LeeLaWaDee Thai Classic Massage

Master Ron is a true healer. I have serious injuries from sports and I come here because Master Ron gets the work done correctly! This is the real deal for those with chronic pain suffering from pinch nerve. Beware, some session are intense and necessarily painful. Indeed, no pain, no gain. I buy the package deal and got a bonus free one. Its worth it, because if you are looking for real work done on your body, one time is not enough.

I somehow hurt my back and couldn’t sit on my chair at work. I Unilocaled and found LeeLaWaDee Thai Classic Massage. They were booked, but, somehow, found a cancellation and squeezed me in.
I was greeted by Ron. He is sure a lifesaver, as many other Unilocalers stated. He worked on all the issues I have (shoulders and back). He also worked on my legs. He said that the pain I currently have was from the pain on my shoulders and back radiating down to my legs. It is sure a painful massage session, but, it pays off at the end. I will be sure to come back to Ron from now on. Thank you.

This is not the place to go to if you want a pleasant and relaxing massage experience. This isn’t to say that there aren’t parts you will enjoy immensely, but for the majority of the session you will be silently screaming in pain and resisting the physical urge to crawl away to make your escape. Ron is merciless towards knots and seems to take each as a personal affront, and he will not let up until they are gone, even if it means going long past the actual appointment time. I think he spent a good 20 minutes on one knot alone. I’ve gone to him now four times and the routines of each session are inconsistent in that he does seem to zero in quite quickly and effectively on what your actual needs are and gear the sessions towards that. The first time, it was actually balanced between pleasure and pain, but each subsequent appointment has been more and more geared to just taking care of business, which has matched where I was physically at each. All of this in mind, the fact that I am wiling to pay full price to see him during the age of Groupon (practically giving them away for free) says volumes. You leave feeling like a new, and suddenly very limber, person and the effects of it last for weeks, instead of hours like most «feel good» massages. Takes the phrase «hurts so good» to a whole new level.

Ron is a lifesaver — best masseuse I’ve ever had. He knows how the muscles and body should be aligned and easily identifies knots and how to get them out. I’ve gone to the best massage places in NYC, LA and now San Fran and he easily tops them all (and this is from a person who gets massages weekly). My knots in my shoulders and neck were so bad from working at a computer all day and sitting that I’ve had to get massages and acupuncture regularly.
I’ve gone to Oxygen massage therapy here in SF and many other places to get deep tissue and while they can easily identify knots, they don’t know how to *really* get them out. Soothe the pain for a week? Yes. But permanently getting out the knots in my shoulders? Didn’t seem like anyone would ever be able to do that.
Ron is the first person who is so skilled that he actually knows how to completely remove knots. In just 4 sessions, Ron worked them out. I don’t know how he’s done it, but this is an incredible feat. As prior reviewers have said, at times it was a bit painful but I just breathed through it and Ron is a genius at figuring out the point at which it’s too painful to handle and moves on. He also goes way over the time allotted if he needs to to finish his work. My whole posture is completely different now and I’m not in constant pain.
Can’t recommend him enough if you need some real bodywork done.

Ron is the man to get your body back. During my 125 minute session, I felt like he found every single area of pain on my body and worked it out relentlessly. To prevent me from moaning, he told me to close my mouth and breathe through my nose. I should have read the other reviews before selecting «hard» pressure as the experience was an intense, out of body experience. I feel amazing and energized now but he was relentless. This is NOT for people who want a relaxing spa massage. This is for folks who want their body to be readjusted and healed to be more productive with their everyday life. Ron has the gift.

The best Thai massage I have ever had! Dan is awesome. He listened to my areas of concern and spent the majority of the time there. I came in with a lot of pain and discomfort, especially in my neck an upper back and left feeling relieved and energized. I will definitely be back.

The masseust Ron was a great experience. He kept on telling me before my 65-​minute massage «this is going to be something new for you!» Boy was he right. Ron is a terrific masseust, tell him anything about your body in terms of pain and what hurts and he’ll give a grand effort to try and help. He’s welcome to people using groupon but be aware his availability is slim. Ron is simply just terrific.
Thank you!

This place is a hidden gem. I think in all the years I’ve had Thai massage in Los Angeles. This was the best. I’m glad I found it! Very professional, clean and friendly. I would recommend! Ron you rock!

Tried this place on the search for regular massages with an Amazon Local deal.
Good news for those who’s looking for more of a spa experience, as you’ll get your own room here. They also do a some kind of foot wrap while the masseuse works on your body.
Besides that, the massage is okay, nothing to write home about. Search continues.

I was in Thailand for approximately 5 weeks and indulged in a massage practically every other day. This was by far the most intense and thorough massage I’ve ever received. Highly highly recommend!

The WORST Massage experience I have EVER had!!! SOOOOooo BADDD!!! Speaking from over 11 years as a professional therpist, 8 years teaching, and Internationally certified traditional thai massage therapist… Recieving hundreds of massages of all different types, many deep tissue, thai, rolfing, accupressure, reflexology, sports styles ect…
First off, there was no receptionist to greet me. Only nail techs multi-​tasking.
2ndly, my therapist was about 30 min late for the appointment so I had to request to reduce my time to 50−1hour do to time restrictions. No the HORRIBLE massage experience continues. I wanted a traditional classic thai massage, which I have had many in Thailand and the states. Yet, on this hot summers day, I was given a parafin foot wrap, which I just went with. Then got hot compresses on my already perspiring body. Then was given oil on my back which I didn’t want.
***DANGEROUS CONTRAINDICATIONS of Massage Therapy to NEVER Commit!!!***
1. NEVER HIT THE SPINE!!! ESPECIALLY WITH ELBOWS ***DANGEROUS***
(I lost track of how many times the elbow was dragged over, across, and directly on my vertebraes. IN THE FIRST 15 MINUTES)
2. AVOID THE RIBS AND OTHER BONY LAND MARKS ON THE BODY
(I told the therapist in THAI language and ENGLISH that it hurt, pointing to my acromion process/​spine/​ribs)
3. NEVER, EVER, EVER!!! put DIRECT SHARP THUMB TIP, KNEE, or ELBOW PRESSURE ON ARTERIES TO BONE!!! NO, NO, NO!!!
(There are are very specific arterial compression’s done correctly with palms over brachial plexus, femoral artery, and even Aorta… Although, this therapist put elbow pressure directly over my brachial artery into my humerous, and direct knee pressure into my femoral artery into my femur!!!)
***Very DANGEROUS***
4. ZERO INTUITION *** YOU CANNOT RUSH RELAXATION***
(The therapist had no healing intent, he was not responding to my body, I asked him to slow his techniques down several times, he was ABRUPT, ABRASIVE, SHARP, and TOO FAST) his response was, «you only want 1 hour, or you like strong pressure»
5. There is STRONG pressure, and then there’s WRONG pressure
(the therapist had no intuition, proper training, guidance of where or how to properly place compressions/​strokes ect… ie. If I asked him to hit the broad side of a barn, he was throwing grenades in the chicken coop on the neighbors property! Almost every technique set was off kilter in terms that he was never on the proper location, ie. if he aimed for the back, I was getting hit in the ribs or the spine.
6. MY BALLS!!! ***DO NOT HIT YOUR CLIENTS IN THE TESTICLES!!! GRRR!!***
(The therapist hit my in the scrotum sac at least a half dozen times with his FOOT compressions, I had to physcally pull them aside, while he tried to wave my hands away, I told him to slow down and be careful, and that he was hurting me, but he still wasn’t getting it!)
7. PROFESSIONALLY CERTIFIED??? In thailand? In the US? I THINK NOT!!!
(Being a certified massage therapy instructor in the US and Thailand, seeing that this therapist BROKE EACH AND EVERY CARNAL SIN AND CONTRAINDICATION KNOWN TO THE FIELD OF MASSAGE THERAPY just about… I don’t believe that this therapist has been LEGALLY certified to practice massage in the US or Thailand to be honest… if so… he needs to have his license revoked!!!
(Although, the therapist had claimed to be doing this for 15 years professionally… I think that this place needs to be REVIEWED by the DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, and the BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU)
MASSAGE COMMON SENSE PEOPLE!!!
Maybe 5% of the massage was ok… I have received innumerable thai massage, deep tissue, rolfing, sports massage, stretching…
My pain threshold is higher than I’d say 95% of typical massage clientel, I’m 6’2″, athletic, and highly resilient… If these same techniques had been performed on others of poorer health, elderly, feeble, or having prior injuries, some serious damage could have been caused…
***(my Right shoulder was injured after receiving this massage fyi…***)
The kicker! ! #@
So, the therapist does the massage for about and hour 10 minutes, (when I asked for an hour, because I had somewhere to be), i’m now running late, he then charges me for 90 min, when he only did 80.
I practically throw the money on the table and walk out… Didn’t have time to gripe… but thank you for this opportunity Unilocal! =)
PS: The owner, or somebody, RON maybe? called apologizing for the massage starting late, and offered a FREE 30 min upgrade on my next massage there…
*****REALITY CHECK******
I would rather be caught DEAD, than to come back to this facility!!!
END

This is a journey through Time & Space… not really,
but it will seem like that.
Just remember to BREATHE and let the healing begin. The more
«pain» that you can stand, the better you will feel at the end, trust me!
This is no Namby Pamby Swedish stroke-​off, This is Thai Massage people and you are going to feel it. But be much better off in the end.
Ron is an Artist, let him work his magic on you.

Oh My God! I just came back from another massage after a long hiatus. I have been dealing with lower back issues after overdoing it with bike riding and dance classes. I injured myself a little over a month ago, and then again at work 1 week ago. This just might have been the best massage that I have EVER gotten. I feel like a million bucks. I’ve been getting so much chiropractic work and massages from other great therapists. But this exceeds them all. It was so extremely relaxing, and indulgent, but also Ron is amazing and understands the body, neuromuscularly wise and getting out knots that many other people could not. He was so attentive and thorough I wonder how he does not pass out from exhaustion each day, but he seems so genuine about his work, and is amazing at it. I bought two more massages that day, with a coupon for the future. He is a lifesaver.
Yes, it is not for the faint of heart. Get ready for some pain, but it is only for seconds, and then later you will feel like someone with a new body. The hot packs do get hot, but just ask for them to be moved. It was impeccably clean and the nail salon is a lovely place to wait. This is one amazing business.

Wow, if you want a good strong massage to get the kinks and knots out of you with good pain, this is your place! I felt like jello afterwards in a good way. Give it a try and see what you think. LeeLaWaDee is also in the same space as a nail shop — looked like a nice place to get your mani-​pedi.

Ron is amazing! I had a pinched nerve in my neck and helped me back to life and never looked at the clock. He went over by thirty minutes because I was in pain. He is passionate about his job and takes it serious. I’ just bought a package because I leave feeling fantastic.
This is not for the wimps he is very strong and at times it hurts. But you will leave feeling amazing. I will only go here the others watch the clock and are not as strong.

PAYMENT: I used a Living Social coupon of $ 59 for a 95 min Thai massage.
MASSAGE THERAPIST: Chat
CLOTHING: They provide a top and long shorts for you to wear during the massage. They do use massage oil or lotion — wasn’t sure which it was. There was also some liniment on my shoulders that smelled like Bengay so be glad for their clothing.
I requested a medium pressure deep tissue which was extremely painful. I repeatedly asked him to use lighter pressure — I said, «OW!» more times than I can remember and I was shrinking away from him after awhile. He would laugh nervously (?) and apologize and ease up on the area he was working on, but go right back to the painful cycle a minute later. He said he was only using medium pressure, but I expressed multiple times it was too much.
He would leave the room to fill the hot water pillow they use to relax/​warm your muscles. I had to ask him to move it several times because it felt like it was burning me. I posted a pic of my burned stomach/​torso that I saw when I got home. (¹⁄₁₅: The pic has been removed by Unilocal as they said it’s not representative of the business so personal experiences should be communicated via the review. I can’t believe I am the only one to have been burned so I do think that is representative of the business, but I understand in terms of their policy’s sake.) That was through the top they have you wear and not on bare skin like when they place it in your back. The redness took a day to go away. I noticed this in another review as well, when he went to heat the pillow, he left the door open every time. I could tell because the room got drafty and ppl were walking by and talking.
The mani/​pedi spa location that they operate out of has a relaxing atmosphere and looks very clean, but the massage itself was far from relaxing. I know deep tissue can be intense, but a massage therapist should know when to adjust to a clients tolerance.

I just had my massage with Rob and it was like nothing I have ever experienced.
I will say: I don’t think this type of massage is for everyone. This is the only massage I’ve ever truly moaned in. Boom! During the massage, it is not really relaxing, it feels more like a journey. The massage is INTENSE, but there are some lovely parts that are pure pleasure. Like the green tea, hot parafin wax they apply to your feet at the beginning of the treatment, the hot compresses (note: make sure to let them know when it gets to hot so they can keep rotating them) and the lotions/​oils. Also lots of good smells throughout.
This is the massage I’ve been looking for all my life — he was able to touch parts of my body that really hurt, hitting DIRECTLY on the pain. Plus, various stretching (yoga moves) are used. If you are looking for a place to really get the knots out, and are not afraid of pain, I suggest you book an appointment and be prepared to: 1) BREATHE, never stop breathing. This will help with the pain. 2) Book soft or med pressure to start out 3) Maybe book a pedicure at the attached nail salon after, so you have somewhere to sit and rest for a minute 4) Read the Unilocal review by Mark M to help yourself prepare.
*Also — I am a queer, often male presenting, female bodied person and found my experience to be fine. The ladies kinda did a double take when I came in, maybe trying to figure out if I was a boy or girl, maybe b/​c I had a pretty cool sweater on. Also, Rob did notice, pretty innocently, that I had a bald head and asked me if I was a monk! Haha. No Rob. But we both agreed that a bald head would make the massage that more effective.

I’m very timid when it comes to getting a massage from a man. I was super nervous before going to this place because I never had a male massage therapist before.
I’ve been to this place twice, both with Chat. He literally changed my thoughts about male massage therapist and I thank him a lot.
I love his powerful massage. Also he is very careful and attentive about your feelings throughout the whole massage session. If he has to take my shirt off, he carefully asks me if he can do that.
At the end of the session, he will let you know how to stretch certain part of your body if you are stiff in that area. Bonus points!!!
My body is sore again, I will call them first thing in the morning tomorrow if they take walk-​ins.

This is a great place for those into exotic role-​playing. I was a captured American spy, and he was my soviet-​era KGB interrogator.
I requested a medium-​hardness for the amount of pressure for the massage, but the amount easily exceeded my threshold of pain no fewer than 10 times. Like an experienced torturer who needs to keep his subject alive, he was able to inflict an excruciating amount of pain without causing any permanent physical damage.
Any feeling of agony and torment disappeared the moment he eased the pressure … and along with it, all the knots and cramps in my muscles.
I wonder if Guantanamo Bay would consider Thai massage as an alternative to water boarding.

(Updating my review after getting some questions from my girlfriends)
1. When you put on the super comfy Thai pants, the side with the strings go to the back. Then wrap the string around your waist and tie them in the front. Easy.
2. The shirt goes on with the buttons on the back. This is because they need to pop the shirt open when using oil/​balm on your back.
3. Don’t be freaked when they pop open the buttons. They are not trying to rape you. Would you rather they slide their hands up your shirt to put on the tingly, feels-​oh-​so-​good menthol balm or the warm oil?
4. Breathe in quickly when they let up, then breathe out slowly when they’re pushing into your muscles or working on that knot. Work WITH your massage therapist and not against him.
5. When you specify Hard as your massage intensity, they mean it. I bruise easily, and it’s not uncommon to have bruises on my back after my massage with Ron. However, look ma, no knots!
6. Personally, I prefer a male massage therapist. He has more strength to work out the knots in my shoulders and neck that a girl just doesn’t. Not saying there aren’t super-​strong female massage therapists out there, but in general guys are just physically stronger. I trust Ron completely when it comes to massages, so if you’re uncomfortable with a guy touching your bare skin (even though it’s just your back), then don’t come here. All the masseuses are male.
7. Bring a hair tie and pull your hair back into a ponytail. If you forget, Ron has some. They’re not that great though, so bring your own.
8. Make sure you tell him where it hurts most. Some days it’s my wrists and ankles, and Ron makes sure to address them thoroughly. Some days it’s my shoulders and neck. Some days it’s my back. And some days it’s all of the above. If you have a trouble area, make sure you let him know!
9. Take off earrings, rings, bracelets, watches, glasses… anything that can get pulled or pinched.
10. Doing a price comparison with La Biang or Suchada or Royal Thai just won’t cut it. The other places watch the clock very carefully. With Lee La Wa Dee, you’ll end up getting a far more thorough massage, longer time, and more attention to your needs than your regular cookie cutter massage. When I book 60 minutes, I usually end up getting 80 or 90 minutes of massage. When I book 90 minutes (my usual), it usually runs over 2 hours. When I book 2 hours, it takes more than 2.5 hours. So if you compare that with other places, LLWD is actually cheaper!
So breathe, relax and enjoy!