Sorry, we tried but couldn’t find the key. Or the anti-rust solution. We suppose you’ll have to stay chained to your desk forever. But while you’re there, we think you should at least be treated right.

Here’s one way: Call Swa Wellness Mobile Spa, a brand new massage facility that aims at servicing employees at the workplace, but is also open to sending a masseuse to your home. Now your cubicle isn’t exactly the place you want to be heard making your massage sounds (or do you?), but there’s a good reason why Swa is targeting the office.

Rub The Right Way

Jyoti Salvi, an ex-brand manager at pharma companies like Cipla and Glaxo Smith Klien, started this service after facing serious back and neck issues brought on by long hours at work. Regular kneads would have probably helped, but who has the time to for spa appointments? Hence the idea of bringing the masseuse to the workplace. We’re not sure how many HR teams would permit this (maybe make it a Friday activity), but at the bpb office, we’re very receptive of employee kneads.

And so we browsed the massage menu – foot reflexology; Thai and hot stone Bodyssages; facials; coffee and mangosteen treatments; Mani-Pedissages; twenty-minute express treatments. A pre-lunch foot massage appointment was made (it’s weird to get the full body treatment at work), and an area of the office was cordoned off.

Two therapists arrived at our workplace, equipped with a foldable chair (bed if you’re going the whole hog), along with a big bag of spa essentials. They were late but apologised profusely, as they scurried around trying to make the office space zen. There was an aroma candle for the unmistakable spa smell, a portable music player for calming notes, a tray with a big flower and plate of almonds, a water boiler for end-of-the-massage tea and even a pair of fuzzy bathroom slippers that you get to keep. Our new list of office supplies!

Pressure Points

 Aneth, our soft spoken therapist, started off with a sixty-minute signature Foot Reflessage (Rs 1,700), using her thumb to apply pressure on every point along the foot, coaxing the pain right out. It felt great, but we were disappointed that the massage was predominantly foot-centric and didn’t cover the shin and calf areas like this treatment usually does at other spas. Although oil was used, it was a non-messy affair as our feet were wiped clean at the end and ready to get back to work. It’s also worth mentioning that Swa rituals are super hygienic, with fresh towels to cover chairs and the therapist periodically sanitising her hands. The ritual ended with some hot tea (we had a choice between green, ginger and lemon flavours) that they prepared at our office.

We have to say that it started out weird, but after the first ten minutes it stopped being strange, despite fellow Scouters furiously typing at keyboards nearby, all the while shooting envious glances this way. Also, the aroma and music is not usually included in cubicle massages, but they’re happy to provide it if your office permits it or if a separate room is available.

Swa’s mobile spa service is available anywhere in Mumbai and must to be booked a day in advance. With no monthly corporate packages, we think this service could get a little expensive to use on a regular basis. But special treatment(s) at work that you don’t have to kiss a** for, is priceless.

Getting there: Swa Wellness Mobile Spa, call 9004747284, view the Facebook page here, Rs 1,500 for a sixty-minute foot reflessage, Rs 1,700 for a sixty-minute Thai bodyssage and Rs 600 for the twenty-minute express massages.