I've been to a couple different Elements Massage (Lake Oswego, Tanasbourne) for MEDICAL MASSAGE,…read morewith focus on both legs and feet for lower peripheral neuropathy along with some lower back pain and muscle tension and cramping issues from a laminectomy at L3 as well. Out of every treatment option under the sun, massage therapy is the most useful. No drugs, PT or surgery even come close toward relief and recovery after over six years of dealing with my conditions. Sadly most insurance doesn't cover massage or has very limited visits per year so it gets expensive fast, even though my doctors would prescribe it perpetually for the medical benefits if I requested it. My latest visit at Tanasbourne in late April of 2024 was 90 minutes with Kat, she did a fantastic job, dug in deep with hard pressure as I prefer, light massage does nothing for severe neuropathy and preventing debilitating muscle cramping. Deep tissue is the way to go, on scale of 4-5 with 5 being hard pressure pain in a good way, she put in a solid 3-4.
PROS:
- Have always had great DEEP TISSUE massages every visit by a man or woman, therapists have been well qualified.
- Every visit the massage therapist listened and focused on the areas requested (after years of severe neuropathy I know where to focus).
- ALWAYS feel better after a deep, and sometimes painful massage, the kind where it hurts so good.
- All professional, no feeling of being uncomfortable or pressured to tip.
- Clean and modern facilities.
- Mellow typical massage music.
- Tables that raise and lower and are heated.
- Can usually accommodate a quick same day schedule.
- Most locations are easily accessible and disabled friendly.
CONS:
- No direct billing to insurance (some locations used to do this, but stopped), but can provide you with an invoice.
- Does not provide a hot moist towel at end like many places do to wipe off any lingering lotion or oil, even though they have them and sometimes use them during your massage. Even less fancy places provide a dry towel. Nothing here, I guess you could use the massage table sheets.
- Massage oil or lotion had a slight scent, nothing unpleasant or too strong, but noticeable.
- Encourages tipping, even for medical massage (which shouldn't be required).
... While I don't mind tipping a little for Medical Massage, it is often deemed as necessary by medical professionals, just like Physical Therapy. Some massage therapist charge a higher rate for 'Medical Massage' and therefore make note that gratuity is not necessary as it's basically included in the rate. The benefits towards positive health with massage is far greater than the world, insurance or science might document, sort of like chiropractors, even though many insurance are starting to accept them now as legitimate practice. I mean, we don't tip chiropractors, PT, primary care doctors or surgeons?!? Some chiropractors have onsite massage, but my luck with finding a good deep tissue massage therapist through a chiropractor has yet to happen, probably because it's a lot of work and requires a lot of strength and stamina to dig in deep. Solution -- establishments need to pay their massage therapist a far better base rate, then tipping wouldn't be even be a question. My guess is that most chiropractors and massage studios don't pay their therapist a higher rate for 'Medical Massage' grade therapy, when they should ... The industry needs to change their mindset.
SUMMARY:
Elements seems to hire qualified massage therapists, no complaints there. Rates are on the higher side. Biggest downside is on the corporation as a whole being too lazy and cheap to bill insurance directly and not paying extra to their therapist for Medical Massage, and of course no towels for cleaning yourself up before exiting.
