Jackie was Bery aggressive with pressure point therapy to help realign muy fractured C5. I'm going back for more.

I first went to Somavida Pain Relief Center about five years ago for lower back pain after waterskiing one too many times on vacation. Sarah helped ease my pain and also worked on my jaw. The relief was instant. As a competitive tennis player in my 60s, I have many other aches and pains that Sarah and Jackie and others on the team have been able to relieve and keep me out on the court. I wish I could go to them every day! read more

I have been getting neuromuscular treatments here regularly for at least the last 6 years to maintain my body for my sport, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. The practitioners at Somavida are extremely knowledgeable and skilled in their craft, and they care about the people they are treating. In particular, Yu is absolutely magical. She has fixed my broken (or about-to-be-broken) body countless times over the last several years and I don't think I would be able to keep doing my sport at the level I do without her help. Can they fix everything? No - sometimes chiropractic care or physical therapy is necessary, either alongside or separately from neuromuscular treatment, but when that is the case, they do guide their patients to the best form of treatment for their needs. If you're dealing with chronic pain, PLEASE try them out. They are the best! read more

After 2 years of ongoing back and arm issues, I finally decided to do something about it. I was always weary about going to just anyone and didn't really know where to start. Do I go to a Chiropractor or a Physical Therapist? If you're like me, you don't want just anyone touching you and adjusting you without understanding what's going on. Enter Somavida! From the start, Somavida was so careful and understanding of my needs and spent time getting know me and my body through conversation first and then easing into diagnosing the issues based on the data they collected. Each time they would push on a muscle, they would explain why I felt certain sensations or pain either locally or elsewhere in my body. And they made a difference of course! For the first time I not only understood what was going on and why, but they even made me feel better! Moreover they found other areas that could use help as well! I've now spent time with Holden and Jackie and while they each bring their own style and approach, they both live by the Somavida values and are amazing! The fact that I've seen 2 different therapists for the same issues and come out feeling better shows the consistency of values at Somavida! If you're here and reading this, don't hesitate. Book and find out how amazing the experience is. read more

Sarah is an angel on Earth, and I mean that truly. My experience with them has been life changing. had been suffering with work related neck, shoulder, low back, hip and sciatic pain for many years (probably close to 10). I had spent the past two years being treated by various chiropractors, personal trainers and massage therapists with temporary relief, but without true improvement. After seeing a review by another patient in the dental field I was compelled to schedule an appointment with Somavida. At that time, I couldn't sit for more than 20 min without being in severe pain and I couldn't sleep for more than an hour or two without waking up in severe pain. Not only was I unable to work, but I could not even drive in to work without stopping due to pain. My daily functions were severely inhibited and I was beginning to think I would never be about to work again. At my first appointment, Sarah was so incredibly lovely and calming. After discussing with her my current diagnosis from my chiropractor, she assessed my posture, my pain, my range of motion and my working postures. Sarah is so incredibly knowledgeable and thorough that after her treatment that day I was pain-free for the first time in years. YEARS! I broke into happy tears while still on the massage table. She was hopeful and confident that they would be able to treat me and keep me pain free. Sarah also introduced my to her associates and I have been treated by Ty since then. She also recommended Cornerstone Health, my current chiropractors that I have been very happy with. Ty is equally as dedicated, kind and as thorough as Sarah. I am so impressed with their knowledge and therapy. I am currently seeing Ty every three weeks for treatment. Not only has he been instrumental in living my life pain free, he is also SO MUCH FUN! I am eternally grateful for Somavida and they will always have my recommendation. read more

You're reading this right now because you're in some kind of physical pain and looking to relieve it. You've tried chiropractors, acupuncture, masseuses, reiki, and the new-age wacko who claimed to be "intuitive" but just made things worse. Please. Stop all that. Go to Somavida. Every therapist at Somavida Pain Relief Center specializes in Neuro-Muscular Therapy (NMT).  And with good reason. It works. And works better for soft-tissue repair than almost all the other modalities. Don't trust that statement though. Or me either. Google it. Do the research now. You'll find that NMT is science-based and gets proven results. I started at Somavida after a bad fall and a botched spinal surgery left me in pain (without recourse to hospitals and MD's during covid). Just needed to fix myself enough to get by.  Sarah and company at Somavida did that for me and more. Team member Yu Suzuki diagnosed my issues with more accuracy than my high-end NorthShore Ortho team with all their degrees and million-dollar scanners and TV commercials ...and naturally relieved most of the pain that the NS talent had been "treating" with opioids, steroids, and nerve meds. Yu gave very specific anatomical explanations of what she was working to achieve at each and every treatment area...and she effected positive cumulative change-for-the-better session after session. Furthermore had been told I'd probably be needing rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders (one full tear/one partial tear)...but thanks to neuro-muscular therapy and Ms Suzuki's dogged expertise I'm virtually pain-free and no longer a candidate for even one of those procedures. This is how medicine s-h-o-u-l-d work. But mostly doesn't. Somavida has earned my trust and gratitude. And they'll always have my business. read more

I've seen so many chiropractors since my pain started getting so bad and nothing was this thorough, friendly or long-lasting. I'm sitting in bed right now MARVELING at the fact that I'm not in excruciating pain and infinitely grateful for the care I was provided only eight hours ago at Somavida. Oh, and I was just as grateful for the free anatomy lesson I got while I was being taken care of! read more

Really effective treatment. I went in for two treatments, the first visit was amazing. They use an interesting technique that seemed to focus on finding all the knots in your muscles and working them out one by one. Not a typical massage where the entire muscle is worked over. As a fan of massage, I would say this was probably the single most effective massage/treatment I have had in addressing pain related to tension and exercise soreness. I went in for a follow-up treatment that was more like a Swedish/deep tissue style with some focused work. I wasn't as blown away by that session, but it could be because I was still so worked out from the prior session that I didn't get as much of a differential in relief as the first visit. Al is pleasant and has passion for his work. I will definitely go back. They offer student discounts! read more

When I first started I needed help getting into the building after having someone drive me there. I could barely move and my doctor was recommending spinal fusion, or implantation of electrical spinal stimulation. Both prospects terrified me. Finding Sarah and her team changed my life. At first I was going twice a week, just to get a tiny bit of relief. Now I go to Holden twice a month and can do most everything I did before my back problems. Holden, like everyone there, is an incredible healer. It's not like traditional massage therapy, it's far more specific and far more effective. I'm self-conscious and am extremely glad that I don't have to strip down to nothing in order to do this. I can just wear comfortable clothes. Also, it's medical, so there's no tipping and no expectation of tipping. The environment is extremely comfortable, and client friendly. Everyone there is very caring and kind. Somavida is absolutely a sanctuary of healing. read more

I am a Chiropractor, and I've worked with Sarah for many years. She is really one of the top notch out there. I've seen her personally, and also referred many of my own patients for her to treat. She's a step above the typical massage therapist. She understands things on a deeper level than just muscles - nervous system, and joint interactions. It's really great, and helpful to all her patients. I've even taught at a massage school in the past, and Sarah blows all my other students out of the water with her knowledge. She'll help you out, and you'll feel great afterwards! read more

I have been a patient of Sarah's since she started with massage. There should be way more yelp stars available to rate her. Sarah is caring, has a gift for healing, and possesses the knowledge and technique to facilitate wellness. Over the years, Sarah has grown and learned different healing modalities. She is a bit of a nerd about learning and explaining what she is doing and why. Her knowledge and explanations have helped me understand why/why not my body is working, and how everything is connected. Sarah is also committed to ongoing learning. She frequently participates in classes as both student and as an instructor. Her approach is always fresh, and she is excited about the work she does. In the last few years Sarah has expanded her business to include two wonderful therapists. Al & Yu are also amazing. As well as bringing their own gifts and styles to the table, (pun intended) they continue to gain knowledge and implement new technique under Sarah's tutelage, particularly with her stunning TMJ work. I cannot recommend Sarah and her staff highly enough. read more

Somavida has been a Godsend for me and my husband and friends. I started going to Sarah over a year ago, first to help with my neck/shoulder issues, and now my hip. I have referred her business to several of my friends and my husband, who all have been very pleased. Sarah has a great personality and is loving and thoughtful about her practice. She listens and is gifted to find the root of the problem. She really is a gift from God! Several of my friends have also seen Yu, and they have been very pleased with her. I can't speak highly enough of Somavida and all their staff! read more

Back in the day I used to sing...a lot. From the age of 9 through college I trained & performed as a classical & jazz vocalist. It was awesome, I loved it - but my jaw did not agree. All those years of singing/smiling/laughing put a ton of strain on my jaw & mouth and I developed TMJD (Temporomandibular joint disorder), a disorder that causes chronic pain in jaw, teeth, ears, head, neck...pretty much everything attached to the TM joint. After complaining to my dentist about my chronic pain he recommended I give Sarah Lashley a call and I can honestly say she has changed my life. I went to the first appt knowing a massage would feel great but not having much hope that it would change things for me in the long haul - how wrong I was!! I noticed significant differences in my pain levels even after the first 60 minute session, and each time I go back my pain diminishes little by little. 6 months ago I couldn't go through a day without having some kind of jaw, neck, or teeth pain...now I can go weeks without even a hint of discomfort. My TMJD used to cause awful headaches which resulted in many many ibuprofen pills being popped. I can now count on one hand the times I've had a headache since seeing Sarah, and she has also been wonderful about showing me self-massage techniques so I can avoid taking pain relievers. On top of her sweet skills, Sarah is a truly amazing human being. She volunteers at several area charities, donates portions of her tips to non-profits, and is an all-around great person. Going to see her has become much like seeing a friend - she greets you at the door, always has cold water waiting, and makes you feel incredibly welcome. I can't say enough great things about Sarah and Somavida Bodywork - do your body a favor and experience it for yourself! read more

If you work at a computer daily like I do, then you may have experienced muscle pain in your arms, shoulders and back. Sarah helped alleviate the pain, and also taught me how to relax my muscles on my own. I also expressed interest in strengthening my muscles, and she has vowed to develop her knowledge in that area as well. She is a knowledgable professional, and I'm blessed to have found her--I feel like, with her help, I can eliminate my pain once and for all. read more

I've known and been a patient of Somavida for many years now. I am a genera dentist and I refer a lot of patients to them for muscular jaw pain problems related to TMJ, or too much computer work. I have seen her work miracles with me and with the patients I send to her. Recently, I had another flare-up of my chronic back pain and saw her new associate, she got right to the source of it and had me walking upright in one session! She is every bit as good as Sara and I would highly recommend any of the therapists at Somavida! Thanks you guys. Keep helping people feel better! read more

I have been going to Somavida for almost a year and I could not have a more glowing recommendation. I had an excruciating pain in my shoulder/neck and did months of physical therapy with very little reprieve. Yu and Sarah were able to figure out what was wrong and help manage my pain. They even sent me to a nerve specialist who I am currently working with, in addition to Somavida. For awhile I thought that I was never going to get better but, with their help, I have made so much progress! I have also started seeing Michelle. With my nerve issue I have been too scared to get any sort of massage for fear of getting hurt but Michelle knows what she is doing. She is able to calm down any of my angry muscles and she is the perfect addition to the awesome Somavida team! All of the Somavida staff treat you like family and are truly there to help. I give Somavida my highest recommendation if you have any pain--they are problem solvers who won't give up on you! read more

One day I woke up with no movement in my neck, urgent care diagnosed me with a neck spasm that had me in excruciating pain. By the 2nd week my primary doctor refereed me to a specialist and begin the process of PT and stronger meds. By the 3rd week and finding little relief, I continued to wake up every morning in pain, I began acupuncture, cupping along with the doctor prescribed regular PT, my muscle relaxer (along with the traditional ice/heat, epsom soaks, stretching and non strenuous /high impact exercise. By the 4th I week found Somavida (referred to me by a friend) My 1st visit was with Ty. He worked on all the knots and muscles on my neck and shoulders. after only the 1st session I woke up the next day PAIN FREE, for the 1st time in 4 weeks!! I had 2 session in one week and could tell such a difference in how I was feeling that I began my regular workouts. After doing all of the above in attempt to speed up my recovery and find some relief. it has only took a total of 3 visits with Somavida Ty was professional and explained and answered every question I had and was as enthusiastic as I was with my progress. I would highly recommend them!! read more

I have been going to Sarah for about a year now and she is absolutely an amazing therapist and teacher. I injured my shoulders through years of swimming, weight lifting and water polo and was in pain every day...until I started my monthly treatment from Sarah. I tried everything from medicine to physical therapy, with no avail. Sarah's treatments helped me realize that pain is not something you have to deal with, but rather something that can be conquered. Not only are Sarah's massages helpful in alleviating pain, but they are also educational. Sarah has taught me valuable techniques on self-care that I have incorporated into my daily life. I am back to my active pre-injured self, all thanks to Sarah! read more

I can't say enough about how talented and dedicated the therapists are at Somavida. I have Fibromyalgia and have received a lot of care, understanding and great massages here. Sarah, the owner is an expert at NMT (neuro muscular therapy) I saw her for a long while, she is incredible. My schedule changed and I tried Al Rush and he is a gem, a healer on many levels and massage is just his modality. He has great ideas about treating fibro and has quite a few fibro people he works with and learns from all of our stories. Yu is also amazing, she is sensitive and intuitive and a very talented massage therapist. Another reason to love them? They have flat rate prices $80/hr for clinical massage 90/hr for NMT / worth every penny / and tips are not allowed so there is never that awkward moment at the end. This is the only massage spot I go to and everyone here Sarah, Al or Yu are all terrific. read more

In my almost 12 years of being chronically ill I have seen over 35 doctors/practitioners. I am an expert in attending appointments and re-telling my health story at every appointment. And do you know what every single person has responded back with? Something along the lines of "Huh, that's a new one" or "Well that doesn't make any medical sense". Every. Single. Person. Until Sarah Lashley at SomaVida!!! Sarah said, "Yes, that makes perfect sense and we're gonna make you better." And then pulled out a diagram of the human body and showed me how and why it made sense. I left my first appointment with Sarah and wept tears of joy. In fact, I cry happy tears as I write this. In all my years of struggling with chronic illness, I had never felt such hope. I felt heard and seen and understood. Finally!!!! I've been working with Sarah for several months now, she has helped me tremendously and I continue to improve. Not only is Sarah incredibly knowledgeable and competent, but she is so upbeat and cheerful in her approach. She gives me high fives and tells me that we've got this. I feel like she is a cheerleader for my pain management! Thank you thank you thank you!!!! read more

Sarah is amazing. I have been steadily improving my distance for walking. I was able to go 11 miles without pain! She is great at finding my trigger points and disarming them. read more

This place is incredible! I had terrible headaches every day for over a year and I was loosing hope of finding relief because nothing was working. Within a few weeks of being treated at Somavida my headaches subsided exponentially! I have also been suffering from severe TMJ and they have helped that significantly too! I highly recommend this place. If you want relief from pain... this is the place to go!!! They are knowledgeable and friendly and super cost effective. Can't say enough good things. This place changed my life for the e better. So grateful to have found this great resource! read more

Sarah is a lovely human being. I'm not sure how she does it, but I have had chronic pain for my whole life. I don't feel perfect, but I defiantly have had so much relief that I almost feel confused on how loose my body is. I decided to work once a week for the summer. Am now taking a break. And I'm looking forward to seeing how much healthier I can feel in the future. read more

I met Sarah last year in September and I have used neuromuscular therapists before and she is amazing. She dedicates herself on keeping up with latest education. When you go there with a pain she will make sure she listens to your needs and try to ensure you are pain free by the time you leave your appt. depending on how severe it could take a few sessions but she won't stop until she figures out the source of the problem! I am a dentist and come to therapy about 1x month. I have elbow and shoulder pain as well as IT band issues. If I come in with pain I leave feeling almost 100 % if not better. She is a wonderful person and makes sure to give her clients at home care instructions. I'm so happy to have found her! read more

Everything about my experience at Somavida working with Sarah was absolutely fantastic. Sarah is a friendly face and has a warm personality, and cares deeply about getting you to a place of health and wholeness! I had back pain from working at a desk all day in what can sometimes be a stressful job. After the first session, I could tell she was making a difference! Sarah was very helpful in figuring what was causing my back pain, and was so accurate in targeting exactly where I was having trouble. In just a few sessions, my back pain was reduced by at least 95%. She even gave me some tips on how to keep the pain away. One of my favorites was DoxaSoma, which is basically Christian yoga. I really enjoyed it! I can't recommend Somavida enough! read more

I had a severe muscle spasm in my back that left me sore for days. My doctor recommended a professional massage. Sarah was able to locate and release numerous painful, tight muscles. Did a followup a week later even though I felt great all that week--again found more tight muscles. I was so pleased I talked my husband--who has suffered a "sore lower back" for months--into making an appointment. The next morning after his first treatment, he said, "My back hasn't felt this good in a couple years!" (And this is someone who was a bit skeptical about whether a massage would really help.) He plans to return for two more treatments. Definitely recommend SomaVida BodyWork! read more

I cannot recommend Sarah and her business, SomaVida, highly enough! She is the only reason I am walking around pain free. This is not a relaxing, gentle massage! She gets right to your pain and fixes it, takes it away and it usually stays away. She knows just where to work from what I describe is hurting, what muscle is causing the pain and how to tell it to relax. She is constantly improving her technique and going to workshops, symposiums and other means of learning and perfecting her knowledge. I recommend her to anyone and everyone I know/meet who mentions they have any kind of muscle pain and many have gotten relief. read more

I came in to Somavida with some pretty profound limitations, but even after my first appointment they had helped me to significantly increase my range of motion and ease my discomfort. Their team is so professional and supportive, highly knowledgeable and they really emphasize a patient-led treatment. An all around excellent experience, I will continue to use Somavida in the future for all of my body maintenance! read more

I agree whole-heartedly with the other positive reviews. In my view, the fact that the reviews are very consistent speaks to the superb quality of her work. I don't often write Yelp reviews, but I am very grateful for Sarah's care and I want to describe my experience in detail to give others a sense of what to expect from Sarah's services. As a Northwestern PhD student, I need all of the massages I can get. I visit Sarah as often as I can afford, which is usually once every 2 months. If I could book sessions more frequently, I would do it in a heartbeat. The best massages I've had in my life have all been from Sarah. She is the epitome of a massage professional, as she is kind, attentive, and exquisitely thorough. As mentioned in other reviews, Sarah's massages will be especially helpful for those with specific pain or chronic muscle issues (although anyone can benefit from a good massage). My general experience at Somavida: The beginning of a typical session will start with Sarah asking about the specific locations, intensity, and frequency of your pain. She takes thorough notes on your responses and uses this information to structure the techniques used in your session. During the massage, Sarah will focus on the areas that need care while making sure the pressure and technique is comfortable for you. The room is calm, quiet, and gently lit. Sarah is fun and easy to talk to, but if you prefer to relax in silence or with soft music, she is always more than happy to accommodate your preferences. (To be clear: Sarah does not work in a high-end spa. The surroundings are comfortable and conducive to relaxtion and pain relief, but if you are seeking something very lavish and luxurious, you may want to look for that elsewhere). After applying firm, steady pressure to your muscle knots (or trigger points), Sarah will check in with you to make sure the trigger points are responding to the massage and that the pain is getting better. (There were a couple of times when the pressure was a bit too intense, and when I told Sarah, she was receptive and responsive to my feedback and changed the pressure to my comfort level.) Sarah is very well-educated on massage techniques and the intricacies of anatomy. Often I will have questions about the anatomy of a given region (i.e., "Which muscles in this area are responsible for killing my back?") and Sarah will give a detailed, informative answer. After the session, you will briefly meet with Sarah. She will ask you to describe any changes in your pain levels as she records in detail whatever feedback you have about your pain or your session. If you return for a second session, Sarah uses her notes on your pain (often she will remember your major trouble spots) to guide her work in that session. I think this system works very well because I feel that I am receiving a very personalized experience that is tailored to my specific problem spots, and that feels more meaningful and worthwhile than getting regular massages from someone who is not as aware of your body's needs. As for payment, the prices for Sarah's services are more than reasonable, especially given the quality of her work. If you are student, she offers a great discount on individual sessions and packages. One last important note: As Somavida is becoming more popular, appointments should be booked farther in advance. If you are considering booking an appointment and have questions, email Sarah - she's really good about getting back to people in a reasonable timeframe (around 24 hours or so). The sooner you book, the better - though Sarah is also willing to contact you in case of cancellations. I am lucky to have found Sarah & to be one of her regular clients. I refer friends to her all of the time, and many have become regulars too. My goal in writing this review is to draw attention to and praise Sarah's great work. read more

The assessment and my first treatment was amazing. Yu Suzuki is professional and competent. She was able to pinpoint the problem and to manipulate the exact muscles and spots to alleviate my lower back pain. read more

Sarah does amazing work. She understands holistically how your body works, and finds the source of the pain. I've been seeing her for a year, and have no idea what I would have done if I hadn't found her. The Yelp reviews singing her praises are 100% accurate, and she works with you to also talk through plans for how to stay pain free. She is kind, smart, and I would recommend her - especially if you travel and have to fold yourself into those small seats! Thanks Sarah!! read more

I have been seeing Sarah at Soma Vida for a few years. It began with every few week sessions to now every 6 month sessions. My TMJ symptoms have reduced significantly. Sarah has the gift of healing, is very knowledgeable and always pinpoints the muscles that trigger my TMJ. I am forever grateful for Sarah and her ongoing expertise! I highly recommend Soma Vida! read more

Sarah is not only a wonderful therapist, but a caring and warm person. Chronic pain is mentally and physically exhausting to live with, but Sarah alleviates both my physical and mental concerns. I would recommend her to anyone who is looking for a better understanding of their muscles and the root cause of their pain. Her approach is unique and effective. When I leave Sarah's office, I feel like a box of books has been lifted off my shoulders. read more

Oh my Word!!! AMAZING!! Al and Sara are a fantastic team doing precision work that trumps anything I have experienced in visiting physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, orthopedic surgeons, and acupuncturists. Chronic pain points and areas have been unwound and relaxed and put into proper position after just two sessions! Worth every penny and the time. GO SEE THESE FOLKS!! read more

Astoundingly good. Its not your garden variety massage but true pain treatment. All of the therapists are great - - I have seen Yu and Al. Very pleased and highly recommend. read more

Come here. Now. Stop procrastinating. I've been fighting my wife for EVER about seeing someone (cause I'm a dude). My wife was right and I was wrong. I can't imagine getting better results if I rolled up on Jesus Christ himself on a generous day. I can't say enough good things about the owner or the company but I've been working with Al and he is THE man. I suffer from a herniated lower disk that often pinches a nerve. Al eventually gave me my life back within 4 visits. Nuff said. The guy's whole M.O. was to fix me so I never have to see him again and now I have to pay it forward. I want to make sure he has 4 more of me. I didn't mention that they also worked on my wife's shoulder and it's right as rain. Everyone here is trained to the hilt and they are so kind and talented. I can't imagine going anywhere else. Their systems keep the process smooth and you won't be "just another patient". I've worked with physical therapist in the past (no results) and I'm not a "feely" type of guy but the best way I can describe Somavida is that you're working with a healer not a therapist. Until you've experienced the difference yourself you just won't understand. This place is worth double what they charge. read more

Somvavida Bodywork is as good as it gets. This is not normal massage. Sarah specializes in pain and pain syndromes with her extensive knowledge of neuromuscular therapy and more. She is smart, talented, and intuitive. Every review on Yelp is true and warranted. If you have been suffering, I highly recommend her. read more

I can't say enough good things about Sarah. I have been battling residual pain from whiplash for almost a year and sadly, I went far too long without Sarah's help. I went out and tried every avenue of therapy and nobody has been able to pinpoint my pain like Sarah. With Sarah's help I learned that the area causing me pain was a complex combination of muscles. Sarah proves to be thorough, knowledgeable and the perfect combination of compassion and professionalism. All around, an exceptional therapist. read more

Sarah is a very talented therapist, and listens carefully to your concerns. She has been amazingly helpful in reducing pain in my jaw from clenching when nothing else (including pain meds and a dentist-fitted mouthguard) helped. She also helped reduce tension headaches and helped differentially diagnosis other types of headaches I have. She has a knack for explaining what she's doing in an understandable way, and has this calm, soothing presence that makes the massage very relaxing. Thank you, Sarah! read more

I found Somavida on a whim when I was looking for a massage. What I got was far different, and far more than I expected. Al transformed my body and my overall physical comfort in just 3 sessions with 4-6 week maintenance afterwards. My initial goals were hip, back and shoulders. Now I sleep better, exercise better, have less headaches, less stress and more comfort. I never knew this was the treatment that I needed. After years of dance and various treatments (PT, chiropractor, medication, different types of work outs, etc.) this is the best I have ever felt. And the best part is that it's not temporary relief. read more