Cincinnati School of Medical Massage

Worst school ever. My girlfriend went to school here, she said her instructors were great, but the administration is awful. She did well in her classes, but she told me so many stories about how the teachers are forced to pass students even if they can’t pass themselves, apparently the guy who runs it is a complete ahole, who treats his employees like crap. I would personally not want someone working on me who couldn’t even pass their classes but was basically handed a degree. That’s what you get in for profit education in America though. I hear there is a good massage school in Lebanon, Ohio, if you want a massage education go there.

I’ve been here about 5 or 6 times. All my experiences have ranged from OK to good. I’ve never had an awful experience, and never had an Amazing experience. The massage quality is hit or miss depending on your student’s skill. Even my worst massage there has been worth $ 35+. You can get buy a pack of 4 massages for $ 100.
Again, don’t go here expecting the best massage in the world and sexy ambiance… for that go down the road to Woodhouse Day spa in Montgomery… but here I’ve always gotten my money’s worth and then some.
Think… Ballin on a budget :-)

I’ve had several massages here by different students and each has been fine if not above average. I think the best approach with these students is to be very communicative and let them know if you have certain trouble areas and if they are either too firm (are they ever?) or soft with their touch. While the entire warning area and rooms are spartan, the massage is a good value for your money. If you’ve never treated yourself to a massage, this is a good gateway into them.

HORRIBLE! To be fair I have been here twice and the first time was maybe a 2.5. I went again recently because of horrible knots due to stress in my upper back/​shoulders. I have never had a therapist have a hard time finding the knots, until this past visit. Did nothing for me! From the moment I walked in: lights too bright, no music, not enough lotion and was constantly adding more and then I could hear her hands lotioning up, and then no skill what-​so-​ever. I am not a MT, but I do know that you are always supposed to be touching your client, and this was not the case. It was constant stopping and starting again in different areas. I was trying to enjoy it and almost felt bad for her and was confident it would get better, but sadly it never did.
I think the students are told to ask questions throughout the massage, but it’s annoying. The entire time I was asked how the pressure was and how I was doing. It was completely distracting and not relaxing at all. Then to end things, they give you an evaluation, but they stand RIGHT over you when you are doing it so I felt too bad to be honest. It really is not worth the $ 35 — you might as well spend $ 75-​$ 100 somewhere else and get something out of it.

If you decide to go here, don’t. Save up 70 dollars and go elsewhere. Students aren’t supervised and all they want to do is pass the exam. Never had a good massage and bought 5 massages. Really had to struggle to use them and finally gave them away.

For my first time it was not horrible. but it was not great either. The man at the front desk was very rude. When I walked in he put up a calendar on the desk and said nothing, so I asked if this was where I signed in for my massage and he told me he thought I was a student. Um ok. My student was very nice, however, her massage skills were lacking. She was very timid. For a small girl she was able to use a lot of pressure. She did some techniques that I was not aware of but it was fine. She asked me way too many time hows the pressure was. I am trying to relax and she talked a lot. I would try my luck again and go back since its only $ 35. Request that you not be in Massage Room 1 because its next to the bathroom and you will hear people going in and out and the toilet flushing. I do wish she would have used more lotion, but its not a big deal. I will still keep an eye out for discounted massages elsewhere though.

This little place comes out of no where and surprises you.
I’m a huge fan of massages, who isn’t? My boyfriend and I like to do couples massages for anniversary’s special occasions and what not. The only problem is they can get super duper expensive. We went to Mitchell’s and spent well over 250 for two one hour massages. CRAY CRAY. Who does that? Not me anymore. Enter, Cincinnati School of Medical Massage.
Justin and I have been coming here for years. Yes it is a student clinic. But what makes it fascinating is that you fill out a questionnaire afterward about their performance. When is the last time you critiqued a big bog salon? Let’s see um, never. When I wish I could have. I have always had a great experience here. I’ve had massages in South Beach, in the Caribbean, all over and this was no different. Well besides the gorgeous white sand beaches, but eh’ what can you do.
The best part is the price, get ready for it, drum roll… 25 BUCKS per massage!!! Let that sink in for a moment. For the price of weeknight meal at gross applebees that you regret the next day, you could be spending getting an amazing massage! Now let me preface, it’s 25 bucks per massage if you buy a 100 gift certificate. So four massages for 100 bones. Otherwise its $ 33 bucks per massage which let’s face it that is still ¹⁄₃ price of ANY salon around here.
Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to an amazing massage here, you deserve it!

Not too bad for a $ 35 massage. I haven’t had many massages but this ranks at the bottom of the ones that I have had. Of course the massage is from a student who could be at any point in their training, with little or no supervision.
My massage was not bad but she seemed a little nervous. She asked what areas I wanted worked on and that’s the only place she worked on. I carry tension in my neck and upper back so she didn’t stray from my upper back at all. I would have thought maybe she would have worked on my shoulders, feet or even my lower back. She did ask several times if the pressure was ok, I said a little harder each time and she did.
All in all the massage was good and I will be going back especially with getting a gift certificate making the massages $ 25 each. But I will keep my eyes peeled for discounted massages on groupon.

I have only gone here once, so I am going to reserve a little judgement at this point. I do plan to go back and hope to have a better experience next time.
The School of Medical Massage has a student clinic that operates almost every day of the week with hours from about noon until 7pm. A 50 minute massage is $ 35 (about half what you would pay at a real spa!) If you buy a 4-​pack of gift certificates, it is only $ 100 and they let you use them that day and on multiple people– That’s only $ 25 a massage! So, this is a really great deal!
The problem is that the massage therapists really are students. They are at various points of their training and so their confidence and skill levels are mixed. Also, find a favorite and he or she will graduate and leave on you. This means you are taking a little bit of a chance.
Scheduling is easy and there are many appointment times. When I called, I was easily able to get an evening appointment within a week.
The atmosphere is more office than spa. The waiting room is crowded and bare. The rooms have no decoration or frills that a spa would. They do play the typical new-​agey music that you would get during most massages.
I went in with a bum foot and hip from running and was hoping that I was going to find a cheap way to help get past these injuries. The jury is still out on that one. The student that I had was very timid and never gave what I considered a firm massage despite being asked to go firmer multiple times. She seemed hesitant to deal with my injured areas and even had to go ask her supervisor about them. She seemed scared to uncover the various parts of my body and massaged under the sheet on various parts of my body (like my knees…)
Now, this was just one student. I had another friend go that had a much better experience. I am going to go back and hopefully find someone that I like.
In the end, my opinion is to try it out if you enjoy a massage! Try a couple people until you find one you like and hope that they never, ever graduate.