Massage Envy

I’d never had a massage before, ever. I wasn’t sure what to expect.
A couples massage was booked as a gift, and we were warmly greeted when we arrived for our appointment. We were asked to fill out some paperwork and I was joking around with my friend and said something about how we had had beer with dinner.
It’s true. I had been to Atria’s earlier and had a 2 blue moons with dinner.
Completed my form, and went back to the massage room. The room was very clean and nice and the bed was nice and toasty. I’m not going to name my massage therapist but, her first initial was C. C was VERY nice. I was told to let her know if I needed more pressure.
So they start the massage and it felt like… not much? I’d never had a massage before, so I don’t know what they’re supposed to feel like or if they normally just start out w light touch. But it went on like that. Then I asked for more pressure, twice.
The massage was pleasant but not the relaxing, back de-​knotting experience I’d hoped for. When it was over I told my bf that it was okay – but just okay. We walked out, and then… my massage therapist C pulls me aside and basically chewed my ass out.
«You know, I heard you were drinking alcohol, that’s VERY dangerous if you get a massage, you could end up with alcohol poisoning, and there are some massage therapists who would have refused service.» I was basically shocked.
Here’s the thing: is that necessarily true? Can two Blue Moon’s really cause alcohol poisoning, an hour after consumption? Maybe this would be an issue if I’d had several glasses of wine and was actively drunk. But I wans’t.
You know what a better approach might have been? To have the woman in the reception area say, «I heard you said you had beer, sometimes there can be an issue with alcohol and massage. HOw much have you had, or should we reschedule? We don’t want you to get sick.»
NOT for me to first waste time on a BS no pressure massage, and then get my ass chewed out.
I went on their website and nowhere does it say you can’t have alcohol. There is mention of light alcohol consumption being okay. I asked my friends about this and some were surprised and said they had actually been served champagne before a massage.
This was a turn off. We were going to sign up, but I didn’t like my massage, I felt like crap afterwards bc it felt really bad they thought i was drunk or something, it felt judgy, and that’s the opposite of relaxation. So basically the xmas gift was a waste, my bf spent all that money so we’d be relaxed and have a good time and I walked out of there… less than happy.
Then after I got scolded, they tried to sell us on their subscription program. No thanks.
I’ll try massage again, elsewhere.

I have had a membership to massage envy for several years and have been to the location in Squirrel Hill and Canonsburg/​McMurray but the Bethel Park location is by far the best, in my opinion. I love the deep purple and the rooms and beds are always at the perfect temperture.
I have had several massage therapists before finding the perfect fit for me who I will only referral to as C because she is already very busy and I still want to be able to get an appointment with her! It is true that different therapists seem to have different styles. It is true that some therapists may not be as firm as you requested (reason for four stars instead of five) but, I do believe that there is a good fit for everyone here depending on what you are looking for (relaxation, pain relief, prenatal). Talking to the manager about my specific needs helped me find the perfect fit for what I was looking for during my massages.
Over the past few years, I have noticed that the price of a membership has gone up significantly. The price that I was locked in at when I signed up at the Squirrel Hill location has remained the same over the years. I am unsure if the price is subject to change if you sign up for a membership now. Definitely a question I would ask. Another nice feature of the membership is that you are able to accumulate massages if you are unable to attend or skip a month (s). You can also break up your prepaid massages so that you can have a 90 minute massage if you have at least two prepaids available.
Overall, I am so happy with my membership that I recommend Massage Envy to everyone. My husband and two good friends are now members as well.