Therapeutic Massage
In a press release dated November 3, 2009 Massage Envy declares that it has been voted the “Best Massage” and “Best Day Spa” in Phoenix, by Phoenix Magazine. While “The Highest Volume of Massage” may be an award that Massage Envy could rightfully “win”, many area residents and massage therapists are wondering how a local mass massage clinic could be awarded “Best Day Spa”, when the clinic itself does not even call itself a day spa.
Massage Envy is credited with bringing massage to the masses with its low priced, high volume business model. By paying massage therapists significantly less than day spas, resort spas, etc., by virtually cutting out amenities, and by shortening sessions to about 50 minutes to allow massages every hour, Massage Envy has found it’s niche in low priced massages.
Massage therapists, who frequently begin their careers at Massage Envy right out of massage school, often leave the clinic after accumulating the experience necessary to work in a real day spa or a more medically based facility. According to former Massage Envy employees, this creates a great deal of turnover in all Massage Envy clinics and contributes to general dissatisfaction among both therapists and clients in many cases.
The working environment and general business model at Massage Envy, while obviously successful, is not one that lends itself to winning any legitimate awards for “Best Massage” and certainly not for “Best Day Spa” since Massage Envy is not a day spa under any accepted definition.
Phoenix Magazine’s web site does not confirm Massage Envy’s press release as of the time this article is posted. If and when they do confirm these claims, hopefully they will clearly explain in detail how and why Massage Envy was chosen for these “honors” and if Massage Envy advertises in the magazine. Of particular interest will be Phoenix Magazines’ revised definition of “day spa” that would include clinics such as Massage Envy.
More Information:
- Massage Envy started the massage membership but many choices are now available
- Will Massage Envy become Day Spa Envy?
- Phoenix area residents question why Phoenix Magazine choose Massage Envy
- More on Massage Envy including Phoenix Magazine's Response
In addition to being the Scottsdale Massage Therapy Examiner, Steve Ibach is a licensed massage therapist and is nationally certified in therapeutic massage. Steve specializes in advanced medical massage therapy as well as Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage which he studied on Maui, HI. Steve is also a fitness consultant and is currently writing a book on fitness and exercise. He is the owner of Hawaiian Experience Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. Please contact the spa at 480-661-2991 if you would like to make an appointment with Steve or one of his therapists.
Important: All information and advice published by Steve is general in nature only and should not be used as specific medical advice. Always consult with a doctor for medical advice. All articles are copyrighted to Steve Ibach and may not be reproduced without his written consent.
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Comments
Is is absolutely ridiculous that massage envy could be voted best massage. They must buy a lot of advertizing in Phoenix Magazine!!!
Y surprised ?. This is the "land" of opportunity ,where most IMPORTANT ingredient "discipline" is missing . In NY they have a horrible reputation ....My Q to u -what makes someone who has a degree work for this company ?
Dear Steve,
Please keep us informed IF or when you receive a response. It will be very telling I am sure. Surely someone credible would be able to do this in less than two (2) weeks. After all it is a weekly publication, right.
You may want to look into the study done at Spas/Day Spas completed earlier this year by the reputable research group such as Coyle Hospitality Group (coyle hospitality . com/) or at Mystery Guest Inc. (mystery guest inc . com). Then we might have a more objective measure of what a quality 'spa' or 'day spa' might be like as an experience fro the customer’s point of view.
You are doing a great job shedding light on this and other massage issues.
One can only hope that employers, such as Massage Envy, will change for the better for both the clients and massage therapists. Regardless keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Never
In this age of mass public inquiry and the internet, it does seem odd that they have not revealed or retracted the "best spa" rating. May there should be public exposure of the individual responsible for writing the artical and the editor who approved that artical. I see this as going along way to keeping the playing field honest. If there is bias here they should come clean and protect there reputation.
Beyond that maybe the Examiner could do a top ten on Spas much like US News does for colleges and universities. Now there is an artical I would like to see as a frequent spa client. Think of how it could boost sales for all and help the Snowbirds when they come to town for a visit.
With the kind of turn over I have seen at Massage Envy (think fast food employees) it should make you wonder what protections are in place for the therapists and the quality of experience for the client. Things that make you go... hummmmm!
So when is the Massage Envy tell all expose coming out???
I do not know what the hubbub is about here. Massage Envy does the job well and on a budget that I can afford in retirement. Massage has kept me healy and happy for years. We should have more places like Massage Envy
I am with you Cindy. AFFORDABLE MASSAGE at more places please. I like the prepurchase plans. But now that I think about it, I have gone through a MT every visit at massage envy. To get what you want you have to really give feedback to your assigned MT before during and after. Sometimes the MT is just not as good as I would like but price is a constraint for me these days.
I would like read the TOP TEN piece.
You must be kidding- these places are sweat shops and truly an insult to real professionals. The should be shut down
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I worked at Massage Envy and believe me it is not a day spa. The enviroment is terrible and good therapists all leave as soon as they can. The pay is about 50% of what real day spa's pay so only entry level therapists and those temporarily out of work for some reason work there. The turn over is constant and the clients suffer.
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