I’ve never been much of a massage person. Don’t get me wrong, I love indulging in a relaxing, blissful massage every now and then. But I’ve always felt like massages were more for vacations or special occasions, since getting a massage in New York City can often be more of a hassle than it’s actually worth.
The thought of going to a sketchy, walk-in massage parlor or trekking all the way uptown to get an overpriced massage at a hotel spa has never really appealed to me. However, I recently had the chance to try an at-home massage from Soothe that totally changed my mind.
If you haven’t heard of Soothe before, it’s an on-demand massage app that lets you summon a massage therapist right to your home, office or hotel room. You can use the app to book a same day appointment from 8 a.m. to midnight, right from your phone, and even have a therapist at your door in as little as an hour. (I’m the type of person, however, who likes to have everything planned out in advance, so I decided to schedule my appointment the night before.)
Using Soothe to book a massage was incredibly simple. All I had to do was open the app and click “Book Massage,” then select the type of massage, the time length, the therapist gender, and the appointment time... The whole process took less than a minute.
Using Soothe to book a massage was incredibly simple. All I had to do was open the app and click “Book Massage,” then select the type of massage, the time length, the therapist gender, and the appointment time. I ended up choosing a 60 minute Swedish massage with a female therapist for 8:30 a.m. the following day. Then, I just had to type in my address, provide my payment details by snapping a photo of my credit card, and I was done. The whole process took less than a minute. I received a confirmation message from Soothe shortly after, letting me know that they had matched me with a therapist for my upcoming appointment.
My therapist, Christina, arrived the next morning, a few minutes prior to the scheduled appointment time. She was super friendly and professional woman who looked to be in her early 30’s. After a brief introduction, she followed me into the guest bedroom, unfolded her massage table, and started to unpack her bag. From the table and sheets, to the scented oils and music, she came fully prepared with all the massage essentials.
I chatted with Christina as she set everything up. She told me that she has been with Soothe for about a year, but had been working as a massage therapist previously for over 10 years. Given her experience and Soothe's demanding recruitment process, I just knew I was in for a good massage.
After setting up the massage table, she finished transforming the room into a makeshift spa by putting on some soft, relaxing music. She asked me if I had any injuries or health problems, and told me to tell her if I needed the pressure of the massage adjusted at any time. Christina informed me that we would be starting face down, then she headed to the bathroom to wash her hands and give me a chance to get myself situated on the massage table.
The thought of going to a sketchy, walk-in massage parlor or trekking all the way uptown to get an overpriced massage at a hotel spa has never really appealed to me. However, I recently had the chance to try an at-home massage from Soothe that totally changed my mind.
She returned a few moments later, lathered up her hands in scented oil, and reminded me once again to let her know about the pressure. Then she got to work and started gliding her hands across my shoulders. She had a great technique and strong hands. As she kneaded my tense muscles, I could feel the the stress slowly start to dissipate from my body. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed. At one point during the massage, I actually forgot that I was still in my apartment. Everything felt so zen and peaceful that it was hard to believe I was getting a massage at home and not at a blissful spa.
Christina worked her way over the rest of my back and legs, then had me flip over so that she could carefully stretch and massage the other side of my arms, legs, and shoulders. She finished the session by gently massaging my head. Then, she gave me a few minutes of privacy to get dressed before packing up her things and heading out. After my massage, my muscles felt loose and relaxed while my mind felt clear and refocused. My only regret from the whole thing was that I hadn’t booked a longer massage session.
Overall, I had a great experience with Soothe that totally changed my opinion of getting a massage in New York City. Being able to get a massage at home made the whole experience quick, simple and hassle-free. Plus, Soothe’s outstanding reputation for working with professional, top-notch therapists put my mind at ease and made me feel comfortable with inviting a therapist into my home. In short, I think it’s safe to say that I will definitely be incorporating Soothe into my regular health and wellness routine. What are you waiting for?