Lincoln Park Massage Spa

10/18/09

We wanted a deep tissue, not a deep bone marrow massage

by Thaicharm7 at Citysearch

I decided to book a deep tissue couples massage for Sweetest Day. I was excited since I read great reviews and also had a $45 gift certificate I wanted to use. So come massage time, the "therapists" (Mantino and I failed to catch the African American lady's name) brought us to a small room where they had us disrobe in the room, no robes, no flip flops. They asked us where our problem areas were. I told them mine were my shoulders and upper back including the neck area, and my boyfriend's was kinda everywhere, but especially the back. So they began the massage with us face down and a hospital sheet over us. Mantino begins right away pressing his elbows and forearms into my back. Not particularly in any muscle group, just into my back...which meant posterior ribs, spine, shoulder blades. I've a tendency to laugh sometimes when I'm in pain, and I started to kinda laugh uncomfortably. He asked if he should let up. I told him a little. He eventually proceeded to my legs where he was kneading my buttocks and upper thigh so hard with his knuckles and elbows that I let out another yelp because I felt like he was bruising me. Then when he got down to my calves, he was digging his fingers between where my calf muscle and bone meet. I kicked upwards this time to let him know he was hurting me, yet again. He did do a good job on my feet. He then asked me to turn over, but I asked that he worked longer on my back because he never got to any of my problem areas that they asked about. He told me it was my massage and he could spend the last 15 min on my back if I wanted. I told him I wanted at least another 5 min on my back, but I did want to flip over and get a whole body massage experience. He did better on my neck and back once I had to show him where. (He actually was massaging my muscles this time!) They also had to leave the room at one point because they forgot our eye masks. Little did I know until after the massage (and a $30 tip) that my boyfriend had similar issues, but his was worse. He told me that the woman did a great job with his legs, but he thought it was because they're mainly muscle. He said that the lady was also putting all of her weight in spots on his back that wasn't muscle. He felt like it was more of a "deep bone marrow" massage than a deep tissue. He never said anything while we were there because he felt bad that I had done such a nice thing. It wasn't until I put my arms around his shoulders later that he told me. Although the receptionist and the therapists were nice, I won't be returning. I've had deep tissue massages at many other hotels and spas in the states and in Asia and Europe. This might have been the worst massage I've ever received. $210 (sans gratuity) for a deep bone marrow couples massage could've been spent on a pain-free nice dinner somewhere, or a real spa treatment elsewhere.

• Pros: Nice receptionist
• Cons: The "therapists" don't know bone from muscle

06/10/09

Best Prenatal in Chicago

by garnold0416 at Citysearch

After having a horrifying 'spa day' at another spa I decided that I needed to have a make up day. I decided to go back to the place I went with my first pregnancy multiple times...Lincoln Park Massage Spa. And I wasn't disappointed. The massage was awesome, and Kim, my therapist was very attentive, checking in ever so often to see if the pressure was right ect. I left the massage feeling the way you are supposed to, relaxed and rejuvinated. I am all for trying different spas out but after spending so much and being so disappointed at the other spa, I won't make that mistake again. Every massage I have had at LPMS has fully been to my standards and I will definitely be going back

• Pros: Experienced and compassionate staff
• Cons: parking can be a pain, but thats chicago!

01/06/09

unbelievable

by CSMobileUser at Citysearch

I have had messages for decades and from all over the world. This place is incredible-from the different rooms I was able to choose from to the entire staff. I am so lucky to be near them