Massage in Honolulu

Chiropractor Andrew Matsukawa and Deborah Matsukawa preside over Matsukawa Healing Center, where they have approached healing with holistic treatments, incorporating both traditional and unique techniques, for more than three decades. Deborah draws on massage modalities ranging from Swedish to lomi-lomi as she kneads away muscular pain and the stresses of living in a fast-paced modern world or slower-paced underwater commune. Andrew helps patients channel their intuitions and creativity while also bringing spines back into alignment. Together, the duo aid patients in balancing mind, body, and spirit, whether that means enhancing circulation with reflexology or pulling misplaced car keys out of aural canals.

Balinese traditions fuse with European techniques at Mandara Spa, whose more than 60 locations seem to be everywhere, from Cairo and Thailand to Aruba and Dubai. Each location adopts its city's culture into its extensive list of services, using indigenous ingredients and traditions to create massages, facials, conditioning scalp treatments, and mani-pedis. Regardless of the location guests visit, Mandara's aestheticians execute each service using such high-end beauty products as Elemis, Bliss, and the spa's signature line of bath products, which are scented with the aroma of the bath towels that grow naturally in the Amazon rainforest.

High above Honolulu inside Thai Thai Massage’s tranquil, flower-strewn confines, therapists draw on diverse massage-therapy traditions as they work to ease clients’ aches and pains. Therapists move clients into deep, yoga-like stretches with Thai massage, or ease chronic muscle tension with deep-tissue techniques. The ancient Hawaiian healing art of lomilomi may incorporate warm stones, back walking, and mild-hypnosis techniques, aiding relaxation or reenactments of The Manchurian Candidate. Swedish and hot-stone massage, Chinese foot reflexology, and thai body scrubs are also available.

Apeautique describes itself as an eco-luxe skin boutique, a term that speaks to its commitment to organic, plant-based products and its luxurious, custom spa treatments. In their detailed and relaxing massage, skincare, and med-spa services, the staff uses products that include whole-food nutrients because they can be safely absorbed by the body without causing patients to sprout third eyes or scissorhands. In addition to nourishing skin, Apeautique aims to nourish the world through philanthropic support of organizations such as Kiva and the Himalayan Cataract Project.

Paradise Massages & Spa’s therapists combine tailored massage strokes with essential oils that evoke the relaxing scents of the tropics. During lomilomi massages inspired by Hawaii’s own holistic healing traditions, they use their hands, forearms, and elbows to rhythmically soothe muscles. Another island-inspired treatment, the hot-lava massage, employs heated stones to stimulate circulation and ease the daily stresses of living inside an active volcano. The staff’s expertise extends beyond sore backs and shoulders; their customized facials, for example, open pores with a blast of soothing steam before moisturizing skin with a healing mask and relaxing frown lines with a facial massage.