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We’re very pleased that you are considering us for your massage
or skin care treatment. Here’s some information about the Center that may be helpful, particularly if this is your first massage
or facial:
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Why would I
get a facial at a place that's famous for
massage?
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Will a
single massage help me feel better?
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I've seen ads
for places charging $39-49 for massage, why
are you more expensive?
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I've
seen massages at other locations for upwards
of $150 an hour. Why are they so much more
expensive?
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What are the
contraindications to massage?
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Why do most
spas offer 50 minute and 80 minute sessions
while you offer 60 or 90 minutes?
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What Treatment Style Would Be Best For Me?
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What Is Your Facility Like?
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Where Do I Park?
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What Do I Do Before My Massage?
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What Do I Wear?
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What Do I Do Once I Have Changed?
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What If I’m Uncomfortable During My Massage?
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A Peaceful
Environment
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What if I
Need to Cancel?
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What About Tipping?
Why should I get a facial at a place that is
famous for massage?
The Massage Therapy Center
is famous for massage because of the extremely
high level of quality and service the
therapists who practice at the Center bring
to the clients who visit us. For
over nineteen years people have been
trusting their bodies to the professionals
who work with us. But we have recently
become "famous" for skin care as well,
taking top honors in the most recent
Citysearch awards for Best Facials in Los
Angeles.
The clients who visit the
Center place so much faith in
the job we do to find amazing massage
therapists that they had been asking us for
years to add skin care to the menu of
services offered. After
an exhaustive search we finally found a team
of skin care professionals that were
worthy of the Massage Therapy Center name.
You'll find that whether you
come in for a massage or a facial you'll be
in the hands of an
experienced professional who has met
rigorous screening and qualification.
Will a
single massage help me feel better?
Yes and no.
For a number of physical and stress related
problems, massage can have an immediate
impact. Every day we have clients who
come in stressed out, with a sore neck,
tight back, etc. and leave feeling a lot
better than when they came in. But if you
have you ever had the experience of getting
a massage and not noticing an immediate
difference in your body after, you are not
alone.
Sometimes
the effects of the session take time to
manifest. You may walk out feeling
that you still have the issue you came in
with but when you wake up the next day it's
resolved.
But
sometimes you won't notice a significant
difference, even after a day or more.
That happens because some of the positive
effects of massage are cumulative. In
other words, the more massage you get, the
more benefit it generally has.
While many
studies have
been done showing the benefits of massage to
treat a wide range of ailments, the problem
with this research is that the studies
follow participants over a course of many
massages, usually during a period of eight
weeks or more. Unfortunately, most
people can't or won't commit to a series of
eight or more treatments.
Instead,
they come in for a single session and expect
to get the same results as if they had been
coming in regularly. While you can
very definitely get results from a single
session, you will only get the maximum
benefit from massage if you come in regularly.
That doesn't mean you have to come in
weekly. Even a monthly or every six
week treatment can be effective in turning
massage into a regular part of your life.
We realize
that not everyone has the time or
inclination to make massage more than an
occasional event. We are just as happy
to welcome clients who come in once a year
as those who visit more frequently. We
just want you to have realistic expectations
as to the benefits if you chose to visit
less often.
if you do
decide to become a regular client please
take advantage of our discounted series
packages. They are a great way to make
your sessions more affordable per treatment.
Will a
single facial help improve my skin?
Again, yes
and no. A single facial at many day
spas, with an inexperienced esthetician, may
actually harm your skin. Many places
hire students right out of school,
teach them just enough to sell the "product
of the week", and let them get their hands- on
training at your expense. The estheticians
at the Center have a different philosophy-
and an average of over 12 years experience.
Skin care
at the Center starts with respect for your
time and your intelligence. You'll have a chance to ask
questions about your current skin condition,
discuss your goals, and learn which
treatments may, or may not, be helpful for
you.
You may be
using or doing something that is causing
skin problems and your skin could improve if
you do nothing but stop using a certain
product that's currently harming your skin.
The
estheticians at the Center have chosen to
use Hylunia, an all natural product line
with very real results. You
should see immediate benefits, whether you
just have time for 25 minute treatment or
you treat your skin to a 60 minute session
with a custom masque or peel.
So why do
we answer the question "yes and no"? A
significant part of skin care results comes
from following a regular program.
Whenever you see "before and after" pictures
for specific products or regimens they are
always based on a several months of use.
We hate the
hard sell of skin care products as much as
anyone. Your esthetician will
recommend (but never push) a range of
products and repeat visits based on your
skin's specific needs. Whether you follow
those recommendations is entirely up to you.
You may choose to follow some suggestions
but not others- or maybe none at all.
More so than with massage, the results you
get with skin care are largely dependant on
what you do between treatments. So
while you will see and feel an immediate
impact after your facial, the lasting
benefits are really up to you.
I've seen
ads for places charging $39-49 for massage,
why are you more expensive?
While you
don't always get what you pay for, this is
one case where you generally do.
First, a number of places lure people in
with a "first time client" offer of $39, and
then charge more once you become a regular.
So if you see an offer for a low priced
session, make sure it's good for as long as
you are a client. Second, because they pay their therapists less, the
massage places charging $39-49 often
hire students just out of massage school or
therapists who we would turn away.
While some therapists have an amazing gift
of touch right out of school, this is the
exception rather than the rule.
Because
the "massage mills" tend to have a high turn-over rate and
need to constantly hire a lot of people,
they generally have a much lower standard
when it comes to adding new therapists to
their staffs. Many also charge extra
for deep tissue or advanced work if it is
even available, so that enticing $39 massage
may turn out to be considerably more once
you are on the table.
Most of the
lower priced centers have one common shower,
no locker facilities, cramped massage rooms,
and spartan decor. As a Citysearch editor
wrote about one of these companies, "It's
the fast food of massage". While
none of the "extras" are necessary in order to get a
good massage, many people prefer to get a
massage in a place that cares about their
entire experience from the lobby to the
locker rooms. Building, leasing and
maintaining nice facilities, providing high
quality robes, towels and amenities, and
most importantly, attracting and keeping the
highest quality therapists all adds up.
By way of
comparison though, our rates are
considerably less than most spas in the Los
Angeles/Beverly Hills/Santa Monica area.
With our discount packages, our rates are
nearly half what you'd be charged at a high
end location. While those places offer
larger facilities and additional spa
treatments, if you are looking to get the
best possible massage in a warm and inviting
atmosphere we think you'll find us the best
value.
I've
seen massages and facials at other locations for upwards
of $150 an hour. Why are they so much more
expensive?
In the case
of the larger spas in Los Angeles, what you
are almost always paying for is their
facilities. Spas have become extremely
expensive to build and maintain and
competition has made it a game of who can
"one-up" who in over-the-top decor. We love
great spa environments ourselves, and they
can be wonderful places to spend a day. But
you are generally not going to get your
money's worth in the quality of the massage
or skin care
there.
In order to
support their operation costs large spas
must offer a full range of services and then
try to recoup costs by selling the products
that go with their services. There is
nothing inherently wrong with this except
that many good massage therapists don't want
to do wraps and scrubs, nor do they want to
be forced to sell products. The
massage therapists at the Center
don't sell anything. Many large spas are also
focused on the short term bottom line and
pay less than market wages. Because of
that, ironically, many large, beautifully
decorated spas have a high turn-over rate
and tend to attract therapists who are new
to the industry.
How Do Your Prices Compare With the Higher
End Local Spas? (Click to see a complete
comparison with the three largest spas
closest to us)
What are the
contraindications to massage?
A massage will make you feel worse if you
are suffering from any contagious or
infectious disease no matter how mild it may
seem. If you have a cold, flu or fever
DO NOT BOOK a session. We will be very
happy to see you once you are feeling 100%
better.
If you have certain other medical
conditions, for your health and well-being
massage should not be performed or may be
restricted. These are not all obvious,
so before booking, please review all of the
contraindications to massage to
make certain that none apply to you.
Why do
most spas offer 50 minute and 80 minute
sessions while you offer 60 or 90 minutes?
Nearly
every spa in the city originally offered 60
and 90 minute sessions. Most massage
and esthetic training is based on the timeframe of a 60
minute session at a minimum.
Therapists at most spas were typically given
10 minute breaks between sessions.
Then, one
unfortunate day, someone came up with the
not so brilliant idea of cutting 10 minutes
out of the session and building the
break time into the 60 minutes
that used to be dedicated to the client.
The spas figured that most clients wouldn't
notice or if they did notice, they wouldn't
have much choice.
The problem
is that everyone (except the spa owners)
suffers. Clients lose a total of one full
treatment every six sessions (10 minutes times
6 sessions is an hour). Therapists and
estheticians
don't get any longer break than they did
before, and they are pressured to try to fit
a full massage or facial into fifty minutes, which is
hard enough to do in 60 minutes.
The spas
that work this way are shortchanging their
clients. If you decide that we're not
the right place for you and you end up
visiting a spa that has 50 minute sessions,
I would encourage you to ask them where your
extra ten minutes went and let them know
that not only do you notice, you care.
We will do
our part by always giving you a full 60 or
90 minute session and giving therapists at
least a fifteen minute break between
sessions so you do have a choice.
What
Massage Treatment Style Would Be Best For Me?
Most spas charge $20 or $30 extra for deep tissue, shiatsu or other advanced techniques. We don’t. We know how frustrated you’d be if you asked your therapist to work a little deeper and they couldn’t because you hadn’t paid extra for a deep massage. And we know you’d probably be upset if you had already paid extra and then realized you really needed a lighter touch that day. Instead,
you can either specify a treatment style
when you book, or simply tell your therapist how you’re feeling
when you arrive and they will craft your massage especially for you on any given day, drawing from a range of techniques to make you feel great.
The key is to communicate with our front
desk staff when calling, and your massage
therapist when you come in so we know who to put you with and
how to structure your session once you
arrive. For example, if you like deep
tissue work or specifically want a therapist
trained in Shiatsu, let us know ahead of
time.
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What Is Your Facility Like?
Our facility was completely remodeled and has been compared to an upscale boutique hotel- but we don’t try to hide the fact that we’re located in a shopping center. If you’re looking for a big, over the top spa experience we’re not your place. But if you want to enjoy what our clients consistently call the best massage in Los Angeles in a warm atmosphere with the personal touch you should have a great visit.
Our retail lobby is stocked with a wide
range of top brands from Mistral to Elixir. We offer separate
but small men’s and women’s locker rooms.
If you like your space, you are welcome to
change in your room before your session if
it is open, and for up to 10 minutes after
your session has ended. Our slate showers
are oversized and equipped with Brasstech
Rain showerheads. We feature small (but
outstanding) mens and
womens eucalyptus steam rooms and all the
amenities you could ask for including everything from
luxurious "Spa Secret" robes to disposable hair ties.
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Where Do I Park?
We offer complimentary underground parking
but be aware that parking can get congested
(like most places in L.A.) when it is busy.
Allow an extra five minutes to get into the
lot and find a space and you will be much
happier when you arrive. Park anywhere there is not a "reserved" sign
restricting parking for the time you are
visiting. Take the middle elevator to the second floor, exit the elevator and turn left. We’re in the back north corner, three doors down.
Look for the large ivory colored Massage
Therapy Center sign hanging above our door. Simply show the attendant your receipt on
your way out as your parking validation.
What Do I Do Before My Massage?
Even if you have already
showered that day, please plan to shower either at home or at the Center
immediately prior to your massage. If you have time, you are welcome to take a Eucalyptus steam before or after your massage. We suggest that you allow 30-40 minutes before your appointment to check in, fill out a brief health
profile and enjoy the facilities before your first session.
If you'd like to fill out your health and
client information profiles ahead of time
you can find them
here in
Adobe PDF format where you can print
them out and bring them in with you.
If you are planning to
take a steam you may want to turn the thermostat up before you change so the room is hot when you are ready. Fresh towels and robes
from small to 3XL are available next to the locker area. You’ll find clean sandals below the towels and robes.
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What Do I Wear?
You’ll want to change into a robe and sandals in the locker area. You will be draped with a sheet during your massage and your therapist will only undrape areas that are being worked on. If you want to wear underwear underneath your robe, you may. If you are more comfortable changing in your room, you are welcome to.
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What Do I Do Once I Have Changed?
Once you’ve changed into your robe and locked your belongings in your locker, please walk to your room. Once in your room, close the door, hang your robe behind the shelves, and lay face down on the table under the top sheet. Your therapist will be with you shortly, at your scheduled appointment time, and will knock before entering.
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What If I’m Uncomfortable During My Massage?
The most common reason people have bad massage experiences is because they didn’t want to say anything
to their therapist during their massage. If you’re too hot or cold, the music is too loud or soft, or the touch is too hard or not hard enough, or if you feel uncomfortable in any way, do not hesitate to let your therapist know immediately. All of our tables are equipped with heating pads, and everything from the music volume in the room to the angle of your face rest is adjustable. Your therapist will never be offended if you make a request to turn up the heat, add a blanket, or adjust the table, pressure or music during your session.
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A Peaceful Environment:
For the relaxation and enjoyment of all of our clients the entire Center is a cell phone and pager free zone. It’s up to you whether you want to talk with your therapist during your massage. Your therapist will not be offended if you let them know you just want to relax quietly. If you choose to talk, thank you for keeping in mind that voices can carry, particularly when in your treatment room or in the hallways outside the rooms.
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What if I Need to
Cancel?
To avoid being charged for the full amount of your session, please let us know 12 hours ahead
of time if you will be unable to make your
scheduled appointment. If your appointment
is booked the same day you call, please be
aware that the cancellation policy will be
in effect once your appointment is set.
This is done in fairness both to clients
who would otherwise have wanted the appointment
as well as the therapist, who is not paid
if they do not perform the session. We ask
all new clients to provide a credit card at the
time of booking to hold their appointment. The
card will be authorized (which holds funds
without actually charging them) and you may
pay by any method once you arrive at the Center.
If you are late to your session you are welcome to receive whatever time is left in your appointment. Due to our
tightly booked schedule we are generally unable to extend your session beyond your
original appointment time.
What About Tipping?
This is one of the most
frequently asked and perhaps most
misunderstood questions we get so please
accept our apologies for the following if it
seems a bit lengthy.
Just like hair stylists, manicurists, or
others providing personal services it is
customary to tip massage therapists and
estheticians.
The professionals at the Center do not net the full
amount of fees collected from clients.
A significant portion of the fees collected
goes towards paying for the management of
the facility.
The usual
tipping range is 15-20% of the regular cost
of services. Most clients tip $8-10
for a 25 minute session, $12-$15 for a 60
minute session, $20-25 for 90 minutes, and
$32-35 for 120 minutes. Please note
that gift certificates do not include
gratuity and it is still customary to tip
your therapist or esthetician even though someone else paid
for your session.
If you are
paying by credit card you are
welcome to add a tip to your credit card
charge at the end of your session and you
can leave cash tips for your therapist in
special tip envelopes provided at our front
desk. If you are paying with a gift
certificate please note that credit card
company restrictions prohibit us from
charging tips to credit cards unless the
service was paid for with a credit card.
We know, it's a stupid rule, and we wish we
could do something about it. For now,
if you are using a gift certificate, please
just plan to bring cash if you want to tip,
and accept our sincere apologies for the
inconvenience.
The last
word on tipping: A wide
range of people from waitstaff to cab
drivers, including massage therapists and
estheticians, rely
on tips for a significant portion of their
living. If you are against tipping or
feel it doesn't apply to you, we would
encourage you to rethink your philosophy
before visiting the Center.
Your Experience:
We take great pride in taking care of our
clients. If you have any concerns, comments
or questions before or after your massage
about any part of your visit we encourage
you to let us know.
Los Angeles Massage Therapy Center - Body, Skin
Care, Facials
2130 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
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