Some people consider a massage a pampering luxury. For others, it’s a self-care necessity or a therapeutic essential for maintaining mobility and minimizing pain. Whichever camp you fall into, here in Oak Park and its neighboring near west suburbs, you’ll find numerous places where you can revel in an expert massage. Some are luxe day spas, others modern wellness centers, but all promise to restore and rejuvenate body and soul.
Oak Park
Haarn Authentic Thai Bodywork
1105 Holley Court, Oak Park
As the name indicates, Haarn Authentic Thai Bodywork prides itself on offering Thai massages, which incorporate acupressure, assisted yoga stretching, and herbal compresses to promote holistic healing. Specialty treatments include oil bodywork, during which the massage therapist uses oils to reduce friction, and the aroma deep tissue, designed to ease chronic muscle pain, whether it’s from training for a marathon or spending hours bent over a computer.
Holistic Harmony Massage and Wellness
6955 West North Avenue, Suite 103, Oak Park
From the salt lamps to the soothing fragrances, Holistic Harmony Massage and Wellness is all about serenity. Its menu includes customized aromatherapy treatment, therapeutic deep tissue massage, and Himalayan hot salt stone therapy; even if you’re skeptical about the ability of hot stones to activate the body’s natural healing abilities, you can’t deny that they feel wonderful. Those with chronically achy feet will relish the herbal detox foot soak.
Massage Envy
971 Lake Street, Oak Park
1 North La Grange Road, Unit 2A
Massage Envy is one of the country’s largest massage chains, and at its Oak Park and La Grange locations you can choose between a relaxation massage or a relief treatment focused on areas in need of extra TLC. The various types of assisted stretching sessions, such as mobility and rapid tension relief, are equally restorative; so are the assorted facials and skin peels. Members enjoy a free treatment each month plus discounts.
Massage Therapy of Oak Park
1043 Wenonah Avenue, Oak Park
The therapists at Massage Therapy of Oak Park are trained to incorporate multiple techniques to best address each client’s specific needs, whether it’s a pregnant woman hoping for gentle revitalization, an injured athlete who wants to enhance their PT regimen, or someone seeking to reduce chronic pain. They also offer customized geriatric, pediatric, and hospice massages, along with Swedish massage and gentle craniosacral therapy.
Salon 212 & Day Spa
109 South Marion Street, Oak Park
In addition to traditional Swedish and deep tissue massage and a 30-minute “tuneup” massage, Salon 212 & Day Spa provides plenty of other pampering services, from facial peels and Brazilian waxing to chemical hair straightening and mani/pedis complete with soaks and scrubs. It’s a one-stop rejuvenation shop and a great place to spend the afternoon with a friend.
Serenity Holistic Health
503 Madison Street, Oak Park
The team at Serenity Holistic Health know a wellness panacea doesn’t exist, which is why they offer various services. The massage therapists will work with you to determine which combination of techniques will best address what ails you. The same is true of the reiki practitioner, who might include essential oils, singing bowls, and other tools during a session. Acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, and phototherapy (aka LED red light therapy) are among the other services offered.
Brookfield
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Brennan Massage & Spa
3700 Grand Boulevard, Brookfield
Located in a restored 19th-century home, Brennan Massage & Spa will charm you the moment you step onto its porch, which includes rockers where you can relax before your appointment. Along with Swedish and recuperative sports massages, the menu includes a therapeutic massage dedicated to healing one’s back, a full body massage with a special scalp treatment, and massages enhanced with a sugar scrub or a honey hydration wrap. You can also enjoy a couples massage as the precursor to a romantic evening. The spa’s facial menu is equally diverse.
Honor Thy Apothecary
3745 Grand Boulevard, Brookfield
In addition to selling sustainable skincare treatments crafted with natural, nontoxic ingredients, Honor Thy Apothecary offers restorative facials and massages designed to heal as well as relax. To encourage clients to make its services and products part of their self-care routine, the shop offers monthly memberships that include discounts and access to special events.
Elmwood Park
Therapeutic Massage
7914 West North Avenue, Elmwood Park
Clients agree that Therapeutic Massage has mastered the art and science of massage. Amid soothing fragrances and the soft glow of candlelight you can savor a Swedish, deep tissue, or four hands massage designed to melt away stress and muscle aches.
Forest Park
Elements Massage
7239 Madison Street, Forest Park
The Forest Park branch of the Elements Massage chain offers deep tissue, Swedish, sports, prenatal, and trigger point massages, along with aromatherapy, cupping, and other add-on treatments. Estheticians provide customized facials as well. Those who want to make massages or facials part of their weekly regimen can sign up for a month-to-month membership, which entitles you to discounted services.
Inductor of Healing
7435 Madison Street, Forest Park
Whether you need help working out a persistent knot between your shoulders, are recovering from a strain sustained playing pickleball, or seek to relieve tension after a tough week at work, Inductor of Healing has a massage for what ails you. Swedish massage, trigger point therapy, prenatal massage, neuromuscular release, sport pain management… The list goes on. Therapists are also trained in assisted stretching, posture screening and correction, lymphatic drainage, and other restorative treatments.
Team Blonde
7442 Madison Street, Forest Park
Team Blonde is an apparel and gifts boutique, spa, and salon in one. The massages are tailored to the individual and can be complemented with a hot stone treatment. The aromatherapy body wrap, which includes acupressure on the shoulders and face, and the herbal body wrap are equally blissful. Facials, haircuts and color, manicures, and other services will have you looking as rejuvenated as you’ll feel.
La Grange
Kuma Health and Wellness
140 North La Grange Road, Suite 9, La Grange
Naprapathy, one of the core services of Kuma Health and Wellness, focuses on gentle manipulation of the muscles and connective tissues surrounding the spine. Some consider it a combination of chiropractic and massage therapy, but this wellness center offers straight-up therapeutic massage as well. Not only is each massage tailored to the individual, but the therapist also works to identify posture positions that could be causing discomfort. Craniosacral therapy and hypnotherapy are among the other available services.
North Riverside
Serenity Touch Massage
7501 West Cermak Road, North Riverside
Located inside the North Riverside Park Mall, Serenity Touch Massage is designed for quick, efficient muscle relief—just the thing after a day of shopping. Unlike a day spa, the space is open, with multiple chairs and tables in the same room, and the treatments tend to be robust, for a vibe that’s more invigorating than restful.
River Forest
River Forest Health & Wellness
7353 Lake Street, River Forest
At River Forest Health & Wellness the focus is on pain reduction and improved mobility, though its therapists provide relaxation massages as well as deep tissue, sport, and lymphatic treatments, in addition to myofascial release, targeting the connective tissues around the muscles, joints, and organs, and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM). Other services include physiotherapy, acupuncture and dry needling, and chiropractic care including the Webster Technique for pre- and perinatal clients.
What Are the Main Types of Massage?
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Swedish massage—This is what most people think of when it comes to massage: long, flowing strokes and light to medium pressure designed primarily for relaxation.
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Deep tissue massage—Here the primary goal is relieving muscle tension, stiffness, and discomfort, so the pressure is firm and penetrating, reaching the tendons and ligaments. Of course, most people find it relaxing as well as therapeutic!
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Sports massage—The techniques used in sports massages vary depending on whether the purpose is to prepare an athlete for an event, reduce soreness after activity, or address trouble areas. Along with deep tissue pressure and lighter strokes, it can incorporate kneading, trigger point therapy to relieve specific muscle knots, and slow, sustained myofascial release.
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Prenatal—This form of massage is designed to relieve the backaches, leg cramps, and other physical strains that typically result from pregnancy. Prenatal massage is also believed to improve circulation and help reduce nervous tension.
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Thai massage—During a Thai massage, the therapist will assist you in stretching and achieving certain yoga-like positions in addition to using feet, elbows, knees, palms, and fingers to knead muscles.
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Hot stone—A hot stone massage can be a treatment in and of itself or an add-on to a standard massage. The therapist places small, hot stones on specific body parts to relieve aches and pains.
Additional Therapies
Many other therapies can be added onto or follow a massage, enhancing an already pampering experience.
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Acupuncture—Part of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture entails inserting thin needles shallowly into the skin at points on the body said to release qi, an energy flow that promotes healing and relaxation.
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Dry needling uses the same type of needles but places them near muscles, joints, or nerves that are causing pain or spasms.
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Aromatherapy—This treatment uses scented essential oils on the body or in the air to energize, relax, or promote other moods.
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Cupping—An ancient therapy, this entails placing suction cups on the skin to help reduce muscle pain.
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Facials—A licensed esthetician incorporates steaming, exfoliation, extraction, and therapeutic masks to rejuvenate your skin and eliminate impurities while you relax.