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Over the last couple of years, life has been particularly hard for all of us, hasn’t it? Life is always pretty hard as an adult with the trials and tribulations of daily life, but with lockdown, restrictions, worrying about potentially getting ill and not being able to see our families and friends it has been so much more stressful for all of us and I think many of us are now suffering more anxiety and stress on a daily basis than we were before.
I know I am a lot more anxious, in general, than I was previously and even getting back to going out more and seeing people again gets me feeling pretty uneasy. I don’t think I ever really feel properly relaxed anymore and even at the best of times, I feel a bit on edge.
I’ve been trying my best to take some time for me and to do the things that do help me to relax a bit more like reading a book or spending five minutes laying on my acupressure mat. I had also thought about getting a massage again as I feel like they do me so much good. I always feel so tense in my shoulders and neck and massages have really helped me before (and of course, they’re incredibly enjoyable!).
Sadly the place close to me that I have been to. a couple of times closed down during lockdown and I wasn’t sure where else to go. So I was very excited when The Massage Company asked me if I would like to try a massage at their branch in Sutton Coldfield.
The Massage Company is based on an exciting new concept of a massage subscription and there are five centres around the UK.
The idea is that you pay for your first massage at a discounted rate and then you can choose to take out a yearly subscription where you go for around one massage a month. This way you are more likely to take that bit of time out for yourself every few weeks and really get to experience the benefits of massage therapy.
Massage can have a really positive effect on loads of things, including sleep and mental health, as well as relieving physical ailments. Just one massage can help with wellbeing; making you feel more relaxed and soothing achey bodies and getting out some of those knots (I always have so many and feeling them being massaged out is the best feeling ever!).
And if you go more regularly then you will likely see even more benefits to your body and your mind.
I think it’s a great idea as it’s so important that we take some time out for ourselves regularly and look after our mental health but unless it’s something we arrange at regular intervals then we tend to forget or not make it a priority in our busy lives. Even prioritising paying for something like that for ourselves regularly can feel a bit extravagant but it is so worthwhile for our body and mind and definitely isn’t something we should feel guilty about doing.
My husband and I both went to The Massage Company, Sutton Coldfield a couple of weeks ago to experience it for ourselves and honestly it was a bloody wonderful experience. As soon as we stepped in the door and out of the cold and wet weather outside everyone was so friendly and welcoming.
We each had to fill out a questionnaire about any health issues, medication we are on, any areas we wanted to avoid or any particularly troublesome spots and then we were introduced to our massage therapists and taken through to the room we were in.
As we were both having a massage we had booked into the same room. Then our own therapist discussed with us briefly what we would like from the massage and what type as well as what they would recommend for us. We both chose a Swedish massage with hot stones as well as the addition of a scalp massage – which was particularly recommended for me as I get migraines.
They left us whilst we got undressed and onto our own HEATED (!) massage table under a lovely heavy sheet and oh my goodness, that bed. I immediately felt much more relaxed and just so, so warm and cosy and I honestly could have just closed my eyes and had a wonderful nap for a couple of hours and I think it would have been the best nap of my life.
I would like a heated massage table at home now, please and thank you. I’ve never been somewhere that has heated tables and it just made the experience even better and I was just so deliciously comfy and warm (and I am not the type of person to describe anything other than food, delicious, but my god it really was).
Our therapists came back in, turned the lights down low and set to work on our old, achey bodies, starting with a head massage.
I had requested a ‘firm’ massage as I love to be in a bit of pain during a massage and really be worked on to get out those aches and pains and I was not left disappointed. I definitely spent a few moments of the massage gritting my teeth and holding my breath at the same time as really enjoying it, and that is what I love!
I have never had hot stones before and wow they were hot but so lovely and effective without feeling like an extra thing or ‘tool’ is massaging you – they are just like an extension of the therapist’s hands moving across your body and it felt really good.
Our massages and the standard massage at The Massage Company is 50 minutes long which meant that my head as well as almost all of my body was thoroughly massaged, although I would have liked hours more of it if I possibly could!
I would have liked more time spent on my neck and back as I feel like that is where I need it (and enjoy it) most, but I wanted to experience it all over. Next time I would just request more time spent on my back and shoulders, but that is just personal preference.
The Massage Company’s Full Membership gives you one massage a month, for £54.95 at their Sutton Coldfield branch, or you can choose their Flexi Membership for £64.95 which allows you to share your membership with someone. That’s great to say, share with a partner if you want to take it in turns each month or fancy being nice to them the odd month if you can bring yourself to let them have your massage!
Then you can choose to pay for extras like the hot stones and scalp massage for an extra £6.50 each for non-members, which I think is reasonable, as well as extending the massage by an extra 30 minutes (80 minutes of bliss – yes please).
Another great thing about The Massage Company is having the convenience of being able to book your massage for pretty much whenever you want, as they are open 7 days a week and until 9 pm on weekdays. Plus they also have plenty of massage rooms and therapists at each of their centres, so if you decide you want to book for that week then you will likely be able to get in, rather than having to wait a few weeks as is often the case. The centres are also all in high-street locations so they are easy to get to with car parking nearby and on public transport routes.
The quality of our massages was absolutely amazing and the subscription I think would really help me to take the time each month to really look after myself for an hour or two, rather than having to find and MAKE the time on a regular basis, which just doesn’t tend to happen.
We were left feeling relaxed (and sleepy!), less achey and tense and just thoroughly lovely after our massages and we both had a great experience at The Massage Company in Sutton Coldfield.
I think a monthly massage would massively benefit me, both physically and mentally and I am hoping to go back to The Massage Company again, and I REALLY hope they open another centre a bit nearer me soon so I can make it a regular occurrence.
We received a massage in exchange for this honest review but all words and opinions are our own.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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