Origins Wellness Center

Warning: They no longer offer chair massages. Boo.

The fact that they offer chair massages and mini-​facials at this location makes me smile. I pulled my neck muscle the day after opening night. I had no time to schedule a massage inbetween my day job and my theatrical job. I had an hour inbetween both. I walked into Macy’s and straight to the Origins Wellness Center and said I needed a 20-​massage quick! I was able to be treated right away and my neck was in good enough order for me to be comfortable on stage.

i never was a big fan of Origin products until i got pregnant — but i must say their stuff is pretty damn good for the price! All natural products, nothing contains the high potent acid stuff — but good cleansing/​balancing product — and not to mention this location at macy’s gives pretty good 1 hour facials for half the price of salons. I’ve had roughly 10 there now and I’m never dissappointed. it’s a full facial with extractions if you like. they dont push their products on me afterwards. you can make an appointment or even just walk in, i get lucky sometimes. Ask for Jessica or Lelani — they are both great!

Ah the site of a massage chair. It’s like a tall, cold glass of water in the middle of a dry desert. But the allure of the chair at this Origins location turned out to be nothing more than a mirage.
I stopped by on two occasions within one afternoon, only to hear I would need to wait or come back. I’m not unreasonable. This would be understandable, if every massage therapist was busy or every chair filled. But this wasn’t the case.
When I returned the second time, I found all the chairs empty and two massage therapists chatting. Despite all evidence to the contrary, I was told I’d need to wait 10 minutes.
Please. If I had that kind of time I wouldn’t be so stressed and need a massage in the first place.

I had an amazing facial here. I was surprised. I wasn’t expecting something in a mall to be above average.
Pros: out of this world facial massage and acupressure, incredible heavenly smells in all natural products, they do full on facials, extractions, steam etc., great hand massage with individual hand heating pads while the mask sits, abundant samples to take home …
Cons: loud mall music, people watching you
Despite the environment I was very relaxed and found it easy to tune out the noise.

So there’s just a point in your life, where a mani/​pedi just isn’t going to cut it in the relaxation department. My new found solution: Origins. where you can walk in and get a 30 minute massage on your lunch break.
Here’s the verbal playbyplay. Yes that’s the spot. A little bit harder. Moremoremore. Oooh yeah. Bottomline, it’s not going to be as good as a full on spa experience, but if you’re looking for a quickie during your lunch hour, you can’t beat Origins Wellness Center.

Getting a massage while Justin Timberlake and dance-​y Cure covers play in the background seems like it wouldn’t be relaxing, but it is. It’s certainly not Fuji Shiatsu quality but I no longer feel like I want to rip open my shoulders and remove all my nerve endings. So, that’s good.

Many, many weeks of 16+ hours days, mostly working at a computer, have left my body tense. Then this morning, I wake up, twist my head to check the alarm clock (another 4am day … ah the joys of being a small business owner) and !@#$% … I tweak the hell outta the left side of my neck and back.
I get to work and the pain is unbearable. Each point and click of the mouse sends shivers shooting through my upper half. I have a dusty gift certificate for a trendy luxury spa sitting on my desk, but just don’t have the time to schedule an appointment nor do I think they’d take me last minute. I need to find relief now! Clients are calling, fires are breaking out left and right … I can’t lose a day’s work!
The only massage joints in Union Square that I know of are the «happy ending» variety. I reach out to my fellow Unilocalers on the Talk board and Lady Ms. K quickly comes to my rescue. She says, «the Origins inside of Macy’s downtown offers 15 minute massages.» I track down the number to confirm and within minutes I’m walking down the street to Macy’s in search of salvation.
They offer 15-​minute chair massages for $ 15 or 30-​minute session for $ 25. 1 star for accommodating walk-​ins. 1 star for being totally affordable. 1 star for saving me from my rabid clients. The massage is not exactly spa-​quality, but it did the trick and now I’m back at work. And even amongst the chatter of the Macy’s cosmetic counters and cheesy music, I managed to doze off as the masseuse worked my neck, back, head and arms.
If you’re looking for a last minute, inexpensive rub down while spending a long day shopping or working in Union Square, give Origins a try.