*Update*
My bf and I visited last evening for a 60 minute foot massage and had a very different experience. We won't EVER go back and caution others to reconsider as well.
Throughout the hour, I cringed and pulled away because of pain that the employee was causing me. Each time I did, she laughed. I thought maybe I was just really tense since I've been working out more which made me tender, but this morning I woke up with bruising on my shoulders and scabs on my scalp.
When we first started, she was digging her nails into my scalp scratching incredibly hard and it was painful, I pulled away and she forcefully pushed my head back on the pillow and laughed. The entire experience was incredibly painful instead of enjoyable and looking back on it, I wish I would have got up and left. The end of the massage finished with her using the towel to wipe off my legs and dropping them onto the bench. Each time she did, she laughed. Then the final part of the massage she was squeezing my shoulders, it was incredibly painful so I asked if it was supposed to hurt that bad... she bent over and laughed in my right ear and then did it twice more. That's where I have the bruising this morning.
Throughout the entire hour, the woman working on me and the man working on my bf were carrying on with one another and laughing and giggling nonstop. I correlated her laughs to when I was in the most pain, what I didn't know until we left was that the same thing was happening to my bf. It was incredibly awkward for us, unprofessional and distracting.
I was so thankful that it was over and while we were paying I noticed the woman refold our towels, place them back on the ottoman for the next person. That is a huge sanitation concern for me. It makes me question whether they change the plastic bag liners on the foot soaks or reuse the flowers that float in them.
The entire experience was incredibly awkward and uncomfortable. We both got the impression after we were able to talk to one another that it was intentional. I wish I would have left, but I didn't know how to handle the situation as I'm not one that complains and there was a very large language barrier. I thought maybe I was being overly sensitive until I saw the bruising and scabbing this morning.
While I can't go back and walk out now, I can share my experience in hopes that nobody else has to go through it.
There are tons of new massage chains opening up that offer affordable monthly memberships that operate under high standards and I'll choose them in the future.
We visited Happy Feet for the first time today.
We were a little unsure of what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised by our experience. We did the 60 minute foot massage.
I started a new workout routine and have been really sore and achy. I needed some relief.
When we arrived, we were greeted at the front door where we removed our shoes. I wasn't expecting to walk right into the same room as the massages were occurring so didn't know to be super quiet.
There were maybe 10 chairs total and when we arrived, there were 2 waiting for us and 2 more empty. The space is tranquil and quiet and the chairs are very comfortable. We were guided to our chairs which were secluded from the others. We were covered with towels.
We rolled our jeans up to our knees and were brought a warm foot bath with fresh flowers. While our feet were soaking we were treated to a massage of the face, the pressure points of the forehead, inner eyes and temples were the main focus. Then the masseuse moved to my scalp, ears and neck. He then worked on my shoulders. Then he massages each arm and hand.
He thoroughly massages my feet and legs and then did a hot stone massage on each. I thought I was done, but he sat me on the ottoman portion of the chair and massaged my entire back and shoulders.
It was absolutely a different massage style than I'm used to, I usually get a Swedish massage or hot stone. This seemed to be more geared towards trigger points in the body. Immediately after leaving, I didn't seem to have much relief from the pain I was having.
After getting home, I was absolutely exhausted. Like couldn't get off the couch for hours, which I'm assuming is from the massage, but I woke up and feel so good!
The gentleman that I had used a bit more pressure than I'm used to or I was just extremely tender to begin with, but I trusted that he knew what he was doing and am so thankful that I did!
It basically ends up being a full body massage, without undressing or laying on a massage table. It also was less awkward than a regular massage can be. We were a little unsure of what would happen throughout the houseand the entire thing was done without any communication between the masseuse and myself, but now that I know what to expect, I think the next time will be even more relaxing!
I thought it was also very thoughtful that they provided us each with a bottle of water. read more