Essential Massage Therapy

03/04/09

Great Massage, Fair Prices

by bikeguy25 at Citysearch

I have gone to Essential a few times now and I have to say that the few people who left bad reviews don't know what they are talking about! I met Lisa the last time I was in since she was my therapist and not only was she friendly, but she also gives a top shelf massage. I don't always have the money to treat myself the way I should, but when I can afford it, Essential is my only choice. Don't listen to the other people, Ferndale is a great neighborhood and Essential is a great place to get a massage. Support a local business during these tough economic times!!

• Pros: Awesome staff, great massages
• Cons: Metered parking, not open late on Saturday

02/22/09

Love this place!

by lharper75 at Citysearch

I have been going to Essential for over 4 years now and I love this place! I travel a lot for work and would consider myself a massage guru. Instead of getting my massages on the road and paying $85+ I wait until I get home and come here. It's worth it and the price is perfect. All of the therapist are great, the receptionist knows me when I call or come in, and I have never had a bad massage. I like coming on a Sunday in my pajamas or running in after a long day at work and going home to my bath. It is not a snobby, pretentious place that I have to be dressed to the nines to go.

• Pros: Open everyday, and late
• Cons: Not here

02/03/09

Best therapists in town, very good prices.

by RoyWang at Citysearch

I use massage therapy extensively, both in Canada & the US, and Essential Massage Therapy has one of the best stables of therapists around.

I personally enjoy very deep, athletic work, and they have quite a few therapists that cater well to that, such as Erika and Lisa. My wife prefers relaxation massage, and they have therapists for that as well.

If you have an area of concern, they will actually focus on that rather than give a standard treatment to everyone. That said, most of them are good enough to figure out by feel what you need even if you don't.

The staff is friendly, the waiting area pleasant, with warm red tones on the walls. It avoids spa pretension while still giving a relaxing atmosphere to unwind and relax your muscles. This is not a day spa--it is for getting a very good massage at an excellent price.

Their rates are $60/hour, which is very competitive. When you go to a place such as LifeTime, or God help us, an exclusive spa, rates can go up to nearly double, and while they may give you a nice robe to borrow, the quality of massage usually comes close at best. I find that feeling of getting ripped off when I know there's a better deal can actually add to my tension :-p

Great for Ferndale residents, but even if I lived in Rochester, I would make the drive down. If you can't park on the street, there's a lot around the corner.

• Pros: Best therapists, great price
• Cons: Small waiting area, although not uncomfortable. Metered parking