Stretch your spa dollar

There’s really no such thing as a cheap spa (and if you find one, be prepared for an uncomfortable surprise when your rubdown ends), but that doesn’t mean you should banish massages, facials and mani-pedis from your newly austere lifestyle.  We’ve found top-of-their-game aestheticians and organized them by neighborhood: Follow our suggestions for calming spots nearby to wander to afterward, and you’ll make that blissful feeling last for hours on end.

	Bucktown/Wicker Park: Daina Karklins, Trim
	Mag Mile/River North/Gold Coast: Lisette Paez, Four Seasons
	Suburbs: Heather Flowers, Silken Tent
	Lincoln Park/Old Town: Rebecca Cohen, Urban Oasis
	Loop/West Loop/South Side: Karla Iniguez, Spa Chakra
	Devra Helgert: East Point Associates
	Andersonville/Edgewater: Will Courtney, Continuum Studio
	Lakeview/Roscoe Village/Wrigleyville: Kelly Mack, Absolute Precision Skin Care
	DIY spa treatments: Home kits can save you cash, but which procedures are best left to the pros?
	Spas in the recession: The spa industry has been stressed —which is great news for your aching wallet.
	Cheap spa tips: Six ways to make spa-going more affordable.
	All-day spas: Make a day of your spa experience by hanging out at these urban oases.
	Expert spa tips: Local therapists offer tips on squeezing every penny out of your spa visit.
	Find a Chicago spa: Search for a mani-pedi, massage or facial by neighborhood and price range.
Plus:
	Dental spas: Since when is going to the dentist a spa experience? Now you can get a filling and a facial at the same spot.

This is how we did it

Follow the strategies we used to zero in on the fab aestheticians featured in this issue:

• Ask around. Most therapists get clients through word of mouth.
• Call the spa and ask the receptionist who gets the most repeat customers. Also, get some background info on your therapist before you book. If you want a sports massage, you’d rather have a runner or athlete working on you than someone who specializes in gentle prenatal massage.
• Search Yelp for recs, but be wary: People who post comments can have an agenda, either positive or negative. But if posters tout one person repeatedly, that’s probably a safe bet.