our next appointment. :) read more