Ravenswood Health & Wellness Center

I did an extremely last minute Groupon massage deal and the staff there was able to squeeze me in the same day! Already a great way to start, especially with Groupon deals because they tend to get pretty booked and sometimes it feels impossible to get an appointment in. Thankfully that was NOT the problem for me!
Now to the massage: Mike IS AMAZING!!! I’ve had plenty of massages done, but Mike goes above and beyond. He really worked on my body from head to toe and I never felt rushed, very relaxing. Even gave me some tips on my posture and what I can do to improve/​prevent the knots I had coming in. I don’t think there are enough words that can explain how pleased I was with him. Very professional, personable, and attentive to everything I said and had concerns about.
Just overall amazed! And glad that I did book this massage. I already can’t wait to rebook with Mike. Kudos!

I got a call from this clinic today confirming an appointment for later this week… But my only interaction with them was signing a consent/​info sheet when I got a free chair massage at a public event once. I’ve never scheduled an appointment with them or contacted them at all. I don’t understand why I was scheduled for an appointment, so weird! The woman on the phone was friendly and said she would eliminate my info, but this remains very odd.

I came in for a consultation with terrible neck and upper back pain. Dr. Jason and his staff were very professional and listened to all of my concerns. We worked out a plan that was best for me and my finances and I was able to recover from my chronic pain. Everyone is so friendly and knowledgeable. I definitely recommend this practice to anyone who is looking for a chiropractor.

I bought a brand name coupon for a massage last summer. I tried calling to make the appointment a few times before anyone answered the phone. When I finally got a hold of someone, the health center didn’t have any appointments open at the times I was available. Therefore, my coupon’s promotional value expired. I didn’t have time to schedule an appointment during the school year, but since the invested value was still available, I made an appointment for this past Wednesday. On Monday, Ravenswood Health Center left a message to confirm my appointment. Fifteen minutes later, they called back, but this time, I picked up my phone. The woman on the line told me that they had double booked the massage therapist, so they would have to move my appointment. Ugh! My schedule is a mess, but I agreed to come in on Thursday instead. To compensate for the mix up, the woman offered to reinstate the promotional value of my coupon. I was satisfied with this offer.
When I arrived for my 10:00 AM appointment on Thursday however, no one was at reception. I assumed the receptionist had simply walked away but that she/​he would be back momentarily. After milling about in the lobby for several minutes, a personal trainer came out of the gym area and asked if he could help me. I told him I had an appointment for a 10:00 AM massage, and he seemed surprised. By this point, it was perhaps 10:10 AM. He walked in the back to look for the massage therapist. When he returned, he said that the massage therapist was with a client. I was supposed to be the 10:00 AM client! I was so upset! Had the health center really double booked the massage therapist again? I’ve been so busy with my dissertation (I’m a Ph.D. student.) that I hadn’t set foot out of my condo in four days before I walked two miles that morning to get a much-​needed massage! I’ve been a stress ball with legs! The last thing you want to do right now is upset me. Trust me. The personal trainer was not sympathetic in the least. He handed me a piece of scrap paper, so I could leave a message. He claimed there wasn’t anyone on site in charge and that no one could help me. I demanded my money back for the coupon. He said he couldn’t help me with that. He told me I could leave a message or that I could come back in the afternoon. Afternoon? Sure. Why don’t I just spend my whole day dealing with the health center’s poor scheduling? I told him I was going to write a negative review, and he said, «Go ahead.» I’m dead serious. The personal trainer than told me he had to go because he had a «paying» customer waiting for him. I said something like, «I was a paying customer until all of this!» He just looked at me and walked away. I was like Jules in Pulp Fiction. I was a mushroom cloud laying… You know the rest.
While I was writing my furious message, the massage therapist, Mike, finally came out into the lobby because his last massage had just ended. He greeted me warmly and asked if I was his next client. I couldn’t believe it! I relayed what had just transpired, and he took care of me right away. Evidently, I had been on his schedule for 10:15 AM. My appointment was at 10:00 AM! What on earth? Luckily, Mike has excellent people skills, and he is a terrific massage therapist. I’ve had perhaps 20 massages in my life, and Mike is definitely one of the two best massage therapists I’ve encountered. He understood where my pain is, and he adjusted his massage to the way my body responded. It was magic! I would love to have a massage by Mike again, but I don’t think I can put myself through another scheduling fiasco. My suggestion for Ravenswood Health Center is to get a full-​time receptionist who is well-​trained to schedule appointments and who presents a better face to the public than the personal trainer. It’s too bad that one of the best massages I’ve had was packaged with so much stress!

It could be the fact that I’m nine months pregnant and exhausted among other things. Or it could be the fact that Ada give the best massage I’ve ever had. She has hands of magic, I swear! I’ve never felt more relaxed coming out of a massage. I also have never felt like an hour massage is really a two hour massage. I’ve had 2 in the past 2 weeks and I think I’ve told every one I know about her. I can’t wait to go back post baby!

Just had a Groupon massage with Mike. He was super friendly, very skilled and knowledgeable, and made the experience not awkward at all. I’ve never been totally secure with male massage therapists, but this was definitely a positive experience. Mike was even able to show me a few stretches and exercises to help my shoulder pain and release tension, which was above and beyond! It was really nice to be invited to take a break from a stressful day and relax.

Lena Dunham once said that the lowest depth of misery was «the five seconds before you vomit.» I believe it may also be the five seconds before your massage ends. You realize it’s winding down and then… boooo.
But honestly, nothing was miserable at all about my recent massage with Mike. I bought at Groupon for a prenatal massage and kept my expectations in check, as history teaches that not all Groupon massages are created equal. But Mike and the experience were truly wonderful.
For a dude, Mike has a ton of pregnancy experience. And he asked plenty of questions up front and provided some helpful advice about preventing aches and generally taking care of the mothership. He explained how prenatal massage is and is not like a regular one — namely, not as deep and the mama-​to-​be lies on each side, not face down. When we were finished, I felt relaxed and recharged, but not sleepy.
The scheduling and check-​in process were painless, there’s parking along Ravenswood (west side of the tracks, BTW) and the center feels inviting and comfortable. Highly recommended for you and your tiny human.

I really like this place. Dr. J is awesome (not the basketball player, but damn wouldn’t that be cool if he was. He’s pretty damn tall but a little too white ;-)). Very solid place with a great staff. The assessment was great and very comprehensive. I didn’t feel like I was dealing with one of those money grubbing docs. Having gone to this place makes my expectations very high anywhere else I go. They worked with me and my insurance money wise. My only real complaint was about 2 weeks after I went the doc went out of town and I didn’t get much notice. I didn’t like the sub doc much. I didn’t like him or his adjustments. That whole experience made me stop going for awhile and try rolfing. That being said I’m going back now. You CAN NOT do better than this place as long as Dr. J is there!

I’ve had several massages by Ada — and they’ve all been amazing. I’ve had two prenatal massages — amazing — and one post-​natal. I’ve been experiencing some pains from breastfeeding slouching. Ada worked out the kinks and talked to me about why certain areas hurt, what I can do about it. I like that she explains the mechanics behind what she’s doing and how. (I guess I’m nerdy that way).
Bonus — their customer service is awesome — since I am an airhead, I left my physical gift certificate at home… they were totally cool, let me arrange to bring it in the next day. Then I get a call that I don’t even have to do that, because it was in their system that I had one to redeem.

I personally believe that I am exceptionally qualified when it comes to reviewing the quality of chiropractic care. I received my first adjustment around age 10 after a nasty fall at a gymnastics class. Between gymnastics, competitive figure skating, and college sports, I have been under the care of numerous chiropractors in numerous parts of the country for the last 17+ years.
I can say without an ounce of hesitation that the care I have received at Ravenswood Health is TOP NOTCH. After over two years of 3x weekly adjustments with another chiropractor in another state, I was ready to resort to surgery. I had gone from being a college athlete to not being able to workout at all. Since beginning treatment at Ravenswood Health, I finally feel like an athlete again! I thought Dr. Jason was crazy when we set the goal for me to be able to complete a triathlon by end of my first 30 visits, but I was pain free and working out daily after the first 10 visits, and running again after 12 visits!
I had not realized how unhealthy and unhappy I had become after years of not receiving adequate chiropractic care. I had truly begun to believe that I would never be able to be active again.
I can’t say enough about Ravenswood Health!

So I know there are a lot of amazing reviews on here but I unfortunately didn’t have the same experience. My experience was ok but not what I was hoping for. I had never been to a chiropractor before and didn’t know what to expect. I went in soley because I felt my hips were out of alignment, which I felt was causing lower back pain. Somehow though the focus became about my headaches and I got really excited that the headaches I have had for almost 20 years could be alleviated. Long story short… that didn’t happen. This place is definitely nice and they have comfy chairs and the staff including Dr. Jason were friendly and personable, but I definitely felt like just a number coming through a revolving door. I think I would have been better suited for a smaller practice with more individual attention, and services tailored to me specifically. I expressed my concerns and was told my experience was out of the ordinary, and maybe that’s true but I think it’s worth sharing since I came here based on the Unilocal reviews. The front desk staff was always incredibly sweet and helpful.

I’ve had a truly remarkable experience with Ravenswood Health Center.
I originally met Dr. Jason Fennema when he spoke at our company outing about health and wellness. At the time, I was nursing a pretty severe shoulder injury that had completely impacted my ability to exercise, and hindered day to day activities.
I immediately connected with Jason regarding his philosophy on health and wellness and decided to sign up for an evaluation. Coming out of the initial consultation, Dr. Jason felt that through a team effort, meaning himself, his personal trainer David, and massage, they could correct my shoulder.
I was skeptical but at this point, willing to try anything. I couldn’t be more pleased. At the time, I couldn’t raise my shoulder above my head without extreme pain. Fast forward 6 weeks and I’m pain free and my range of motion is about 95% restored. Between Jason and David, the message was clear. We needed to correct the issue through physical therapy and a lot of deep tissue work, along with adjustments. But, going forward, it’s about moving correctly, the way the body was meant to move.
I couldn’t be more impressed with Dr. Jason Fennema and his team of professionals. They’re truly dialed in to the philosophy of mind, body, spirit, proper movements, and minding your diet and what you choose to put in your body. Highly professional with a very personal touch as well.
Dr. Jason, thanks to you and your team for all you’ve done!

Best prenatal massage! I’ve tried a few prenatal massages around the city and this is the real deal. What Ada was able to do with my sore, achy 9 month pregnant body was amazing. Relief in my condition is few and far between these days, and she made it right again. I could tell she has the healing touch right away, just from her handshake when she introduced herself. The whole experience in the health center was professional, comfortable and personable. Everyone seems experienced in their practice. Five stars all the way.

Dr. Jason Fennema and his team have gotten my body back to 100% and very likely helped me avoid back surgury. About 2 years ago I injured my low back doing a backbend in yoga. I had unknowingly been working towards this injury for years because I had been doing things I wasn’t stong enough for in my yoga practice. I spent the next year or so visiting a myriad of other chiropactors, massage therapists, and bodyworkers with no real, PERMANENT correction. After reading positive Unilocal reviews I called Dr. Jason’s office crying one day — I was so frustrated, and more than anything scared of what was happening. Was my future one of low back pain and a restricted yoga practice? When I called, Dr. Jason happened to pick up and walked me off the ledge. As always, I easily got in to see him immediately. After X-​rays I learned that my vertibrae were sitting too close together in my low spine, causing the pinching and compressed feeling I had been suffering with. Dr. Fennema recommended a permanent solution that involved regular chiropractic adjustments and «traction» to help my spine learn to straighten out where it needed to– and stay that way. It required commitment on my end, but his team was just as committed 100% of the way through the process. I now write this review with tears of happiness instead of fear. Dr. Jason Fennema is a special guy, and without a doubt he is the best chiropractor in the city of Chicago. He can fix your issue– give yourself a shot by giving him a shot!

Had my first massage here by Ashley, she was very informative and the massage was awesome! :)

I tell everyone I know about this place. The doctors, trainers and massage therapists are all fantastic at what they do. They are an outstanding team, not to mention extremely genuine. And get this… they even care about your total well being, possibly more than you do.
I found Ravenswood Health Center after reading about their 8 Weeks to Wellness program (8WW). I wanted to lose weight but knew it had to be different this time. It had to be tied into my total health vs. the other programs that seem to be all about what you eat or don’t eat. So I joined the program and in 8 weeks enjoyed some great results. The weight loss was great, but the change in my cholesterol and blood pressure were dramatic!
So don’t wait… go see them. You’ll wish you had found this great support system sooner.

Dr Jason is an awesome chiropractor!!! Very professional and I feel great after the visit!!!
Highly recommend if you want to improve your health (e.g. neck or back pain, posture, cardio, etc.)
Also, the ability to have a personal trainer is a major plus.

I’ve had recommendations to do something about my back since I was a teen. It’s always been curved slightly wrong and in need of correction. .. Well I finally decided to do something about it. A friend of mine has been seeing Dr Jason for quite some time and was very pleased with the results so I used him as a referral (He got a free massage from one of the excellent on staff masseuses out of it)
We started with a consultation where X-​Rays were taken and a treatment plan was decided on then we moved on to a set of treatments which are the standard exercises, back and neck cracking followed up by traction. I’m at the end of the treatments and have noticed a large difference in how I feel and how quickly I recover from illnesses and whatnot.
Worth noting as well. .. If you’re congested that’s the BEST time to visit a chiropractor. A month ago I had a major cold and went in for treatment. Dr Jason was able to do some weird things with my face and nasal cavities to stimulate the stuff to clear out. Very cool! I was walking home afterwards talking on the phone and suddenly I went from having an extremely nasal voice to my normal voice (slightly less nasaley) the person on the other end noticed the sudden change.
Dr Jason has also just hired a new doctor … Who’s name I can’t remember right now but he’s been doing my adjustments the past couple of weeks and is extremely thorough. Very happy there.
I have not yet had the opportunity to try their massage services (though I’m told that the guy is an awesome masseuse) or their personal trainers so I can’t comment there.
I highly recommend this treatment and Ravenswood Health Center! My only complaint would be that it’s positioned off the brown line which has a kooky operating schedule on the weekends.

I’ve seen a lot of chiropractors throughout my life considering I am one myself so I feel like I have another perspective to offer in reviewing this clinic. When I first met Dr. Jason a little over a year ago he welcomed me into his clinic to see what he was doing to change people’s health & lives with open arms. I found he was practicing in a way far beyond anything taught at the school level. I soon found he had earned the distiguished honor of postgraduate Fellowship in a very unique technique (C.B.P.) this coupled with what I feel is the most effective muscular release technique (A.R.T.) makes him a very special chiropractor. CBP actually changes the structure of the spine and uses objective measurements seen on your X-​rays so you can see the change with your own eyes!
His philosophy to understand a patients needs & concerns while objectively measuring the correction he recommends to his patients through their treatment makes him a truly unique doctor.
His latest venture in 8 weeks to wellness is the wave of the future. It’s a comprehensive program which incorporates chiropractic care, massage therapy, nutritional counciling, and exercise. The significant difference between this program and anything else I’ve seen is an extensive measurement of your blood markers which once again is objectively measured after the programs completion so you can see the changes in your blood with your own eyes! The City of Chicago has a very special doctor tucked away in Ravenswood. If you have a spinal issue or believe in prevention and preservation of your health Ravenswood Health Center should be your first stop.

Your chiropractic health is not only about getting adjusted. Or even sitting in traction. It includes massage therapy! As a full fledged massage whore, I jumped at the chance to get some rub down time with Ravenswood Health’s resident massage therapist Andrew at a recent visit.
Unilocalers… I can only say this: A massage from Andrew is the closest thing to a religious experience I’ve ever come across. The man’s hands are nothing short than a gift from God. This, coming from a relapsed Catholic, should tell you everything you need to know.
Really, though, Andrew is not only incredibly talented, he’s über professional, which is important when you massage people for a living. We talked about where I was experiencing pain before the massage started so Andrew could focus on my sore spots. I was given ample time to strip down and get into massage position before he came back into the massage therapy room to get to business on my aching back and neck. Never once did I feel uncomfortable or self conscious during my massage.
Andrew starts off with lighter pressure and will increase to a full-​fledged deep tissue massage if you necessary. With Andrew, it’s not about ‘how much pressure can you handle’ as ‘how much pressure is going to be safe and provide you with relief and proper therapy.’ I can get on board with this methodology.
I left my 60 minute massage feeling 100% relaxed, but more importantly with substantially less pain and tightness than when I walked in the door. That, my friends, is the most important thing!
Also important to note: When I wrote my initial review, I had just started visiting Dr. Jason for chiropractic care. Since I’ve been a regular patient, my back pain is almost nil, my posture has improved and, after seeing x-​rays, my spine has actually regained a lot of it’s previously missing curve. I can’t thank Dr. Jason and the amazing staff at Ravenswood Health enough for giving me a back pain-​free life!