EDGE on the Net

Moore Massage has a list of awards to their name (including Best of Boston Sports Massage 2008 and Best of Boston 2007), and it’s easy to see why. The owner, Michael Moore, is not only an incredible therapist; he’s a great guy who runs a fantastic business. 2008 saw Moore Massage move to a larger, brighter, bigger, and more ’Zen-like’ location on Boylston Street, which I’ve been dying to check out.

Thank God I did, because I’ve found my version of heaven.

Simply being a great company in a nice location doesn’t get you a place on the Best of EDGE list however; those two things, combined with therapist Keith Stiles, do.

Originally I had only planned to do a brief write-up on the new space, with a passing mention of this new therapist, whom the owner has been touting for weeks (and who comes fresh from six years of traveling the world with Cirque du Soleil). After experiencing the magic in his hands however, I knew a few nice words just wouldn’t do.

As EDGE’s Travel and Style Editor, I’m fortunate to get frequent massages, largely at five-star resorts and world-class spas. In ten-plus years of being pampered, I can honestly say I’ve never had a massage as incredibly amazing as I received from Keith. If I won a million dollars tomorrow, I’d skip Gucci, forego expensive restaurants, and hire this man to manipulate my body as often as possible. (In fact, within the first five minutes of being on his table I thought, "If I never bought another Gucci or Louis Vuitton bag and stopped constantly redecorating my house, I could probably afford to see him every week...")

From the minute I met him, I could tell Keith was a good person; I just didn’t know how good. He’s got big, beautiful eyes that convey a warmth and compassion that, in my opinion, is extremely important- but surprisingly often missing- in a therapist. What’s also apparent is that he’s got a great understanding of what he does- not just his experience and credentials, which are clearly stellar- and a sense of humor and authenticity that immediately puts you at ease.

One thing I can’t stand about many spas and massage therapists is the feeling that the people are either clearly there to do a job, constantly watching the clock, and give everyone the same textbook treatment, or they act like they live at the spa, have no life or personality beyond its walls, and their entire being is based upon their work. It’s great to take your job seriously, but when you take yourself too seriously and become your job, without letting your real personality shine through, it’s not a comfortable situation for anyone. Not so with Keith. He was warm, friendly, and genuine from the get-go, and I could immediately tell that he’d be a fun person to hang out with. (Of course it didn’t hurt that he’s extremely easy on the eyes...)

Once he started in on the massage I was transported to another dimension. (I can’t tell you how many times I got chills up and down my entire body; after three times I stopped counting.) This man has truly been blessed, and he’s an expert at what he does. Most massage is good; some massage is great; Keith’s massage is heavenly. Incredible. Blissful. Extraordinary. Divine. (I could go on for hours with extremely complimentary adjectives, but none of them would fully convey just how great this massage was.)

Keith got into problem areas that I’ve been working for years to get rid of. His hands knew exactly where to go and how much pressure to use; whether he should be kneading, pushing, twisting, or stretching. The pressure was perfect, the pain was relieved, and to say I left "feeling better" would be ridiculous. To say I felt amazing would- literally- be the understatement of the year. To say that I wanted to beg him to spend another three hours on my body would just begin to scratch the surface of how I felt. (Had I not felt so good from the treatment I think I would have been crying about the fact that I had to leave.)

Have I waxed poetic enough about this man and his incredible hands? I think not. But to spare you my lust affair for him, I’ll stop. If you’d like to experience Moore Massage- a Best of EDGE winner- yourself, give them a call or go online and book an appointment. (However, if I try to book with Keith and you bitches have booked him solid, I will not be happy.)

Moore Massage
575 Boylston Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
617.424.4000

(To read my 2007 story featuring Moore Massage, click here.)