I encourage everyone I know to try massage at least once. In my experience there are two types of practitioners: those that are skilled enough to do a competent job, and those that have the experience and intuition to work on your body as a connected system. This makes a big difference, and once you find the second type of therapist, you keep going back.

 

If you wish to experience this for yourself, I highly recommend Susan MacFarlane. In addition to her exceptional skills, Susan MacFarlane has the most pleasant and quiet studio I have found in all of Salem.
- Aaron V., Salem, MA

I had my first massage back in 1997 when I lived in California. When I moved back to the Boston area later that year, I began looking for a massage therapist who was as good as the one out West. It took years, but I finally found her — I never expected she’d be in my own family. In the interest of full disclosure, Susan is my sister.
 
Susan is a rarity — you never feel rushed, you don’t hear other things such as other massage clients, manicure, pedicure or hair clients like you would in a salon or spa. Her studio is peaceful. But it’s not just the location, she is unique in that you can feel how much she enjoys massage, enjoys providing relief and relaxation for her clients. Most massage therapists that I’ve been to focus on the major muscles, and while Susan absolutely gives them the attention they deserve, she also focuses on those areas that we may not think about as needing massage — fingers, toes, knees. She covers it all. She also recognizes and respects that a client is there to have some “me” time, to relax, and she limits conversation to necessary questions, and even those are always limited to a reassuring whisper.
 
I would probably get massages more often if I lived closer, but for now, I will continue to drive an hour whenever I am in need of some relaxation. She’s the North Shore’s best kept secret — but it’s a secret that needs to be told.  - Ellen S.,  Easton, MA

After a particularly stress-filled week, I was eagerly looking forward to my first hot-stone massage to relax and I wasn’t disappointed!

 
In fact, I started to relax as soon as I walked in the door. Susan creates a wonderfully soothing atmosphere with music and candles that was already making me feel refreshed as she began to align the heated stones along my spine. Susan’s calming touch did the trick to re-align and recharge my body. When the session was over, I felt completely exhilarated, yet calm. I highly recommend her services if you are feeling “out of whack” and need to reconnect your body, mind and spirit.
- Jenn M., Salem, MA

Susan’s warm, caring personality instantly put me at ease. She actually made me feel as if it were truly all about me while in her care.
-Julie K., Marblehead, MA

Susan has a natural, cheerful outlook on life that is enhanced with her love of massage and bodywork. As thought is the prerequisite to form, her performance engenders a type of atmosphere that is healthy, healing and loving.
-Carol G., Danvers, MA

I have chronic problems with wax building up in my ears which has required me to visit the hospital on numerous occasions over the years to have the wax removed.  I heard about ear candling but did not know where to go until a mutal friend introduced me to Susan MacFarlane and I decided to give it a try.  The first time I had the ear candling done with Susan, I didn’t think it worked because I couldn’t even feel the wax being extracted.  It wasn’t until she showed me the evidence that I realized it actually worked!  The process is so relaxing and peaceful; much more enjoyable than going to the hospital.  I highly recommend it and I am now getting ear candling done with Susan on a monthly basis because it has worked so well for my situation.  -Janice C., Wakefield, MA