I had a massage at a Wavertree spa you might not know…

I had a massage at a Wavertree spa you might not know exists and it was worth the pain

I visited a spa and wellness centre in Wavertree and had a painful massage that was genuinely worth it.

Maitri, based on Picton Road, is quite the hidden gem. Occupying a corner plot, it's still a relatively new and quiet space that's well deserving of more custom.

The venue is a soothing and welcoming space. It specialises in natural and holistic products and treatments to help improve everyday life, and the deceptively large space boasts a café, shop, multiple treatment rooms, shower facilities, a nail bar and more.

There's a real community feel to the venue, which was created by a group of like-minded people keen to make treatments accessible to all. Owner Alison Edwards-Smith told the Echo the idea originally began at Liverpool's popular craft space The Tapestry before relocating to Wavertree, where it proudly stands today.

Treatments and appointments include Reiki, card readings (angel or tarot), massage, Chinese fire cupping therapy, Hijama (wet cupping), reflexology, acupuncture and more. The creative hub is also home to a café, which was owner Alison's idea.

The treatment room where I had my massage (Jess Flaherty/Liverpool ECHO)

I popped in one cold and dreary morning after repeatedly struggling with back, neck and shoulder pain. I struggle to sleep and have bouts of anxiety that leave me tensing my body up without realising I'm doing it - I'll often be walking down the street before I realise all-too-late that I've been hunching my shoulders up unnaturally high, and I tense up at my desk daily.

This means my back is particularly sore and knotty on a regular basis. Knots are typically caused by muscles that are overused or held in bad positions.

For most people, a massage is a luxurious, indulgent exercise in self care. For me, they're often a painful necessity to try and loosen me up. Maitri offers a variety of massage treatments and techniques. I opted for a 45 minute back, neck and shoulder massage (£30) to target my areas of concern.

I was shown to a treatment room by the lovely Nicole, which was a relatively simple space brought to life with a beautiful, peace-inducing, multi-coloured light projecting dancing colours across the walls and ceiling. There was incense burning, and that relaxing instrumental music so commonly associated with spas and wellness centres played softly on the speakers.

The café at Maitri (Jess Flaherty/Liverpool ECHO)

The massage itself was quite painful, with Nicole working her magic hands to get the knots well and truly worked out of my back. She commented on the severity of the knots (which I've heard from multiple masseuses over the years) and was determined to get rid of them.

Despite the pain, there were still relaxing moments and I left feeling much calmer - and my posture was significantly better. It was a few days later that I really noticed the benefits of the massage, though. The nagging twinge between my shoulder blades was gone, and I could turn my head without feeling a sharp, pulling pain in my neck.

I think I'll have to continue going to feel the full benefits and ensure the knots in my back don't get quite so severe. I'd definitely recommend paying a visit to Maitri and trying one of the venue's holistic, attentive treatments for yourself.

You can book a treatment at Maitri by clicking here. The venue can be found at 127-131 Picton Road, Wavertree, L15 4LG.

Get the top stories straight to your inbox by signing up to our what's on newsletter

READ NEXT:

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here