There are massueses and massage therapist, but then there are massage practitioners like Carina. She does have a certain knowledge of the muscle which helps with day to day, wear and tear to the body. I always feel considerably better after a visit read more

Wow, can't believe I hadn't written a review for Carrina yet; this is long overdue. I've been coming to Carrina off and on for more than 10 years (I didn't have a car for a while and was stuck in SF, and the massage therapists I found were just....ok, FWIW). Anyway, I eventually moved to the Peninsula, got a car, and went back to Carrina. She's amazing. One of my pet peeves is when massage therapists don't listen to what you actually need when you tell them and just do their normal routine. Carrina is refreshingly different because she actually listens to what you tell her when you explain what's happening and why you're there to see her, and she somehow magically finds and works out all the knots - even the ones I didn't know I had. Absolutely recommend Carrina and worth the monthly investment as part of self care! read more

When I first had neck spasm, I can't move my neck without taking pain killer three to four times a day. I cannot sit more than 10 minutes at a time. Finding a good massage therapist was not an easy task. I was very lucky to have found Carrina thru extensive research online. I have been seeing her for over four years now. The weekly massage on my neck and back is a life changer. I can now sit for more than an hour at a time without pain killer. I recently took a long road car trip, and was happily surprised that I have no pain thru out the entire trip with a few stops. She is the best! No question about it! read more

First time visiting and had a wonderful experience. Excellent care and massage. Will be back.

Carrina is fantastic. She truly takes the time to get to know you and your lifestyle so as to better spend her treatment time. Strongly recommended. read more

Let me tell yall something for my first time ever having a experience with a massage therapist This was incredible. I honestly went in to just get a massage because two days before my shoulder was killing me, it was pure mental toughness just to get out of bed, And in the type of person to just tough it out and go about my day. Not this time I did some quick google searches and found Carrina and this wonderful place I didn't know what to expect going in ...the first conversation we had wasn't even about the pain, it was more so how am I feeling spiritually and how my body was receiving to me it was an incredible conversation. That was the therapist part, once we got to the massage I felt like I was in another world I am completely healed feeling better about how I treat my body moving forward Thank you so much I highly recommend this place. read more

Carrina is such an amazing massage therapist. She's incredibly caring and intuitive. It feels like she just knows where your body is holding tension or pain and works it out gently but effectively. I always leave feeling lighter, more relaxed, and so much better than when I walked in. You can really tell she loves what she does and cares about her clients. I highly recommend her! read more

I've been going to Carrina a few times now and it's been one of the best choices I've made when it comes to my health. I leave feeling refreshed, lighter, and my body doesn't feel so tense anymore. I've gone to a few massage places in the South Bay and decided to venture out further. I'm glad I did because I don't think I'd want to get my massage done anywhere else after having tried out her magical place in Burlingame! She always starts out by asking what my goals are with the massage session and what areas I'd like her to focus on. She's also considerate about the amount of pressure she applies and she makes sure I'm doing okay with little check ins here and there throughout the session. She's located inside a shared building space on the second floor. Just go through the first set of stairs when you first enter the building and then take a left. She's inside the room on the left when you reach the top of the stairs. Pretty easy to find as it says Eszence in one of the plaques by the door. It's a very cute room and super relaxing once you get settled in. She's done a great job with the space! I highly recommend giving this lovely place a go because she's truly an expert at what she does! I feel like she genuinely cares about my well being and is gentle with how she approaches each session. I only have good things to say, so definitely try it out! Thank you, Carrina! Looking forward to more massage sessions with you. read more

Carrina is an incredible massage therapist. She worked on my back after having been rear-ended in a car accident and relieved a lot of my pain. I would highly recommend her to anyone with specific pain issues. read more

I happily recommend Eszence for massages. I purchased and scheduled 3 massages after reading all the positive reviews here. There's plenty of parking in the lot outside the building. The massage studio is located on the second floor. It is a very tranquil space and also very clean and inviting. I like that Carrina asks how I'm feeling and how I would like to feel when I leave. I enjoy that each massage starts with sound be it gentle bells or another soothing sound. I rarely feel uncomfortable during the massage. Carrina manages to release muscle tension and pain without causing you to be in pain. Overall Carrina helped me with muscle soreness and pain so that I could stay active. read more

My experience at Eszence was truly life changing. I've been suffering with some sort of back/neck pain for most of my adult life. I also suffer from anxiety which presents itself as physical pain. The last couple of weeks were unbearable. I was in agonizing pain. So my therapist told me I should get a massage. I've never gotten one before so I was a bit nervous. I found Eszence here on Yelp and the reviews were stellar, and I see why. Carrina is the owner and she is incredible! She sat and talked with me for few mins before starting to get a feel of what was going on. I described the trouble areas I was having. When she started the massage, I'm not going to lie, there were moments that were uncomfortable. She explained afterwards that those pains/sensations I was feeling were knots being broken up. About 2 days after my massage, I did feel very sore (I expected that). But literally have not had any pain that I had before. It almost feels weird bc I was so used to being in pain allllll the time. I plan on seeing Carrina once a month to maintain what she worked out during my first appointment. I highly recommend Eszence! read more

My breath and body work session with Carrina was extraordinary. She was able to put me in a relaxed space and put me at peace which lasted into my restful night's slumber. The next morning I felt content and balanced. Something I haven't felt in a while. She also planted the seed for me with some self examination which I greatly appreciated. I can't wait to visit her again and see if I'm able to achieve that same sense of peace. Christian read more

I cannot praise Carinna's mastery of massage enough. This is a very unique skill that few have accomplished. She completely understands the body and is so in tune with what your muscles need to function fully and properly. I now see her every few weeks to help me maintain improvement on a very chronic lower back pain issue and I highly recommend her. read more

My very first impression being at this wonderful place of business was the feeling and energy it provides. My mother used to have a synergy spa in New Mexico where I am from. She made it her obligation to provide a healing, nurturing, and holistic atmosphere. This same energy and level of comfort is what I experienced my first time at Eszence. I instantly felt at ease, knowing I was in a healing environment. Carrina Lau is an exceptional massage therapist. I would dare say a master artisan of her craft. She truly has an intuition and genuine concern for her clientele. Being so far from home, and finding this exceptional business has made all the difference, truly helping me to relieve stress and find equilibrium in my life. Carrina Lau is the best of the best. My highest recommendation! Do the best for you, and get the healing care you deserve. Sincerely, Phil Campbell read more

I am so grateful I found Carrina and her studio! She is an attentive, caring and very knowledgable massage therapist. Her massage brings significant relief of pain and relaxation. I came to Carrina studio after my shoulder surgery and was still experiencing pain and tightness in my shoulders and neck. After a couple of sessions the pain, which is a part of recovery, was more manageable. I was so grateful to Carrina for her healing hands! I continue taking the massages as part of my recovery program along with the physical therapy. Highly recommend her! read more

Carina Lau is a caring and skilled practitioner. She takes the time needed to understand her client's needs and customize her massage to meet those needs. The space she works in is serene and conducive to relaxing and healing. When I'm in the Bay Area I go to Eszence to ground myself and get re-energized. read more

Carrina is an amazing masseuse. She is highly gifted at knowing exactly where tension lies in your body and how to release it. She is a gem who has both the skill and the intuition that all good healers possess. My whole family has been to see her and agrees! read more

Carrina is awesome! She evaluates all of my tightness and addresses it, leaving me feeling very rejuvenated and relaxed. I highly recommend her! read more

Extraordinary. That is the best word I can think of. I rarely write reviews. As I have grown older I have been learning self-care and self-compassion. That has led me to being a once per month massage client for the last several years as I travel the world for business - Asia, Europe, Australia, South America - so many techniques. Tonight I had a massage at Eszence and I can say I have never experienced anything like it. When I walked in I was not sure what to expect as it is a TINY space in a medical strip mall. We talked about why I came here and what I was looking for. I then embarked on a 90 minute journey to bliss. Yes the pressure and techniques were right, but there was so much more. There was a flow and an art that I have not experienced before. I left completely content, relaxed and drained (in the best way). Whenever possible, this will be my go-to in Cali for a massage. Don't think further, just do it. Amazing. read more

This review is not for the quality of work done, but rather her business practice/communication. My deceased mother had an un-used gift certificate for about $100. I contacted the business via email twice asking if she would honor the certificate. . . crickets. At the least she could have responded that the certificate was non-transferrable. read more

This review is long overdue. I contacted Carinna because I was sore. Yes, that makes sense considering this is for a massage, but bear with me (ha). I have a philosophy about estheticians and masseuses. If they're good, they'll usually have their own business instead of work at a general or hotel day spa. Of course, this isn't true for everyone, but when I want a really good massage, a perfect facial, or something similar, I look for a solo practitioner. I've gone to Carinna multiple times. Her location is inside a medical complex with more parking options in the back than the front (as your GPS will take you). Her spa is a little retreat amongst the offices and plays calming sounds of a fountain as you sit waiting your turn in her room in the back. I've only visited her when I'm sore, as I normally do with massages, but each time I've left, I'm immediately felt better. Her hands are talented. Her demeanor is calm. Her atmosphere is dark and mood-setting. Or if you're feeling chatty, she's a good conversationalist. If you want a sauna, steam room and an assortment of mini treats. This isn't the place. If you want a skilled masseuse to work on your muscle woes, or generally make your body feel great, come here. read more

A couple of months ago I was having issues with my arm where it had intense tingling and numbness one night and was having headaches every day thereafter. A doctor mentioned I had a lot of tension in my neck/should area that was the issue (radiculopathy). The doctor had recommended some lifestyle changes, and also recommended acupuncture, but I am not a fan of having needles sticking out from my for long periods of time, so I opted to see if massage therapy would work. It'd been a couple of years (due to covid) since I'd gotten a massage, and the places I used to go to were no longer around, so as everyone does, I searched yelped, and found Carinna and Eszence. By the time my first 60-minute appointment had rolled around, I had had a headache every day for 2 weeks and had been trying to keep them at bay with Advil and CBD gummies. Carinna was very welcoming when I walked in, and we sat and chatted for a few minutes about what I was feeling, what my problem area(s) were, and how I wanted to feel after the massage. My goal was pretty simple: to not have headaches. After my first session, Carinna could tell I had ALOT of tension, and that it was causing a nerve to be compressed in my neck. After giving me some stretches to do daily, we discussed what the best plan of action would be: we'd do two more sessions over the next 2 weeks and reevaluate from there (maybe switch to once a month for maintenance). The week after my first session: I had some twinges in my head, and 1 day with a headache. The week after my second session: No headaches and just some occasional tension in my neck while at work. I'm now in the week after my third session and am feeling great, but most importantly, I haven't had to take any meds or supplements in a couple of weeks! I decided to switch to a massage session every other week going forward, for now, to see how it turns out. I have really looked forward every week to these massages, so the idea of doing it only once a month sounds dreadful, but I also need to keep my bank account in mind. I definitely feel like I've hit the gold mine with Carinna. She creates a great atmosphere, the massages work and my muscles feel great after, and it's comforting to know she really cares about my health and listens to all my concerns. I've already recommended her to many of my coworkers who also work in the area. read more

Carrina Lau has helped to feel better with her acupressure and deep tissue massage therapy. She begins with an interview to find out why I came to her and what stresses I have in my life. I came to her with a severe shoulder muscle cramp I was not able to get relief from until the day after she worked on it. I am very pleased with Carrina at Eszence. I recommend her. read more

I was experiencing some neck and shoulder stiffness and tension. I also felt a knot between my shoulder blades. I came into the appointment with the hope that the knots would be released with some med-deep pressure. I really enjoyed my appointment with Carrina. The other reviews are right- she is definitely experienced and knows how to release tension in the body without putting the client through lots of pain. I got to the business plaza with sometime to find her suite. She was very welcoming and had great positive energy. She asked me questions about what I was experiencing and how I wanted to feel at the end of the appointment. I told her about my neck, shoulder, and shoulder blade. I was really happy that she held space before and after the appointment to talk and connect. I was happily surprised to see that she had sound healing instruments. As the massage portion of the appointment started, Carrina started with a little bit of chimes to help me relax and become present. Her attention to the body, intentional massage, and ability to release knots is amazing. I loved that she applied pressure and did not "saw" or "floss" my knots. After the massage was over and I got dressed, we debrief about what she worked on. I'm so excited for my next body work, sound healing, and breath work appointment. If you're looking for some intentional, effective, and calming massage/ bodywork, I highly suggest getting an appointment ASAP. read more

Carrina is awesome. Each session is different in a great way. She addresses to the area you want to work on and what you want out of the session. My neck and shoulders feel lighter when I leave. The location is nice with plenty of parking which makes it more convenient. I would highly recommend Carrina. read more

I enjoyed a magical time in Carrina's Sound & Breath presentation. I was in the session she creates with groups. Amazing. I got so deep that I didn't even know it was my cell phone going off! omG. She was especially graceful and flawless as she introduced beautiful sound while we were all deep with breath play. Breath "Play". I say that because she made it all so seamless and easy. I was raised with the old Yoga. I am older than dirt. Breath & Sound are the Center and this business is good for Family. read more

I just recently moved to the area and was in need of a new massage therapist. I am so grateful to have found Carrina!! So amazing at what she does and takes the time to understand where I am and how I'm feeling in my life at the moment... she exudes positivity. Highly recommend! read more

I am VERY picky about bodywork. As a tennis playing chiropractor I've had multiple injuries and have had many massages. The day I came in for my massage I had a ton of stress and tightness with pain in my upper back (you know... between the shoulder blades up to the base of the skull). Well, that was no match for Carrina's magic fingers. It didn't even hurt but when I was done it was like the tension and stress never even existed! Thank you so much Carrina for your help! You are very intuitive and knew exactly what to do... I'll be back! read more

I had my first massage with Carrina and can honestly say that was the best massage of my life. I booked about a month ago after reading the rave reviews, and my experience was even better than I expected. Carrina started the session with a conversation about what I was hoping to get out of the body work, there were 90 minutes of pure bliss in between, and we ended with a debrief. Carrina has created a lovely little haven--her space was a comfortable temperature and it smelled amazing. I left feeling better in my body and in my mind than I felt coming in. read more

Achy back, achy neck, and achy hands. All relived by Carrina. I was so happy. I felt like I was two inches taller. In fact, I bought my son and his wife a gift certificate massage. read more

I found myself in a situation where I was having debilitating back spasms many times a day. I ended up seeing an orthopedic, did an MRI, and discover serious inflammation on the left side of my back. Goal was to avoid anything invasive, including even a cortisone injection. Started with Physical Therapy which has been going on for over 4 months. Progress was made, but I leveled off where there was still pain and tightness on my left side which was unfortunately severe enough to prevent me from playing tennis and limited me in other physical activities. A friend of mine who is a doctor asked me if I had considered massage. Up to that point I hadn't but was open to anything that could help me break through the pain I was feeling. I checked out YELP and found Eszence, and specifically Carrina Lau. I have completed two sessions with Carrina, with her focusing on my back based on the issue I have been facing. After the first session my back and upper body felt incredible (I didn't realize how being at home all this time due to COVID had tightened me up!). However, not much headway was made with the specific issue I had been facing. In the second session, Carrina said "I believe I have found it" and began to work this area specifically. I am delighted to say that in the first time in over 6 months I am feeling real, significant improvement. I am so relieved and excited that the end of my journey with pain may be near! Carrina has a very caring and compassionate way about her and runs a very professional practice. At the beginning of each session, she discusses where you are, including any progress you may or may not have made. At the end of each session there is a discussion on what to think about moving forward. I would add the online platform Eszence uses allows for easy scheduling and payment if you chose to take advantage of it. I believe there is an accompanying app for your phone as well, but I have not yet used it. I am beyond thankful to have made this connection! read more

My heaven of heaven. Carrina knows how to read a body. She finds tight muscles that I didn't know existed. I sit a lot for my desk job. I've known her and receive massage from her since 2000. Each time she works on my sore muscles, I want to take her home with me because she does such a wonderful deep tissue massage. I call her "My Heaven". When it was safe to open from the pandemic, I was one of her first clients who received RNR since we both know we are both careful and how important it is to be safe from Covid. She told me her PPE in place without me asking. She has become a great friend all these years and professional when we speak of massage service. My advice for those who wants to try her, communicate before, during and after the message about how your muscles are feeling. She's a good listener and will adjust to the pressure that is comfortable for you. Her number one goal is to make you feel very relaxed at the end of your session. I've always walked out feeling 180 from the time I walked in. read more

Carina is an excellent massage therapist, and every time I go in, I leave far more relaxed. Carina clearly cares about your health and does her best to also advise on how you can tackle physical ailments outside of the session. The location is quiet and peaceful, and I'm so glad I found this spot Millbrae. read more

Carrina is a very gifted massage practitioner. She listens carefully to her clients' needs in order to provide the most helpful massage techniques and pressure. I have experienced several massages by Carrina and would not hesitate to visit her again. I wholeheartedly recommend her services. read more

I feel bad writing a so-so review but I honestly didn't think my massage was very good. My husband also tried Carrina and he had the same experience. Pressure/effort was just ok and true sign of an awesome massage is how you feel a day later and I didn't notice any difference. Might have to continue going to my Palo Alto place until I can find one around Burlingame. Update: a year later I get a condescending reply from owner questioning if I saw her which obv I did. Doesn't change my review. read more

Carrina is excellent. I've been visiting sporadically for several years even at her previous locations. I'd highly recommend an appointment.

Carrina made it a very Covid-safe and relaxing atmosphere with nice background audio and a very attentive massage. She listens well and focuses on area of concern whether it be tennis elbow or a sprained ankle. Deep relaxation and meditative in addition to a deep tissue portions to address various what ailed me. read more

Midway through the pandemic I made a move from the East Bay to the Peninsula and was on the hunt for a new massage therapist. How grateful I am to have found Carrina at Eszence. She creates a safe, relaxing and personalized experience, taking time at the beginning and end of the session to check-in and discuss how you are feeling. As someone who sits at a computer most of the day, I struggle with my neck and back, and Carrina's technique is spot on for releasing tension and restoring my body to equilibrium. While it is possible to find massage services for lower cost, you won't find the atmosphere, care, and skill that Carrina offers. She is truly a master of her craft! read more

I have been really busy and my sweet fiancé booked a $135 next day massage for me. This appointment is made for a service which will happen in less than 24 hours. He booked it through Yelp and there was no mention of any cancellation or rescheduling policy. This morning, a close contact is getting sick and being tested for covid, while waiting for her test results, I am being quarantined and could not make it to this massage. My fiancé called them and was told we could not cancel nor reschedule due to their 24 hours policy. He explained that appointment was made within 24 hours so it is physically impossible to cancel or reschedule it within 24 hours. They still ruthlessly refused and rejected his request. How would someone feel relaxing for a massage knowing that this is how this owner run their business? We will have to dispute our charge. And too bad, I am a frequent spa visitor and just moved into the neighborhood but will never come to this place. Updates: We received owner's response but it still do not explain how one can cancel an appointment out of the 24 hours period while they made the appointment within 24 hours. The policy contradicts itself and it's physically impossible. Secondly, I guess owner prefer to risk a sick person to come into her business. read more

Went here for my birthday and it was the best massage I've ever had. I highly recommend this place. She applied the right pressure and I was never in pain. I will definitely come back. read more