TCC Review- Massage Envy

What can I tell you, I am a sucker for a good massage. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I got my first massage, a prenatal massage, and ever since that day, I’ve been hooked. I’ve had massages at a lot of venues- top of the line salons, boutique hotels, you name it, I’ve had a massage there. This summer, I decided to become a member of Massage Envy in the St. Peters location here in St. Louis. The reasons why I became a member were simple: for $49.95 which is the membership fee per month, you receive a one hour massage by a licensed massage therapist at the Massage Envy clinic. You can also use your membership at the various other locations around the city and country, and if you do not use your massage for that month, it will roll over to the next month until used. In addition, if I choose to get another massage on top of the prepaid massage, the cost is only $35.00 which is a steal.

I’ve had mostly positive experiences while at Massage Envy. Recently, I began going to the location closest to me in Creve Coeur, and decided to review them for the blog so others could read about the Massage Envy experience.

I arrived at the clinic about two minutes late for my appointment due to traffic, but the staff was quite friendly and rushed me right in. Katie was my massage therapist for the afternoon and she came highly recommended by the staff. It was the first time that I was going to have a two hour massage (I had three pre-paid massages that I had not yet used, so the two hour massage took two of my prepaid massages), and I was looking forward to enjoying the length of the massage. While walking to the room, Katie reviewed my chart (when you get your first massage at Massage Envy, there is a health questionnaire that you fill out so that the staff is well acquainted with your needs) and asked me what type of pressure I liked. I told her medium to soft. I prefer this since I was having the massage for relaxation purposes. I didn’t want too much of a deep tissue massage because for me, it is often painful.

Once Katie took me in the room, she told me that we would be starting head down and allowed me to undress to my comfort level as she left the room. The room I was in was small yet quaint. Soft music wafted through the room and it was calming and peaceful. As I undressed to my comfort level, I eased on the massage table which was warmed and felt just right for the weather. Before entering to begin the massage, Katie knocked to make sure I was ready for her to come in, and went to work.

The pressure she applied was just right. Not too hard and not too soft. She remarked that I was tense in some areas and told me if she was using too much pressure to let her know. She started with my neck and then my shoulders and concentrated most of the time on my back. I dozed off a few times, which is something I normally do when I am enjoying my massage, but for the most part, I was awake and enjoyed the experience. One thing I most liked about Katie was that she wasn’t a talker. She let me enjoy her work. There are some massage therapists that spend the hour talking to you, asking you questions, and for me, that doesn’t make for a good massage experience. Katie only talked when she wanted to know how I was doing and I appreciated that.

Katie also used some techniques that I had never had done on me before. She pulled my arm and used her elbow to work the shoulder blade, which at first felt weird, but then began to feel very soothing. She also repeated the same method on my lower leg.

I felt completely comfortable, completely relaxed, and in utter nirvana during the massage. I can honestly say that out of all the massages I have had over the last six years or so, this was THE best one I’d ever had. Katie’s rhythm, technique, and pressure were simply perfect. One drawback during the massage, though, was that I could hear people talking in the hall and in the next room. The massage was textbook, but I think the thin walls didn’t allow for me to have the serene experience that I could have had.

When the massage was over, Katie told me I could get dressed and went to get me a bottle of water in order to help the toxins flow out of my body. As you may know, when you get a massage, the rubbing of the muscles and tissues within cause the toxins and other materials to flow out of the body, and drinking water helps that process.

All-in-all, this was a wonderful massage experience and I recommend Massage Envy (and Katie) to anyone that is looking for a quality massage without having to pay a mint! Massage Envy is affordable and can fit in most budgets. If you are not a member, you can have your first massage for $49, which is a great price compared to day spas in my area who start out at $75 an hour. You can also purchase gift cards as gifts, which would make a perfect present for the holiday.

According to the Massage Envy website, there are over 800 clinics nationwide in 42 states. Some locations even offer spa services such as Murad facials as well! Visit their site for more information.

Overall Score- 4.5 out of 5 stars

Staff Hospitality and Friendliness- 5 out of 5 stars

Clinic Cleanliness and Visual Appearance- 5 out of 5 stars

Technique & Skill of Massage Therapist- 5 out of 5 stars

Tranquility and Relaxation- 4 out of 5 stars

Lobby & Product Placement- 5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to the wonderful staff of Massage Envy, Creve Coeur, Missouri. This was not a compensated review/endorsement of said services or product.

Tips when getting a massage:

• Schedule your massage during a time of day when you aren’t rushing. That way, you are able to enjoy your massage and you aren’t laying on the table thinking about what you have to do next.
• Wear comfortable clothing. Why come to a massage dressed up in your best? Wear something that you can easily remove and then put back on when your massage is complete.
• Make sure you discuss with your massage therapist what your likes and dislikes are, pressure, points you want he or she to focus on, etc. That way, there is less talking during the massage and you can relax and enjoy.
• Be prepared to give the staff feedback. When your massage is over, let them know if you liked the experience or not or if some improvements can be made.