Karmassage is a one-woman therapy business run by Brandi Wiles-Credeur, who has practiced massage…read moretherapy in Austin for quite some time now from what I know. If you are looking for a massage therapist that falls in between the cheaper, sometimes questionable, strip mall therapists and the more expensive day spas all over our wonderful city, try Karmassage. Also, if you are a massage regular, I especially recommend Karmassage, because Brandi is affordable, personal, and someone who keeps up with your therapeutic history.
I've had the 60-minute deep tissue and hot stones, and felt amazingly relaxed and rejuvenated afterwards. Once, I became so relaxed in a hot stone massage that I kept falling in and out of a heavy doze! That was definitely one of my best sessions! Most recently, I went in with a lower back strain (probably exercise-related), and Brandi concentrated on this area before going into the full body work. The next morning the pain was nearly gone, and I felt much relief.
Pros include no lobby waiting, online appointment scheduling (including gift certificates), personable yet professional, preference for room temperature, calming music, all organic oils and lotions, personalized therapy, close attention to problem areas, physical as well as nutritional guidance, and outside reading suggestions. The latter is reflective of the fact that Brandi is very dedicated to her patients feeling empowered to educate themselves so that they can foster their own healing practices. She also always asks about injuries, soreness, and areas of concern prior to your session. And she is open to conversing during the massage (and is a great conversationalist) but will maintain a quiet room for you too - it is your preference.
Cons include limited hours during the summer, northwest location (if you're a southie), no other services outside of and shirodhara and deep tissue massage therapy with the following add-ons: hot stone massage, customized clinical aromatherapy, and thai herbal massage.
Ultimately, the "compassionate touch" that Brandi credits her business to have and the high quality of massage therapy keeps me coming back. I've never felt like just someone on the schedule here, and always leave feeling like my session was worth every penny, a nice reward for the mind, body, and soul.
