Massage has been used since ancient times, and all around the world, to manually relieve stress, reduce pain, increase circulation, boost the immune system, and correct postural issues in the body. There are many different modalities, and different techniques are utilized to optimize different outcomes. When choosing the kind of massage you would like, it is good to know what your major concerns are and what you would like to achieve with your therapist. Take a look at the different massages we offer below to get a sense of which service is best for you.

Swedish (60 or 90 minutes)

Using long gliding strokes and kneading movements (effleurage and petrissage), massage therapists provide Swedish massage to those clients that simply want to relax, and for those without specific pains or problems. However, even a light massage is extremely beneficial to your body’s health: it reduces inflammation, increases red blood cell production, increases the efficiency of the lymphatic and circulatory systems, increases muscle tone, and, of course, reduces stress (which is a partial cause of 99% of illness and pathology). Therefore you don’t have to have deep tissue massage to heal your body, though if you have chronic pain or muscular tension, you would be best served with more vigorous work.

Deep Tissue (60 or 90 minutes)

Athletes, those with stressful jobs, and massage connoisseurs all swear by and depend on deep tissue massage. This is where the massage therapist really gets to put their knowledge of the body into action, starting with warming strokes and building up to deeper pressure to penetrate past superficial tissues and into the real problem areas of your body. They may also use trigger point therapy, myofascial release, stretching, and other techniques to seek out the cause of your pain instead of just attending to the symptoms. Deep tissue is for the client seeking serious therapeutic results.

Luxe Signature Massage (60 or 90 minutes)

The founder of Luxe Spa designed this treatment to relax and invigorate from head to toe, combining all of the different modalities into one thorough experience. Beginning with a warm foot soak with essential oils, the client is immediately lifted above the hectic pace of downtown Chicago, lounging in a comfortable chair while our practitioners perform a combination of reflexology and soothing foot massage. From there the client is escorted to the massage room, where, having already transitioned to a state of relaxation, the therapist uses effleurage (long, gliding strokes), petrissage (deeper kneading), friction, and acupressure to further disperse the stress of your everyday life. These techniques, when combined, help to calm the body completely, making this unique treatment perfect for someone who does not, or cannot, get massages regularly.

Neck, Back and Shoulder (30 minutes)

For those of us that have desk jobs, physical jobs, smartphones, cars, frequent flights, and other aspects of our lives that cause tension and pain in our necks and backs, we know we need massage, but often don’t have the time. This massage is perfect for the busy client that needs a quick but thorough “fix” for their back pain. Our neck, back and shoulder massage is as light or deep as you want it to be, and should be treated as a time-out for your body so that you can get back to work, pain-free.

Reflexology (30 minutes)

Though reflexology has its roots in ancient Eastern practices, the practice that we know today is actually American! William H. Fitzgerald, an ENT, introduced the idea that applying pressure on points in the hands, feet and ears could affect corresponding areas throughout the body. In the 1930s, nurse Eunice Ingham, having been practicing and researching the effects of Fitzgerald’s technique, created the reflexology “map” that most practitioners refer to today. The main principles of reflexology are that reflexes or zones in the feet can release tension, increase circulation and reduce pain in the areas of the body to which they refer. Luxe’s reflexology begins with a foot soak to calm and warm the feet before the practitioner continues the treatment, leaving the client relaxed and balanced within a short amount of time.

Sports Massage (60 minutes)

Sports massage therapy is geared toward athletes of every kind, from world-class professionals to weekend joggers. The particulars of the sports massage technique are specific to the athlete’s sport of choice. Focusing on areas of the body that are overused and stressed from repetitive and often aggressive movements.