Unlike Sydney, the little gems in Melbourne.... or in this case Footscray, are low-key. We only find out by word of mouth. In this case my best mate Andrew recommended I visit Melbourne Medical Massage at number 11 Wolverhampton Street Footscray, which has no obvious signage alerting the casual passer-by to the quality heath experience available within.
The only sign is small and generic, "Please Ring."
I ring the bell and a small hobbit door opens with the smiling face of Hayley who welcomes me into a lovely space with plants and trickling water. I fill out admission form paperwork- where Hayley says I can actually get heath rebates on my massage treatment.
She smiled politely "Mark, we're open 6am - 10pm everyday- but please, you need to call first."
The therapist's name same was John. We chat as we enter the clinic... soft lighting and bamboo music. He asks about my diet, posture my exercise, looks at my tongue and runs me through "orthopaedic testing to target the treatment".
John worked out a plan, he recommended glass cupping, western trigger-point and Chinese meridian therapy. "All same price" he laughs, when he see I'm worried about another therapist doing an 'Up-sell'
I ask a lot of questions and one by one this guy explained very simply why I had sore shoulder, why I got the headaches... seriously, it was terrific- someone actually new what he was talking about!
I'm going out on a limb- but this was the best massage treatment I've had- and I have been to Thailand, China and my folks are from Sweden. Anyway, I asked john if I should come back next week and he rubbed his chin... "Only if have pain- but you should be right for a month. Come back then if you have time.
Seriously, these guys are great. But hush... don't tell too many people, i'd hate to see another gem turn into a retail franchise.
Mark. M. Anderson read more
