Marzena Kostrzewska

LMT, Expert Massage Therapist in Chicago

Hi there! I’m Marzena Kostrzewska, a Chicago-based Licensed Massage Therapist with over two decades of experience helping people feel like the best version of themselves—pain-free and ready to tackle life. I graduated from the Wellness and Massage Training Institute in May 2000, and since then, my hands have been hard at work (but in the gentlest, most therapeutic way).

Early in my career, I discovered my passion for the medical side of massage therapy. While I love the relaxing spa vibes as much as anyone, I get my real joy from helping people tackle persistent pain and tension. I’m especially skilled in treating jaw pain, or TMJ disorder—because let’s face it, life’s too short to clench through every meeting and stress-filled day.

But TMJ isn’t the only thing I’ve got in my toolkit. Over the years, I’ve developed techniques to help with a range of issues, including:

-Migraine and tension headaches (because you deserve better than constant pounding in your head).

-Stress and anxiety (let’s leave that on the massage table, shall we?).

-General muscle pain and tension (hello, posture problems and overworked muscles).

Back, neck, and shoulder pain (yes, I know that chair you’ve been glued to isn’t helping).

When I’m not helping clients feel like they’ve just hit the reset button, you can find me exploring Chicago, enjoying a good laugh, or geeking out about the latest techniques in massage therapy (yes, I really am that into it). My ultimate goal is to make your life a little less stressful, a little more comfortable, and a lot more joyful—one massage at a time.

So, if you’re ready to say goodbye to aches, pains, and all the tension you’ve been carrying, let’s get started. Your body will thank you, and I promise, we’ll have a few laughs along the way.

Marzena Kostrzewska

LMT, Expert Massage Therapist in Chicago

Hi there! I’m Marzena Kostrzewska, a Chicago-based Licensed Massage Therapist with over two decades of experience helping people feel like the best version of themselves—pain-free and ready to tackle life. I graduated from the Wellness and Massage Training Institute in May 2000, and since then, my hands have been hard at work (but in the gentlest, most therapeutic way).

Early in my career, I discovered my passion for the medical side of massage therapy. While I love the relaxing spa vibes as much as anyone, I get my real joy from helping people tackle persistent pain and tension. I’m especially skilled in treating jaw pain, or TMJ disorder—because let’s face it, life’s too short to clench through every meeting and stress-filled day.

Curious about the results? Hear what my client has to say!

Combined Knowledge And Skills

One of my greatest strengths as a massage professional is the ability to combine my knowledge and treatment skills. Using intuitive sensitivity, I can detect and relax deeply held patterns of tension. I also believe that only true partnership with the recipient of massage can produce a positive outcome. Therefore, I educate my clients about the importance of bodywork and explain the treatment before I touch them. I also listen to my clients because I believe they have all the information I need to create a successful treatment.

People love my style of work, customized sessions, and my firm yet pain-free touch. They also appreciate the results.

Value of Massage Therapy

My clients recognize the value of regular massage sessions and their impact on their well-being. Many of them in the past have received painful treatment, so they are surprised that a massage therapist can access deeper layers of musculature in a pleasant and relaxing way. Trust me! The treatment doesn’t have to be aggressive for you to experience the therapeutic aspect of massage therapy.

Massage Education

My clients recognize the value of regular massage sessions and their impact on their well-being. Many of them in the past have received painful treatment, so they are surprised that a massage therapist can access deeper layers of musculature in a pleasant and relaxing way. Trust me! The treatment doesn’t have to be aggressive for you to experience the therapeutic aspect of massage therapy.

Book Now

Thea Polancic, Business Owner, Chicago, IL

" Marzena has been our family massage therapist for almost ten years. During that time she has helped my husband and me nurse various injuries, recover from car accidents, and supported me with massage through my pregnancy. I have had monthly standing massages for the last three years. Marzena is very caring and talented. I’ve referred many people to her over the years and they have all become fans. "

Betsy C. Sobiech

" I am lucky enough to say that I’ve gotten massage therapy treatments from practitioners all over the world. I feel even luckier that Marzena, the best I’ve ever experienced, is located here in Chicago. What sets her apart is her ability to focus on my unique needs and preferences, deliver an extremely deep treatment, and share her knowledge and commitment to total wellness."

Amy Lechelt-Basta, Chicago, IL

"Marzena is wonderful! I don’t like when I get those fluffy-soft massages that “do nothing”…however, Marzena does ALOT! She will get the knots out, work the areas of stress and is also inspirational to chat with during the process! I let her “cup” me when she thought I needed it, which I was afraid to do, but I trusted her. Amazing! Thanks Marzena!"

Thea Polancic, Business Owner, Chicago, IL

"Marzena is a true healer and massage expert. She understands and has compassion for the experience of pain in the body and knows how to effectively reduce that pain. She listens carefully to your needs as a client and always helps you consider varieties of strategies you can use besides massage to feel better. I have probably had massages from over 20 massage therapists in my life. Marzena is by far the best I have experienced. I highly recommend her services."

❮ ❯

FAQS

" Marzena has been our family massage therapist for almost ten years. During that time she has helped my husband and me nurse various injuries, recover from car accidents, and supported me with massage through my pregnancy. I have had monthly standing massages for the last three years. Marzena is very caring and talented. I’ve referred many people to her over the years and they have all become fans. "

-Thea Polancic, Business Owner, Chicago, IL

" I am lucky enough to say that I’ve gotten massage therapy treatments from practitioners all over the world. I feel even luckier that Marzena, the best I’ve ever experienced, is located here in Chicago. What sets her apart is her ability to focus on my unique needs and preferences, deliver an extremely deep treatment, and share her knowledge and commitment to total wellness."

-Betsy C. Sobiech

"Marzena is wonderful! I don’t like when I get those fluffy-soft massages that “do nothing”…however, Marzena does ALOT! She will get the knots out, work the areas of stress and is also inspirational to chat with during the process! I let her “cup” me when she thought I needed it, which I was afraid to do, but I trusted her. Amazing! Thanks Marzena!"

-Amy Lechelt-Basta, Chicago, IL

"Marzena is a true healer and massage expert. She understands and has compassion for the experience of pain in the body and knows how to effectively reduce that pain. She listens carefully to your needs as a client and always helps you consider varieties of strategies you can use besides massage to feel better. I have probably had massages from over 20 massage therapists in my life. Marzena is by far the best I have experienced. I highly recommend her services."

-Thea Polancic, Business Owner, Chicago, IL

Do I need an appointment?

Yes, appointments are required. I recommend booking in advance to secure your preferred dates and times. While I don’t accept walk-ins, you can always text me to check for same-day availability in case of last-minute cancellations.

You can book online anytime—our system is available 24/7! If you have questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out directly.

Do you accept insurance?

I don’t accept insurance, but many HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) plans cover massage therapy. You can use your HSA/FSA credit card to pay online or in person. If your card is declined, please provide an alternative form of payment.

Can you cure TMJ Disorder?

While manual therapies don’t provide a permanent cure for TMJ Disorder, they are highly effective in relieving pain and improving jaw mobility. My approach combines massage, movement techniques, and specialized intraoral methods. I also provide self-help strategies to help you maintain long-term results.

What should I wear to my session?

Your clothing depends on the type of therapy you’re receiving. Some treatments, like massage or hot stone therapy, are performed directly on the skin, while others don’t require disrobing.

For therapies involving movement or stretching, please wear or bring comfortable, stretchy clothing like sweatpants, leggings, shorts, a sports bra, or a tank top.

Nudity during massage sessions is optional. You can fully disrobe or leave your undergarments on—whatever makes you most comfortable. Rest assured, I always use professional draping to ensure your privacy and comfort.

Will I feel pain during my session?

No, your session will not be painful. My goal is to relieve discomfort and promote healing—not to cause pain. Pain signals potential danger, and treating it with more pain isn’t effective. I use gentle, targeted techniques that ensure your comfort while addressing your needs.

How often should I schedule therapy sessions?

The frequency of sessions depends on your specific condition and goals. For acute or severe chronic pain, I may recommend multiple sessions per week to start. Most clients benefit from weekly appointments initially, with frequency decreasing as they improve.

Once your pain is under control, monthly maintenance sessions help sustain progress and prevent future issues. Together, we’ll create a personalized plan that works for you and keeps you feeling your best.