Wellness Massage Center

Wellness Massage Center is a licensed massage therapy practice at 890 Culver Rd in Rochester, NY, operated by John Smelts, LMT. Smelts graduated from the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1983 and has been practicing in Rochester since 1984. With more than four decades of hands-on experience, the center focuses on therapeutic and clinical massage rather than spa-style relaxation, working out of a home-based studio on the Culver Road corridor.

The practice covers a broad range of therapeutic modalities, including:

• Medical and sports massage for acute and chronic pain conditions
• Deep tissue work targeting headaches, backaches, and muscle spasms
• Myofascial release for soft-tissue injuries
• Neuromuscular massage
• Acupressure and deep nerve relaxation
• Reflexology and Tui Na
• Subtle-energy techniques incorporating chi and prana principles

Smelts has held a Sports Massage Training Institute (S.M.T.I.) certification since 1986, covering pre-event, post-event, preventative, and restorative sports massage. The center also offers a stress management program that teaches methods for releasing and controlling pain and tension. Sessions can be adapted for clients who prefer to remain clothed during treatment.

Wellness Massage Center is known for its clinical, results-oriented approach to massage therapy. Rather than offering a menu of timed spa packages, the practice centers on identifying and treating specific pain conditions — chronic back issues, shoulder injuries, recurring headaches, and sports-related strain. Smelts blends conventional deep-tissue techniques with energy-based modalities, giving the practice a distinctive integrative focus that sets it apart from typical day-spa operations in the Rochester area.

The center sits along Culver Road in the 14609 zip code on Rochester's east side, in a largely residential stretch between East Main Street and Norton Street. The surrounding area falls within the Beechwood neighborhood, a walkable section of the city with local shops and eateries nearby. Culver Road connects south toward the Twelve Corners commercial area and runs north past Culver Ridge Plaza and eventually to Seabreeze Amusement Park on Irondequoit Bay. The home-based studio is open Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays; prospective clients should call ahead at (585) 288-9096 to schedule an appointment.