I really don't know where to begin...well, I was surprised from the start. Balance Matters is run in a very small ""office"" - it's more like a small hallway. I had to use the restroom before my massage and when I came out my masseuse was waiting just steps from the door. I'm not the type to judge on appearance, but my masseuse looked like he just got done working at the construction site - at least it looked like he showered before the massage.
When we got in the room he told me he wouldn't be able to do the hot stone massage because he was unaware his first massage was hot stone. My massage was at 3pm and I had booked online a week in advance! So, my options were now deep tissue or cupping. I'm always up for something new and was assured the cupping massage would be best. I was informed the cups would leave marks for a few days, but they wouldn't be bruises and they would be just on my backs and legs. This was imperative because it was my birthday and my husband was taking me out to dinner!
Now to the massage. While lying down on the bed I noticed how stained the carpet was. It was ridiculous! Not something you should see in a business - especially when your naked under a sheet! The cupping was not enjoyable at all. I could do a better job with the cups. I was oiled and then he used a plastic/rubbery cup to suction my skin and then move it back and forth over the area repeatedly. Then glass looking cups were put on one side while he did the other side of my back. The worst part was when he was the massaging cup on my neck - ouch!
The massage lasted an hour. While I was getting ready to leave, I looked all over the room for certification because I seriously question whether or not he was legit! I didn't find any. Shouldn't that be on display in such a small office?
I was still going to leave a tip, but once I was up front I was handed a sheet of their other services and more information about cupping massage (that would have been more helpful BEFORE the massage) and then my masseuse and the woman at reception left and went to the back. I stood there for a few seconds and when I realized they weren't coming back - I bolted.
Fast forward a couple hours later. My back is full of round purple marks. These look worse than bruises! My husband also noticed that there was a huge hickey like mark on my neck while we were headed out for my birthday dinner. Luckily he caught it in time and I was able to redo my hair to cover it up!
This is lengthy review, sorry - but there was a lot to say! I've never left a review before, but it seems justified.
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