Business & Tech

Soleful Massage Focuses on Aching Feet, Heads

Long Grove residents have opened a new massage and reflexology business in Buffalo Grove.

Published Aug. 29, 2013

A local family’s new massage business introduces Buffalo Grove to some of its native Chinese practices while also providing more traditional body massage services.

Soleful Massage opened Aug. 24 at 105 N. Arlington Heights Road, in the Chase Plaza shopping center. Owners Lei Jin and Xiaoling (pronounced “Sharleene”) Zhang, a husband-and-wife team from Long Grove, offer back massages as well as Chinese head and foot massages.

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During a trip back to China last year, as they planned to open their own business, the couple studied pressure point massage. 

“It’s a very healthy thing to do,” Zhang said of reflexology. “It helps keep energy running.”

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And, she added, “It just makes your immune system run a lot better.” 

Zhang was already familiar with foot massages — she owns the Forest Park building in which a friend operates a business called Happy Feet — but such services were not readily available closer to home. 

“Foot massage is very popular in China,” she said. “We searched around and there really weren’t foot massages around here.” 

While some establishments offering foot massages soak their clients’ feet in warm water, at Soleful Massage that water contains Chinese herbs that help with energy flow and stress removal, Zhang said.

“For people who have trouble sleeping, after a foot massage you’ll have very good sleep,” she said.

Troubled sleepers may also benefit from a head massage, she said. She also recommends that service to migraine sufferers.

Related: Buffalo Grove Business Owner Demonstrates Head Massage

Soleful Massage offers four private massage rooms and a screened area designated for chair massages. A shower room is also available.

Zhang said she expects her business to attract both Chinese and American clients.

“I want them to experience this Chinese treatment, to enjoy the benefit,” said Zhang who was a radiologist in China before moving to the U.S. in 1998. She is now employed as a radiology technician at Highland Park Hospital.

Soleful Massage was named by the owners’ son, Billy, who attends the University of Illinois, Zhang said. They also have a daughter, Alice, who is a student at Stevenson High School.

Soleful Massage is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Visit its website for more information.


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