A+ Spa

Tucked away just off the corner of 4^th ave & 91^st – a block of car dealerships – I recently stumbled over the «A+ Spa», previously unknown to yours truly. Not sure how long its been there. Can’t have been long. But the advertised price was too good to dismiss. $ 40 for an hour, plus hot stones. Truly a bargain.
Tiny and magenta-​lit –as all such spas are – with just three narrow rooms. Chinese-​run and staffed. A manager/​owner plus one woman masseuse. Didn’t trade names; language ability slim. Everything here is very straightforward, no fuss, no frills, direct. Above-​board. That’s fine.
Hot moist towels; hot oils; deep tissue kneading; full body treatment including scalp and feet;. No conversation. The practitioner is exactly what she is supposed to be: no– nonsense, sober, somewhat mature; petite; elfin. Bifocals and pony-​tailed.
But her forte is not what you would expect. At least half the massage is done with her bare feet. And she’s expert at it. Literally walking up and down your back, spine, arms, and legs. Unusual and intense. Some of the firmest, ‘digging and scraping’ pressure you will experience. No other massage in Bay Ridge is as forceful.
I was briefly worried – treading on forearm or calf – remembering that it only takes 40 lbs of pressure to snap – fortunately this did not occur. I’d kinda like to credit this worker with some medical knowledge but I noticed that she did not maneuver or negotiate around the joints; which is a definite no-​no.
I think she’s not formally trained but just self-​taught; and of course years of experience. Nonetheless its a damn intense, invigorating session and the hot stones are a treat at the final interval. A good solid workup. Exactly as advertised.