Shen Shen Health & Harmony

I was in for a 90 minute massage with Brittany last week. It was an excellent massage-​everything you could ask for! The front desk was professional, and I was attended to immediately by Brittany. She asked what pressure was I looking for, and did a good job asking if there were any injuries or issues she should be aware of. i definitely think she did a good job of preparing for the treatment/​massage.
The massage was the perfect blend of great pressure and relaxation. I think I even passed out for 5 – 10 minutes! Brittany was very professional, and makes you feel very comfortable.
I have had massages at Shen Shen before from Bob (fantastic) and Rodge (an expert in edema/​swelling). I will continue to go here-​I think this place is the best!

Bob is amazing! So through and explains what is going on with your muscles! Super helpful staff after I booked with the mindbody app late at night. I am seriously soooo grateful to have found such an amazing place! Can’t wait to go back!

I recently visited Shen Shen for a manual lymph draining massage after reading great reviews about Roger. For context, I am in front of a computer for more than 10 hours a day at work and remainder of my time is spent with a very active 3-​year old. So, I had a lot of stress in my neck and shoulder region. I am a regular with massages and thought I should try lymph drainage.
When I reached Shen Shen, Roger took time to listen to me and my challenges. After understanding my problem areas, he then, recommended Trager Method for me. It was like no other massage that I have had in the best of spas. It gave me something that I had always wanted and didn’t how and where to get it. Even 3 – 5 mins into the massage, my chest cavity opened up and I physically felt that my posture had improved from being slouchy to being as straight and open. I could feel lighter and breathing was a lot easier and fulfilling.
As we went through the massage, he felt some tightness in my left leg and identified another area that needed work. On further investigating, we uncovered that I had a serious sprain 20 years ago on my left ankle, due to which, my leg and the IT band were not OK. It used to hurt me, but I never paid much attention to it. He worked on it and in a matter of 4 – 5 minutes, I physically felt the relief, my leg was lighter and easier to move and walk. I was able to rest it. I know it sounds funny, but prior to Roger working on it, my leg was always in alert state and ready to defend itself. After the massage, I was able to relax it.
In short, Roger is awesome and gave me the peace with my body that I needed.

After multiple major surgical procedures, (I was in the OR 10 hours), and many life/​body changes over the past several years, I was in a really low place physically. 3 weeks after surgery, I was still very swollen, and was not healing as well as my Dr had hoped. I was desperate for relief! My Dr recommended I look into Manual Lymph drainage, and since I had just moved to Chicago (my Dr is out of town) I had to search for a provider on my own.
Thank Heavens I found Roger! I had already had two other MLD sessions with another provider, but, their schedule was too busy, and it was hard to get in. So, I scheduled with Roger.
Roger treats the ‘whole person, and the whole body’. He listened to my story (massive weight loss, chronic health conditions, surgery) and then took time to get in tune with me and where my body was. What struck me in during the very first appointment was that he was truly able to sense where my struggles were (w/​out me saying a word). He gently worked on me (no pain at all, even though I was very swollen and tender). and as he worked I felt my body ‘releasing’. fluid, pain, and strange as it may seem, I felt it releasing ‘emotion/​history’.
Roger combined MLD and body movement work in an amazing way. I felt grounded, stronger and leaner when I left my first appointment. His work has been amazing, each time he assesses what my current areas of concern are, and spends a little extra time making sure he addresses those areas.
I highly recommend Roger. He has helped me to get in tune with my body, while addressing the immediate issues (swelling/​pain).
This has been a life changing experience for me, strange as that might sound. For the first time I am looking at my body in a new way, and working to stay in tune with it’s needs, and how I relate to the world with it.

I go here for massages throughout my marathon training. I always leave feeling great, and with better posture.

I have been meaning to write this review for a while now but selfishly put it off so Shen Shen doesn’t get harder to get into. Bob is the owner and a therapist and the best in town, hands down. My husband and I have been going to Shen Shen for nearly a year now for massage therapy and we both cannot say enough positive things about the entire staff. They are so friendly and professional and make you feel very welcome and comfortable there. I used to go to several high-​end spas in the city for massages because I liked all the frou frou stuff but none of the masseuses ever did half the good that Bob has done for my messed up back and constant achy muscles.
If you are in need of some SERIOUS massage therapy, try Shen Shen… you won’t be sorry.

Bob is a miracle worker. I had pulled a muscle in my shoulder and 2 sessions later I had full mobility back. I have not had other therapists there but I have returned since the initial treatment because of Bob. I still have my regular massage therapists but Shen Shen would be my special treatment place. Excellent customer service too.

I’ve been going here for several years. I frequent a few different therapists for
acupuncture and lymph drainage. The atmosphere is perfect, feels like a updated
home and the entire staff is always friendly and helpful.
I love Rachel, Jia, Christine, and Roger — never had a bad treatment or experience.
They are all pros. They also give a lot of suggestions to help your body heal in the most natural way possible.

Bob Jones is the best massage therapist in the City. Whether I’m experiencing fatigue from marathon training or neck issues due to stress he always performs magic and works out all the knots and tension. Highly recommend Shen Shen and Bob Jones.

If your looking for experienced, first class massage therapists, this is the place to go. I’ve been a client of Shen Shen for four years. Time and time again, Bob Jones proves that he is one of the best out there when it comes to eliminating muscle and joint pain through massage. Bob has vast experience in many types of massage that he draws upon to assist you in your needs. He has helped me manage ongoing pain related to traumatic injuries received in a car accident. In particular, he seems to have mastered the art of reducing hip, gluteal, hamstring and IT Band pain. Further, every time I leave the arthritis in my hip dies down for quite a while. I’ve also referred people to Bob who come out saying its the best massage they ever got, cementing my opinion that Shen Shen can handle both special populations and the average Joe/​Jane looking for a massage. Since Bob has recently taken over the business operations at Shen Shen, the sky is the limit for this one of a kind healing center. Although acupuncture isn’t my cup of tea, I had a great experience with Rachel Cook. The rest of the staff is also very accomodating and friendly. They always take time to find old receipts, reduce my costs through packages/​deals and book/​cancel appointments. Don’t pass this place up when booking your next massage or acupuncture treatment! Just be warned that you may become addicted!

Had my second Trager session with Roger yesterday and it was as good as the first one. He is one of those practicioners who seems to genuinely care about what he does. He is attentive to your comfort level and is truly trying to make you feel better. I always feel lighter, expansive, and relaxed when I leave. I will be going back once a month to experience this treatment. I feel it is awakening my body to become looser, more agile and increased freedom of movement. I orginally went in for manual lymph drainage but Roger assessed me and suggested I try the Trager method. Boy, am I glad I did. I can’t begin to explain how wonderful and different this method is over regular swedish massage. I will not go back to swedish now that I’ve had Trager. You feel light, expansive, like the negativity has been coerced out of you. And your body remembers the work the practicioner does on you. It’s simply amazing and reduces your stress levels immensely. I am always greeted up arrival and overall am very satisfied with every visit. Costs $ 95 each visit — but well worth it.

Had a Pretty City massage appointment on Saturday Feb. 18. They booked with one person, but changed it the day of due to illness. I have visited before — nice tea selection. Plenty of parking available. Super sweet check in gal (sorry I didn’t get your name).
Not a problem for the masseuse switch as Ilsa was faaaabbbbuuuulllllouuuuus! I was really impressed. I had to wonder if she had a physical therapy background, or was psychic because she knew her stuff. It was a nice blend of Deep tissue and Swedish (my request) and she was wonderful.
I was comfortable, relaxed and she consistently checked in with me to ensure my comfort thoughout the session. She is kind and puts you at ease immediately.
Oh yes, I will be back. Soon.

I got one of the best deep tissue massages ever/​with Ilse. She is a real therapist/​healer. Very humane and professional.

Thrilled with my post-​op Lymphatic Drainage therapy
I had bilateral breast surgery 3 wks ago. (not enlargement.) I had heard of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (Vodder method) as being very helpful for post-​op recovery and reducing swelling, so I researched qualified practitioners. Roger Hughes was recommended to me — he is on staff at Shen Shen.
The Vodder technique was developed by a doctor and is widely used post-​surgery for many conditions. This therapy to get the lymphatic system moving after surgery or in case of lymph problems is not well known. It totally deserves to be. The Breast Health Online forum supports & recommends this therapy also. It is helpful for post-​op recovery in ALL KINDS of surgery, not just the type I had.
If you are feeling sore and tender and swollen after your surgery, don’t let the name Manual Lymphatic Drainage put you off. It sounds drastic but it is THE most gentle and healing experience imaginable. Roger Hughes is fully qualified and deeply experienced. His compassion and respect are luminous.
The lymphatic system isn’t well known or understood by most of us. It’s like another circulatory system — it moves fluid inside your body, carrying away the by-​products of metabolism and most especially extra toxins from areas of inflammation & healing. However, your main circulatory system has a pump — your heart. Your lymphatic system is more passive, and is pumped only by your own movements & gravity, cells releasing fluid that slowly trickles thru the system. When it stalls or is overwhelmed, the result is swelling and discomfort. That is why help with lymph drainage is SO therapeutic.
For me the results were immediate. The treatment itself felt very soothing and restorative. My body said oh yes! as soon as Roger began. He worked all around my sore chest and without touching the incisions, he VERY gently got things moving that had felt stuck. The treatment extended systematically over my neck, chest, upper back, armpits, shoulders and trunk down to my waist. I could almost feel my body releasing the excess fluid. But all done sooo lightly I never felt in any way that my surgical sites would be hurt. Immediately afterwards, my post-​op breasts felt more ‘normal’. I could feel some areas of remaining hardness like islands in flesh that was otherwise soft and giving. They had a little heft to them, like you could gently jiggle them. They felt more alive and natural. Not the rocks glued to my chest that I walked in with.
The healing continued once Roger encouraged the lymph drainage to come back to life. I was able to sleep on my side, which I had been unable to do because of pain and swelling. My first night after treatment was the first night of deep healing sleep I had since the surgery.
I couldn’t wait for my second appointment a few days later. Again the difference was marked. My body responds to this work happily, like it’s being reminded what to do. The softness and elasticity is returning to my tissue. It feels alive instead of stiff and rigid. The natural movement is restored by leaps and bounds after each session. This change is huge and immediate — not the incremental improvement that time brings. I feel SO MUCH BETTER each time.
Now I’ve had this experience I want to get the word out to everyone recovering from surgery. Do yourself a favor and get this treatment. Your body will thank you!
The Shen Shen center is conveniently located for city folks on the Near North side. I had to drive in from the suburbs but it was totally worth it! I cannot imagine a more wonderful practitioner than Roger Hughes. Shen Shen center is clean, calm, pleasantly decorated and well-​staffed. The treatment rooms are quiet and the cotton sheets soothing. If you or anyone you care about is having surgery, consider Manual Lymphatic Drainage from Roger Hughes at Shen Shen to help the healing.

After a terrible first visit to Shen Shen, I was reluctant to accept the owner’s kind gesture of extending a free acupuncture visit to me. To be fair, I decided to go and I certainly do not regret that decision.
This time, my appointment was with Michelle. She was very kind and knowledgeable. She took adequate time to understand why I was coming in and to explain the concept behind accupunture and why so many believe in it. She had me roll up my pants and pull up my shirt so she could put the needles on my feet, hands, legs, arms, belly, and face.
The experience was completely different from my first as this time it was very soothing and calming. In fact, when Michelle came to check on me, I was almost in a trance-​like state. When I left, I was given some ear pebble things to help me relax. All in all, the experience was an extemely positive one.
I’m still slightly skeptical about the benefits of acupuncture, but after an experience like this, I would certainly be willing to try it again.

Disclaimer: This review is based on a ‘real experience’ (so I hope it doesn’t get flagged) but not that of a specific service. You’ll see in a moment what I mean.
– Spa Week last fall. I pick this venue from all the rave Unilocal reviews.
– Call for an appointment and they offer only one spot far out (are they really thaaat busy).
– My friend and I shuffle some things to still give this place a try.
A few days later they call us and change the appointment due to ‘new therapist schedules’. inconvenient but okay we understand and agree.
– Another few days later we call to confirm our new appointment
– They inform us their massage therapist (do they only have 1??) has a back problem and out for the month (were they planning on informing us if we hadn’t called to confirm our appointment??)
We ask if they’ll honor the spa week deal whenever they can schedule the appointment for (given the double re-​schedule was not us), but they said no (and then we never did try this place out)!
Hypothesis (not claim) that they don’t like honoring «deals» and for those doing research on places to pick out for their spa week deals this spring, don’t count on this hen!
Observation (not statement) that they specialize more in acupuncture than massage.

Shen Shen has saved my life multiple times. Well, that MAYBE is exaggerating. They have, however made my life a bit more pain free.
My monthly acupuncture and cupping keeps me aligned and keeps the aches and pains associated with my advancing years at bay.
Christine and Rachel are amazing. Asking all the right questions, thoughtful & thorough. I love the front desk staff.
Recently I discovered Roger, he offers Lymph Drainage massage. Which sounds nasty, but isn’t. It’s just a really gentle massage. And essential if you are accident prone like myself. (I blame my height. I’m not used to being tall)

2 sessions of accupuncture… still not completely cured but require less meds to make this body function.
I sometimes suffer from a condition called stupidity.
I somehow had the impression in my youth that denial would solve my issues for the future. That drinking and partying and sexing and marathoning and powerlifting and kickboxing and dancing and studying and all this on 20 minutes sleep a night would leave me healthy, happy and wise.
NOT.
So i am in the market for balance, for peace, for mornings without pain, without taking prescription meds and with less stupidity and denial.
Getting poked and given time to meditate and to reflect has led me to enlightenment and reality.
There are consequences to stupid choices.
At least there are places like this filled with smart people to help me see I am not one of them and with better life choices can be on my way to being a happier me.

What a difference time makes.
A week ago I went for a Reiki session and it was amazing – she laid hands on me exactly where my maladies are, without my telling her what my health issues were. And when I was done, it was the best I have felt since falling ill 4 months ago. I am a big fan now.
Today I went for an acupuncture session with Christine, and she took a long time to discuss my medical history and current conditions, really thorough, also discussing options other than acupuncture. She seems to really know her stuff, and her «bedside manner» is very comforting and pleasant.
You can buy packages for treatments and the prices are reasonable.

Thanks to SpaWeek, I booked an appointment at Shen Shen for a $ 50 acupuncture session! (Since the regular price is $ 100 — $ 150 for new clients, this was a GREAT deal.) Christine was the acupuncturist I met with and she was awesome! I explained to her that I didn’t really know what to expect, so she was really great about giving me an overview of what was going to happen during the session. We spent a good 20 — 30 minutes discussing my health background and what ‘problem areas’ I wanted to focus in on. She was very thorough with her questions and it seemed like she really wanted to know what I wanted to get out of the session.
Now, I thought that the initial needle insertion was going to be painful, but you could hardly feel it at all! It was a little pinch, but that was the extent of it. You get to relax and meditate for about 25 minutes in the room. The soothing music also adds to the relaxation factor.
I would definitely come back here. The front desk staff is super friendly and not snobby (or too new age-​y). I enjoyed my experience!