Relax Station Back Rub and Foot Rub

Relax, it’s magic.
The people at So Relax /​Relax Station are some of the nicest and most skilled people in Chinatown. If I’m feeling even a little bit of tension in my shoulders or back, they know exactly which spots to hit and I leave feeling amazing.
I’m partial to their chair massages. I used to be a full body kind of guy, but lots of places use lotion that irritates my skin and I hate feeling sticky and gross after a massage. Chairs get the job done without too much preparation before or discomfort after.
During my last stop, my guy even did a bit of chiropractic work, giving my neck and back a few pops that left me feeling so light and refreshed. I honesty can’t say how much I love this place and their massages. Don’t let the storefront fool you; this station is super legit.

Terrible. The massage was just ok. Plus, they didnt even give me a chance to count by change before demanding a tip. I walked out feeling worst than I walked in. I will never go back again.

If you’re looking for a no-​nonsense massage at a really great price ($ 10 for 10 minutes up to $ 26 for 30 minutes on a chair) and you don’t care about ambiance or peaceful surroundings or spa-​like serenity, this place is for you.
The lights are bright — like REALLY bright, not just bright for a massage place. There’s a row of chairs facing a big mirror so it’s likely you’ll be seated next to a stranger if it’s full. There are always about three people ready to massage. I have my favorites. I’ll try to get their names and update, but I know there’s a lady who I usually get who provides the perfect deep massage without being too painful. There’s also a dude there that they always assign to my husband, and he says it’s borderline sadistic, as though he’s taking out some internal aggression on his clients. So if you’re into that, make sure to request the man!
The only time I didn’t have a great masseuse was when it was really full and they gave me an older lady who was just too gentle. If I’m sitting face down in a harshly lit room in Chinatown, I want the good stuff!
I live so close to this spot that I can drop in in my sweats whenever I’m feeling sore or stressed. So make sure to say hello if you see me — I’m a regular!

Another place with really bad massage. I came from Asia, I know what good Chinese massage is, but this shop, same as the other shop that I reviewed a few weeks ago, really gave bad massage, totally not effective, ended up wasting time and money.
I did neck and shoulder massage sitting on the massage chair, 30min later, I left without feeling anything. No skill, no strength.
To all americans and tourists who visited Chinatown NYC for massage, be careful to go to the right ones, many shop like this are almost like tricking people to think that it is a traditional Chinese massage, but really it is NOT what a good Chinese massage should be.
I am still amazed that why shops like this can continue to exist.
This review is for neck and shoulder massage only.

At 10pm when I was getting my foot massage I was a fan. This place is open late and bare bones in china town. However, perfect if you have been walking all day and not use to it. Although I am a fan of foot massages in general and frequent in my home town and we drive everywhere.
If you are in New York and need a late night foot massage this place is great, firm pressure and good price. I had called a couple places and found there prices to be offensive. I do remember there sign possibly being a different name than there Unilocal name.

no frills, no nonsense place
quite mirrored
cheapest in the area
there’s a bit of a bold stab for a tip at the end
highly recommended for a quick in-​and-​out

First time, my girlfriend and I walked in near closing and received excellent foot and back massages. Both therapists were male and very strong. The massages were deep and intense, but I never felt any pain.
Reasonable prices. The place is a bit of a hole-​in-​the wall, you can see everything from the street, but the massages were more than worth it.
Highly recommended.

I stopped into So Relax after dinner in Little Italy for a quick foot and back massage. When I walked in there were several male therapists and one female therapist — the female was the one that worked on me. Both the foot and the back massage were just so so — the massage therapist did not have strong hands and I felt like I was getting a rub vs a massage and I was no more relaxed when I left than when I arrived. To add insult to the total lack of massage, I was charged about $ 10 extra for using my credit card to pay for services. This definitely made the trip a waste of money and time.

I’ve been going to this place for almost 5 years.
It’s definitely not a spa atmosphere. It’s quite utilitarian with several chairs for back massages and several chairs for foot massages.
But, for bang for your buck, this place is hard to beat. I usually go for the combination special, which is 15 minutes back massage and 15 minutes foot reflexology. The Chinese-​style massage is quite strong but very effective.

I went here after reading the other Unilocal reviews, and I was pleased, but not blown away. First, my massage wasn’t very relaxing– it was effective, so I left happy (my shoulders felt like they were about three inches lower than usual), but they reeeeeally dig into your muscles. My masseuse’s hands were freakishly strong for a tiny little Asian lady. But as long as you’re expecting it, it would be fine.
Other than that, I thought that $ 28 (including tax) was a little pricey for a 30-​minute massage– I feel like I’ve had other massages in Chinatown for half the price. I think it seemed a little expensive because in other places I’ve been to (blanking on the name right now), I sat in a much comfier massage chair that was in a back room with music playing. Here, there was basically zero atmosphere– bright lights, chairs lined up where passers-​by can watch you, and no music. Which would be fine if it were half the price. For $ 30, I’d appreciate some cheesy new age spa music.
All in all, I think I’d try another place before returning here.
PS– I think it may cost less if you pay cash, but couldn’t really understand what the staff was trying to tell me. So if you can, bring cash.

according to their card, this place is called:
Relaxing Station NYC, Inc.
with the log line:
Back Rub & Foot Rub
but it’s listed here as So Relax. So be it!
either way, it’s been here for years and it’s a great, cheap pop-​in kind of chinese qi-​gong massage spot.
i had a headache after a long flight, and 15 minutes in the chair had me well on my way to feeling better. they take the chair massage thing to a really special place, even hitting knees and legs and arms, and in 15 minutes the woman was able to hit my entire body.
if shopping has gotten you down and you want a cheap, quick and satisfying massage, try this spot!