I received a gift card for Chambersburg Massage Therapy Clinic on Lincoln Way East in Chambersburg, PA after putting on a party for a friend. I was so excited to use it, but, somehow, it got lost in the shuffle. It wasn’t until almost a year later that I relocated my gift card and put it to use. All of my friends had already gone here for a massage and had wonderful things to say, so I scheduled my appointment with excitement. It was to be my reward for making it through year-end with my company.
When I went through the scheduling process, I first looked online to see if they had any discounts or specials. Because they offer a complimentary foot scrub when you book on a Tuesday, I thought that a weekday sounded like a perfect way to get a break from the hectic schedule of the week. I hit a small snag, however, when I, mistakenly, thought I could call the day before and still get an appointment. However, the staff was very helpful and figured out a way to accommodate me, despite being heavily booked. I couldn’t have been more grateful.
When I walked into the Clinic, I was immediately greeted by the receptionist. I gave her my name, and she handed me some required paperwork and asked if I’d like a drink while I was waiting. I declined but went to the waiting area to fill out my forms.
The waiting area housed a comfy couch and had calm music playing to add to the serene atmosphere. The forms I had to fill out asked only for basic health knowledge: problem areas, allergies, previous massage experience. Once my forms were filled out, I sat back and tried to relax.
Before too long, my massage therapist walked out with a previous client who looked to be well-rested. That seemed promising to me.
A few minutes later, it was my turn. The massage therapist introduced herself, asked how my day was, and what I was hoping for when I scheduled my “Personalized Massage.” I didn’t know how to say why I chose the “Personalized” over the “Signature” or “Deep-tissue.” I guess I just wanted a combo but thought that I’d see what kind of pressure she applied before I requested any personalization. Next time, though, I’ll be prepared to say just what I need. She did a great job sticking between the two styles, and that’s something I would want again in the future.
The room I was in was small and cozy. The actual location of the space was not ideal for me. The room was close to the road, and, though there was music playing, I could still sometimes hear the roaring of traffic outside. I just pretended I was at the ocean, though, and let the sounds feed into the music coming from the CD player.
The therapist started out with the foot scrub. I felt a little odd having gritty scrub on my feet while I was on the massage table, but I tried to push that aside as she worked the soreness out. One of the best parts was when she wrapped warm towels around my feet. I could have stayed like that for hours and felt like I was several hundred miles away staring at sand and water.
The actual massage was very relaxing. My massage therapist started out with the bottom half, working her way through my calf muscles. The applied pressure was perfect. The oils being used smelled great and weren’t too greasy. It was as though I realized just how sore I was the more she worked out the kinks.
When she worked on my shoulders, she started to ask me a little about what I did. I was mentally churning as I told her that I spent a lot of time in the office on a computer. She explained that many people these days are required to use many of the neck and shoulder muscles due to the increase in technology use. She did a great job working through the stress-induced knots, so I mentally added that to my list of “wants” for my next massage.
Though we did have a nice conversation, I felt compelled to ask about her training and how she ended up where she did. She did a great job but had started a conversation that it would have been rude to not complete. This did have an impact on the quality of the massage, as we both were distracted by the talk.
I felt much better following my massage. After each section, she tried to wipe some of the oils away so I wouldn’t feel gross when I left. I would have preferred the warm towels for this, but the regular ones did the job.
The massage therapist left as I dressed and waited outside the door for me with a glass of water. As water is always smart after a massage to wash away the toxins, I happily took it. It was infused with oranges, which made it extra refreshing. I had another glass while I paid.
Before leaving the massage room, I made sure I grabbed the small envelope for gratuity. I thought it was nice that the envelope said that “gratuity was never expected but always appreciated.” The placement of the envelope, though, was awkward for me, as I didn’t have my cash in bills small enough. I felt a little awkward carrying it to the front desk with my massage therapist with me, so next time, I’ll be sure to bring some smaller bills.
All in all, I would give Chambersburg Massage Therapy Clinic a Spale Score of 7. Though I found the road noise and discussion distracting, the actual massage was very good. I would just make sure that next time I book a little bit more in advance, and that I am sure to bring smaller bills for the gratuity.
Take some time to relax and unwind.
Alicia
Photos by Chambersburg massage Therapy Clinic Website.