Touch Science

This is about as good as it gets. Therapist Courtney is an empath!
OK. Rewind… I have a bad back from years and years of nights spent hurling a 16 lb weight with the right arm while trying to balance on the left leg, and spending all day hunched over a computer keyboard sitting on my butt. So, the back’s a bit of a mess (compounded by throwing it out 5 years ago).
So, I’ve had years and years of massage — not the chi-​chi breath work with feathery light touches from the tail feather of a dodo bird, but the type where an elderly Chinese woman climbs up on your back and stands on her tiptoes to walk down your spine.
The therapy at Touch Science isn’t as extreme, but it’s the best I’ve experienced in this country. My preferred therapy is the Chinese «tui-​na» massage — the type that reduces some brawny athlete types to tears. But performed wrong, it can cause internal injury. So, most of my tui-​na sessions have been done in China where I travel often on business.
In various towns in the US, I visit Chinese foot reflexology places, but these places can be a hit or a miss. (See my other reviews) Many times, I find a good therapist, but they don’t last long in most of these places. For over a year, I also had a membership at a high-​end spa, but I gave it up as expensive and not doing my back much good. Relaxing, but not therapeutic enough.
I’ve been back to Touch Science 4 times already, and it’s the best. Courtney has managed to find and relieve the tightest and most painful knots in my back, neck and shoulder every time. Many massage therapists have excellent grasp of anatomy and technique, but then without «feel», they are just performing the routine or what they were taught. Some of these sessions by LMTs do help, but I found them rarely satisfying.
Courtney has the «feel». She would instinctively dwell a bit longer on the parts that need it more, may be even without conscious thought. She is able to moderate her strength (I like a very strong massage) to work hard at some points, but also to ease up and stroke through the more sore parts. She also remembers that I like a cup of very warm water at the end of the session!
The great advantage of Touch Science is that I know what I will get — a great therapeutic massage — every time I make the appointment. A definite 5-​stars! My back’s feeling much better since starting with Courtney, but I’m still going back every week or two for ‘maintenance’. With her 5-​massage package at $ 275, it’s also great value for money. If you can convince your doctor to give you a prescription, she also accepts some insurance providers.

Courtney gives an excellent massage. She has a lovely personality that puts you at ease, and she has a wonderful sense of touch. I will definitely be going back!

I’ve tried several massage therapists here in the Bellevue/​Redmond area and Courtney is the only one I’ve returned to. In fact, I liked her so much I bought a 5-​pack and now that I’ve had 6 massages with her in total, I definitely will continue having sessions with her.
Some therapists just don’t have the empathy. They might do a good technical massage, but do not have the empathy to have a good sense of when they need to ease up on the pressure. At the first session, Courtney was careful to ask about pressure levels several times but always seemed to know when to ease up before I asked for an ease.
Courtney takes her cue from you on how you want a massage. Whether it’s purely for relaxation or therapeutic «work me over and make it hurt so good.» To get the best out of your massage, talk to her. She is experienced, trained and will also show you exercises to help you stretch or handle a muscle issue. She also takes some insurance coverage.
I have a bad back/​neck from being rear ended over 20 years ago. I go to my Dr. for adjustment when needed, and to Courtney every week or so to ease the aches and pains. After a stressful week at work hunched over a computer, I can’t wait for my appointment with Courtney. She definitely has the magic touch.
A nice touch — the heated pad on massage table — it’s sooo hard to get up after the massage is done.

I have been to many different massage therapists and Courtney is by far my favorite. She uses enough pressure which is important to me. She takes your cue on conversation, will talk or be quiet. Up to you. OK, so those are the two most important things for me. If you take advantage of the specials (i.e. 30% off 6 massage package) it’s really reasonable too. Works out to as low as $ 50/​hour. Plus, there are sometimes deals on Amazon Local so keep an eye out!