Elements Massage — Local services in Scottsdale

I signed up for a deep tissue, level 3 massage, 90 minutes, and I’m pregnant. I have had prenatal massages with no issues of level of pressure. I work out 6x a week, lifting weights, hike 3-4x a week, and play pickleball at least once a week. I am very active and have been my whole life. Anyway, going to this massage I had a thought that I was getting the same massage from the person who did my massage last time. I had signed up with Guihong, but I got Dominick. I didn’t say anything. The massage was fine, I didn’t think pressure was deep enough but didn’t say anything because I usually go to another elements massage but couldn’t get in with my normal massage therapist so I went here. Anyway, I was signed up again with Dominick (last minute and he was the only one with an appointment) and when arriving I asked the front desk who I had last time. She told me Dominick, I told her I didn’t want to do a 90 minute anymore and would just do 60 minute. She asked if I wanted to reschedule because I had told her the pressure wasn’t the greatest last time, despite me signing up for a level 3. She was so kind and gave me a list of her favorite therapists. Dominick comes and gets me and asks me how I’m doing, and how pressure was last time. I told him I’m doing well, and the pressure was ok last time and I wanted more pressure this time because again I’ve been very active and had a tight neck and traps and around my right cage. He immediately said he can’t do more pressure or even a level 3 pressure because I am pregnant. I asked what the evidence was of not giving deep tissue massages to pregnant women? All he could say was “your body is changing and you shouldn’t be getting deep pressure massages.” I again asked what the negative effects are and he couldn’t give them to me. We started the massage and about 5 minutes in he asked how the pressure was I said it feels like a 1. And I signed up for a 3. He then went on to tell me that just because I CHOOSE a level 3, doesn’t mean that’s what I’m getting, that means he has experience to GO UP to a 3. Which makes no sense because why would I ask for a level 3 massage? Anyway, he then reiterated to me that pregnant women can’t have deep tissue massages and it’s not good for them. I asked for the evidence again because I am a medical provider and agree with evidence based practices, and he again couldn’t give me the evidence. He then said it’s a liability to do deep pressure massages for pregnant women. He said I wouldn’t be happy with the massage and then said we could stop. I said I understand and agree. He continued to lecture me on “pregnant women shouldn’t get deep tissue massages, and the liability” again I said I understand I won’t be happy. I find this humorous to why you can choose the level of pressure and it allows you to choose a level 3 as a prenatal massage. And it’s laughable because he has no evidence to why it’s bad. Except to him. Pain is what the patient says it is, I am paying with my own money for a massage that is catered to how I’m feeling. Not for a massage that the therapist wants to give. I do not recommend him. It seems like he cares most about him and giving a light massage so it won’t tire himself out. And doesn’t listen to his clients. I left more stressed out from this appointment because I had to advocate for myself while he has no evidence of why deep pressure massages are bad for women. Ironic right? Which I looked up and the data shows it’s not bad for pregnant women. OB’s recommend deep tissue massages as long as the patient is not high risk, and they aren’t hitting acupressure points which exist in your ankles. I asked for a back and shoulder massage. So it would be appreciated for therapists to be more educated on prenatal massages and trained in prenatal massages. The other element massages I go to, I have two therapists that do deep tissue massages while I am pregnant, with no problem. Don’t recommend Dominick. Especially if you’re pregnant and want more than a level 1 massage. But I do recommend him if you want to be pet...

Updated review:

The manager reached out and listened to my concerns as well as ensuring that the team at elements will get retrained on membership handling moving forward. I am genuinely impressed with how receptive to feedback Spring is and how quickly she put together a plan to prevent this from happening to another client.

*** old reviews *

This review is based on the last handful of interactions I've had with this elements location. The reason for my 1 star review is due to the handling of my cancellation of my wellness membership.

More specifically I was 1) given the incorrect information on how to cancel my membership which resulted in 2 additional wellness membership charges. Then 2) had an ageist remark made towards me when I went in cancel my membership in the store.

Cancellation process The information I was given at the dessert ridge location was to call in to the store that I started my wellness membership/account. I followed my instructions and after calling in to the promenade location I was told that I would need to come into the store to cancel but it would all be handled there. However I would still be billed for another month since this was not the correct channel to process the cancellation. I accepted this and went in to the store to cancel. After arriving at the store, I was advised that I would be billed for May in addition to April due to their cancelation policy and the timing of when I came in. For the record, under normal circumstances this would not be an issue. My frustration comes from the fact that I've inquired twice about the cancellation procedures and was not told about their 30 day notification policy. To say the least I was frustrated to find out that I would be billed an additional month. *This is when one of the front desk representatives made the following remark - 'she understood it was hard for me to keep up with my membership because I was so young.' (This is VERY inappropriate and out of left field) Feeling already frustrated then feeling attacked on a personal level, I requested to speak to the manager. She was not in at the time, so I was ensured a call back from her the following Saturday. I ever got the call from her but the assistant manager did reach out to me instead - she took my feedback in regards to the cancellation process and the ageist remark, then handled the call very kindly and professionally. However overall I am still disappointed because, I was advised I would get a call back from the store manager (again) or herself the following Tuesday to see if there is anything they could do and if they couldn't she still said she would provide a call back for an explanation. That conversation took place on May 8th I've been waiting since and neither have called me and I was just billed...

I was never a "massage" kind of girl. I would get a massage perhaps once or twice a year. I used to get my massages at Massage Envy whenever I decided it was time to treat my self. The massages were okay there, and the staff was usually pleasant, and truly there was nothing wrong with the establishment but I felt the need to join, as I previously stated I am just not a massage type of person. That of course all changed in April when I had severe shoulder pain from hours on the laptop working. I called in need of an appointment and I was so lucky someone was able to see me that day. I met with Adele and told her all about my problems and she went straight to work. The massage was painful, but painful in a good way. I felt all of the knots that were causing me severe pain being worked out. Adele managed to give me a deep tissue massage in a relaxing way. I have never felt so good, and never so relaxed.

At the end of the massage Adele gave me stretches and tips for at home massage. I checked out and I was very casually offered the membership. Now please remember, I am NOT a massage person but I felt AMAZING after Adele, and I loved the customer service that was provided at the front that I decided I was going to become a monthly massage person. I have been seeing Adele for 3 months now and I have no regrets on becoming a member.

I have zero complaints about this company. Everyone is pleasant on the phone, the staff is fantastic, and I am sure the other massage therapists are just as good as Adele but I hope I never have to leave her. I truly feel like Adele cares about my well being, not just in the massage room but after. She always provides me stretches, and tips on how to remain loose until our next appointment.

Becoming a part of the Elements Massage community has been a blessing and I will never ever...