Hot Stone, Shiatsu or Deep Tissue: 15 of the Best Massages To Book in Melbourne
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Knotted shoulders, frazzled nervous systems or feet that swell and ache after long days in the city – modern life takes its toll on the body. If you’re in need of a little TLC, Melbourne has no shortage of expert hands to help. Whether you’re after a deep tissue massage, a lymphatic drainage treatment or a traditional Chinese medicine therapy, these are 15 of the best places to book.
15 of the best massages in Melbourne
Little Company, Collingwood
Little Company might have made its name offering facials built around remedy and ritual, but the massage menu holds its own. Founded by Stacey Burt, the Collingwood studio (there’s also an outpost in Byron Bay) is housed inside a century-old former furniture warehouse. There’s a focus on facial massage – sculpting techniques, intra-oral buccal massage, lymphatic drainage and myofascial release – to help lessen jaw tension and offer a “natural facelift” effect. You can also book for restorative upper-body treatments, tailored remedial therapy, pregnancy-safe massage and scalp massage using local hair oil brand Hinu.
Price
From $185
Treatments
Face (including intra-oral), restorative upper body, tailored remedial, pregnancy, scalp massage
Ma Saj, Carlton North
Ma Saj mixes up the white-walled spa game with warm, ’70s-inspired interiors that make you feel immediately at home. Set on the border of Carlton North and Fitzroy, the studio was founded by natural medicine practitioner and remedial massage therapist Kate Cawley and osteopath Sonya Galenson. Its signature Euphoria treatment combines massage techniques with breathwork and aromatherapy. You can also opt for deep tissue, remedial, lymphatic drainage, TMJ (jaw) therapy and pregnancy-safe bookings.
Price
From $103
Treatments
Deep tissue, lymphatic drainage, TMJ treatment, pregnancy massage
Sense of Self, Collingwood
Come for the magnesium mineral pool, Finnish sauna, cold plunge and steamy hammam at Sense of Self, stay for the menu of body-melting massages. Set inside a converted warehouse, the Collingwood bathhouse is a phone-free wellness haven. Combine massage treatments with access to the bathhouse, or simply book a relaxation treatment (using Swedish massage techniques) or targeted and therapeutic remedial massage. There’s also 60- and 90-minute, side-lying pregnancy-safe treatments for expecting mums in their second and third trimester.
Price
From $190
Treatments
Relaxation, remedial, pregnancy massage
Bodyworks, Fitzroy North
For Bodyworks founder Georgia Jane, there’s joy in sharing therapies that impact overall health and wellbeing for her women+[AT1] clients. A focus on menstrual and hormonal health, as well as a deep awareness of the nervous system, informs the menu of treatments. That includes full-body massage, internal and external pelvic release, and floor-based bodywork drawing on shiatsu and Thai techniques.
Price
From $130
Treatments
Full bodywork, internal pelvic release work, external pelvic balancing, floor-based bodywork (shiatsu and Thai-style, on a futon), pregnancy and postpartum treatments.
Bamford Wellness Spa, Docklands
Popular British import Bamford’s first Australian outpost is tucked away on the third floor of Docklands’ 1 Hotel. The extensive treatment menu focuses on restorative, stress-releasing massage tailored to your needs and pressure preferences. Some treatments include elements like breathwork and acupressure, as well as tools such as gua sha, bamboo tapping and chakra stones. You can also add LED light treatments or binaural soundwave technology to help guide the body and brain into deep rest. Treatments of 90 minutes and beyond offer complimentary access to the pool, sauna and steam room before or after your booking.
Price
From $240
Treatments
Swedish and reflexology, deep tissue, hot and cold stone massage, pregnancy massage, couples massage, acupressure
Izumi, CBD
A nod to Japanese rituals, Izumi has built a loyal following for its signature shiatsu techniques, foot reflexology and soothing hot stone treatments at its day spa on Elizabeth Street. The menu also includes lomilomi massage, a traditional Hawaiian healing technique said to relieve muscle tension while offering emotional release and restoring energetic balance in the body. If you can swing a late start, there’s a weekday discount for one-hour treatments booked between 10am and midday.
Price
From $65
Treatments
Japanese shiatsu, reflexology, aromatherapy massage, Hawaiian lomilomi, hot stone, remedial, relaxation, deep tissue
Comma, Cremorne
Byron Bay spa Comma brings its boutique bathhouse-meets-massage concept to Cremorne. Here, the treatment names read like a mood board: Equilibrium, The Vessel, and Sticks and Stones. But there’s plenty of substance to these bookings, which are centred around lymphatic drainage, deep tissue and hot stone techniques. You can also add targeted head and foot services or an express facial. And, of course, massages can be combined with access to the mineral hot tub, cold pail shower and traditional Finnish sauna to round out your self-care session.
Price
From $170
Treatments
Deep tissue, lymphatic, pregnancy, hot stone
Soften, Armadale
At Armadale studio Soften (originally opened in Prahran), massage sits alongside services like reiki, energy healing, craniosacral therapy and tarot reading. The menu can be tailored further to treat whatever you need most. If you’re looking for a treatment that will make your body feel brand new, Soften into Remedial blends techniques like cupping, trigger point therapy and deep tissue massage to hit the (tightest) spot.
Price
From $150
Treatments
Deep tissue, relaxation, lymphatic blend, remedial, pregnancy massage, facial massage
In the Brick Spa & Hotel, St Kilda
Inside a heritage red-brick building on Wellington Street, In the Brick takes cues from Japanese-style offerings with a spa-and-hotel hybrid. Find hinoki scenting at the entrance and a bamboo grove out back. The Awareness treatment focuses on relaxation, The Balance applies deep tissue techniques and The Recharge uses hot stone therapy. Hotel guests receive discounts on treatments if you’re looking for a relaxing staycation.
Price
From $139
Treatments
Relaxation, aromatherapy, deep tissue, hot stone, pregnancy massage, couples massage
Blanc Spa, Prahran
Prahran’s Blanc Spa looks to the mountains for inspiration in its wellness-meets-science approach. Located in Hawksburn Village, the studio offers near-infrared recovery therapy, magnesium recovery therapy and rhythmical relaxation massage. Each spotlights nervous system recovery, alongside physical release.
Price
From $190
Treatments
Deep tissue, magnesium recovery, relaxation, near-infrared LED massage, lymphatic drainage
The Massage Studio, Carlton North
The Massage Studio in Nicholson Village is a loosely kept secret for North Melbournians looking for a massage that uses traditional Thai techniques. The calm and comfortable space offers pressure-point treatments and yogic stretching, plus weekday discounts. If you’re looking for a little bit more intensity, deep tissue and remedial appointments are available, too.
Price
From $55
Treatments
Traditional Thai, relaxation, deep tissue, remedial, foot
Milk and Honey, West Melbourne
A West Melbourne favourite, Milk and Honey has been unknotting locals’ shoulders, backs and hips since 2012. The treatment offering is kept simple. A favourite is the 30-minute TMJ plus 30-minute remedial booking, which offers targeted treatment for relief from jaw pain and upper back or interscapular tension. A dedicated pregnancy treatment menu includes the option for side-lying on a massage table or bodywork on a futon for more comfort.
Price
From $125
Treatments
Remedial, relaxation and pregnancy massage (on table or futon), myotherapy, zen shiatsu
Relinque Urban Retreat and Spa, Ivanhoe
You don’t need to be in the inner city for a day spa experience. Relinque Urban Retreat and Spa brings a sense of relaxation to Ivanhoe. There’s a steam room fitted with an ice fountain for hot-cold therapy, as well as a yoga and Pilates studio. Relinque’s signature massage draws on acupressure, as well as firm, flowing strokes to help alleviate muscle tension and stress held in the body. You can also combine massage with topical body therapies, including exfoliation and moisturising treatments, as part of the Relinque Journeys offering.
Price
From $170
Treatments
Signature massage, deep tissue, relaxation massage, hot stone healing, pregnant pause (pregnancy massage).
Sensu Spa, CBD
Sensu Spa is a Japanese-inspired sanctuary tucked just off Little Bourke Street. It’s the kind of place to keep up your sleeve and duck into between meetings, or visit for a relaxing weekend activity. Make sure to use the float tanks and infrared sauna, too. The menu focuses on traditional Japanese techniques like seitai (“body adjustment”) and shiatsu, as well as deep tissue, remedial, hot stone and pregnancy. Packages give you the option to bundle a body scrub, facial or float with your massage.
Price
From $65
Treatments
Relaxation, aromatherapy, foot, reflexology, seitai, shiatsu, hot stone/hot oil, deep tissue, remedial, pregnancy massage, reiki
Chuan Spa, The Langham, Southbank
If you’re looking for a five-star treatment, The Langham’s Chuan Spa offers a menu built on traditional Chinese medicine principles. Begin your experience with the Five Elements questionnaire to tailor your visit. The signature Harmony massage blends acupressure with relaxation strokes. Arrive a bit before your treatment and indulge in complimentary access to the hotel’s pool, sauna and steam room. Plus, get weekday discounts.
Price
From $220
Treatments
Deep tissue, remedial, hot stone therapy, pregnancy-safe options
langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/melbourne/wellness/chuan-spa
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