Hands On

By Lisa Arnett
November 2024 View more Discover

Unwind at these three massage therapy studios

DuPage Massage Therapy

340 W. Butterfield Rd., Elmhurst

For the first decade of her career practicing massage therapy, Kenal Mehta had focused mostly on pain relief. When the 2020 pandemic required her to put her work on pause, she used her free time to research different modalities and became interested in lymphatic massage. She now specializes in using this technique to help people recover from surgery, including C-sections, tummy tucks, and mastectomies. “Your lymphatic system is like the garbage disposal of our body,” Mehta says. “When scar tissue forms after surgery, it’s like a speed bump that interrupts the free flow of lymphatic fluid in the body.” Mehta uses massage to help improve lymphatic drainage after surgery and partners with her clients’ surgeons to ensure a smooth recovery.
Good to Know: In addition to being a licensed massage therapist, Mehta is also board certified, which means she commits annually to continuing education and background-check requirements.

Sage Healing Collective

525 S. Tyler Rd., St. Charles

Chiropractic physician Emily Loveland started her career as an athletic trainer and then became a massage therapist, so it makes sense that the art of massage and bodywork is a major focus of her day spa in St. Charles, which opened in 2020. She teaches anatomy and physiology for Elgin Community College’s massage therapy program, and her team of 10 licensed massage therapists at Sage includes four of her former students. Options range from the signature relaxation massage to more specialized services such as Zen shiatsu, myofascial release, as well as massages using hot stones, warm bamboo, cupping, and reflexology. “A relaxation massage is time for you to zone out and melt into the table and be cared for,” she says. “It’s a very slow, rhythmic massage technique meant to calm the nervous system and relax the soft tissues.” They also have a dedicated room with side-by-side tables for couples massages.
Good to know: Other services offered include yoga classes, acupuncture, nail care, chiropractic and nutritional medicine, skin care, and hair removal.

The NOW Massage Naperville

110 S. Washington St., Naperville

Looking for their next venture in retirement, former Naperville residents Sharon and Randy Kline heard about a Los Angeles–based massage therapy concept that aimed to fill a gap in the market between no-frills massage chains and high-end hotel and day spas. “Massage had always been a love of mine, and not a luxury, but more of a necessity for me after I was in a very bad car accident and broke my neck,” Sharon says. After visiting an L.A. location and falling in love with the concept, the Klines decided to open a franchise in 2021 in downtown Naperville. With beachy decor, canvas-curtain-draped treatment nooks, and a soundtrack of ocean waves on loop, the space aims to put you in a vacation state of mind. Guests can choose from three massage options, all rooted in Swedish massage technique: the Now (a signature relaxation massage), the Stretch (a sports recovery-inspired massage for athletes), and the Healer (more of a mind-body-spirit vibe). Customize your treatment with add-ons such as herbal heat therapy, deep tissue massage, or gua sha. “Gua sha uses S- and U-shaped tools made of rose quartz for lymphatic drainage and blood circulation, and we also have a coconut oil scalp massage treatment that is really great for anyone with migraines or headaches,” says Trevor Sheehan, Sharon’s son, who has made this endeavor a true family affair as general manager.
Good to know: Sign up for a Ritual membership for discounted pricing on massages, such as $85 instead of $130 for a 50-minute massage.

Photos: Kinda Arzon Photography (DuPage Massage Therapy); April Duda Photography (Sage Healing Collective); Joined Purposefully Photography (The NOW Massage)