Massage in San Francisco
Deep Tissue, Swedish, Lymphatic Drainage and Prenatal
Tucked among the cafes and shops of West Portal Avenue, Mysa is the neighborhood spa regulars tend to keep to themselves. Our massage team brings more than seventy years of combined practice to Swedish and deep tissue, lymphatic drainage, myofascial release, prenatal, and cupping therapy. And then there's the Eastern Renewal Massage, a meridian-based treatment Jenny developed herself and offers only here.
Every session is built around what your body needs that day, starting with two questions your therapist asks, then checks again.
Why choose Mysa for massage in San Francisco
Therapists who specialize
Several of our therapists have built their practice around one thing. Christine has spent more than twenty years practicing, with a focus on myofascial release and prenatal massage. Maricruz has more than twenty years of experience, specializes in lymphatic drainage, and has been with us for six. Jenny, a massage therapist of eighteen years, developed our Eastern Renewal Massage herself.
Not a medical spa
We're not a medical spa, and we're not trying to be. We're a quiet corner of West Portal where the work is genuinely customized, and where people tend to come back to the same therapist visit after visit.
Two questions, asked twice
Before anything begins, your therapist asks two questions, then checks in again to confirm: how firm you'd like the pressure, and whether there's anywhere you'd rather we avoided.
Lymphatic drainage massage in San Francisco
Lymphatic drainage is a gentle technique that encourages lymph fluid to move through the body, which can help with congestion and inflammation. The pressure is much lighter than a regular massage, and if you're expecting something firm, it will surprise you.
We want to be straight with you about the rest, because a lot of what gets advertised around this treatment isn't accurate. Lymphatic drainage will not make you lose weight, and it will not reshape your body. What it can do is help you feel less puffy and less inflamed.
We don't perform lymphatic drainage for medical post-surgical recovery, or for any procedure that requires clinical lymph drainage. If that's the care you need, your surgeon can refer you to a provider who specializes in post-operative work.
Maricruz has spent more than twenty years practicing massage with a specialty in lymphatic drainage, and she has been with us for six.
How often: most people notice the most benefit from a regular rhythm rather than a single visit.
The Eastern Renewal Massage
Some people want deep work and find deep tissue too much. That's who Jenny built the Eastern Renewal Massage for. It's her own style, inspired by the Chinese massage tradition she grew up with, and it works along the body's meridian channels and acupressure points rather than driving pressure into the muscle.
Here's how the session actually goes. We start with oil across an open back and work the back, then move to both arms and shoulders before covering the full back again. The meridian channel work comes next, using rolling and kneading along the pathways, pushing and grasping to release knots, and light vibration and tapping. Your legs get around fifteen minutes. We finish with a brush along the back, arms, and legs, which is the part people remember, because the whole body starts to feel warm.
What we hear afterward, more than anything else, is that it felt completely different from any other massage, and that people want to go straight to sleep.
How often: Jenny recommends every two weeks for the best results.
Please note: because most of the session is spent face down, we don't recommend the Eastern Renewal Massage if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
If this is your first massage with us
Before you arrive
Come about five minutes early so you're not rushing through the intake form. There's water, and there's chocolate. Your therapist will walk you to the room and explain what's about to happen before you get on the table.
There's nothing you need to do to prepare, though we'd suggest not eating right before you come in.
What to wear
How much you undress is entirely up to you. Most people undress fully under the sheet, plenty of people don't, and either is completely fine. We do ask that you remove your bra so we can work the back properly.
On tipping
Gratuity is entirely optional. If you'd like to leave one, you can do so in cash or through our card reader at checkout, which offers 15, 20, and 25 percent.
Aftercare, and how often to come back
Please don't shower for six hours after your treatment. When you do, use warm water rather than hot. Drink more water than usual across the rest of the day, and skip the alcohol tonight if you can.
Most people feel relaxed and loose for the next day or two. If you had deeper work done, some tenderness in that window is normal.
On how often to come back, it depends on what you're working on. If you're dealing with something specific, every two weeks while you make progress, which is also the rhythm Jenny recommends for the Eastern Renewal Massage. For general maintenance, once a month is a reasonable rhythm. For pure relaxation, come when your body tells you.
Who should wait, and what massage cannot do
When to reschedule
Please rebook rather than coming in if you're unwell or have an active infection. The same goes for active skin irritation, a skin infection, or an open area on the skin where we'd be working.
If you're taking blood thinners, deep tissue work is generally fine, but please tell your therapist so they can adjust.
If you're recovering from surgery, talk to your doctor before booking any massage.
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding
We don't perform prenatal massage for anyone less than twelve weeks pregnant. Once you're past twelve weeks, our Prenatal Massage is the treatment we'd point you to, positioned and adapted for pregnancy. Christine has prenatal training alongside more than twenty years of practice.
Because the Eastern Renewal Massage is done mostly face down, we don't recommend it while you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
What massage will not do
We'd rather set this out plainly than have you leave disappointed. You will not walk out a new person, and no single session removes every bit of tension you're carrying. Real change usually takes a few visits rather than one.
And some things aren't ours to fix. If something has been hurting for a long time, or it's getting worse, or it doesn't feel like ordinary muscle tension, please see a doctor. We are massage therapists, and there are problems that need a physician instead of us, or as well as us.
Massage questions we get asked
How much does a massage cost at Mysa?
Our fifty minute treatments run from $129 to $160 depending on the service, and eighty minute treatments run from $190 to $230. The full menu with prices is above. There are no hidden add-ons. If you book six of the same service as a package, you save ten percent.
What is the difference between a Swedish and a deep tissue massage?
Swedish is lighter and rhythmic, aimed at relaxation and circulation. Deep tissue uses slower, firmer pressure to reach deeper layers of muscle tension. Our Customized Massage covers both, so you don't have to choose before you book. Tell your therapist what you want and they'll adjust.
What is lymphatic drainage massage, and what does it actually do?
It's a very gentle technique that encourages lymph fluid to move through the body, which can help with congestion and inflammation. It is not a weight loss treatment, and it will not reshape your body, whatever you may have read.
Do you offer post-surgical lymphatic drainage?
No. We don't perform lymphatic drainage for medical post-surgical recovery, or for any procedure that requires clinical lymph drainage. If that's the care you need, ask your surgeon for a referral to a provider who specializes in post-operative work.
How often should I get a massage?
If you're working on something specific, every two weeks while you make progress. For general maintenance, monthly. For relaxation, whenever you need it.
What are the signs I need lymphatic drainage?
People usually come to us feeling puffy, heavy, or generally congested, often after travel, illness, or a stretch of poor sleep. If you're dealing with persistent swelling, please see a doctor first rather than booking a massage.
Can I get a massage while pregnant?
Yes, once you're past twelve weeks. We don't perform prenatal massage for anyone less than twelve weeks pregnant. After that, our Prenatal Massage is the treatment we'd point you to, and Christine has prenatal training alongside more than twenty years of practice.
What should I expect at my first massage, and what do I wear?
Arrive five minutes early for the intake form. Your therapist will explain everything before you get on the table and will ask about pressure and any areas to avoid. On clothing, undress to whatever level you're comfortable with, though we do ask that you remove your bra so we can work the back properly.
Book a massage in West Portal, San Francisco
We're at 339A W Portal Ave, right in the middle of the West Portal shopping street, an easy trip from Forest Hill, Inner Sunset, Glen Park, Noe Valley, and the rest of the west side of the city.
Hours
Closed Mondays
Tuesday to Thursday, 11:00am to 7:00pm
Friday to Sunday, 10:00am to 8:00pm
Phone: 415-742-5491
Address: 339A W Portal Ave, San Francisco, CA 94127
We ask for a card on file when you book, but you're not charged until after your service. Please read our Service Cancellation Policy before booking.
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