Massage by Chand

I suspect the massage will be good but I wonder how you make an appointment! The «My Time» app doesn’t confirm the times I wanted and I didn’t get a reply to my phone message. Still trying…

After letting months of tension turn my shoulders into the equivalent of that ball of Christmas lights in the box under your stairs, I needed a massage, and I needed one NOW. Massage by Chand is near my college in Center City, it had good reviews and, most importantly, he was willing to make a same-​day evening appointment. I admit I was a little nervous going to what is obviously a low tech operation (no website, empahtically non-​businessy voicemail greeting, etc.). Until now, the few massages I’ve gotten were all under the safe little umbrella of this or that spa. I’m sure glad I took a chance on being bareheaded in the rain this time!
Massage by Chand is indeed a no-​frills operation. It’s located, as another reviewer notes, on the first floor of a nondescript and rather maze-​like business office on Camac and Chancellor, and it comprises one room with just enough space for the table, Chand and a few mood decorations. What it lacks in wood panels, track lighting and coiffured receptionists, though, Massage by Chand makes up for many times over in the quality of its signature product.
Chand himself seems a little socially awkward (or maybe it was just two introverts passing in the night), and, because of this, it was a bit difficult at first for a relative massage newbie like myself to figure out what to do. Do the underwear stay on? Am I supposed to lift that sheet or lay on it? There’s not going to be one of those awful gowns with the breezy back door, is there? He seemed okay with my fumbling questions though, and what more can you ask for? Oh, wait, I know… you can ask for someone who’s knowledgeable as golly-​heck, which he obviously is.
Other reviewers have waxed poetic about Chand’s technique, so I won’t get all gooey and repetitive here. No, wait, I will, because it bears repeating. Chand has exceptionally strong hands as well as great patience and endurance. Seriously. He worked (and I mean WORKED… I would have gotten my heart rate to cardio levels in his place) on those pesky Chrismas light shoulder knots for at least 40 minutes before moving on to another 40 minutes on my other sore muscles. For those of you doing the math, that’s 120 minutes of body melting, mood-​altering massage magic all for the price of 50. I would declare my love, but a professional like Chand would never accept it. Oh well… I’ll have to settle for becoming a regular. Just don’t go taking up all his appointments so I can’t get in!

I’m very particular about massage, so once I find someone amazing, I stick with them. Chand has been one of my two go-​tos for YEARS, the other being Danielle English at Awakening Touch. I am a massage therapist myself, next year will being a decade of my practice, so I might have more of a scrutinous perspective than usual when receiving massages.
Chand is very thorough, uses the perfect amount of pressure for me (I like it deeper, but he will ease up if you need him to), very generous with his time (1 hour session tends to be closer to an hour and 15 minutes), and incredibly reasonably priced to the point that I feel like I am short-​changing him his true worth. On top of his regular rates already being low, he offers student rates at a discount. He also allows you to contact him and book via text message, which is a huge plus for phone awkwards, like myself.
I am currently 7 months pregnant and just had an AMAZING prenatal massage from him today. I will definitely be back again before baby is done cooking.

I don’t get a massage that often because it doesn’t help me all the time. But this place was very good. Chand knows how to massage. I leaked it because he was very strong and I felt every muscle on my body that he touched. If you are looking for a strong hands and satisfying result, come here.

Chand is the absolute best. I just went in for my first time and it was the best massage I have gotten in a long long time. His rates are reasonable, he is attentive and very kind. He focused on the area that I wanted to get worked on and was able to provide relief. I would definitely be going back.

Chand is the very best. His hands are unbelievably strong, sensitive, and seemingly tireless. He finds knots you didn’t even know were there, and then goes after them with as much pressure as you can take, or as little as you want. I have had a persistent knot in my shoulder for thirty years, and have never found a masseuse who would go after it the way I wanted. Chand got in there and knocked that thing out – he is so good, I went pain-​free for over two months before needing a repeat, and after that, he didn’t even have to do anything special on that area. I go now every couple of months just for a tune-​up. He is kind, interesting, respectful, and always, always goes out of his way for you. He gives usually 10 – 15 more minutes than he is booked for, and always asks if there are areas you want worked on, etc., etc. Best of Philadelphia. If I weren’t so selfish as to want to keep him to myself, I would have written this long ago. Chand is a treasure.

I’m not the kind of girl who shells out for regular beauty maintenence regimens. Hair, nails, makeup… I do them all myself, save for two to three times a year when I need a complete overhaul. Because A: I am capable of doing it myself, and B: I really can’t spend the money. But taking care of my body is necessary for my work, and massage has become a maintenence regimen that I can rationalize.
Chand is a massage therapist with a private practice in the business area in the back of 12^th Street Gym, called the Camac Center. Before I became his client, he worked on me for free once after I asked him how to get the crink out of my neck. He was so good and so goodhearted to work on me, I was sold. His rates are negotiable and include student rates, and he’s so reasonable I am able to keep up a monthly massage regimen. I love Chand.
He’s not a big guy, but he is so strong and thorough that sometimes I have to ask for LESS pressure… which is much better than a pansy masseuse. This man knows his stuff and is always respectful, personable and attentive. Feel free to bring your own music if you have an ideal soundttrack for your experience — I made a couple mixes for him and he always plays them for me when I come in.
It’s important to trust your bodywork practitioner… it’s not easy to surrender your body to a stranger, which is why it’s best to have an ongoing relationship with a masseuse, so you can condition yourself to let go. I couldn’t go to someone else. I tried a couple of times. But when you’ve found the best, you stick with the best.