Just opened

School of hard knots Bring your tired, your achy and your thrifty to the Chicago School of Massage Therapy Clinic, where you can get relief from knotted shoulders, sore backs and weekday stress for a mere $40. Operated by the neighboring Cortiva Institute, the clinic offers 60-minute student massages for $40 and 60-minute staff massages beginning at $89. Clinical, sports, pregnancy, herbal and detoxification massages are available seven days a week in the sleek, Zen-like setting, as are lime botanic scalp treatments and lemon verbena body polishes. The catch? You can’t specify gender or experience level when booking with a student and you’ll be silently observed by an instructor at some point during your treatment. We knew that in advance, but were far too relaxed to care about—or notice—the five-minute observation. 18 N Wabash Ave between Madison and Washington Sts (312-753-7990, www.cortiva.com).—Valerie Nahmad - Photograph by Donna Rickles