I've been living in the Porter Square area of Somerville for a little over two years now. I've…read morebeen to about 6 different massage therapists from various companies and locations. Where many of them have been good, only one of them have made me want to book another appointment right away. Emily Taylor is a fantastic massage therapist. She's very knowledgeable and has a great talent in finding problem points. I have seen her three times in the last two months and I've already booked my fourth visit. I felt pretty great from other massage therapists in the area, but I feel fantastic when I'm done with Emily. She was able to hone in on bad spots in my shoulder's nerve causing some numbness in my fingers, help one of my ribs go back to the right place, and almost put me to sleep when she massaged my head and neck. She doesn't have a static routine she works through every visit. She will get everywhere you ask, but she has a talent to find out where you need it most. I remember how I felt after my very first professional massage therapy session and she makes me feel that good every time. A+++ Will schedule again! [Edited 10/19/2015 for some grammar related fixes.]

Her 5-star review is no accident. Emily listens to the type of work you want, and listens to your…read morebody - she has a physical intuition that is extremely rare. I went in just hoping for some basic deskwork tension release in my back and shoulder. I'm a programmer and get a "tune-up" massage every 6-12 months or so. I've lived in Boston for 9 years and have tried 9 different masseuses - I've had bad massages, and I've had pretty good ones, but I haven't had one that was like, oh man, I need to repeat that. But... I think I finally found my masseuse guys. She gave me the best massage I've had in YEARS. Why would going deep in a particular area of my shoulder cause my left foot to tingle? Why is the slight lower back pain I've had for months now gone after she fixed a weird alignment thing in my right hip I didn't even realize was there, but that she felt? Why is it 3 days later and I still have that buttery calm post-massage feeling (I showered, I promise, so it's not that!)? She uses yummy smelling natural stuff like coconut oil and shea butter with essential oils - no mystery chemical smells while the massage is going on. Her space in Arlington is relaxed and clean and homey. I've mostly gone to more spa-like environments for massages and wasn't sure what this would be like, but I can say the coziness and warm lighting was preferable! All that said, she could move her practice to the #1 bus stop in Central Square and I'd probably still go see her. That's how good she is. She is a truly special talent in this field and I'll be going back as often as my wallet allows it :)

I had the best massage with Michelle! lovely, serene space, and she's a truly gifted masseuse. I…read moreplan to make a habit of this!

Best massage I've ever had in my LIFE. I'll be back monthly LOL. As soon as her hands made contact…read morewith my neck the tensions immediately disappeared.

Amazing!!! I always leave feeling so refreshed and it's such a good relaxing experience. Kiki is…read moreamazing

Best massage I've had! I have bounced around a bunch of places for massages since no place has…read moreblown me away enough to be loyal but wow, I might have found a place to go back to religiously. I booked a couples massage with my friend and we both felt extremely relaxed after. And two weeks later now, still feeling amazing.

Franklin was kind, respectful, super knowledgeable, communicated clearly, and enthusiastically…read moreanswered questions to help me understand what was going on with my body aches better. The massage was relaxing while he worked on problem areas at the same time. I could tell his level of expertise just by the way he knowingly worked his way through the muscles. And I felt a difference right away - my posture is normally terrible but my shoulders are so much more open right now, it's amazing!! I wish I wasn't moving away, I would've loved to become a regular here. Highly recommend!! My only recommendation to the company would be to adjust the soothing music so it doesn't skip - that briefly took me out of the experience - but the massage was so good it wasn't that big of a deal lol

DO NOT GO HERE! Poorly run business. I booked that I'm 16wks pregnant and they claim to do prenatal…read morethen when I got there, they said they weren't comfortable. This was my one night off on vacation and I was really looking forward to a massage. I wasted 30 minutes ubering there. Terrible experience - the least they could have done is called in advance when my form said I was pregnant. Avoid Tocara - she's clearly inexperienced

Extremely impressed and forever grateful for Gigi's excellent massage and overall service…read more It was a one hour long massage that was focused primarily on my back but she did my entire body. Before we begin she asked for my concerns and where I wanted her to focus. Gigi made sure to not give me a minute less than what I paid for even though I came in a few minutes late which I really appreciated. She used a light oil for the massage and then hot towels to wipe it off at the end. She also used warm pads to keep me cozy while she was massaging other areas. Gigi is friendly and kind, as well as knowledgeable and experienced-- she really knows what she is doing. I love that she stretched me out and bent my arms and legs in the right positions. Her massage is a great combination of firm but careful. I appreciate she is not like other masseuses that only gently knead and not really make a difference or those who only use their forearms and elbows making it painful. Her technique was perfect. This is by far the best massage I've ever received. I will make sure I get a massage by Gigi every month from now on. After just one session, I can move my head and neck more easily and I also realized just how much I needed this. She really cares and is a strong masseuse. For those new to getting a massage, I highly recommend Back Health Care Center. The price is very reasonable especially in comparison to the other places in the area. For reference I was an athlete all my life I go to the gym regularly and I work a desk job for over eight hours a day so I have a high standard and I was very pleased.

I visited Back Health Care on a trip to Boston as a treat for myself. Little did I know I would be…read morewalking away so pain free and wishing Gigi were located closer to me so I could visit repeatedly. At the start of our session, Gigi asked me what my areas of concern were, but then as the massage progressed, she managed to find knots and tight spots that I didn't even know I had. She meticulously worked through every single knot and freed up the tension in my neck and back. Thank you, Gigi! Now I am on a mission to find someone similar, but I know the bar is very high. If you need a massage and are in the area, I highly recommend Gigi's services.

The moment I walked in the door, I felt an incredibly nice vibe from Eric. He was welcoming,…read morelistened intently to my concerns and thoroughly explained anything I had questions about. Eric's experience and expertise was revealed at the beginning of the session and the session itself was incredible. He provided follow up instructions for self care and it's obvious he really cares for his clients and takes pride in his craft. I will be booking my next appointment very soon, and look forward to a recurring relationship with Eric.

Let me preface this by saying I have a slight tear in my rotator cuff, a pair of balky knees, 3…read moreherniated discs, and bad hips and feet. My job also requires me to carry 30-50 lbs of equipment at length and drive great distances, which is fantastic on my sciatica. Having said that, I've had 2 appointments with Eric so far, and I'm feeling great. He's helped my hamstrings and quads stretch out, and my shoulders and back feel refreshed. I would highly recommend Eric and the services of the BMA.

Disclaimer: long review =) I'm new in MA after 20 years in CA. I have been getting massages for…read moreall that time and have encountered many different practitioners along the way. I'm a yoga instructor for over 11 years which is only to add that I have a descent understanding of the body and the areas that hold tension. I feel so lucky that following reviews and my intuition I made an appointment with Tom! Oh boy! He may easily be the best professional in body work I've met in all this time! First: his office- even though a bit tricky to find the first time- is calm and clean. It's located inside a building which has paid parking in the back or a few spots covered and free underneath. Second: His demeanor is welcoming, relaxing, kind and he never seems to be in a rush. ( he constantly extends the massage for an extra 10 or 15 min) Tom has a rare thing to find: expertise and intuition. And both in big amounts! Even when I don't say much about a problematic area he somehow finds it and works diligently to unstuck it. I confess I tend to fall asleep and this is a big indicator for how much I trust his work. I've been going once a month for what in a few months will be one year. I look forward to getting my massage big time every session I schedule. Price is very fair for what you get and he's always grateful for any tip you add. I'm so excited to have found my to go person for massage therapy. He works with a combination of deep tissue, craneo sacral and his own way to follow the muscle trains to release discomfort. Highly recommended of course!

Recommended by a fellow Arlington resident and he was absolutely right. I have multiple…read moremuscle/structural issues, in part due to a bout with childhood polio. I've been to 2 sessions now. Tom found all the trouble areas, one of which is now pain free after only 2 weeks. I look forward to further sessions to address several other areas of tension which I've had for years.

Yael's massages are the best! Relaxing and soothing when you want it, or seriously deep and…read morepainful when you need it. She's very experienced and clearly knows what she's doing. Always gives the full time, unlike some places that count the 5 minutes discussing your symptoms as part of the massage. Yael/Brookline Massage rents space from another small massage studio a couple days a week when the other place is closed, so apointment times are limited. I'm giving only 4 stars because although Yael's massages are absolutely 5-star, I'm docking one star for price, which I find a bit high.

I've been seeing Yael regularly for almost three years--she's terrifically talented. She has…read morewonderful hands, and a large font of wisdom about the body; she's a great partner in working through stress or pain, and in resolving injuries. Highly recommended!