The Retreat Therapeutic Massage

Positive: Communication, Professionalism, QualityI’ve heard how floating in the Dead Sea has great health benefits, so when I heard there was a sensory deprivation float tank up in Belton, it peaked my interest!I took advantage of the First Time Float special followed by a 60 minute therapeutic massage with DeMarr. This was my first self care outing since 2019 (thanks Covid!) and I went in open minded in hopes of working on the built up tension in my body from living in a pandemic and working from home for 18 months.The float was relaxing and did wonders for my skin. If you have ever added epsom salt to your bathtub for soaking, floating amps that up exponentially. Unlike the “pods” I’m used to seeing, the tank is a huge open tub. While I’m not claustrophobic, the size of the tub allowed me to fully stretch out my limbs and encouraged my joints to find natural repose. I chose to turn the ambient music and tank light off so it was totally dark all I could hear was my own pulse in my ears. That was something I didn’t expect and it allowed me to monitor my heart rate and how my movements and breathing changed it. I wasn’t thinking about work, errands I had to do, missed messages, or anything else but breathing and my heartbeat.After showering I robed up and walked across the hall for my massage. DeMarr asked if there was anything I really wanted him to focus on and I requested a general full body with focus on my neck and shoulders. I appreciated the way DeMarr asked if I wanted to know more about what he noticed during the massage. He asked about specific behaviors, like if I always carried my purse on the left shoulder, to which he then informed me how that unconscious repetitive action made my body compensate in ways like muscle shrinkage and pain. I didn’t even think to mention my lower back, because being in my 40’s, I just got used to waking up stiff in the morning with limited movement. The discomfort he noticed when working on my thigh made him ask about my back to which I acknowledge and he was then able to address that by putting pressure on the psoas in the front of my hip. Who knew?!It’s the next day and I woke up with none of the stiffness I resigned myself to thinking was the new normal. I enjoyed the back to back float and massage and will do so again. As a larger bodied person, I’m hyper aware when facilities can’t, or simply won’t, accommodate for big people. The atmosphere at The Retreat was accepting and at no time did my massage therapist make me feel judged or shamed for “not taking care of myself.” If you know, then you know. DeMarr was conscious, patient, and empowered me to see that massage isn’t just an indulgence but a key part to whole health.I highly recommend!I’ve heard how floating in the Dead Sea has great health benefits, so when I heard there was a sensory deprivation float tank up in Belton, it peaked my interest! …More

I’ve heard how floating in the Dead Sea has great health benefits, so when I heard there was a sensory deprivation float tank up in Belton, it peaked my interest!