Harvard Square Shiatsu

I have been getting regular treatments from Roger for a few years, all my shoulder and back pains are gone.

I had my shiatsu go-​to place in California so when I moved to Cambridge, I wanted to find something similar for the summer. I’ve been here twice and both times have come out feeling fantastic! Roger does a great job at finding trouble areas with a lot of tension and he was able to provide with some relief for my chronic neck and shoulder issues. He uses very firm pressure, so its the go to place if you’re looking for a deep tissue type massage or to relieve tension out of tight muscles.
Scheduling in my experience has been pretty easy and flexible. Both times that I’ve called, they have been able to accommodate me on the same day. Also, as some others have noted — one of my fav things about shiatsu is that it uses no oils. I don’t have to deal with feeling sticky for the rest of the day.
Overall great place if you enjoy the shiatsu style. I’d recommend trying it at least once!

My first Shiatsu session,
Roger is great (very professional and intuitive).
I’m looking forward to my next visit.

This place is fantastic! A great alternative to driving all the way back to Western MA to see Andy.
I was nervous for a few reasons:
–new place
–female therapist (worried she would not be strong enough to make my shoulder less like boulders)
–my back hurt so badly I could barely move when I booked my appointment
Nerves were totally unnecessary. Liz, the therapist I saw, was SUPER strong and managed to get most of the tension out of my back/​neck/​shoulders (an impressive feat for anyone). The office was really easy to find (thanks to other Unilocalers for noting its proximity to BerryLine). And the price was so great! I mentioned Unilocal,and got $ 10 off. So it was $ 60 for a 60 minute massage. Something oh so hard to come by in Boston.
This is not the place to go if you want a frilly, Swedish massage with lots of oils! As others have stated, this is shiatsu, you keep your clothes on and there is no oils used. It’s pretty much paying someone to kick the crap out of the knots and tenseness in your muscles and it is awesome!

I have to say, I’m kind of baffled by the negative review of this place. It’s the equivalent of rating Fenway 2 stars because you don’t like baseball… or rating the Boston Common 1 star because you don’t like trees!
In an ideal, less polarized, world I’d give this place 4.5 stars.
I’ve been going once a month since last December and I’m noticing that each time I’m able to become more relaxed than the last. That’s a good thing!
Liz is my therapist. She’s soft-​spoken. But don’t let that fool you because she has Ninja fingers! In 60 minutes, she bends and folds, twists and pulls at my comatose body. Shiatsu kind of feels like someone is putting me in yoga poses while simultaneously working my pressure points. The result, for me, is leaving «the shop» feeling loose and better aligned.
My BF has also had Shiatsu here (by Liz and also her partner, Roger) and he enjoys it. He says he feels energized afterwards (2 reviews in one! — Unilocal,you owe me).
I think the results are subtle and cumulative. Also, it’s really nice to have this to look forward to at the beginning of every month.
Here are the other details:
— There are no oils, balms, or other baby-​scented salves applied. So, the pressure can be intense at times. Which is why I keep coming back!
— The space is small. It’s located in what is mostly an office building, so during the week, you hear people walking the halls, and opening/​closing doors (reason for the virtual 4.5 star review) I prefer NOT to hear the clamor, so I go on Saturdays. That seems to have been an effective choice.
— You wear loose clothing, which is nice for those who prefer not to let it all hang out.
— Parking can be really easy… sometimes. It IS in Cambridge after all.
— It’s remarkably affordable! Seriously, check out the website.
— Oh, and the damn place is across the street (less than 25 ft) from Berry Line! Tell me that’s not the jam.

I HIGHLY recommend Harvard Square Shiatsu!!! I’m a tense & active person & this massage was just what I needed to RELAX and REVIVE. The environment is inviting and comfortable, and the masseuse is very skilled & caring. I went into a deep meditative state that refreshed my mind & body. You won’t find a Swedish massage, because that is not their specialty, but if you are looking for an AMAZING SHIATSU MASSAGE EXPERIENCE come here!

I had my first shiatsu massage here. I didn’t like it very much and didn’t have that relaxation in my muscles afterward like I do with a Swedish massage. It may be that I just don’t like Shiatsu, though, and that the place does a good Shiatsu massage.