Summarily: Tiya is the best deep tissue masseuse I have ever had, hands down. If you're looking for a spa-like experience, and relaxation is your goal, Tiya is probably not for you. If you have physical ailments, like chronic back pain, knots, neck pain, etc., Tiya is the person to see. She will actually give you treatments with lasting results!
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She knows what she's doing. Unlike some deep tissue masseuses, who try to force your muscles to relax by digging in really hard, Tiya really works her way through the layers of muscle slowly, rendering a massage that is not nearly as painful as the usual DT massage, and which yields results that last for *days*.
Background: I saw Tiya a year ago, so her location may have changed. When I saw her, she was operating out of the back room of a salon, which was, yes, comparatively dingy and had none of the Asian-themed doodads that typically reside in spas. No soothing music; no water fountain tinkling gently in the background. Her table was a folding one, I believe, but it was comfortable enough.
Admittedly, I was put off by the setting, but Tiya more than made up for it. I had just finished packing all my stuff over the course of a week for a massive move out of state, and my chronic back pain had flared up with a vengeance. There was a giant knot in the middle of my back so agonizing that I was having trouble sleeping, standing, or walking. I've seen other DT masseuses before to address that knot, and usually walked away with a bruised back that quickly knotted up again afterwards.
Tiya figured out the source of my pain instantly. Not only did she focus on the knot itself, but the surrounding muscles all throughout my body. She patiently worked her way through, and let me tell you - the results lasted for DAYS. I have only ever had one other massage with lasting effects like that. There was minimal soreness or bruises, too.
Wow.
If you're looking for a pampered spa treatment, Tiya is not for you. However, if you're looking for an *effective* massage to treat your tension, pain, or discomfort, Tiya is absolutely 100% the right person to go to.
She was very, very talkative throughout the entire massage, which I did find a bit off-putting as well, as I usually am very quiet during my massages, but it was actually interesting to converse with her about how she got into massage, where she learned her technique, her home country and family. I can understand how other reviewers may have had less friendly experiences with her - she seemed like a very blunt, earthy woman, whose focus is not on providing excellent customer service, so much as excellent *massage* services.
If I hadn't moved away, I would probably be seeing her regularly, and I probably wouldn't still have that bothersome knot and pain in the middle of my back. She spoke of how she works with regular customers to address and actually heal their ailments, unlike most masseuses, whose focus seems much more short-term.
I had a fantastic experience with her. Best DT massage I've ever gotten, bar none, out of at least a dozen experiences with different therapists. She's got *magic* in her hands/elbows/fingers! read more