Magical Foot Spa — Attraction in Garden City

Thank you, xie xie.

For 20+ years pre-Covid, I would get at least one massage a month; sometimes more than one depending on how stressful my life was at the time. It is one of the tools I use to help maintain my sanity and keep the doctors at bay.

I have my own table and am trained in various massage and healing techniques, but I find I cannot give myself a complete treatment.

What that all means is I can usually tell the minute someone touches me whether they are a true healer. Sometimes, their behavior tells me before I even get touched that they are not true healers.

Many are trained, but lack the intent and shen (heart/mind complex). As a result, they follow a certain unaltered routine on every body that they touch.

The minute I was touched here, I just wanted to melt into the table. I knew I had found a healer. Within the first half hour I had become one with the table and was struggling against a losing battle to stay awake.

As the massage went on, it was clear this guy (sorry did not get his name) was trained in both Tui Na and Thai (two of the modalities I am trained in). It was also apparent he has the shen and intent to help others heal. He was clearly adapting his routine and technique to the feedback my body was giving him. It gave me that much more of a reason to trust him and to surrender to what he was doing to me.

They offered a private room with clothes off and the use of oil. However, all of my training has involved fully clothed patients/victims and no oil. Thus, I opted for what I consider traditional healing massage; that is to remain in the public room with clothes on.

They seemed to get a kick out of me responding to them and attempting to communicate with them in Mandarin. The fact that I was able to put a smile on their faces just made the experience that much better. I am a firm believer in giving back to those that give, and these people have made it a career to give of themselves to others.

Their prices are standard and reasonable. I have seen some places in this area charging $140 for a 90 minute treatment. You could not even find those prices in a larger metropolitan area. Also, my standard tip (even to those that I would never return to) is $40-$60. If the house is taking $140, it is more difficult to keep to my standard tipping especially since most houses in this and other geographic areas only take about $100.

I am so glad to have been recommended to try this place. It will be part of my monthly routine for health maintenance, and I would recommend it to anyone searching for...

Hard pressure = Sadistic level. DO NOT ASK FOR HARD UNLESS YOU ARE READY FOR PAIN.

On a whim, my girlfriend and I decided to get 60 min foot reflexology massages to celebrate the Friday night. Having been to other local reflexology massages, we went to see how this location was. We entered the room which was surprisingly empty and prepared for the massages. The front desk asked what level of pressure and, since most places are too light pressured, casually replied that firm/hard would be good. The front desk attendant disappeared to retrieve the masseurs. In contrast to the spa music, there was yelling in the backroom - we must have cut their smoke break short as when they arrived reeking. They continued to talk loud as they prepared use for the massages, apparently angry based on the body language/tone of their voice (couldn't understand as they spoke a different language).

At this point, we probably should have left. What followed was borderline torture and nowhere near what was expected to be a relaxing massage. Using their knuckles to pull apart the tendons in my feet, it was excruciating. Equally painful was when they used elbows and fingernails to "massage" my calves. Everyone understands what and where pressure points are. It literally felt like these were being targeted. That hour of pain lasted an eternity. You might ask why didnt I leave. During these excruciating moments, I rationalized that perhaps I was really tight or that the pain was justified in "getting better". By pain I don't mean wincing. I was seeing bright stars behind my eyelids because of how tight I had them shut because of the level of pain.

During the massage, a few others entered and got massages. I wish I had warned them because when asked for the level of pressure, they asked for hard. Later during the massage, someone actually made the comment that the masseur was literally hurting them and that it wasn't a massage. I too probably should have said something but just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible.

It's possible that a "soft pressure" massage would actually be tolerable/enjoyable. Seeing that others were also experiencing the same issue, if sounds like those who work there must enjoy giving a sadistic level of pain giving massages. Seriously, it's been two days, I have bruises on my legs and traps from where I was PUMMELED. Borderline assault. If you really want to see how bad it is, be my guest but it...

I've been going to this business for about 6 years. Both locations. Usually it has been very dependable. Until yesterday. I had this male practitioner who just did not care and didn't care that I could tell. They have a pretty standard massage routine which is generally fantastic. This guy barely touched my face and neck. Just wiped his hands on my hair to the point of irritation. It felt like he was just marking time. My arms and shoulders got a tepid maybe 10% effort and then he starts having a conversation with the guy working next to him. And STOPS MASSAGING. I finally reach up and move my eye covering and stare at him and he begrudgingly goes back to the sub par minimum. At least no longer having a chit-chat. I asked him to go harder and he adjusts slightly. Still not even what I'd call light pressure. I'm a training LMP who went to Heide Brenneke in Seattle. I actually know what I'm talking about as we evaluate each other as part of the education. He obviously decided my back was the place to try and then does this inconsistent abrasive mess of poking. I was mostly mad and frustrated. The very nice lady at the front desk asked me how it was. I couldn't lie. She was sympathetic and asked me about what happened and knew who I was talking about but still asked me 4 times if I wanted cash back to tip him. I usually tip $20 there but I only gave him $10 and frankly I shouldn't have given him anything. I'm mad. It's the next day and 8 have bruises on my back where he decided to do a last minute whatever the heck that was. It wasn't shiatsu or acupressure just a mess. So I'm bruised but didn't actually get anything resembling a massage. Maybe he hates his job or was having a bad day or thought I wouldn't be able to tell he was phoning it in but the business needs some sort of customer service policy when a massage goes off the rails that badly. Inexcusable. Definitely by far the worst massage I've gotten there and the worst massage I've ever had. He looked to be in his late 50s early 60s thinning hair. The front desk lady said they just brought him over from Nampa but luckily I always go to the same guy in Nampa who is fantastic. I don't think I'll go to Boise again since that guy is there and frankly I didn't think the situation was handled well. A massage should bring relaxation...