Motu Massage, at 679 Tremaine Avenue in Palmerston North Central, is a massage and performance coaching studio for recovery and athletic training. The name comes from Rarotonga, where the owner lived for six months, and means island. The menu includes deep tissue and sports massage, cupping, a combined deep tissue and cupping treatment, a treatment with specialised tools for muscle tightness and mobility, a gentle rhythmic treatment for the body's natural detox process, and a relaxation massage. Consultations are offered for goals and a plan. Training sits alongside the massage work: personal training, custom plans for strength, fat loss or performance, body composition testing, and sport-specific training. The studio also runs the Wāhine Strength Club, a strongwoman group that meets on Thursdays from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Customers mention cupping most often, and sports massage. One reviewer had a painful shoulder for around eight weeks and found a first massage and cupping session helped. Another went in with severe back pain and says they have much less pain and are back at work. A third praises firm pressure that was never uncomfortable and says they walked out feeling much better. Of the trade, the owner's sports background shows in the approach. Our pick in Palmerston North Central for sports massage with cupping.