I travel a lot for work, I have sports injuries that require maintenance, I have a busy life with kids, dogs, and a partner, and I need frequent massage work as a result. Visiting Cincinnati (my hometown of 18 years) for the weekend, and I found The Garage after searching all over the tri-state area. The reviews (while all incredible) simply cannot do this place justice -- an absolutely incredible experience. A calming space, a gifted therapist with infectious energy, a massage catered to my specific muscle issues, and a vibe that has left me feeling relaxed and uplifted. Stop your searching, forget the fluff that comes with stuffy spas, book an appointment with ONNIE, and GO! I've found my therapist here, and I cannot wait to see them again! read more

AMAZING! Been dealing with pain and muscle stiffness in my shoulders, after one massage significantly improved and didn't wake up with tingling and numbness down my arms read more

I was in town for a week on business, and needed to relax. Onnie was fantastic. I felt at ease immediately. I like the vibe - almost like going to a therapist office versus a high end spa. I will be back, and I will be recommending this to everyone. read more

Onnie is the fifth massage therapist I've tried in the Cincinnati area, and there won't be a sixth. As she would tell you, I'm not the easiest client to work on. I am a fairly active person, practicing in 3 sports/activities and seriously competitive in one more. I try to take care of myself as much as I can in between sessions with her, however there is only so much you can get done on your own. It also sometimes helps to have someone else point out things or imbalances that you had not noticed yourself. To keep making progress I try to stick to a monthly schedule. We always make improvements but they are slow going in my case. She has also been helpful with specific acute injuries. She is responsive to feedback, and can give you a relaxing session, or one where you get to focus on some breathing and really grind thru some tissue. She is capable of any of the modalities you want, and is able to pick the right tool for what you need. Her schedule and prices are reasonable too. Learn from my search and go straight to her. You won't be disappointed. I also enjoy when her dog is around the office, what a teddy bear. read more

Onalda Martinez is absolutely a gifted massage therapist! I gave up looking for a masseuse because, they never provided the kind of massage I requested! Onalda really paid attention to my needs, and was very professional! The atmosphere was very relaxing, and I felt right at home! I found my masseuse and they have a client for life! read more

The Garage Massage & Bodywork is fantastic. It was highly recommended by many people on my local facebook page with recommendations for every massage therapist there. For your first visit you fill out a form about your history and current issues. This isn't tossed aside like it may be at a shop more focused on general relaxation. I see Onnie and from the first visit and each since she asks what issues I'm currently having and where I want to focus. This is a very focused deep tissue massage rather than a full body that is focused on relaxing. Onnie knows her stuff! Focusing on very specific pin pointed areas that are holding the most tension. I used to get massages and always left feeling 'relaxed' but still in pain. Onnie checks in with you, before during and after each massage to make sure she's getting the right spots, with the right pressure and helping in the areas you're having trouble with. They suggest the frequency you should come back based on your current issues but the massages aren't cheap (but none are and it's not pricier than anywhere else I've been) but they understand the financial commitment and don't pressure you into coming more frequently then you feel you're able. They always have availability between the massage therapists and send out emails when they have last minute openings or are running special deals, so you never have to wait long if you're in pain. If you've never had a massage or are looking for an intense massage that will do wonders, absolutely give this place a try! read more

I saw Onnie today and boy am I glad to have found her! Thank you Yelp reviewers! She worked on my target areas with pressure and breathing and really got to the source of my tension. Thank you thank you ! Highly recommend! read more

Just got done with an 60 minute massage with Tom and feel great. He was professional, funny and really worked out all my stress and tension. A very skilled masseuse and overall down to earth guy. I'll definitely be coming back whenever I need to work out some kinks. read more

Onnie is, hands down, the BEST massage therapist I've ever been to. I live in Los Angeles now but every time I book a flight back home to Cincinnati, I book an appointment with Onnie. She's so good it makes seeing other massage therapists ... really disappointing. Without fail, Onnie gets all the knots and tightness out of my muscles and I leave her immediately feeling like I've had excellent work done. I've come to her with a number of pains over the years from tightness in my neck and shoulders to, most recently, pain in my lower back and glutes from constantly bending, squatting and picking up a toddler. Although I've seen her primarily for office/life related pains, as a former athlete, she is the massage therapist I wish I had when I was in training. Do yourself (or loved one) a favor and book Onnie. She is worth every single penny and really helps you care for the only body you'll ever get. read more

I found The Garage on Yelp, so the site was still open on my computer when I came home. Why not leave a well-deserved review? I really appreciated the entire experience and feel great now, after a long week of travel, airplanes, and the discomforts of chronic back pain. Onnie is clearly a natural at what she does and gave me exactly the massage I was hoping for/needed. I also appreciate the total lack of sales pushiness -- as she and I discussed, there are plenty of places where this is an issue. All in all it was a no-nonsense, effective and enjoyable massage and I'll be back. I appreciated accessible parking/location, easy scheduling (same day no less) and a simple checkout process. Plus... I was So Into the session playlist. Icing on the cake. Thanks again. read more

Onnie is a myofascial magician. I don't usually seek help with my pain until it becomes debilitating. I have suffered from myofascial pain and fibromyalgia type pain for at least 20+ years. I have sought help through all corners of the medical community, to include doctors, pain clinics, hospitals, massage, chiropractic, and psychiatric care. Through my journey, I found a few things that actually helped. Number 1 for me is trigger-point therapy. So, I have spent years working through the layers learning how to apply pressure and relax the knots out on my own. The past few months, I have been completely stuck and unable to work out issues in my neck and shoulders. Enter Onalda, my myofascial mage.. In casual conversation, Onnie asked me how I've been... "Broken", I replied. "You should come up and let me squeeze on you." Rather desperate, I obliged.. I have never felt anyone tune into my body so immediately. Almost instantly she started placing pressure in all the right spots, giving proper support below to allow gravity to do it's job. During the process she also held my arms and neck in slightly different alignments while applying the amount of pressure that I could stomach. (I'm pretty sure she has 4 arms, but my eyes were closed) 1 by 1 the knots began to melt away. Trigger-point therapy is not pain free. Someone is placing pressure on knots of soft tissue/muscle that will not come undone on their own. Even the slightest pressure on the proper spot can immediately make you feel all squishy inside (too technical?) and instantly nauseous. Referred pain is a bit nuts. For instance, pressure on a point in the side of your neck may cause a pulling in places like your chest, or maybe the opposite side shoulder-blade. Onnie's techniques are the best that I personally have ever experienced. She never used more pressure than I could stomach. A few times even with just slight pressure, I thought I was close to going beyond what I could take. In the instant that I was about to say something, suddenly I would feel the knot run away from her touch and we'd be on to the next one... I can go on, but this is getting rather long. I have a new ally in my fight against pain. More than that, I can see hope, knowing there will be an end. Knot by knot and layer by layer... If you suffer from any type of myofascial pain, whether it's an immediate sports injury or a lifetime of fibromyalgia symptoms, I encourage you to give Onnie a call today. read more

While training for my first ultra-marathon, I was struck by sudden pain and tightness in my right calf about 1/2 through a tempo run. (In retrospect I could have used another day or two of recovery after my long run...) When it became clear that this wasn't something that was going to take care of itself, and no amount of me trying to roller it out myself was going to make any progress, I found Onnie here on yelp. I'd been to some of the more "spa" oriented places in town, and they're always a bit more hit-and-miss when it comes to trying to deal with athletic problems as opposed to office induced stress. The other reviews made Onnie and "The Garage" (although it's actually in a quite pleasant little office park) sound like a much better fit, and they were right. The first visit was a big help, and got me so I could ease back out onto the trails, and by the second visit the calf problem was resolved. I credit the messages with helping to reduce the healing time and get my training back of track with minimal disruption. Beyond the therapy itself, Onnie really did a good job of being able to diagnose which muscle groups were interacting with others (e.g. how I was compensating for the calf pain). It's really clear she knows what she's doing, and is really helpful for athletes trying to get the most out of their training. Oh, and as a result of not having to limp through it, I did pull off a 6th place finish in my 1st 100km race... Thanks Onnie! read more

The best torture I ever received... I was traveling in Cincinnati when my back went out--bad. As soon as I finished my grueling plane trip and car ride, I yelped The Garage to see if they could squeeze in and emergency patient. Onalda called me back almost immediately and even though she was not in the studio at the time, said she could be there within fifteen minutes, just for me. Once I got there, well, wow. I have had deep tissue massages before, But, apparently, Onalda really, REALLY enjoys her work. Man, did she get in there. Deep. She knows her anatomy well, and went straight for the source of the pain. This was no "relaxing" massage. BUT--it was worth every single penny. I went in there with an "8" on the 1-10 pain score, and walked out at 3; maybe 2.5. Given what I intuited as Onalda's knowledge of the body, I would say she probably does an excellent relaxing massage as well. So if that is what you want, I'm sure she'll do a great job. For those of you like me who worked out a little too hard or have some sort of muscular pain, do not look anywhere else. Call Onalda. She'll fix you right up. read more

What can I say, Onnie is awesome! As a rugby player and an active CrossFitter, I'm prone to beating my body up in one way or another. Onnie is great at working out the issues and getting me back on the field and in the gym. Most recently, I tweaked my lower back doing deadlifts in the gym and was in an excruciating amount of pain. I called Onnie and she offered to work on me with short notice. Not only did I get immediate relief from the pain I was experiencing, but it allowed me to get back in the gym in a few days. I've since had no lasting issues. This was nothing short of a miracle. If you are looking for a massage therapist that listens and understands the needs of an athlete, look no further than Onnie & The Garage. read more

The best!! Finally found a place to get a REAL deep tissue massage!! Super super clean, professional, timely, in and out- EASY. This is a place to get a real deal body work massage. THANK YOU!! read more

Last night, I found my place. I recently relocated to Cincinnati and am still figuring out where to go for what. And did I ever get lucky finding The Garage. This place is no frills. Don't expect cucumber water and wave-crashing music. Do expect the most targeted, efficient, problem-solving massage you'll have. Ever. I've been a fan of massage therapy for a while now, but usually looked to it for relaxation... Or, I'd cross my fingers my therapist would understand my body's needs better than I could articulate them. In the past, I'd always write on my intake form that my neck/shoulders were my problem area (I'm a desk jockey), but felt like that was the first or last stop on the body map and often was not as in depth as I'd hoped. Never have I had a therapist so attune to my body's needs as Onnie. She located each twisted, tangled, mangled muscle and began the unwinding with precision. To echo other reviewers, this does not come without some initial discomfort. I've never felt so at ease leaving my health/well-being in the hands of another person. I knew, though, that she would locate and tackle my problem areas-- without my guidance (demands?). This girl knows her stuff. I enjoyed chatting with Onnie (to the point I hope I wasn't annoying). Just a great human being. Immediately after leaving the office, my joints felt freer than they ever have. The knots and tight muscles are melting away. Great experience. I can't wait to return. Also, ONLINE BOOKING. YESSSSSSSSS! read more

I had my first massage here today and was quite impressed. The Garage is tucked away in a little office complex in the heart of Madeira. There was plenty of parking available which I am a huge fan of. The lobby/ intake area is very relaxing. It is well designed and very inviting. I filled out a short history and remarks about my goals for the massage and my trouble areas. Onnie my therapist was very friendly and professional. She briefly filled me in on her professional background and confirmed the type of massage I had signed up for was going to meet my needs (I never really know which one to pick!). The massage room itself is comfortable and has appropriate lighting. The music played was a little more upbeat than the standard meditation-like music commonly played with massages which was a nice change. Onnie was very thorough in my massage. She had a logical flow and used multiple trigger points and techniques to relax my back and neck which had been hurting for a few weeks (due to hunching over a computer). I usually leave a massage with some residual tension which was not the case with this massage. Onnie put in serious work to get my muscles back in working order. I think the name "Garage" is very appropriate as at least for now some of my muscular problems have been "fixed". I will definitely be back- and soon. read more

Ony is very considerate to work with me on areas that need attention. She has a plan and it's working wonders. She's a very pleasant person and a terrific therapist. I highly recommend Ony and The Garage read more

Oh my goodness! Where do I start? I'm currently on a three week business trip and have been having tons of back and shoulder pain. Even though I don't live in the Cincinnati area, I knew I needed a massage. After researching a ton of places on Yelp, I decided to take a chance on The Garage and I was not disappointed! They definitely live up to the hype. I had a 90 minute custom massage with Onnie and she was such a kick ass woman and massage therapist. She both let me relax and also made great conversation. She took my history, job, input, and body into consideration when deciding what areas to spend more time on. I'm a very uptight person, and even I was able to relax! I very much recommend going here. read more

Amazing service! I have been to the Garage several times and each time it confirms that I will be back again and again. I need deep tissue massages to bring my body back to feeling right. Onnie has a talent to find and fix what is not working right. I feel so great after a massage at the Garage....though it's the best thing for my body, it feels like a guilty pleasure. read more

my review is pretty much exactly what's already been written. onnie was friendly and warm and the massage was simply amazing. i've never truly had that kind of deep tissue bodywork and wow - it was uncomfortable at times, but it's worth it! i walked out feeling great. the quality of care far exceeds the price. go to onnie; you will not regret it! read more

Had an amazing massage here today! Onnie is very talented. We talked a lot about the issues I'm having with my lower back due to a weight lifting injury. She was able to loosen up a very tight area that I've been struggling with for a long time. I will definitely be going back soon! read more

I saw Laura for Thai Massage for the first time in May. She listened to my concerns I had regarding my pain and provided a careful but deep compression and stretch to my body that massage alone was unable to achieve. This form of massage is interactive and consists of assisted yoga postures and rhythmic and flowing movements that help to relieve both physical and mental tension. Laura uses just the right amount of pressure and talks you through what she is going to do so you know just what to expect. She helped to work out the tension I had been experiencing while restoring limberness to my spine, as well as and other muscles and joints throughout my body. I went away feeling more flexible and relaxed, both physically and mentally. My pain in my lower back has definitely improved considerably since my first session in May. read more

I can not tell you how happy I am that I found this place. Onnie has magic hands and literally fixed my back! I have never really had lots of back problems. I tweaked my lower back on a squat machine at the gym. The pain was unbearable! Onnie did a full evaluation and put humpty dumpty back together again! If you train or are involved in sports, have her pull out your hamstrings. It was amazing the difference. I will be back for sure! read more

I went in for my first pregnancy massage due to some pain in my lower back. Laura was wonderful and extremely accommodating. I will definitely be returning before baby makes his/her arrival. read more

Got a massage from Onnie a few days ago--it was great, really helped my back feel better. Thank you!

I have a type of rheumatoid arthritis and it has been getting worse rapidly over the last 9 months. I had failed all medications up to the extremely expensive and hard-on-your-body TNF's-the ones that wipe out your immune system. Bad drugs! My doctor had me in the pre-TNF stage while insurance was being worked out, I was getting all my vaccinations up-to-date, etc. A friend with RA suggested regular massage. Thank heavens for her, and thank heavens for Onnie, who I found doing a web search. She "mashed" me into shape--the muscle spasms that were plaguing me, keeping me awake at night, making me stagger when I stood up, making me take flexeril around the clock (3 doses a day, 7 days a week), limiting me to no more than 20 minutes of driving at a time, etc. were GONE after one session. Little did I know how much they were "feeding" the joint pain-once they were gone that has become so much more tolerable. I went from an 8-9/10 constantly (for 8 months) to a 2-3 and now I can drive, walk, etc. I have taken one flexeril in the last 70 days! I went back to my rheumatologist two weeks ago. She was shocked-and pleased. We have put starting the TNF's on hold. Onnie has saved me a substantial amount of money (even with insurance, the co-pays on those suckers is expensive), but more importantly, when we are talking about not having my immune system suppressed, Onnie has possibly saved my health and maybe, just maybe, even my life. Thanks! I'm a monthly "regular" now. read more

After two lower lumbar discectomies in the past 10 years I have tried to learn how to deal with and manage my daily back pain, until I was referred to Onnie at garage massage therapy & bodywork by a colleague of mine. I can't believe how much better I feel and how much pain relief I have gotten after just my first massage from Onnie. After my second massage with Onnie I was able to stop taking my daily dose of muscle relaxers and OTC pain relievers. Not only is my lower back pain gone but my overall mental health and wellbeing has improved. I highly recommend Onnie's massage therapy services. read more

Bonnie was amazing!!! Found this place on yelp, got EXTREMELY lucky to get in so quickly and the experience was awesome! I have a lot of shoulder pain and she worked it out. I'll be back again! read more

My husband had severe muscle pain in his neck and Laura did an excellent job in helping him to get relief. They saw us on very short notice and were extremely helpful. We were visiting from out of town and found them on Yelp! read more

Great place, Onnie is wonderful! Highly recommend

My mom and I are biking across the country and after almost 1,000 miles, we really needed a good massage. My mom's was done by Bonita and she just kept raving about how amazing the massage was and said it was the best she has ever had. This was actually my first massage and Onnie was incredible. I had really bad calf pain and she worked on my legs for most of our time and it was so needed and really incredible. We also had great conversation and both masseuses were incredibly nice. If only they were our team masseuses!!!! read more

Found this business just by searching the website and decided to give them a try. SOOO glad I did! I am a marathon runner and that takes a toll on your body. Onnie does a fabulous job putting me back together after my races and using just the right amount of pressure. If you want a deep massage she will give you a deep massage...no wimpy hands here!! The atmosphere is very casual and relaxed and online scheduling makes booking a massage a breeze. Definitely try this gem in Madeira. read more

Amazing!! In every sense of the word!! Onnie knows what she's doing. And the other therapists there do to. You can't go wrong here. Instead of paying for a methodical and lame massage like a ton of the big spas do they actually target the problem. Seriously can't say enough about my experience. Thank you so so much!! read more

I had a great experience at the Garage Massage! "Why the name?" I asked Onnie. She explained that you take your car to a garage for a tune up, same with your body. Also she told me that she liked the concept of starting a business "out of a garage". The place, though hard to find, was very welcoming when you enter. Onnie was amazing. She listens to what you think you need and then works on the parts of your body that really need it! I've had a lot of spa massages, this is the first one that did "bodywork." She also encourages you to breathe as she presses and manipulates. I felt great when I left and plan on going back! read more