There is more to being a massage therapist than meets the eye.

Did you know that the State of Illinois sets the minimum curriculum and requires every massage school grad to pass a state licensing exam? Every massage school grad has to have a minimum of 500 hours of training and pass a comprehensive state exam before they can apply for a massage license. Tuition can run from $10,000 to $20,000.

Each massage school has a different focus -some are more spa/relaxation based, while others put a greater emphasis on wellness and therapeutic training. Below is an example of the type of therapist you will find at The Rub.

• Comprehensive understanding of human anatomy, physiology, pathology, massage indications/contraindications


• Proven experience in Swedish Massage techniques, Deep Tissue Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, fascial release, sports massage, and lymphatic techniques, neuromuscular therapy, body mobilization and stretching, pre-/post-event sports and hydrotherapy


• Clinical experience in pre-massage treatment planning and evaluation, post-treatment reevaluation, SOAP charting and documentation


• Current Red Cross certification in CPR and First Aid Safety


• Expertise in customer care, service and support

Our Staff

Lauren N Goode, LMT, NCTMB Clinical Massage Therapist

- Joined: March 2009

- Formal Training: 850

- Practical Experience: 1000 hours

Lauren is a graduate of The Soma Institute- National School of Clinical Massage Therapy and is also training with Zen Shiatsu Chicago. Her passion is to integrate clinical protocols into wellness treatments utilizing techniques from Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Neuro-Muscular, Structural Integration, and Shiatsu therapies.  Together, these diverse modalities create a massage experience that is both comfortable and effective. Relaxation, wellness, pain relief, and increased mobility are her passion! Lauren is Nationally Certified, State Licensed, and a professional member of the AMTA.

Yvonne Gonzalez, LMT, NCTMB - Massage, Orthopedic, Pregnancy and Level II Thai Bodywork Certified

- Joined: July 2007

- Formal Training: 1200 hours

- Practical Experience: 2000 hours

A Chicago native, Yvonne was one the first employees when she joined The Rub in July of 2007. She is a graduate of National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) in Massage Therapy, holding a National Certification and Licensure in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and has over 2700 hours of formal therapeutic and clinical training and practical experience. Yvonne’s therapeutic emphasis is on integrating multiple modalities to create a multi-faceted session able to address her clients varied needs. Her passion for mastering and merging techniques has prompted Yvonne to continue her education, obtaining certifications in Orthopedic Massage, Bodywork for the Childbearing Year, and Thai Bodywork. Yvonne continues to cultivate her skills through ongoing advanced massage and bodywork instruction and by working with patients at several rehabilitation centers. She is an active member of the American Massage Therapy Association and Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals.

Kris Piedra LMT, NCTMB Deep Tissue Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release

- Joined: October 2009

- Formal Training: 750 hours

- Practical Experience: 950 hours

Kris is a Miami native who recently relocated to the Chicago area. She is a graduate of the Soma Institute National School of Clinical Massage Therapy and is a state licensed and nationally certified massage  therapist. Kris strongly believes in the healing power of touch and its long lasting benefits.  She loves sharing her passion for massage and gains great satisfaction in providing her clients long-lasting relief from their anxieties and pain caused by life's daily stressors.  Using various techniques,  she combines her knowledge of anatomy and physiology along with her intuition to pinpoint and release areas of tension and pain in the body.  Kris has a great passion for massage and hopes to help relax Chicago!

David Fireside, BS, LMT, NCTMB - Massage, Deep Tissue, Sports, Trigger Point, Myofascial Release

- Joined: June 2008

- Formal Training: 700

- Practical Experience: 500 hours

A Chicago area native and graduate of the Soma Institute of Therapeutic Massage, David also holds a BS in Biology/Psychology from the University of Illinois and a National Certification and Licensure in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. David's specialties are neck and shoulders, headaches, trigger point and relaxation massage. David approaches each client as an individual incorporating different modalities tailored to the specific needs and wants of the client. Having experienced chronic pain, he is empathetic and a strong proponent of the benefits of massage therapy. He enjoys educating his clients as to what he is doing and what is occurring in their body.

Corinne Sanders, LMT, NCTMB, AMTA - Swedish/Deep Tissue Massage, Pregnancy

- Joined: December 2007

- Formal Training: 750 hours

-Practical Experience: 1400 hours

Corinne is a graduate of The Chicago College of Healing Arts in Rogers Park. She is nationally certified and Illinois-State-licensed, as well as a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. Continually looking for new ideas, she strongly believes there is no limit to education and experience. Her hands hold the tactile memory of the countless people she has not only worked with, but also learned from. Most importantly, she values recognizing each person as a unique individual and whose body tells its own story. Above all, close communication and patience have been the hallmark of Corinne's work. She uses many techniques to address many issues from everyday stress to chronic pain, while integrating many elements of therapeutic and Swedish massage. Corinne's work comes from a place of love, compassion, and respect for mind, body, and soul.

Phil Holland, LMT, NCTMB - Massage, Trigger Point, Sports, ART

- Joined: May 2009

- Formal Training: 1100 hours

- Practical Experience: 900 hours

Recently relocating to Chicago, Phil is licensed and nationally certified in massage and bodywork. He is a graduate of the Omaha School of Therapeutic Massage and brings with him over 2000 hours of formal therapeutic and clinical training and experience. As someone who lifts weights on a regular basis, he has first hand knowledge of how regular massage and bodywork can improve performance while reducing recovery time.

Alyssa Montgomery, LMT, NCTMB - Massage, Trigger Point, Sports, Myofacial Release

- Joined: September 2009

- Formal Training: 750 Hours

- Practical Experience: 900 hours

Alyssa is a certified and licensed graduate of The Soma Institute for Clinical Massage Therapy. After getting her Master's in Sociology from Northwestern University, Alyssa decided to take a more hands-on approach to understanding and helping people. She now incorporates an in-depth knowledge of physiology and anatomy with a variety of massage techniques to create treatments that address clients specific needs. Specializing in Deep Tissue, Swedish Massage, Myofascial Release and Trigger Point Therapy, Alyssa enjoys the challenge of promoting relaxation while simultaneously achieving tangible results results. She is always ready to play detective to isolate everyday causes of pain and muscular dysfunction and then offering her clients suggestions on how to live a more a more body-friendly lifestyle. She is committed to ongoing education in her field and excited to have found a new home at The Rub!