West Side Wellness, LLC

This place, hands down, does the best massages in the greater Providence area. I went once about a year ago and was very happy, so recently I decided to go back. I booked an evening appointment with Stephanie (they have nights and weekend appointments available!) a few weeks out. They have an online booking system for return customers, and they offer packages like a monthly subscription program that comes with a pretty generous discount. As these practitioners are more like healthcare providers rather than spa employees, there is no tipping.
The facilities are private and beautiful; the environment is very calming. They play soft music that isn’t too silly. Also, they have two parking spots on the side of the building, and there is street parking as well. All of the staff I’ve interacted with have been really pleasant and respectful.
I was long overdue for a massage, and I could feel the tension built up in my shoulders. Five seconds into my massage (technically myofascial bodywork), I had the thought of «holy crap… is this woman a body builder?» My typical complaint of the massage not being deep enough was NOT an issue with Stephanie. While I felt perfectly comfortable telling her to back off if I needed it, I could tell she knew what she was doing. I was sore the next day in the most magical way, and I feel so much better now! I’m looking forward to seeing Stephanie again next month, and I’m probably going to turn this into a regular thing.

As a bodyworker myself I am highly impressed with the offerings, staff, and owner of WSW. The bodyworkers here each have areas where their talents shine through in an effective and meaningful ways.
I currently work with Jennie Finn weekly who is extremely talented zero balance practitioner. If you have never tried this work I highly recommend it!
I also see Jenny Xie who is a hugely talented in reiki and energy worker. She has a natural gift for this work.
I have also experienced the healing and targeted massage work of Luis and Kate who are also amazing at their trade.
Jen Raimondi, the owner is a talented bodyworker and business owner. She is supportive of the local community as well as to other small businesses and bodyworkers in the area.
You can’t go wrong with booking an appointment or becoming a monthly sustaining massage subscriber at WSW!
As a monthly sustaining massage subscriber I know I can fit in my budget to get get quality regular work as part of my own self care and burnout prevention.
Thanks WSW!

Love this place! Don’t think twice!

Sent my boyfriend here for his first massage ever and he was a bit nervous, but said that Tom did an amazing job and he can’t wait to go back!

I made an appointment here a few months back and my only complaint is that I am not infinitely rich, so that I may visit this studio multiple times a week. As someone with a slightly strange medical history and aching muscles, a great massage can really make me feel less like an old lady. (I’m only 32, it totally sucks!)
I booked my appointment to meet with Stephanie because a friend had raved about her, but a last minute schedule change landed me an hour with Jen Raimondi (the owner) and I couldn’t have been happier.
To echo other reviewers, this goes beyond the «Light a candle, listen to Enya type massages.» These folks are focused on healing. If you’re looking for a place to help you heal from an injury, soothe muscles after difficult physical therapy, or generally just reduce tension/​stress… call them. You won’t be disappointed.

I love this place. I’ve been a customer for a couple years now. This new location on West Fountain is just fantastic. It’s so calming inside – just the right combination of clean and comfortable. Not antiseptic or artificial. No pushy sales of products.
If you’re just looking for a little bit of pampering, there are tons of places that fit the bill. But if you’re looking for therapeutic bodywork, this is the place to go. These people are professionals. I always request Stephanie, but from what I hear, they are all good.
Stephanie is some kind of muscle wizard. It’s almost creepy how she finds these sources of tension that I didn’t even know I had. If you don’t like an intense massage, you’ll need to let her know, because she has very strong, capable hands that work the crap out of all my knots and nodules. And then, at other times, it’s almost like she’s willing the muscles to relax through gentle coercion. I just had a long-​awaited massage today, and I thought of the times I used to get chiropractic work done, and how they would command me to «relax» right before cracking my spine, which of course, was impossible to do. But when I’m on the heated tables at West Side Wellness, I turn into jello.
Highly recommend!

Magic fingers, magic wrists, magic forearms… you get the picture.
Going to WSW reminds me of the scene from the movie Ghost where the medium Whoopie Goldberg allows the ghost Patrick Swayze to take over her body so he can touch the ghost’s old babe Demi Moore. At first Demi can’t believe it’s Patrick b/​c, duh, she’s looking at Whoopie, but then the Whoopie/​Patrick hybrid somehow convinces Demi through the word «ditto» that it’s him then they start dancing. The scene then cuts to Whoopie’s hand reaching out and touching Demi, and it’s kind of a «y’all need to get a room» moment. Then it gets even more intimate b/​c the hand touches Demi and she’s got this face that makes you think, WHOA, hold on there, I told you to get a room!
Well, you come to WSW, you do get your own room, with the Whoopie/​therapist of your own choosing (they’re all good), and somehow your Whoopie is able to turn your achy crabbiness to Demi-​level bliss b/​c they have the ability to magically, even spookily, locate by touch those darn knots and push them way the hell back into non-​existence, or at least Patrick’s ghost realm.
I’m sure I can think of many other inappropriate, clumsy, awkward, nonsensical and non-​PC ways to describe how great this place is or how they do things, but I’ll just point to the other 5 star Unilocal reviews and say…
Ditto.

I’ve been going to WWW for years now — I am surprised that I have never sung their praises here on Unilocal.
WWW has moved to a new space in the same building as the Providence Preservation Society — and I am completely in love with the space. You feel a sense of relaxation and peace even as you open the door. The high ceilings, low lighting, warm tones and gorgeous natural light puts you at ease instantly. It’s remarkable.
Meralise is the therapist that I see regularly. (I did see Sarah recently when Meralise and I did not have mutual availability). Meralise has gotten to know me and my physical structure — but has also taken the time to get to know me as a person. She is equally willing to be chatty with me, as she is to let me fall asleep. She is often working pretty deeply in my muscles, so it is not always a completely relaxing experience. However, since I feeling AMAZING when I leave, it’s all good — and what it should be for me.
Go to WWW. The therapists will take care of you. Let them know that I sent you. :)

I LOVE West Side Wellness — and their new location is amazing. It’s so tranquil and quiet with great light and a nice bathroom and waiting area. They even have a classroom for workshops!
I see Stephanie regularly, about once a month — I’ve told her she has «the kindest little knife hands», in the sense that she knows exactly what I need and when. I’ve also had massages with Meralise, who is also awesome. Jen’s doing an amazing job of building a culture of massage as healthcare, which I really appreciate and agree with. It’s really nice to take the awkwardness of tipping out of the interaction, but I do enjoy showing my appreciation by bringing by cookies and coffee once in a while :)

I was referred to West Side Wellness by my chiropractor and they have been helping me through a few issues. I’ve had the opportunity have have appointments with all of their excellent massage therapists and they are all really wonderful!
WSW approaches massage from the viewpoint of a healthcare practitioner, so they have a great understanding of where the pain is coming from and how to make you feel better. It’s not just a simple spa frou-​frou experience, although it IS super peaceful and relaxing. They’re the perfect fit for anyone just wanting a relaxing massage or for someone needing to recover from an injury or battle a chronic issue. The therapists will also help with any chronic pain by giving suggestions on stretches to do in between visits.
WSW doesn’t accept tips, but they do accept HSA/​FSA cards, so the payment process is very straightforward. Their system will also send you an email receipt (really helpful when using an HSA or FSA card).
Their new office is really nice and their scheduling system is really easy to use. They offer a variety of appointment times and lengths, so it’s really easy to fit into my schedule.

I first made the acquaintance of Jen Raimondi (founder and proprietor of West Side Wellness in 2008. I came to her as a somewhat challenging candidate for Deep Tissue Massage; had recently had kidney transplant surgery, had a right arm Diaslysis Fistula (surgical modification); and, as we’d discover over time, spinal scoliosis, and all the complications that come with that condition.
Jen and her fellow therapists have always taken into account the unique needs of different massage clients. They remember fine details about each individual, and adapt accordingly. The therapy can be both energizing and relaxing. There are no promise of «cures» for a major condition; but there’s plenty of short term comfort and relief, important coping mechanisms, and most importantly: expanded body and motion awareness.
I’ve been with West Side Wellness all this time, through all the changes and expansions. I would recommend it to anyone seeking the benefits of deep massage; even the mobility-​challenged. All ages, both genders. Thanks, Jen & Company!
Paul E. Bettencourt

West Side Wellness really knows how to dig into your problem areas. Excellent therapeutic tissue work.
The staff is fantastic — you really can’t go wrong no matter who you see. I’m a a bit partial to Jen, but only because I have been seeing her since she first started massage. She was recommended to me by my chiropractor when she was working with Claudia Lee several years ago. Body work with an endorsement by a chiropractor? EXCELLENT.
If your only experience with massage therapy has been in a spa like setting such as one of those big chains, you are really missing out. Massage is so much more than working the muscles — it takes a level of intuitiveness that not all practices have. WSW is where it is at! The collective experience of this group of therapists is really wonderful — massaging, stretching, and helping you to learn how to tune out and quiet your mind. They bring a mindfulness to the table that really sets them apart from the many other therapists I have seen.
There are so many things that make this practice unique — they view massage as health care. As a result, they do not accept tips. They offer shorter time slots which will target problem areas while not breaking the bank, but are incredibly effective. OH! And if you have a doctor’s recommendation/​note for neuro-​muscular therapy for a specific problem, then they can even swipe your FSA card!
I tried a lot of different massage therapists until I found Jen Raimondi. She has built a phenomenal practice and works with only the most skilled and gifted staff. A wonderful group of people that make you feel wonderful, too!
I also love that they offer workshops for regular ol’ people. They teach you techniques so that you can help your partner/​children/​baby with touch therapy. I can’t wait to see what wonderful things they will do now that they have that beautiful new classroom space.
OH, and I’ve gone on and on for so long about how great their therapy is that I haven’t even mentioned THEIR GORGEOUS NEW SPACE. It is so warm and inviting and of course Mattie is almost always there to greet you. (That might actually be my favorite part…) The rooms are cozy and private — the class room space has gorgeous light. As soon as you step into the reception area, you know you are in for a treat. I’d give this place a million stars if I could! Parking is a cinch. There are two spaces in the lot and ample street parking.

West Side Wellness is kind of a magical place. And by ‘kind of’, I might actually mean ‘literally’. They possess the secrets of an alchemy that turns knotted ropes of muscle into glorious, golden functionality.
If you are achey, tired, and sore, WSW’s elite staff of warrior therapists will bring the hurt to your pain. I could scarcely recommend anything more wholeheartedly.
Pricing is very reasonable, and scheduling is flexible and accommodating. I have had little trouble getting last-​minute appointments that work with my less-​than-​flexible schedule when the need has arisen. My job is very physically demanding, and I have had several strains, spasms, and lingering aches that have necessitated ASAP appointments over the past couple years. This means I have received treatments from several of the therapists, so I feel qualified and confident in stating that one simply cannot go wrong at West Side Wellness.