Spa offers the best way to remove all of your muscle tension

One of the true ‘urban retreats’ of Edinburgh, PURE Spa is located in the Apex Waterloo hotel just after the busy east end of Princes Street.

Once inside, there is no city noise and the spa certainly moves at a slower pace. I opted for the 60 minutes deep tissue treatment from their Spa treatment menu.

Designed to relive stress and severe muscle tension, long days spent hunched over a desk meant my back was about to put its claims to the test.

I was met by my therapist Maggie who showed me to the relaxation room that can be used pre and post-treatment.

Pure Spa in Edinburgh

The treatment began with a relaxing foot ritual whilst the massage was explained in detail. Once on the massage bed a ‘breathe bowl’ was placed under the bed with warm water and essential oils. Then the massage began.

When they say deep pressure they mean deep pressure. Having had many deep tissue massages the most common complaint I have is that it is often closer to an aromatherapy massage. Not here. This was everything a deep tissue should be.

For those who prefer something more delicate, Maggie did regularly check that the pressure was okay, so it could be easily adapted for the more fragile massage lovers.

My back, legs, shoulders and arms were left thoroughly relaxed and the treatment and whole spa experience was faultless.

£78, www.purespauk.com, 0843 507 1888.