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Boston's Best: Places To Get Massages

Massages are universally beneficial for the mind, body and spirit. However, each person has individual needs and requests specific techniques, making each experience different. Here's a list of Boston's best places to get a massage.
massage-envy
The lobby of Massage Envy in Boston.

Massage Envy
211 Berkeley St
Boston, MA 02116
(857) 239-1111
MassageEnvy.com

For starters, the front desk staff greets customers with a heated neck pillow upon arrival! As part of a chain company, Massage Envy's Boston location is one of many in Massachusetts. Prices are affordable, especially for college students' budgets. An introductory 1-hour massage costs $49. Customers rated Massage Envy's diversity and variety in massage styles to be high quality. The masseuses ask each customer about their preferences before beginning the session. The website's thorough explanations of different types of massages are helpful in guiding first-time customers.

bella-sante
(Photo Credit: Bella Sante)

Bella Santé
38 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 424-9930
BellaSanté.com

Although Bella Santé's services can be pricey ($100+), customers don't mind paying a little extra for the calming and relaxing massages. Customers are welcomed with a robe and slippers, as they wait for their appointment. Many recommend the Provence scrub massage, a Swedish style massage with a sea salt scrub, as well as the full body massage. For people looking for a soothing facial, Bella Santé has a wide selection and the specialists offer their expert opinion to customers. Additional services include manicures, hand facials, pedicures and foot facials. To top it off, there is a complementary juice bar that serves drinks, including tea, and snacks.

etant
(Photo Credit: Etant)

Étant
524 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 423-5040
Étant.com

Known for their professional, dedicated and skilled employees, Étant is rated highly by many Boston spa-goers. You aren't going to find exquisite cucumber-infused water, but you will find quiet, relaxing spa atmosphere. Most massages can go for an hour at $115 or an hour and a half for $155. The selection of massages is limited, but they also offer a variety of facials, body treatments, and acupuncture. Some of the body treatments include Seaweed Body Facial, Salt Scrub, Soothing Herbal Wrap and Detoxifying French Green Mud therapy. Many customers recommend getting the couple's massage.

john-davis
(Photo Credit: John Davis, LMT)

John Davis, L.M.T.
581 Boylston St. Ste. 503
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 719-7476
JohnDavisLMT.com

Licensed massage therapist John Davis has been known to work wonders on his customers. His work is described as professional, talented and therapeutic. He offers deep tissue and general relaxation treatments involving a variety of speeds, rhythms, and pressures. Customers have found his stretching suggestions to be very helpful in-between visits. His sense of humor is a great bonus! Appointments can be made online for 60, 75, or 90 minutes, costing $90, $105, $120, respectively.

backworks
(Photo Credit: Backworks)

Backworks Therapeutic Back Center
34 Batterymarch St.
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 451 – 2225
BackworksInc.com

This massage center gets down to business with customers. Although there is no true spa atmosphere, the massages are described as top-notch. The complete list of massage services includes Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, Neck and Shoulder, Swedish. Therapeutic, TuiNa (Chinese), Pregnancy Massage, Tai Massage and Foot Reflexology. Massage prices range from $75 to $110, depending on how lengthy they are. Many customers said they bought a package deal after one visit because the massages were very helpful in relieving back pain.

Kaylee Hill is a junior in the College of Communication at Boston University, majoring in Journalism and minoring in Sociology. She is the Digital Media intern for CBS Boston this Fall. Follow Kaylee on Twitter: @KayleeEHill.
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