Massage Envy — Local services in Phoenix

Just moved to Phoenix from STV and have 3-4 MEs close by, so I called them all, but no luck getting a couples massage (either no couples rooms at the smaller MEs, or COVID restrictions).

So dh and I are on the hunt for our new ‘fave’ MTs (no complaint there, as we each have many saved up from not pausing memberships during COVID!). I figured it would take a few ‘trials’ before finding new favorite massage therapists. Nope! No time at all! I saw Pemika for a facial, followed by Sara for a 90min. They both set the bar HIGH, and it was a great afternoon (I even forgot about all the stress from moving!!).

UPDATE: had David for a 90min and it was amazing. He did exactly what I asked…very intuitive MT…and I could tell he was responsive to what each of my ‘naughty’ muscle groups were doing. :D After massages I tend to feel achy for a day or two after (even with lots of water and stretching). But not the case with David…woke up the next day feeling great. No achy muscles and had more energy!

UPDATE: A few weeks ago I tx a credit to my mom who was here from out of state. Relaxing massage with Ruth and mom chose a facial with Pemika. When we were checking out there was ZERO pressure for my mom to join. EVERY other Massage Envy has pressured my guests into joining afterwards…and that’s not a relaxing way to check out. :(

Overall, I’m VERY happy with the Moon Valley ME…smaller than others but conveniently located, with ample parking, and an adjacent St*rbucks.

One other thing I appreciated: Pemika and the front desk staff answered my skin care product questions with NO pressure to purchase! Very unusual…and again…quite refreshing compared to other sites who push the $$$$ products!! (How do the other Massage Envy’s NOT realize their 1-2 hours of work de-stressing someone starts to immediately unravel when they do this…?)

When I do start hyaluronic products, I will absolutely buy from Moon Valley (espec since the ‘meh’ Murad line is gone). Excellent decision, ME! Your shelves were long overdue for a facelift, and it appears they took their demographic into consideration when purchasing better products to offer! LOVE the new lines and the wellness tools and happy I can get those amazing Spongelles there instead of online :)

UPDATE: Yest was a 90-min with Kunisha and oh boy!...did she take care of my entire spine! She stopped my lumbar muscle spasms fast, and it no longer feels likes a knife is lodged in me where I had surgery a few months ago. She’s VERY experienced and intuitive, and I swear she could tell when I ever-so-slightly tensed up a bit in tender areas. She adjusted to lighter pressure before I could even ask her to! She's also a super calm presence... and it put me at ease...

Since my regular therapist left Massage Envy sometime ago I’ve been trying different locations/therapists. This is my 3rd time at the Moon Valley Location and probably will be my last.

The first therapist I tried out was really good; however, he talked a little too much throughout my session for my liking. I get the fact that they need to communicate with their client to learn their bodies and needs but I felt he kept trying to make conversation about anything & everything and did not know how to take the hint that I didn’t want to have full blown conversations during my massage.

The 2nd Therapist I tried was good for the most part, on the first session at least. I booked a 90 min massage but I remember that he ended the session a bit too early; still, it was a good enough session that I decided to give him a second try. Today I had an hour session and it was definitely one of the most underwhelming massages I’ve ever gotten. I expressed that I had a lot of areas on my legs that needed attention and that I would like deep pressure. The pressure the therapist used was anything but deep, in fact there were times when I thought he had fallen as sleep and was merely touching my leg. Then when the massage was over I realized he had ended the massage early yet again, this time by 11 minutes. I’ve been getting massages for quite some time and I am well aware that no one ever gets the full 60-90 mins they book. I understand that they need to allow us a few minutes before the massage to get the room ready and to undress; then after the massage is over, a few mins to re-dress. However, I feel that 11 mins to dress back up seems excessive.

Then at checkout, I advised the young lady at the register that I had a credit to use; she said I did but it was only a 30 min credit which they couldn’t apply as this was an hour massage. I was very confused because on my last visit they were able to use credits for a full hour and half massage without a problem. Why if they were able to that could they not use a 30 min credit for an hour massage? Would have they communicated this with me on my last visit I wouldn’t have split up my credits that way. Also, I understand that these are their guidelines but there are ways to explain this without sounding rude and unsympathetic. I’ve been in customer service for several years now and just saying “that’s just the way it is,” or “there is no way around it,” doesn’t cut it.

I am not one to usually leave bad reviews; however, I feel that one was...

Genuinely worst massage experience of my life. I was in a ton of pain today and desperately needed a massage. I tried to book online for an appointment in a few days with someone listed as being able to do firm pressure. I was not able to figure out how to use my gift card online so I called to make that same appointment. When I called they said they could get me in today if I wanted. I told them that according to the website, they had nothing available today with someone who could do firm pressure. They assured me that one of the massage therapists does do firm pressure, so I booked, and left work early to make the appointment. As I said, I was in a lot of pain. When I get there, the massage therapist asks me if I had any areas of pain, to which I responded I had extremely tight shoulders/upper back and I wanted the focus to be on that with firm/deep pressure. I got the exact opposite. She had extremely light pressure. I can stress enough how light the pressure was. It felt like a small child was rubbing their hand across my body. Additionally, she spent well over half the time on my legs and arms. Both of which I did not mention at all. I genuinely am so upset at the waste of time and money. To add, she brought me back to the room at 2:05, we spent a min or 2 talking, and I got under the table probably around 2:10. She ended the massage at 2:52. She told me to come out when I was ready, she was no where in sight, so I just paid and left. I’ve never not been greeted with water after a massage (which isn’t a huge deal…just the icing on the cake). I truly am so upset at this experience and would not recommend massage envy to anyone.

Editing to add: I just looked online and my therapist is listed as “light to medium.” When I called, I specifically clarified that the person recommended to me could do deep tissue and that it was added to the notes. Deep tissue is no where near what she was actually listed as. Maybe the massage was objectively good for a light/medium massage, it was was not what I wanted...