A massage therapist is a must for me because feeling well is a priority. That being said, I am strictly a deep-tissue type and Eliza's massage was nowhere near deep-tissue. After a proper deep tissue massage, I usually feel amazing. But right now, I am just regretting spending $90.00 for a 60 minute massage that would have yielded the same result as a $60 massage...
PROS:
1. Eliza was Attentive
2. Seemed genuinely interested in making me feel physically better
3. Recommended some techniques to use outside of massage therapy
4. Did a great job on the neck
CONS:
1. Did not listen to what I wanted. I told her that I got massages because of ache/soreness in my back due to sitting in a chair all day. After that point, she seemed to have stopped listening to what I wanted and was just intent on fixing my back... But I mean, if I had a serious back problem, I would be going to a chiropractor, not a massage therapist. A massage is supposed to be a pleasant, recreational experience... The first time that I attempted to guide her on how I liked my massage, she seemed unappreciative of the suggestion and said she could do what I requested but asked that I trusted her instead. As I was definitely open to trying new things, I told her that I would love for her to show me her techniques... After some time (and continued dissatisfaction) I tried again to guide her a second time but failed again. At the end of the massage, I told her my grievances. I told her that I liked massage therapists who used thumbs to actually pin-point the knots and then concentrated on massaging them out with their thumbs (she does not use thumbs). She remarked that those massage therapists will most likely have arthritis because of their thumb usage. (I do believe I'll now feel guilty every time a massage therapists uses thumbs on my back because I don't want to contribute to their arthritis). Still, schooling is mandatory for massage therapists and I'm pretty confident that they teach appropriate techniques to prevent them from incurring such an ailment; I don't really see a school teaching massage therapists improper form that could jeopardize their health in the future. Maybe I'm wrong.
2. When I get full body massages, I usually get massages on my feet; she worked on my legs, but did not bother to massage my feet.
3. She kept clutching me in underarms when massaging my arms/back... was not too comfortable or relaxing...
additional CONS unrelated to massage performance:
1. Presentation, while not of the utmost importance, is still valuable. The massage bed had dull yellow sheets covered by a fuzzy, woolen looking green afghan. While the dull yellow sheets may be clean, they do not inspire much confidence, especially when compounded by dim lighting; perhaps I'm just accustomed to bleached white sheets.
2. The massage room was cozy (read: small) so the eye can sweep the room rather quickly. There was an aged crockpot underneath a chair, which I think may have best been tucked away elsewhere as it made me question the level of cleanliness in the room. I started to wonder if there was food stewing in the crockpot or if it's some forgotten relic with food and mold commingling inside of it.
3. The music selection was initially not too bad as it was just very airy and light... and then I was jolted by a voice in the music moaning in what seemed like despair. Perhaps despair may be the incorrect adjective, but the moaning was still jolting. read more