Pet Peeves in Massage Therapy (Yeah, We’re Going There)

I’ve been in this industry for a long time — as a client, a therapist, a clinic owner, and someone who’s seen both the best and worst sides of the massage world.

And I’ve got a few pet peeves. You might too.

Let’s talk about a few things that drive me up the wall — and why we do things differently at Elbow Grease.

1️⃣ Where Are All the Competent Therapists?

It’s tough out there trying to find a massage therapist who really knows what they’re doing.

There are a lot of people offering “therapeutic” massage — but when you get on the table, it’s clear they’re just going through the motions. They’ve got the license, maybe even a nice space… but no real understanding of how the body works or why they’re doing what they’re doing.

Therapeutic massage isn’t about memorizing a routine. It’s about clinical reasoning. It’s about knowing anatomy, understanding pain patterns, and adjusting your approach session to session.

At Elbow Grease, that’s the standard.

We don’t just throw techniques at the wall and hope something sticks. We assess. We plan. We explain. We take pride in doing the work well — every time.

2️⃣ More Pain Doesn’t Mean More Progress

This one really gets me:

The idea that if it doesn’t hurt, it isn’t working.

Nope. Nope. Nope.

Yes, we may work through tough areas. Yes, you might feel some intensity. But if you’re holding your breath, clenching your jaw, or counting the seconds until it’s over — that’s not therapeutic. That’s just punishment.

At Elbow Grease, we work with your body, not against it.

There’s a big difference between productive discomfort and unnecessary pain.

And we’re trained to know the difference.

3️⃣ Flaky Therapists

You book a session. Rearrange your schedule. Get mentally ready.

And then… the therapist cancels last minute. Or worse, no-shows. Or shows up late like it’s no big deal.

That’s not just unprofessional — it’s disrespectful.

Your time matters. Your body matters. Your health matters.

We believe in showing up. Fully. On time. Ready to work.

You can count on that when you book with us.

Why It All Matters

You’re trusting someone with your body — and that’s no small thing.

You deserve a therapist who takes that seriously.

At Elbow Grease, we’re committed to offering real therapeutic relief, backed by experience, professionalism, and a whole lot of care.

Because you shouldn’t have to settle.

You deserve better — and we’re here to deliver it.