Chinatown Pain Relief Massage — Local services in Boston

Hey guys, I'd love to save you some time and let you know about the experience you will get here.

Actual massage: First, you stay clothed for this massage (I suppose men can take off their shirt). Ladies, I recommend taking off your bra and wearing a comfortable shirt that is free of buttons or anything frilly/extra. They provide shorts but I was glad I brought some of my own because their largest ones were a medium. The massage table is a pretty janky cot. They cover your clothed body with a towel, but its good that you're clothed because its a small towel. If you love a good beating via deep tissue massage, you will get that here (not being sarcastic, some people only want that). I have chronic pain and fibromyalgia, so deep tissue is not my friend on my back and neck. I thoroughly enjoyed the foot portion of this massage (45 mins), but was bruised and in pain for four days after she tried to work on my neck and back (only 15 mins). In contrast, I just had a massage that incorporated both deep tissue and myofascial release and I feel totally fine this next morning. So they really get in there. They use lotion, but not a ton of it, so I felt some portions would have been less painful with some lubricant help. Obviously you don't get any lubrication on the clothed portions.

Therapist: my massage therapist did not speak English. I now know that I have to be able to communicate my fibro and problem areas to my MT. Nothing against her or the establishment. She did try to communicate with hand gestures that my neck is really bad. I wasn't able to ask for recommendations about that which stunk.

Space: This space is not very nice or clean. You aren't even taken into a room with a door, you are given an area with a curtain that pulls closed like a hospital ER area. You can hear everything from the front desk people, to the person being massaged 7 feet from you, to the washers and dryers and other massage therapists in the back.

If you want to go you must: love deep tissue, not care about not being able to communicate, and bring your own...

I’ve gone here over 30 times. The last 3-4 have been HORRIBLE I kept giving them chances due to the great times in the past. The last massage was literally SO BAD i just walked out of there 20 minutes early. I’m not one to ever write a bad review but this was so bad people need to be warned... you’re welcome.

They used to be great they’re now TEREIBLE. If you like deep tissue massasges STEER CLEAR. Softest massage ever, and can be done better by the youngest girl in your family (think or your 5 year old niece).

Lately they will bring you in 20 minutes late. Today’s massage was at 2, I got in at 2:27.

They don’t speak a word of English. I’m all for people from another country coming here to try and make a living but it’s impossible to tell somebody what you want in a massage if they just respond with “Sowwy no engross”.

The guy who answers the phone will acknowledge what you want and promise you a good massage but he too doesn’t understand what you’re saying. Once you get in the room get ready for a trainwreck...

Like surprise your massage therapist is a male. Yes he will straddle you like you’re trapped in the woods and need each others body heat to survive... oh wait you’re just in a massage room...

That happens to also be filthy.

Guys I’m a normal 29 year old guy who typically doesn’t do stuff like petty reviews. Just feel super cheated and want to warn others.

After reading the owners response to this below, that should be more of a red flag to everyone. They can’t provide good service unless you can articulate your needs...

I was a regular customer up until today and 2 weeks had a great massage. Today I came in for an Asian deep tissue massage - just like all my previous visits. First of all, my ‘masseuse’ clearly walked in straight from the street, still wearing his jacket; straight away began pressing into my back with cold hands while simultaneously taking the jacket off. After covering my back with a layer, I received one hour of painful trigger-point-pressing with an elbow. Literally. That’s all it was. There was no ‘pain to pleasure’ type of moments - literally just pain, even after I said the pressure was too much (do note that I am a 190lb male and go to the gym, and get deep tissue massage very often). At the end I told the receptionist that it was not good and I received a lot better before (at that exact establishment!!!) and that I didn’t want to leave a tip (yet would pay a full amount anyway). She then got someone else on the phone (I guess the owner?) who told me that I received a different type of massage because, and I quote - “my body was not meant to have oil on” and that what I got was actually worth 78$ instead of 68$ while keep asking how much tip I am leaving. If this ‘make quick $’ instead of client retention is your business model, then please, go for it. I know for a fact that I won’t be coming back again, even for a free massage. I’d rather pay slightly more but feel like a...