Fu Shen Beauty

I had a massage today. I love Asian massages. But unfortunately it was not a good experience. The place was simple, unexpensive and seemed Clean. But I guess you get what you pay for The massuse kept the door semi open when she is giving me the massage to keep an eye the when somebody was coming into the spa or I guess to help the receptionist with English. She did not have a good touch or technique either., I could feel she was in a rush. The moment she talked on her cellular phone on Chinese while she is giving me the massage I knew I was never coming back to this place. I would never recomend this place to somebody else. If you look with a massage to be relaxed with so many interruptions is difficult to do it. Bad massage, poor service and you are yelled at the door if you don’t tip the receptionist

relaxing massage for $ 60 for an hour.

I’ve been there many times (10 times at least). I really liked their masseuses Lee and Jack (the BEST), but unfortunately they were gone soon after I started using this salon.
Then later on I had different masseuses each time, some were better than the others, good in general. After Jack and Lee were gone, this place wasn’t the same any more and lost its attraction to me (only when it comes to massages). And I really love Asian massages and SPA culture in general. Also I’ve noticed that I paid for tui-​na massage, but each time it was different.
When it comes to facials, that’s a unique place. But don’t expect deep cleanse from comedones (black freckles on T-​area) with tools. Besides that, they really do a great job! I love the techniques/​massages/​acupressure they use. That’s my must-​do thing.
The ambiance is kind of simple. Don’t be mislead by it. Definitely worth trying.
SO, facials: 5 stars, massages: 4
Service is great: always nice and friendly. The only thing, I think none (except the owner Mey) speaks fluent English.

I’m a frequent flyer of massages and today was my first visit to this place. I was craving a massage and this is the only place in Davis Sq with walk-​in service. So a major plus for that.
The massage itself (done by Michelle) was average. I like deeper pressure and to really work out the knots in my back and shoulders. This massage would have been great for just relaxation, but I wasn’t looking to relax — I wanted work done. I explained to the masseuse that I’d like to focus on my back and shoulder because they were giving me trouble, but she didn’t really do that, just proceeded in her usual sequence.
But the place was clean. Good temperature. Excellent price. Where else in the area are you going to get an hour long massage for $ 60?

The price for the service makes this establishment a worthy visit. My girlfriend and I were looking to get some relief for our backs and we were looking to beat the going rate at a majority of the massage places around the city.
The previous reviews persuaded me to try the place, especially since the emphasis was on price. Unfortunately, all those prices mentioned previously are no longer in effect… unless you buy a package. The 1 hour rate for the basic massage is somewhere between $ 70 – 80. Buying a package of 5 costs you $ 250 — an average of $ 50 per session (for the mathematically challenged). Adding to this great value is the fact that it can be shared, so there isn’t a negative so far.
Facility is standard and nothing special. Some may be turned off, but their concerns should really be brushed aside. I’d prefer they save money on the décor and pass the savings on to me, which Fu Shen does.
Finally coming to the review of the massage, I have to give it two thumbs up. I had extreme back pain before coming, but once I left the place, I felt incredible. My masseuse had some unorthodox techniques (compared to the western style spas), but they worked. I’ve spent extensive time in China and had a few massages there, so I had some idea of what to expect. For me, it’s absolutely necessary to get the 60 minutes, whether it be quality or not. Fortunately, this was quality and was really beneficial for my back.
Yes, English is not their native language, but they can still communicate enough, so don’t let it deter you from coming to this place. Remember, ask for the package, because it isn’t conspicuously displayed.

I read about Fu Shen in an Unilocal e-​mail introducing hidden treasures in Davis Square, and WOOHOO I definitely found a gem!
I called as I was reading the e-​mail wanting to find out about their hours and and availability, but as I spoke to the receptionist I spontaneously asked her whether there’s still any availabilities tonight. It was an hour and 15 mins before their closing time when I called, and I was there within the next 10 mins, getting ready to receive one of the best messages I’ve had in a long long time.
I had Lee and I was more than satisfied with the massage I received. I was a little nervous since I never know what to do with myself when I go somewhere for the first time, but he was very helpful, telling me exactly what I should do instead of tell me to do whatever I want and making me feel awkward for not being «smooth» /​«cool» enough.
He was very professional and skillful and I finally realized why my heavy painful shoulder never went away from my own massaging. Parts of the massage hurt a little, and I am slightly sore afterwards, but i also feel loosen, relaxed and light. Plus, all the good massage I’ve had that actually got rid of my muscle sores and pains left some soreness the next day, supposedly it’s the the bad energy releasing and it hurts a little – but when it stops, all’s healed… I think: p
***They do promotions on Tuesdays so instead of $ 60 for a one hour message, it’s only $ 50!
I am definitely going back.

After a two-​hour trek around the Cambridge/​Somerville area, my friends and I finally found a massage place that took walk-​ins on a Sunday. We all opted for the half-​hour Tui Na Chinese deep tissue massage. It felt absolutely amazing and quite relaxing. Susan applied the perfect pressure to my back, neck, arms, legs, and feet, continuously checking to make sure I was comfortable. The massage ended with a hot towel and she even wiped some of the excess oils off my skin so I didn’t leave looking like a grease ball.
I saw Susan. She was great and I felt no pain the next day. My two friends got their massages from Lee. From what they said, he applied more pressure, did hot stones, and they both were a little sore the next day. Susan worked on my legs in addition to my back, but did not use hot stones. Lee used hot stones, but did not do any work on my friends’ legs. Four stars because I think they could do a little better on the atmosphere.
Overall, this place was great. I really don’t have anything else to compare it to, as this was my first therapeutic massage. However, it felt worlds’ better than the sports therapy massages I have received in the past.

They really are good with massages. The facial I got once was not bad either. Their techniques were great (traditional Chinese massage), and they use hot stones, hot towels, essential oils, and icy hot – an amazing combination that will truly help relax your muscles. I go back every now and then because I purchased a package of 5 massages. :) They’re tucked into a random building in Davis Sq, which definitely makes me feel like I’m going into some sort of retreat for an hour every time I visit…

Last Friday evening I was so tense and tired that I felt I really needed relief. So I walked over to Fu Shen in Davis Square and had a half-​hour massage. I asked them to focus on my upper back and shoulders and my massage therapist really delivered. She practices a lot of tui na and acupressure which is a much more intense type of massage — not particularly relaxing, but it definitely works out the muscles. There was also a hot stone massage as part of it as well. At the end I felt so much better :) I practically melted as I walked out the door.
I am giving this place 4 stars rather than 5 because I have had better massages, though this was pretty damn good. Also, I just want people to know for sure before going that the massage here isn’t going to be particularly gentle or relaxing — it is pretty hard core! Also, the therapists are Chinese and their English is a bit choppy which to me does not matter at all, but to some it may. Also, it is all women who practice there.

Hmmm … I gave Fu Shen massage a try partly in response to the previous review and partly because they are running a $ 50 special on Tuesdays in Feb. The only positive thing I can say about my experience is that at least I only paid $ 50 and not the normal $ 80 for an hour of deep tissue massage. First, the masseuse arrived late and by the time she got the room sorted, we started 30 min late. Second, she was the only one there and rather than lock the door, every time someone walked in to make an appointment she stopped the massage and went out to deal with him. This happened 3 times during the massage. Third, and worst of all: She was a terrible masseuse. I’ve been getting deep tissue massage for 20 years and I know when someone has no idea what they are doing. Her technique was so bad that I would tense up. She would sense this and rather than adjust her touch, she would slap at me like I was annoying her! I would have tried to correct her but the only English she spoke was «hard», «soft» and «okay ?». She finished the massage in just under 60 minutes (I’ve never been glad to arrive at the end of a massage before) and as I was on my way out the door she said «Ma teep». I asked her to repeat this several times before I realized she was asking me where her tip was. I feel bad because in all likelihood, and especially since I paid with a credit card, all the money for the massage goes to some absent owner while the masseuse toils for peanuts. However, I also don’t want to tip for a terrible massage. What to do? Personally, I just want a little muscular relief, I don’t want to worry about global economic inequities, so I won’t be back. They charge on the high end for an hour massage ($ 80) but their skill level is not even close. I wouldn’t go back for any price.

Massages are not relaxing. I mean, from the second you walk in there’s that whole «Do I?» or «Don’t I?» battle you have with yourself re: whether or not you should remove your undergarments. That alone, can invoke an anxiety attack. Once you decide (and there’s a whole process involved, i.e., is it a male or female masseuse, is this a high end spa or a sports therapy place or a Chinese therapy place?) you hop up on the table, get under to blanket and hope for the best.
This time around, I pretty much got the best. I was hoping for some serious deep tissue massage for my leg muscles which were super tight from triathlon training. She delivered. She worked the hell out of my legs for a solid hour and it really hurt… in all the right ways. She even put hot stones on my back and shoulders and scorching hot towels on my legs first to warm the muscles up.
I took one star off because she said something that I’m still baffled about. It sounded like «You soft. You eat yoga?» I smiled and said yes. But I have no idea what she meant.
1) Did she mean my bones were soft and I should eat yogurt? You can’t tell if someone has soft bones from rubbing their muscles though can you?
2) Or, was she saying my skin was soft and it most be from eating yogurt? I’d like to think that’s what she said.
3) Or, did she mean that my muscles were soft and that I should start doing yoga? Damn, I like to think of myself as pretty fit, so that would be a major insult.
I guess I went to Fu Shen to be pushed, pulled, rubbed, beaten, burned and slapped (all in the name of a really good massage) and then verbally assaulted at the end, for good measure. You guys should really go!