Good for What Ails You: Georgetown Massage & Body Work
By • January 13, 2026 One Comment 402
It’s been a year, has it not? After 12 months (and more) of turbulence, we could all use a little break or — as Club Med used to frame it — an “antidote to civilization.”
If you’re thinking “Same,” consider 1726 Wisconsin Ave. NW, the address of Georgetown Massage & Body Work, your portal to paradise.
Founded in 2004 by Alison Alleva, a licensed massage therapist and self-described “outdoors girl who was always interested in botany and the natural world,” the full-service spa offers a wealth of self-care options, including an apothecary/gift shop for scented candles, essential oils, stylish new age jewelry and crystals; a personalized aromatherapy bar for crafting your own products; and a variety of massages and body work treatments to revitalize you inside and out.
A little slice of heaven. A close-up of the PEMF mat in all its heated, vibrating, crystal-filled glory. Photo by Susan Bodiker.
The studio has been through many incarnations and locations, all within the same few blocks on upper Wisconsin Avenue. Covid was, of course, a challenge. “You can’t do massage on Zoom,” says Alison with a laugh. And DOGE put a crimp on discretionary spending. But the spa’s range of services and relationships with wellness practitioners keeps attracting new and long-time clients to the soothing space, refreshingly scented (fennel on the day we visited).
Alleva notes that in the current angsty environment, preventive self-care and stress management are more important than ever. “We’re all about helping clients take care of small problems like tight muscles before they become locked up and painful. All our treatments are therapeutic in some way and are customized to help you relax, prevent injury and just feel good in your skin.”
Beyond the physical, Georgetown Massage focuses on supporting clients’ emotional well-being. “You know, the body is an amazing thing, and with the right touch it can heal itself. With our massage and aromatherapies, we can facilitate that healing process in a way that clients can see and feel. That’s powerful.”
Create your own personal scent at the aromatherapy bar. Courtesy Georgetown Massage.
For me, the star of the studio was something I had never heard of. The Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) treatment uses a textured, heated and crystal-filled (tourmaline and amethyst) mat that delivers low-frequency, time-varying vibrations, supporting cellular function and physiological regulation. I don’t completely understand how it works, but all I can say is that after 10 minutes on the mat, I felt fabulous!
Later this year, Georgetown Massage will open a second, larger location in Falls Church, Virginia, where Alleva plans to add more services and product offerings.
Great piece about a wonderful oasis in the middle of Georgetown!