Touch of Grace

DIRTY, BIZARRE, OUT OF THE ORDINARY… stay away from here… This massage experience was like going to an eye doctor and having your teeth pulled out.
This building (can’t call it a spa) is next door to a deli. When I stepped in the lobby, or shall I say a room with a few uncomfortable plastic chairs, I was taken aback by the smell. The deli smell is overpowering. There were 2 ladies working. Lady 1 and the massage therapist known as Linda. They don’t speak English. If you know sign language, that would be your best bet at communicating here.
I told Lady 1 that I had a voucher through Amazon local. She wrote the number down and I sat down to wait. Linda came to take me to my room about 10 minutes later. I was the only customer in the building. I am not sure what business was here prior, but my best guess is that it was a veterinary clinic or a tattoo parlor. The place was shoddy… nothing like a spa should be.
Linda took me down the hall and opened the door and pointed at the table. She left. There was no discussion about my massage… nothing. The room was bare and the carpet was dirty and stained. The massage table looked like a picnic table from Costco covered by a thick towel. The hole you put your head in, was surrounded by hand towels. Comfortable? Nope. The hole itself was not open at the bottom but was covered by some type of fabric. The air I was inhaling was the air I was exhaling. I had a headache within 15 minutes. I did not see a license displayed anywhere.
10 minutes into the massage… Lady 1 burst into the room and ran to my side ranting and raving in another language and angrily pointing at her phone so I would read her text stream. This was not a calm entrance, and it upset me. She had me call the owner to discuss the validity of my voucher… which I did while laying on the massage table. He realized she didn’t know what she was doing and said he would take care of it. Lady 1 left the room but she took my phone with her… I made it clear to Linda via hand gestures that this was not okay with me. She left to go get my phone.
Back to the massage… no, this was not a massage…
The deep tissue massage I wanted was never going to happen. I tried to tell her, but Linda didn’t understand what I was saying. So Plan B was a massage that I could have gotten at home from my elderly mother in law. Linda didn’t seem to be aware of the protocol that follows a massage regarding coverage with the thin, threadbare sheets. I am referring to what the sheet covers on the body and what it doesn’t! There are body parts that should be massaged and body parts that are left alone, …and that is why they are under the sheet! There were no boundaries here… I had a tug of war with this woman… She pulled the sheet off, and I pulled it back. she pulled and I pulled. I didn’t want her adjusting my underwear nor massaging my bum. She felt that this was a free zone!!! .
I ask myself now… why in the world didn’t I walk out? Did I really care about my 40 dollars that much? Maybe a feeling that this was just a small snafu and things would get better? My voucher stated that my massage was valued at 110 dollars. What were these people thinking?
When I walked out of the massage room, I passed the room where couples would have massages. The room looked worse than a child’s room after a sleepover. At this point I just wanted to get out of this palce… I was upset, angry. and felt terrible. This is a fake massage parlor. It is dirty and the people here can’t run a business. I surely didn’t feel comfortable being the only customer in the building.
I was offered a warm glass of water… in a 2 ounce Dixie cup. when I came to the lobby. I could have used at least 16 ounces of cold water.
I noticed that if you use a credit card hear you have to pay a fee. After years of getting massages. I have never experenced anything so horrible.
I called and reported Touch of Grace to the merchants who are selling their vouchers.

I went to Touch of Grace with Groupon and was very pleased with the massage. The massage therapist (don’t remember her name) was skilled and very professional. Plan to return.

Here’s a breakdown of massage places.
First off, I had a GREAT massage. Yes they don’t speak English well, but that’s with all of these types places. I had a migraine for 5 days while out on vacation, of all the times. When I came home, I got an adjustment from my chiropractor then got a massage from this place.
I believe my gal was Grace herself, the owner of the place. I needed focus on my neck and upper back. She did 30 – 40 minutes on my neck and upper back and used the right amount of pressure because she kept checking in with me, asking ‘ok?’ I liked that. She also used her hands most of the time, not elbows etc. which is tiring on the hands. And this was at the end of her day!
So for those of you who don’t know how massage places work, there are different levels of places. There’s the:
1. Day Spa, which has showers, steam rooms, or other amenities and you can stay the entire day if you like. The great thing about these places is that you can relax after your massage and you’re not back out in the real world right away. These are the $ 100+ per hour massages because you have access to their facility. The Ritz will be much more than $ 100. The therapists here usually have had many years experience. Like me, 15 yrs with a BS in Kinesiology. Doesn’t make me better than others, but it’s a really good chance you’ll get a great massage. $$$$
2. Massage franchises — Massage Envy, Hand and Stone, etc. — these places don’t usually have a locker room and facility to use. It’s just massage or facial and go. They typically do monthly memberships where massages are $ 60 for an hour or I think with no membership $ 75 or so. Massage therapists usually start their career at these places. $$
3. ‘Professional’ massage/​foot massage places — there are like 3 in RSM that I’ve been to and now I tried A Touch of Grace in Lake Forest. With these places, they typically do medium to deep pressure. Some therapists get on the table to be able to apply more pressure. They leave the room to get a hot towel from their 1 towel warmer that all of them use. Yes, they may leave the door a little cracked. Also, if it’s a one person show, she may leave the room to check-​out her previous client. As far as the one reviewer’s criticism about the stomach rub, that actually helps digestion. But I get it, it’s not his thing. Culturally, I believe these therapists are a lot less conservative — they don’t care about your nakedness — they’re there to work your muscles and in my opinion, they usually do a great job. But be prepared for them to walk out of the room because almost all of them do that. And be prepared that some get on the table! Although that only happened once to me. $
4. Massage hole in the walls. These are the ones you want to avoid if you want a real therapeutic massage.
If you’re really sore the next day, you probably didn’t drink enough water. Always drink at least 2 big glasses of water within the next 2 hours of your after your massage. Lots of lactic acid and toxins are moved out of your muscles and into your bloodstream. They’ll be processed to your bladder to be excreted from your system if you drink enough. But if you don’t, those toxins can be reabsorbed in your muscles where you’ll feel extra sore, or your head where you’ll get a headache or your stomach where you can feel nauseas. Make sure you do your part for yourself and drink that water! No, not beer or wine. That can come after the water.
Why you ask? You know how you feel great after exercising? Hot, sweaty, you drink lots of water and you feel great? Same concept. Toxins move out or your system via the lymph system. They lymph system has branches all throughout your body, like your bloodstream, only it’s not pumped by the heart, it moves when your muscles contract. So when you exercise, your muscles contract and move the lymph, moving the toxins. The lymph system dumps the toxins into your bloodstream, and when you drink your water after you exercise, you feel great!
Why do you feel sore hours later? With every muscle contraction you create lactic acid. Like exhaust from a car, when your muscles move, the chemical reaction of a muscle contraction leaves lactic acid. Contract your muscles too much and you create a ton of lactic acid — too much for 2 glasses of water to handle. In comes the massage therapist, to continue the circulation of your body and move those toxins into your bloodstream.
Or try to manage it yourself. If you’re not too sore (like ran a marathon!) Try doing a casual walk AFTER your workout. Get your muscles and blood flow moving but not strenuously otherwise you’ll keep creating too much lactic acid. Do a gentle walk for 15 – 20 min. and see if it makes a difference for you. If not, let a therapist help you out!
Therapy is hard physical work. Say «softer please» multiple times if need be. They can’t read your mind but they AIM to give a good massage. :) Good health to you!

I had a great deep tissue massage here! You people who complain and don’t tip are pathetic. One hour plus of work and they get nothing?!?

My girl found a groupon for this place so we decided to give it a try. First problem started immediately. While laying on our beds, we could hear the girls up front laughing and talking as if they were having a party. I couldn’t relax for a second. They talked loudly the entire time. Then our own masseuses started walking out of the room, I’m guessing to get towels, and just like all the other reviews, they would leave the doors wide open. We would just lay there not knowing where they went. Then they would start whispering to each other. Oh and by the way, the massages are WEIRD. At one point, I swear, the masseuse just started rubbing my stomach in a circular motion for like 5 minutes. What is that?! It’s like she just didn’t know what else to do. Have any of these people been to a professional massage business? Oh ya and after, when asked how much to tip, the one of the masseuses would just stand there next to us watching us… no pressure. This place is horrible and apparently doesn’t read any of these reviews because clearly it’s the same problem every time.

I would not recommend this place unless you want to be black and blue at the end of your massage. I only came in to try this place because I had a Groupon. I called Wednesday to make an appointment for Friday and the guy tells me it was fine and hangs up on me. I was hesitant about going during my lunch because I wasn’t sure if they would take me.
I agree with some of the other reviews. Very unprofessional. There were times the therapist would leave the room and the door would be wide open and I wasn’t fully covered. The pressure was just way to hard for me. Not sure what the purpose is with pressing so hard. It didn’t feel like she was getting any knots out, but just pushing on my bones.
I will not be going back

Things got off to a rocky start. Management did not have us correctly booked so they were short staffed and we had to wait an additional 45 min after our appointment to be seen. However, the staff was very professional and considerate to our dilemma. They agreed to upgrade our package and give us additional time. Great massage and a great staff.

This is the worst massage I have ever experienced. Here’s why:
* Ambiance: very clean and organized. The massage room had very high ceilings and low lighting, but the music playing stopped half way through my massage.
* Massage: this is by far the most bizarre massage I’ve ever received. I signed up for the Swedish Massage/​Essential Oils and the masseuse was all over the place (straddling my back, jumping over my body numerous times, etc.) My massage started 20 minutes after my scheduled appointment, there were several instances of people opening and closing the door during the actual massage (while I’m butt naked, mind you) and the only oil used was baby oil. Overall, I somewhat enjoyed the massage, but the knots in my back now hurt because the masseuse was so rough.
* Professionalism: very disappointing! The receptionist and masseuse speak very little English, thus communication is a huge issue. After receiving my massage I decided not to tip because I wasn’t satisfied with the experience. The manager confronted me and said, «tipping is customary, you know,» which was the final straw. I told him that they were lacking professionally and that I shouldn’t have to wait 20 extra minutes for a massage I scheduled weeks ago. He actually tried arguing against me, saying «Well she still gave you the full hour massage.» I was in disbelief and left.
* I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO ANYONE

I have been here on several occasions. Definitely recommend this place

My husband and I bought the living social deal and went for a couples massage (after being rescheduled twice). Office is fine and clean but I was totally puzzled when we went into the couples massage room and there was a floor air conditioner running full speed which was so loud and it was hot in the room. There was no music on and the massage therapists just started working on us without asking if there were any areas to focus on. They used baby oil and the one short lady kept going in and out of the room like 12 times. Very unprofessional. I will say my massage therapist had great hands. She is from Nigeria and knows how to do deep tissue. Her name was Doshima. I don’t think we will go back. It seem unorganized.
I was really hoping for a great place close to home.

Can’t actually review the massage since they never scheduled my appointment. I called mid week to setup an appointment due to groupon my husband purchased me. I showed up 20 minutes early for my appointment and was told there was nothing scheduled for me. Was then told they would give me a free massage and to return my groupon and come in next Saturday instead. Return the groupon I did. Come back? I don’t think so.

Terrible experience.
First of all, I had called a day in advance to make an appointment for my mother and I at the same time. Over the phone, I made it clear that I want my mother and I to be seen at the same time l, both with female massage therapists. We arrived about 15 minutes before our appointment time and I was seen right away.
My experience was mediocre at best. My masseuse couldn’t speak any English at all. I could not communicate to her what was painful, what I wanted more of, what body parts she should focus on, etc.
At one point, her phone rang and she left the room to answer it, which I felt was very unprofessional.
After my massage was finished, I learned that my mother’s masseuse showed up 30 minutes late, and my mother wasn’t able to get a massage because we had to be somewhere.
Pros: The receptionist was friendly and the place was clean.
Overall, I wouldn’t come here again or recommend it to a friend.

I have consulted several acupuncture specialists in the past but the Doctor at this clinic is very effective.
The clinic is Christian focussed and with a great spirit of service.
I will recommend this to anyone.

My lower back really likes ‘Touch of Grace’. Gege my therapist made the pain go away. I seriously recommend her work. Wish I was closer.

Very professional!!! I really like the skill here. And they really have good atmosphere.