Health Trail

Don’t come here expecting a relaxing #treatyoself kind of massage. These massages are supposed to heal you, so try to come with like an injury or a problem area. Supposedly they work wonders. I tagged along with friends and failed to have said problem area, so there wasn’t much of a payoff after a grueling session, but they did seem to really know what they were doing.

Very friendly, got foot massage, loosened up my joints, helped my foot pain, will be coming back…

Despite the location and the appearance of the actual facility the quality of the attendance is out of this world they are highly skilled and very very good I highly recommend anybody try this place out they will make you feel 100% better.

they do a real deep tissue massage here, not that fluffy swedish type. you come here to fix injuries not for a relaxing massage, so know that first.
simon is rarely available, but his workers do a fine job. I usually pick the men, but i think lina (?) does a great job. just make sure you explain your pain carefully. they are not doctors, but they understand how to treat trigger points.

I found Simon through Unilocal and took my bf here as a Valentines Day gift this year. He was initially SUPER skeptical and didn’t even want to follow through with the appointment but I assured him that this was for his own good. Simon set a timer for the time we paid for and got to work. He literally knew exactly where the problem areas were on his back. I asked him, «how do you know» and Simon answered, «the back told me.» All skepticism was gone when Simon WENT INNNNN and literally massaged the living crap out of the kinks in my bf’s back. Simon also did some cupping because there was some old injury that never healed. I had to take a picture because the aftermath was gruesome (the back looked like it was bruised) but it worked and my bf was able to get back to his weightlifting! Simon finished off with a head massage because he just knew my bf was experiencing headaches and the headaches were gone… even months later.
Prices are good and Simon is amazing. Just remember to bring CASH!

I went here to try my first acupressure massage. I must say, it was very intense. I asked just for a half hour (and I’m glad I did because it would have been too much for me to do more than that). I was led into a room with a curtain and told to remove everything but my panties, which is standard for massages. The lady was very strong and worked deep into my muscles. It was on the verge of painful, but it was also enjoyable, hard to explain because pleasure and pain are similar experiences. I liked that she really focused on my upper back because I mentioned to her that’s my problem area. Afterwards, she gave me time to dress up and when I exited the room she handed me a cup of water, which was exactly what I needed. I would say this isn’t a place for people who aren’t willing to experience some pain in order to get some relief, if you have really big knots in your muscles, it takes time and pressure to work them out — so this place isn’t for the weak. And I didn’t need to make an appointment, I just walked in after work.

Just 5 stars, not much more to say. Prepare to be bruised and better for it.

Me: Do you see anything on the back of my neck?
Coworker: Mm. Yes.
Me: What?
Coworker: Hickeys.
Me: Ha! I got a massage last night and they did a number on me.
Coworker: Ohhh… Were you allergic to whatever they used on your skin?
Me: Nope, not an allergic reaction, the woman went to town and beat me up real good!
True story.

I have to update — on my third visit, which I had reserved with Simon, I ended up getting a woman. She was ok, but not what I had asked for. I found a place closer to my apartment that has 2 good therapists who can do what she did. Too bad, I really liked Simon.

I have a neck-​ache for 2 weeks and even too pain to sleep for many days, Simon took only few seconds to figure out the problem and took only 5 minutes to make my neck feel brand-​new! Another woman massager messaged me for 45 minutes and I feel like I lose many weight and relaxed! I will come again, thank you!

I found Simon, through a recommendation of a friend who has serious back and neck problems. I came here because I had a major kink in my neck that lasted about 3 weeks. It was so painful and I was so stubborn about getting massage but I finally could not take the pain anymore.
i was surprised Simon knew exactly where all my pain was and was able to pinpoint it with exact accuracy. Incredible.
The massage itself was extremely painful… def not a luxurious feel good place here. But in a matter of 2 days… I felt so much better. In fact… I think it’s about time to go back again… stress at work = tension in my neck and back.
I docked a star because they always tell me that Simon is available and to come in and when I did, they try to bait and switch me to another masseuse because Simon is with another client.

Health Trail is my go to for any type of muscle and tendon injury. I go in regularly for maintenance even if I’m not injured because of all the kinks I get from bad posture, not stretching enough, and sitting in front of a laptop all day. Simon is the master, but his son Kai is my go to. These guys are the only people I will gladly hand my money over to make me cry in pain. No frills, cash only, immediate results. Bruises = blood flow = faster recovery.
Tip: Ask for a shot of whiskey beforehand.

My upper back has been bothering me for months and there’s a clicking noise whenever I move my shoulders, so a friend of mine recommended me to try this place out. He specifically said to look for Simon only.
I called early in the morning and asked if Simon was there today, the lady that picked up the phone said he was and that I can come in at 1:00PM. I arrived at 12:50PM and asked for Simon. The lady in the front (assuming she is the manager) said that Michelle will help me out first, then she will have Simon look at help me.
They make you take EVERYTHING off except for a pair of shorts that they provide. Michelle came in and started massaging my back. She used her elbows and fists the WHOLE time. I’m used to deep tissue massages and she didn’t hurt me with all the elbowing but halfway into the session, Simon came in and took a look at my back and told Michelle that she is massaging me wrong and showed her how to do it. (In my head, I’m thinking. what? She doesn’t know what she is doing??) She followed Simon’s instructions for two minutes then went back to elbowing my back, legs, butt, and arms.
At the end of the session, my whole body was bruised. I was told by the lady in the front that it’ll take a few days for me to heal and I would feel better. She even told me to come back twice a week. The next day I woke up with severe neck pain and a severe headache. I felt like i got hit by a bus or something and my whole back and legs were bruised (you can literally see the bruises — round marks — probably from her elbows).
The people here are friendly but they did not help me with my back issue and I definitely did not go there to get bruises all over my body. I don’t understand how I can make an appointment to see Simon but they give me someone else and Simon sees me for a minute and leaves to take care of another customer.
Definitely won’t be coming back here again.

Went here based on the great reviews on Unilocal and it did not disappoint.
I echo other reviews that this place is not for general relaxation, but for addressing specific issues. Yes, it is also very true you’ll hear others moaning from pain, but the good kind of pain. I had a masseur work on my old knots around the back of my neck for 30 min, and the whole of 30 min was spent on that area. (I’d recommend 20~30min/problematic area.)
Having said that, the massage here was simply amazing and unparalleled in quality. I’ve travelled quite a bit and received massage from many many different places, but this place is like no other. Their determination and skills to resolve specific issues you bring to them are simply out of this world. You can hear other customers thanking the masseurs for re-​enabling them to move in certain ways right after their massage.
Highly, highly recommend and I’ll be sure to come back when in town again.

Best back massages in Chinatown. I have a lot of neck and back tension and some nagging sports injuries. The massages were deep, but also very effective at loosening my neck and relieving pain.
Super professional, nice people and a positive vibe. Not a spa-​type experience, but it’s friendly and welcoming. I would recommend to anyone with sports injuries or back problems in general.

I’m hesitant to write a review, because I don’t want anyone else to know about this place. This location is a fantastic, hidden gem of New York!
The staff are knowledgable and skilled, across the board. You don’t come for the ambiance, but rather the massage and the people. Everyone is very friendly and to the point.
Don’t expect a spa. Expect an incredible massage. Their acupressure style is like a deep tissue, knot blasting work out. This is not for the tender skinned. It will hurt, but it will be more than worth it.

Hurts sooooooooooo good. Be prepared to get f’ed up. You will hear moaning and squeaking but it won’t be ‘that’ type of massage parlour. You will not be eased into it. They will elbow, poke, push, every crevice you didn’t even know existed. And you will be crying out in pain. But it will feel soo0o0ooooooooooo goooooooood~~
Have been to many massage places — this will by far cure any ‘tense’ muscles that you may have and turn them into jello.
Take some advil — thank me later! And also RELAX — don’t tense up, they’ll only suspect and make the beating harder…

I pulled my lower back muscle while working out, and after two days of intense suffering, I came here after reading reviews about Simon’s magical healing powers. I couldn’t walk or even put on my underwear properly for two full days and had excruciating pain while coughing.
After waiting half an hour for Simon, I was disappointed that he would not be available, but I ended up being extremely satisfied with my massage with Ky. I told him about the injury, and he knew exactly what to do. He thoroughly attacked every knot in my upper body, and my back pain was completely gone within five hours of the massage. The massage is no joke though. I was moaning into the face hole for the entire 60 minutes and had several bruises the next day. It will be a problem for people with low pain tolerance.
But all for only 50 doll hairs! I’m a believer.

Only go for Simon! Don’t waste your time with anyone else. It’s like eating some authentic home cooked tacos from Abuela but then someone tricks you and serves you Taco Bell instead!
Simon though works wonders! I saw someone else and wasn’t as satisfied. When I return I will only see him. I visited this place before and loved Simon! It was definitely a tough massage and I was sore for a few days after but I was happy with the results. It’s a no thrills Chinatown massage parlor.
The massage table though was so hard it felt like I was laying on the floor. Also the sounds of other people moaning in agony from the hard massage next to you only separated by a sheet … it kind of makes you feel like your in a brothel. But it’s not that type of place. Expect to hear people grunting and moaning from a deep tissue massage. Welcome to NYC!

Very friendly and welcoming staff. I can honestly say this was the most painful massage session I’ve ever had (and I’m from China and have had massages in many different large cities). The interesting thing about the staff is, they are very knowledgeable and feel/​sense things without you telling them. For example, given pressure in certain areas they were able to tell I’ve been suffering from migraines. My husband got the foot massage and they knew about his leg problems. I will be going back again in the near future. The pain that you endure and suffer through, feels worth it afterwards.
But yes to anyone wondering, it hurts a LOT.