The Common Well

Sep 2012

Christina is probably the best massage therapist that I've ever been to. PERIOD. I work at a computer and I'm plagued by excruciating neck, jaw, shoulder and upper back tightness. My situation leaves me trying to relieve the pain just so that it'll enable me to function. She approaches the situation not just from an immediate relief perspective, but also from a long-term "get to the bottom of the issue" standpoint. Christina listens to my specific pains each visit and he goes to great lengths to isolate the actual source of the issue. I guess I never knew how interconnected our muscles/body/mind/etc. are, since the source of the issues tend to be in completely different parts of the body... and she goes from one muscles group to the next to the next, but not in some pre-programmed way but almost like someone trying to unwind a cord or string that's completely tangled upon itself. She is extremely thoughtful of what she is trying to accomplish. I have been impressed time and time again with how attentive she is to making me really feel better. I see Christina every 4-6 weeks, but I definitely need to make time to go in the 3-4 week range to train my muscles better. Just like anything else, when muscles are use to being a certain way (i.e. tight), then want to revert back into that original state. It takes time to re-train the muscles so that they know how to stay relaxed. Christina is able to provide me that immediate relief and then each time I go in she's able to chip away at the next layer to tightness and pain. I recommend Christina's 4 session package deals (assuming that she still offers them to the general public)... I dare anyone to find a world-class massage therapist like Christina for such a reasonable amount. We are really lucky to have her here in Fairfax. :-)

Mar 2012

Can't recommend Christina and the Common Well highly enough. After the massage, I couldn't stop thinking (and saying) "what a great massage," to the point that my son starting making fun of me. Great intuitive sense of how a body works (and more importantly doesn't work). Easily six times as good as any other massage i've had. She's wonderful about sharing her general knowledge about health, too.

Nov 2011

Bought a Living Social Deal to try this place out for a massage. Though I don't get massages on a regular basis - I've had quite a few in my lifetime. I've gone to top rated swanky spas, and patchouli permeated au natural spots. I've tried Swedish, Hot Stone, Shiatsu, Lomi Lomi, and more. That said - I really feel that Astrid, at the Common Well Holistic Center in Fairfax gave me one of the best massages I've ever had. It stood out to me, because it honestly felt like "Healing therapeutic bodywork" rather than simply a relaxing massage. She was extremely strong, and skilled in her healing art. The feeling after wards was similar to how I feel after an acupuncture session... if that makes sense (this is a GOOD thing). She also taught me stretches that might help problem areas (i.e. tight shoulders, etc.). Very cool! The place itself is not fancy in appearance. No spa robes, no lockers, no place to hang out and have refreshments, etc. It's a big spacious room, with a heated massage table, & trickling fountain. That's it. It's a little hard to find the entrance - through a hallway. It's a little noisy at times (heard someone tromping around upstairs) - but it hardly detracted from the experience. Honestly - when someone is that skilled, things like that just fade away! I would totally recommend this place for quality bodywork! It really helps your physical and mental well being.