Under Pressure
By Michael Mueller
Every session at Under Pressure Massage is with Julien, the French therapist who opened the practice in Barcelona in 2015. His studio is on the fifth floor in the Eixample, two blocks from Plaça Catalunya, in a building shared with psychologists and language schools.
He started at home in Évreux, Normandy, walking on his father’s back to ease his pain. At 20 he moved to Lille and learned professional technique from a mentor. He discovered Thai massage at a village school on the French Riviera, then trained at TMC Massage School in Chiang Mai.
Here, Thai massage takes place fully clothed on a floor mat, without oils. Julien works from feet to head, combining assisted stretching with firm pressure from his hands, elbows, knees and feet. He describes it as vigorous and energizing – closer to assisted stretching at the gym than a spa treatment. Shorts and T-shirts are provided.
Deep tissue sessions use focused pressure for stubborn tension; relaxing massage takes a gentler, flowing approach. He explains the techniques and pressure options before starting, and adapts each session to your body’s needs. Sessions are by appointment only. Book online to see availability in real time; same-day booking is possible.