I highly recommend Aaron Shay as a massage therapist. He is always respectful, attentive, and truly takes the time to listen to your concerns. What I appreciate most is how focused he is on helping resolve problem areas rather than just providing a routine massage--he really tailors each session to what your body needs. I've been seeing him for a long time now and continue to go back regularly because of the consistent care and results I receive. As a woman, feeling comfortable and at ease is very important to me, and Aaron creates a safe, professional, and relaxing environment every time. He is knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely committed to his clients' well-being. If you're looking for a skilled and trustworthy massage therapist, I would definitely recommend Aaron Shay. read more

I've been going to Aaron for the past seven years. He's a great masseuse and really cares about his clients. I have always felt comfortable with him and he gives great advice on how to better avoid being too tight and avoid pain. He also has a sliding scale for pricing and is the only masseuse I know who does that. He believe massage should be accessible to everyone. read more

I found Aaron on Yelp the day I had my massage. I had a migraine and needed relief. He was wonderful!! He relieved my pain and also helped me to understand how to work on avoiding the headaches in the future. I will be returning!! read more

Aaron is extremely talented and knowledgable about pain management, and the body in general. He is very good at his job, and takes his job very seriously, which I appreciate. I really enjoy the fact that he explains so carefully how you can address the pain outside of his session with posture and movement. And his massage technique is outstanding - I always leave feeling incredibly relaxed. Highly recommend! read more

Aaron is the best massage therapist I've ever had. He has comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and will explain it to you in a way that's easy to understand. Whatever issue I go in there with, he treats it effectively while still giving me a whole-body massage so I don't miss out on the relaxation part of things. Highly recommend. read more

Not sure why this place has great reviews! Bad massage. The guy is condescending and acts like he has all the knowledge in the world with a massage certification....he is extremely condescending and rude ! Avoid this place ! First and last done on the same day. Waste of money , also location looks shady and looks unhygienic!- try not to be condescending/ listen and acknowledge, if u want customers ever ! read more

This masseuse is very good with their hands and is concerned about their clients' health and well-being. He takes being a masseuse seriously and made sure that I didn't have any pain or concerns afterward. He made me feel comfortable and educated me as well. The ambience as well was very and beautiful set up. A kind person who is great with his hands that I would definitely use again. I will add that if you are a new client, make sure you arrive 15 minutes before your session out of respect for him and his other clients. Arriving on time is very important to this masseuse since he has many bookings and takes his work seriously!riously! read more

Just moved to Durham at the end of 2020 and started looking for an LMT. I am so happy to have found Aaron Shay Massage. Aaron was polite, kind, and took time to understand my needs. He even helped me realize a few things that explained to me why I was observing some of my pains. You'd be surprised it's things you never think about as they are just routine in your everyday life. His place is very relaxing and no stress at all. I was completely comfortable. I will be getting a massage at least once a month. Thank you so much!!! read more

Aaron is a great massage therapist! I have neck and jaw pain, and I always feel so good when I leave his office. I feel like he really listens to me and my needs, which is wonderful :) His services are affordable and easy to book as well! read more

I've been a client for several years. Aaron is one of the best massage therapists in the triangle, and he customizes his treatment recommendations based on individual client needs and requests. A lot of therapists in the area are super aggressive and want you to buy additional services and packages. Aaron's style isn't like that. He is a great massage therapist whose services are straightforward. No up-selling, no products, just a great massage. read more

Very disappointing- Aaron didn't listen well before the massage, preferring to explain to me how it would proceed. He did not concentrate on the areas I told him were my main problems, and he was generally ineffective. Literally, I left there feeling no better than before. He was careful to ask me afterwards if I was satisfied; when I told him no, he quickly said he would not charge me. Now I understand why - I booked through genbook and was told I would receive an automatic request for a review. When I didn't see this, I found my appointment listed as "cancelled". That's why all his reviews are 'good'... Gross. read more

This was a great birthday gift!! Got to spend 105 minutes with Aaron as he work on my sometimes overworked body. Left feeling great, listened to and refreshed. He does more than just attacking the "knots" and causing pain. Aaron has a great philosophy that guides his therapy. Thanks Aaron. Hope to see you again soon. read more

I had my first appointment with Aaron Shay Massage Therapy yesterday, and it was wonderful! We talked through my medical history and he was really thorough in explaining his process to me, discussing some of my issues, and answering my questions. His workspace is comfortable and soothing, and Aaron is kind and skillful. The massage itself was great! He paid attention to the areas I had concerns about, and I left feeling completely relaxed and stress-free. I'll be scheduling another massage with Aaron for certain! read more

Aaron has been my massage therapist for at least 4 years - Aaron would be able to tell me exactly, since he keeps notes of our sessions. Aaron checks in at the beginning of each session to ask about overall health, how I'm feeling in general, and then asks how I want to structure the session. He'll make suggestions if our discussion leads him to believe that there may be a benefit to focus on something in particular. When we're wrapping up, he always asks whether the session met my needs. He's a kind person, a professional business owner, and a talented massage therapist. His massage therapy is truly restorative and leaves me thoroughly relaxed. read more

Aaron, I have given a good deal of thought to my experience with you yesterday. While I respect your knowledge of your craft, your approach to me, and I see from other clients who have also reviewed you, is very cold, coarse, and uninviting. When I tried to save you time with the health questions and to tell you why I was there, you wanted to silence me. I should have gone with my gut and walked out then. As I shared, I have had bi-monthly in-home massage therapy from one of the top therapists from one of the top-ranked spas in the US, for the last 4 years. I have not one complaint regarding this person's personality or methodology. A move to NC facilitated the need to find a new therapist. I was highly uncomfortable in your studio, which is in a movie set for a horror movie - thankfully your website indicates you are moving to a new location. The way you insisted I be positioned on the table facedown was uncomfortable and not like any way I have ever been placed on a massage table. You acted as you didn't really want to adjust the headrest. As a result, I have had a good deal of neck pain; I have never hurt in this manner after a massage. I felt belittled when my body didn't respond to how you felt it should move when you applied your technique; perhaps my tension stemmed from the environment you created from the onset of the appointment? I did not come to you to receive a critique or scolding on how I should stand, sit, or communicate with my muscles. Your rhetoric is more so in line with that of a chiropractor with a specialty in sports medicine/physical therapy, of which you are not. The most shocking comments came after the massage when you told me you would, "refer me out to another therapist, perhaps Massage Envy, if I all I wanted was to relax and let go." Isn't that a purpose of one getting a massage? I think you perceived me a someone younger than I am. I am in my mid-40s, not a child, I have a doctorate in my field, and I too am at the top of my craft and career. I would never speak to a fellow colleague, student, or colleague in the manner you did to me yesterday. It is true, first impressions are lasting impressions. This approach might work for others, but not for me. I would counsel you to clearly state on your website your approach, methodology, required outcomes, and type of client you seek to engage with. It might serve you well to do some reading on bedside manners. I respectfully would like a full refund of the monies I paid you yesterday as I will not return to your studio. I would highly discourage my colleagues and friends from booking an appointment with you in the future. Dr. Jason Wright read more

Shortly Story: Aaron is a great masseuse that really gets into the muscle, finds the knots and pushes around the fascia. Really good for athletes and people who want to really feel more functionally mobile afterwards. Long story: I wasn't impressed after my first session, a 45 minute session, but it is extremely convenient to book online with Aaron a few hours before and show up. My most recent session, an hour, was outstanding. Aaron doesn't use a ton of oil, but does a lot of, I guess, non-traditional stretching and pressing on trigger points that completely released a lot of the huge fascia knots in my back and legs. This isn't your average Swedish massage where they rub oil around and just hit the upper layers of tissue. The 45 minute session really isn't enough to hit everything, so I would recommend booking for an hour or more. His rates are reasonable. His philosophy is good. He has different scents for either relaxation or enhanced breathing. I didn't necessarily feel relaxed during the massage - lets be honest, having someone really dig into bunches of tight muscle doesn't feel great. But when I got up afterwards and walked back to campus, I immediately noticed enhanced flexibility, mobility, and blood flow, along with a calmer mind. Make sure you tell him what you want worked on before hand - he can probably figure it out just from working on you, but it'll help him figure out the amount of time he should spend on each body part. He is very professional, and did I mention that the rates are great? If you didn't have a good first time, I'd highly recommend going back a second time. The first is just to sort of feel you out, and afterwards the real work gets done. Thanks Aaron! read more

I've been a client at Broad Street Massage for about a year now. I originally saw Rebecca to help with headaches and migraines that I was having (and of course, also to relieve stress & tension!). The massages certainly helped on all accounts. I've now been seeing Aaron for about 4 months and I have also had a wonderful experience with him. He's been continuing to help with my chronic headaches (by focusing on my neck & shoulders) and it has helped tremendously. I also really appreciate how he shows me exactly what muscles are having problems and gives suggestions on things to do in my daily life to help. I would recommend Aaron & Broad Street to any of my friends that want an incredible massage experience and long-lasting health benefits. Also, I really appreciate their late hours! Very convenient. read more

Without a doubt, Aaron Shay knows his craft! He has an uncanny way of pinpointing the problem spots and working it out. As a hairdresser, my shoulders tend to carry a lot of tension; I see Aaron every 2 to 3 weeks to relieve them. Money well spent and probably the best investment I've made in my career. read more

Aaron does great work. I often become quite anxious around new people, but Aaron's demeanor helped put me at ease. He listened well before the session and used his sense of touch throughout to determine which areas needed focused attention. I enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend his services. read more

I was in town for a few days and sorely in need of a massage. I found Broad Street Massage here on Yelp and decided to give it a shot. I especially liked the option to book and prepay online. Aaron was great. He was friendly and knowledgeable, and very good at his job. I felt very relaxed and in less pain afterwards. If I lived in Durham, I'd definitely go again! read more

I've been going to Aaron for over 3 years. He is really fantastic. I've been to lots of massage therapists, and I really think he's one of the best. I've gone to him with all kinds of complaints, from sports injuries, to chronic back and neck tension stuff, to insomnia, to just globally being stressed out and wanting to relax & check out. He is very intuitive, is always able to meet me where I am and get a good sense of what I need and what will work for the session. I've recommended him to lots of friends and colleagues, and the only reason I haven't posted a review here sooner is that I selfishly don't want him to get busier so that it's harder for me to get an appointment! :P Booking online is super easy, and prices are extremely reasonable, especially when you get the multiple session packages. read more

I have had tons of body work over the years and can only give the highest recommendation of Aaron!!! He has helped me in a very short perriod of time with fitness related issues as well as stress and headaches. He is professional and takes a very personalized approach. I will continue to see him and you should too. read more

Always an amazing massage, easy to schedule, convenient location, very skilled and professional therapist!

Aaron is great, I always leave feeling like he's worked out my problem areas. He will always ask what needs work before starting the massage. I'm disappointed that I'll have to find a new massage therapist now that I've moved away. read more

I was a customer of Broad Street Massage when it was run by Rebecca B. I really liked her. When Aaron came on board, I was a little nervous. I was unsure about having a massage by a man, and didn't know if I'd like him. I'm SO GLAD that I went in to see him!!! I have been seeing Aaron Shay for over a year now, Andi have referred MANY friends to him. Today, I had THE BEST MASSAGE EVER! I have had 2 previous knee surgeries, and continue to have knee and leg pain. I also recently injured my right shoulder exercising. Aaron typically works on my knee, and I ALWAYS feel MUCH better when I leave (and for several days after wards). Today he worked on my shoulder. I feel GREAT!!! It was the BEST massage I've EVER had!!! (and I've had a lot of massages). I HIGHLY recommend Aaron Shay and Broad Street Massage! read more

I am so surprised to see any bad reviews! I have had a lot of massages and thought Aaron was one of the absolute best. He was incredibly professional and helpful and addressed my neck problem in a way that made me feel so much better. I will definitely be returning for more massages from Aaron. read more

I have been getting massages from Aaron since 2010--usually once a month--I would go once a week if I could! Aaron has been consistently professional and knowledgeable. He always listens well both before and after the massage, and often has concrete suggestions for paying attention to how I move through my daily activities and exercise. But most importantly, he does a great massage! I always come away with my problem areas feeling better, and my stress level radically reduced. read more

Aaron Shay at Broad Street Massage offers the best, most consistent massage therapy in Durham. I've been a regular client for about six months and have seen and felt an incredible improvement in not just temporary pains and aches, but also a shift away from chronic soreness in areas where I used to hold tension (shoulders/neck/back.) I am a full-time restaurant & hospitality professional as well as a part-time fitness instructor and as both of my jobs can be physically demanding, regular massage therapy has become a necessity for me to go about my days relieved of both physical pain and stress. After trying multiple other day spas, independent massage therapists and chain massage providers, I can attest that Aaron provides very consistent, professional and thoughtful therapy. He is very knowledgeable, has a great understanding of muscle anatomy and physiology and always takes time after the massage to listen to feedback or to offer suggestions. read more