There’s no better time than today – to take a breather and treat yourself to one of these relaxing massages in Singapore. We reviewed a couple of great massages places in Singapore, see what we had to say.
Read on for our personal reviews of top body massages in Singapore. Bet you can’t wait for your next one! Neither can I.
Trimmings Salon & Spa
Rebalancing Body Massage (60 minutes, $105)
Current promotion: Receive an additional 15 minutes free
Over the years, friends of mine have raved about the hair, nail and spa treatments at Trimmings Salon & Spa at Dempsey Hill. So, when I was offered a massage at the spa, my answer was a distinct “Yes!”
It boded well that after booking the appointment I received an email questionnaire asking which areas I wanted to focus on, and my preferred level of massage pressure. On arrival at the spa, which is set in a charming black and white colonial building, I had a refreshing glass of chilled, orange-infused water before being escorted to the treatment room.
The space was everything I want in a treatment room – fresh white walls, low lighting, modern backlit mirrors and a feature window framing verdant greenery outside. Blissful.
My therapist gave me a choice of Aveda nourishing oils. I chose the stress-fix composition oil for its promising title and subtle aroma. Settled comfortably, the first step was to apply warm towels to my feet, which was instantly relaxing.
Hours of sitting at a computer make my upper back and shoulders stiff and sore. The therapist used a combination of deep tissue massage, acupressure, reflexology and aromatherapy to work through the knotted muscles. It felt intense yet restorative at the same time, and I could feel the tight muscles being released.
She advised that I could expect to feel sore for the next two to seven days, depending on my blood circulation and metabolism. Slight discomfort remained for a day or two, but my back felt so much better!
I relaxed deeply through the rest of the rhythmic full body massage, listening to lovely meditation music. As requested, the pressure was firm but gentle. After treatment, I had a cup of warm ginger tea before leaving the spa feeling fabulous. I’ve already recommended the massage to my girlfriends over lunch, which is a pretty good indication of what I thought of the experience.
– Georgina Hockley
Trimmings Salon & Spa
75B Loewen Road
8511 5085 | trimmings.com.sg
My Happy Feet
Classic Swedish Massage (60 minutes, $88) Head and Neck Massage (20 minutes, $28) Foot Massage (30-60 minutes, from $30) One cool and cloudy Monday afternoon, I took a cab to Lorong Mambong in Holland Village for a head-to-toe massage experience at My Happy Feet. Katie was waiting to usher me into her sanctuary for one of the best massage sessions I’ve ever had.
What made it so good? For one thing, her technique included Swedish-style rolfing, where you feel as if two pairs of hands are at work. She also uses elements of tui na, a form of Asian bodywork that goes back several millennia. It’s associated with Chinese medicine, and follows many of the same principles.
For the 60-minute full body massage, she started with the legs, moving up the back to the shoulders. Repeated and vigorous movements first warmed up each area before getting down to the business of literally rubbing out the knots. Up and down the backbone she went, realigning the soft tissue and restoring balance.
This is usually when you’re woken up, gently told to get dressed, offered something to drink and sent out into the cruel world. But we were only a bit more than halfway through, hurrah!
You wouldn’t think much tension could build up in the small muscles of the scalp and around the back of the head, but it does. Katie’s skilful head massage reminded me that I should be doing my version of this as part of my everyday self-care routine.
For my feet, which can be exquisitely sensitive and tend to cramp, she knew techniques to relieve muscle spasms and coax away the sensitivity. Happy feet indeed!
Emerging into a cool, drizzly Holland Village, I was suddenly starving. Luckily, the famous HV food market was right there to indulge me with Singapore soul food at its best – a bowl of steamed sliced fish soup spiked with fresh chilli. Yum.
– Verne Maree
My Happy Feet
21A Lorong Mambong, Holland Village
6462 0525 | myhappyfeet.com.sg
This article first appeared in the April 2023 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
Chez Moi De Beaute
Located in Far East Plaza, this beauty salon has been in the business for a whopping 30 years! Led by a mother-daughter duo, Chez Moi De Beaute is popular for its affordable beauty treatments, such as facials and slimming treatments. I’ve been to the salon on a couple of occasions, and each time I go I’m impressed by how clean and cosy they keep the space. The warm and professional service is another big draw for regulars who frequent the spot.
Originally from the land of massages, Thailand, my therapist Nok executed long and deep strokes starting with my stiff shoulders and back. She focused on the areas of tension, kneading away the built-up knots with the perfect amount of pressure. There wasn’t a point in time when I had to request a change in pressure – it was spot on! One word to sum up the hour-long session: bliss.
The next time I return, I might just sign up for the package ($480, seven sessions), which works out to be an even better deal! But if you’re strapped for time, consider popping in for a 30-minute back massage ($48) as a quick and relaxing massage fix.
– Anthia Chng
#04-75/65 Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Road
6738 6108 | chezmoi.com.sg
All about Massages
You don’t have to know anything about massage to reap its benefits – starting with the sheer pleasure of being touched with kindness by another human being. That said, the research is fascinating.
Studies on massage shows it increases production of oxytocin, a powerful hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. Known as the love hormone, oxytocin supports optimal physical health as well as love, kindness, empathy and bonding. Though oxytocin is best known for its role in childbirth, we all need it – all the time.
Massage helps us cope with stress in ways we are only beginning to understand, says my favourite Ayurveda guru, Dr John Douillard. Not only does massage release oxytocin, the loving touch involved also reduces levels of various stress hormones.
How it does this is partly by altering the skin’s microbiology – yes, of course your skin has its own microbiome! – in a multitude of measurable, health-boosting ways. These include promoting immunity, hormonal balance, physical fitness and reproduction, plus improving attitude, empathy and social behaviour. What’s more, it enhances natural skin radiance in a way that pricy cosmetics can only hope to achieve.
No wonder it feels so good! I also love knowing that it works both ways. It’s not only you, the recipient, who benefits. The giver also benefits from oxytocin release. So, if you find yourself particularly connected to him or her at the end of a session – even weepily so, as I have been known to do – there’s a physiological reason for that. What’s more, you can be sure you’ve found a truly skilled and empathetic practitioner.
If for any reason you can’t get to a massage therapist, DIY is always an option. In fact, Ayurveda recommends daily abhyanga, or self-massage with oil; sesame oil if possible, otherwise coconut or olive. Start with the head, move on to the face, ears and neck, and so on down the entire body. Don’t forget the soles of the feet, which are considered especially important.
We hope you like this roundup of massage places in Singapore! Now check out our favourite facials.
We’ve got plenty more in our Style and Beauty section, too.
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