Welcome to the
Anti-Spa
massage studio

This is advanced treatment bodywork offered by highly skilled intuitive therapists. We seamlessly combine deep tissue + myofascial release with the use of our hands, elbows & feet to create the most effective massage you will ever experience!

A collage of images. Dena performing myofascial and deep tissue massage techniques

"For those of you who seek out The Best. Those of you looking for something more effective. This is what we are here for"
- Dena Kinate (founder of Applied Pressure)

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What to expect

Applied Pressure is different: You will not be given a 600-count Egyptian cotton bathrobe and a pair of organic hemp flip-flops to slip on your blistered feet. A “masseuse" will not slather your skin with oil nor cover your face with dead sea mud. No. No incense or essential oil will overwhelm the room. Applied Pressure is a real • bodywork • studio run by an innovative bodyworker named Dena, with a bit of attitude, an infectious personality, and Minnesotan work ethic. Dena has created a style of bodywork that is uniquely effective.

Most deep tissue mashes the belly of the muscle. Applied Pressure is more of a push pull of the tissue, focusing on the origination site of the muscle (where the muscle becomes tendon and meets the bone). Pulling is what releases the connective tissue (the fascia). We do a lot of Myofascial release infused in our bodywork: pulling the connective tissue apart creating space in your tissue so your body automatically starts realigning itself. Your body wants to heal itself; we create the space for that to happen.

Traditional Ashiatsu is use of the feet only for the entire massage. But we use whatever tool (foot, forearm, thumb, heel, elbow, knee) is best for the task at hand. About 50% of the massage is done with our feet.You will feel "good pain" throughout the session. It will be satisfying rather than uncomfortable. Dena only hires naturally intuitive massage therapists and then trains the team into mastery. We can sense if you need less pressure. So we will take you to the threshold of your comfort, but not beyond that.

Our Goal

To provide THE BEST treatment bodywork in St Paul, Minneapolis & the greater Twin Cities area. We want people to know about us & have no problem driving across the Twin Cities to us because of how consistently effective our sessions are. We are worth the drive and we are of high value for your time and money. We treat clients on a deeper level *without too much talking* getting right down to business with intentional deliberate strokes. Your bodyworker will pull and stretch your fascia. Restoring blood flow, restoring your posture, restoring your broken body to its full potential, so that you can once again abuse yourself in your day to day lives or chosen sport.

who is applied pressure for

We are for the person looking for something more from a massage.
Have you been searching for bodywork that actually gets in there? Addressing the root cause of pain, not just where it hurts? Well, you can stop searching. You found us. Our clients look like the average person but seek out "the best" to optimize their health and feel fantastic. We see everyday folks that have everyday repetitive use, life-induced injuries. Whether that is from sitting at a computer all day, or being a dental hygienist awkwardly reaching around a chair to work on a patient, a new mom who finds herself in imbalanced positions all day to care for her baby. Of course, we see athletes and those that purposefully abuse their bodies too. Especially those of the endurance genre.

What we suggest "treatment Plans"

We suggest coming in 3 times in a row to reset your body. That means ideally once a week for 3 weeks and then get on a maintenance routine of coming in bi-monthly or monthly. That being said, we have people that come in weekly and we also have people that choose to only come in when they are in serious pain. All choices are welcome!

Who is applied pressure not for

Weight limit: Out of an abundance of caution for or customers and employees, and due to limitations of our equipment and methods, we are currently only able to accommodate customers up to 300 pounds.

Power lifters: you are awesome and we admire your dedication to your physique and your sport, but people with that amount of super dense, often inflamed, muscle tissue are not well suited for the deep targeted work that we do. Our style will not feel good to you & it will physically harm us trying to get though your tissue. We recommend a lighter modality for you like swedish massage, true sports massage (flushing lactic acid out), stretching & yoga.

Customer

Reviews

I am WILDLY particular when it comes to bodywork

I understand the body from the inside out and can tell within 10 seconds of someone working on me if they are the real deal.Dena 1000% is. She has a felt sense about the functionality of the body, which makes her work incredibly effective and precise.The work she does on my neck / head / shoulders is what I’ve always wanted someone to do during a massage. It always feels like she has 3-4 hands which is just so crazy and magical to experience!To top it off, she’s an awesome human being. Do your body and yourself a favor🙏🏻✔️

- Samantha C.

There’s is good massage and then there’s Dena.

- Megan K.

Consistently excellent massage...for starters.

When was the last time you had a meal that made you say "that was ALOT better than I expected"? Or, a music concert that left you in awe of how you felt afterwards? Fill in any number of your own personal peak experiences and then imagine yourself getting a massage that breaks open your idea of how good you can have it - that's what awaits for your first session with Dena (I've had approx. 10 of these in the last year - all top quality).

Dena's winning combination includes highly skilled / intuitive hands AND feet (not "Thai"), and is as unique as it is wonderful. She is both sweet & deep, but never painful. I have had 4 hip operations in the last 2 years, and have worked hard to bring myself back into an active lifestyle, which involves lots of excercise. After I see Dena I feel better for days afterwards, and move with the giddyness of a youngster.

If you want the best, get on her schedule. Just know its a busy one, so plan ahead...I promise the wait & $ will be well worth it.

- Gus D.

Applied Pressure is not a spa

You will not be given a 600-count Egyptian cotton bathrobe and a pair of organic hemp flip-flops to slip on your blistered feet or a glass of champagne served in Riedel stemware while you wait in an opulently decorated lounge for your massage to begin. A “massage therapist” will not infuse your skin with essential oils, or cover your face with Dead Sea mud. No hot rocks sourced from Mt. Etna will be applied to your back.

Applied Pressure is a real – sparsely, but tastefully decorated – massage studio, run by a BAD ASS massage therapist named Dena, with a bit of attitude, an infectious personality, and Minnesotan work ethic. Dena will use her hands, elbows, and feet (while suspended from custom-made oak monkey bars secured to the ceiling) to mend your broken body, so you can abuse yourself once again in your chosen field of sport.

My first massage therapist relationship lasted nine years, my second massage therapist relationship lasted 23 years. Some people die, others retire. It’s unlikely that I will be looking for a new massage therapist anytime soon.

Be punctual, because Dena always is, and if you lose your place on her regular’s list, you may be waiting a while for another spot to open up.

- Mr. G, ATX

I’ve never been more impressed and satisfied with a massage

Dena is exceptionally skilled and very passionate about her work. She is able to relieve tension without inflicting pain or discomfort. I’m very confident there is no one better in the Twin Cities.

- Corey S.

The most effective and deep massage you will ever experience

Truly one of a kind. Dena is the only person you will ever book again. She has essentially ruined all other massages for me. She is AMAZING and worth every penny.

- Olivia B.

Amazing! The BEST 90 minute massage I've had.

Dena is so knowledgeable and so welcoming. She did a wonderful job explaining the benefit of new techniques and reminding me to breathe/relax when she found tension in my body. After the first 15 minutes my back, shoulders, and neck felt better than it has in years. She's so in tune with what the body is going through - she's quick to find the real source of pain. I can't recommend her enough. It was an amazing experience. I'll be a lifetime client - best kept secret in the twin cities!

- Lacey S.

Dena is a tried and true bodyworker.

She's knowledgable, strong and thoughtful during her sessions. It was my first visit to Applied Pressure and I was so happy with my session. I recently moved back to the states from Asia and have tried lots of fun and different massages (Thai, Lao, Chinese TCM) and Dena's are incredible - they're up with the best of em! The massages are methodical and magical! If you're looking for the real deal bodyworker - not just a massage she's the one!

- Kristina C.