A month ago, an article or ad popped up on my Facebook feed about this massage college downtown and…read morehow one can book inexpensive massages with the students there. I was immediately intrigued, as I am plagued by back pains and other aches and pains associated with getting old. (As I always say, getting old sure ain't for sissies! lol). Since first learning of this place, I've booked weekly massages, and I've been there four times, with appointments on the books for a few more in the next few weeks. Needless to say, I am a fan.
Here's the scoop: there are few levels of students you can choose from (beginner or advanced). The beginners stick to relaxation or Swedish massages, whereas the advanced can focus on deep tissue techniques, or do sports or pregnancy massages, or other specialty techniques. Beginners cost $35; advanced, $45. The actual session includes 10 minutes of initial consultation where the student goes over your history, evaluates your preferences and the condition you are in, and figures out a massage plan with you. (They then will leave the room to briefly go over their findings and recommendations with their supervisor outside, who will approve or tweak their plans. This is when you ready for the massage and undress to the level you are comfortable with. I should add that the rooms are small but immaculate, primarily occupied by the massage table. There are no windows, and the walls are painted a cool grey, with a small, circular mural on one wall. I liked how they always have a heating pad - I love heat! - and they alway put pads under my shoulders, which I've never had done before but it makes a difference. I am always super comfortable there and could honestly fall asleep!).
The massages themself last 50-55 minutes. Of course, each practitioner is different. I've seen three now and like them all. They all helped me a lot, and my back was better after each massage. And, bonus, they each helped my headaches too! After each massage, the student then goes over some home-care recommendations for you (i.e., stretches and exercises they think will help you), and some practitioners will give you a discount card for 15% off your next massage with them. (I like that!).
One of the students I saw did not give me the discount card for a future visit, nor did she hand me a paper with her recommended exercises and stretches (as the other students had done). two students emailed me a few days post-massage to see how I was doing; the other did not. One student emailed me a booklet about pain and stressors and how to effectively deal with them (including various exercises and stretches). I say this to let you know that all the students are VERY different in how they operate. The only consistency I see, in my experience, is that they all gave me a good massage. And, in my experience here, the beginner student gave me as good a massage as the advanced students. So... go know.
It is easy to book massages online on their website, and the receptionist is a sweetheart. And they are always prompt, like, to the minute.
For someone like me, with chronic issues, it's really been a godsend to find a place like this.
