Park Ave Massage & Skincare

Park Ave Massage & Skincare is a wellness practice at 374 Park Avenue in Rochester, NY, operated by Michelle Merkel, a licensed massage therapist. Merkel graduated from the Finger Lakes School of Massage and the Continental School of Beauty, and she completed additional training in Structural Integration under Tom Myers in Walpole, Maine. That background in structural bodywork — which focuses on releasing chronic patterns of tension by examining how clients use their bodies — shapes the therapeutic approach at the practice. The studio operates by appointment Monday through Saturday.

The service menu spans massage therapy, body treatments, and facial skincare. Massage options include:

• Relaxation Massage using long, fluid strokes
• Integrated Bodywork combining Swedish and deep tissue techniques
• Hot Stone therapy
• Hot as Ice Muscle Therapy, which pairs hydroculator heat packs with chilled stones
• Raindrop Therapy incorporating Young Living essential oils
• Pregnancy Therapy (requires healthcare provider clearance)
• Relax, Restore & Revitalize, a 90-minute session that combines 40 minutes of massage with 40 minutes of yoga

On the skincare side, facials include the Revitalizer (a foundational facial with optional add-ons), a Facial for Him targeting concerns specific to men's skin, and a Corrective Peel for tone and texture improvement. Add-on treatments such as microdermabrasion, microneedling, and a gold-and-copper mask therapy are also available. Facial services use PCA skincare products paired with spa-grade equipment.

Park Ave Massage & Skincare stands out for its integration of structural bodywork principles into a spa setting. Michelle Merkel's training in Structural Integration adds a therapeutic dimension that goes beyond standard relaxation massage, addressing how the body holds and compensates for tension over time. The practice also bridges bodywork and movement through its combined massage-and-yoga session, an uncommon offering among Rochester-area spas.

The studio sits along the Park Avenue corridor in Rochester's Park Avenue neighborhood, a walkable stretch of independent shops, restaurants, and cafes running roughly from Alexander Street to Culver Road. The George Eastman Museum on nearby East Avenue and Highland Park — host of Rochester's annual Lilac Festival — are both a short distance away. Park Avenue itself is home to the annual Park Avenue Festival each August. Street parking is available along the avenue, and the neighborhood's compact, pedestrian-friendly layout makes it easy to combine a spa visit with browsing nearby boutiques or grabbing a meal.