A Restorative Massage (#MakeItHappenBlogHop)

*I was provided with a free massage at Massage Envy in exchange for this review. Thanks, Massage Envy!

Hi, everyone! Today is a fun day, because it’s the next installment of the Make It Happen Blog Hop! Each month for the Make it Happen Blog Hop, my blogging friends and I challenge ourselves to take on something new that’s out of our comfort zone.  This month, we challenged ourselves to do something physical. So, I decided to get a massage! I used to get massages occasionally before my children were born. But, up until my recent massage, I hadn’t gotten a massage in more than a decade!

For my massage, I went to my local Massage Envy in Robbinsville, NJ. The Massage Envy is very convenient to my house and is easy to get to.

When I entered the beautiful reception area of Massage Envy, I was warmly greeted by the the staff at the receptionist desk. I was offered coffee, tea or water to drink and was given the opportunity to stop at the rest room before my massage.

When I was ready for my massage, I was led down a softly lit corridor that was accentuated with gentle, relaxing music. Once I got to my room, I was met by my massage therapist. My therapist spoke to me about what would be done that day, and put me at ease. She said I could disrobe to my comfort level, and should lie face up under a sheet. She also asked me questions to determine my comfort level and to determine which areas needed particular focus (like my tight shoulders) and which areas I didn’t want to be focused on that day. (I asked her to avoid my right foot, which is still recovering from bunion surgery.)

A Soothing Massage

Once I was ready, my massage therapist entered the room and my massage started. Since it’s been a while since I’ve had a massage, I thought that my hour-long massage would seem too long! But, the massage passed by rather quickly! I was actually disappointed when it was over.

During the massage, I discovered stress points I didn’t realize that I have — like in my hands. My fingers are tight and benefited from the massage. (I guess the tightness is from lots of typing!) I also wished that the shoulder massage lasted longer — my massage therapist said that I have a knot of tension in my shoulders.

I also benefited from having my calf  leg muscles massaged — they are both really tight from walking unevenly in the surgical boot that I have been wearing since my foot surgery! My calf muscles constantly ache!

At the conclusion of my massage, my therapist and I discussed my problem spots — my tight shoulders, calves, etc.,  and suggested that I schedule a once-monthly 1.5-hour massage. She also wrote up a Massage Wellness Plan for me, which suggested a full body massage with aroma therapy for my shoulders, upper back and legs.

I dropped my gym membership to be more economical, so I doubt I’ll be scheduling a once-monthly massage. But I wish I could! However my local spa offers a monthly membership for $69.99 a month to make massages more economical, so that is an option. The membership includes one massage a month and additional massages and services (like sugar foot therapy and a Healthy Skin Facial) at reduced prices.

Blog Hop

Be sure to stop by my blogging friends’ blogs to see what challenges they decided to try this month!

 

An Italian in My Kitchen 

Our Good Life