In short, Matt is amazing. His unique blend of various body modalities allow him to address each patient's issues in a different, yet effective way. I couldn't recommend him more highly, & urge anyone who goes & has a chronic issue (mine was wrist pain post-surgery) to commit themselves to at least 4 sessions if you truly are lookin for results. Body work, massage, & physical therapy are not silver bullets, but rather a retraining of the body that takes time. You won't be disappointed! read more

I have been a client of Matt Abrams, the owner of Balboa Massage, for 3-4 years, and counting! I'm an extremely active adult. I work out 5-6 times a week: cycling, indoor spin, yoga, gym, serious hiking, and snowboarding. I do all these things out of my love for an outdoor, high-energy lifestyle, but to counteract my professional career that keeps me predominantly in an office during the week. Sitting for long periods of time recks my back, and spin does a number on my shoulders and hips. Matt has made serious improvements to my conscious alignment, muscle recovery, and mental health. If you need some serious sports body therapy, some gentle muscle recovery, or just some plain old fashion good vibes flowing through your soul I strongly encourage you to treat yo'self and pay Balboa Massage a visit. You'll leave physically elevated, with little bits of knowledge about what you can do to treat yourself right before your next visit. read more

A massage for the books, best one to date! Matt is an incredible person who handles his work through a holistic approach. With his thorough knowledge of 10 years experience and in-tune understanding, he will make sure to use techniques suitable to what your body needs. I was introduced to relaxation on a new level that I haven't had with others. Matt was also very accommodating and flexible with scheduling last minute on a Saturday night. I slept like a baby! I am so glad I was referred to him and would definitely recommend booking a session at his studio! read more

If you would like to have an enjoyable, relaxing experience, and would like to get a decent nights sleep from relieved back pain, then Matt's your guy. After injuring my back in 5th grade, I have been dealing with constant knee problems and stress in my neck leading to TMJ because of the misalignment in my back. I have spent years seeing chiropractors and massage therapists to help alleviate the pain. After visiting Matt, and discussing my ongoing issues, he told me about his background and how he knew how to treat my exact symptoms. I figured I would give it a try! For the first time in years, I am able to sleep consistently without pain. I go to Matt about once a month and that will be enough! I was seeing chiropractors about twice a week (because my pain would only go away for a few days). After going to Matt, I haven't had any issues! He cares about his patients, and really takes the time to understand their problems so that he can address them, all while relaxing you enough to make you fall asleep on the table (guilty). Definitely recommend this guy! read more

I should probably begin this review by saying I have literally had hundreds of massages around the world in 5 star spas that cost around $200 down to your local parlor that has deals for as low as $50. In my experience the cheap massages feel like you are at a Supercuts while the high end stuff can be tough to rationalize on a regular basis, they usually meet the needs but I feel like I broke the bank after each one. Into the picture comes Matt Abrams... Since moving to Newport I had been going about every 2-3 weeks to a Thai place that was $60 and very convenient to book, but I always left feeling like they missed entire parts of my body or ignored the issues I was hoping to have fixed. I then decided to pay a bit more for someone quality and found Matt. The first time I went to Matt it was for a myriad of back and shoulder issues that were a result of sitting at a computer desk all day and then getting beating around playing in a men's basketball league. Matt not only fixed my issues immediately, which has never happened that quick before, but he gave me stretches and recommendations to do at home. Since then I have gone back to Matt 4 times and while each time is a different ache or pain (twisted ankle, bruised rib, tight hip, pinched shoulder nerve, etc) I have always walked out feeling great. Finally, I think Matt really sets himself apart in the customization of your experience. While some people may be looking for some casual spa music playing in the background or a soft relaxing experience, I love the fact that when I go in Matt not only has some sweet jam music to enjoy but he also works fast. I feel like the amount of work that Matt fits into our 60 minute sessions is as much if not more what other masseuses do in 90 minutes. Add that onto the fact that Matt knows what he is doing better than any masseuse I've been to before and that is the combination that will keep me coming back for a long time. Wow....and here I thought I was just going to give a quick review.... read more

I've had massages with Matt when I used to come to this area. One of the best treatments I've had! Super professional, super clean, I just feel way better after! read more

Balboa Massage - Massage Therapy Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Matt is an incredibly intuitive bodyworker. He has the innate empathic ability to tune into your energetic field, where he can listen deeply to what your unique body needs. I had one of the best bodywork sessions of my life with Matt. I highly recommend a visit to him, and I have definitely returned more than once! read more

I was having some shoulder pain that was getting worse from surfing all the time. That also caused my lower back to pretty stiff. After dealing with it for a while, I decided to seek professional therapy. I'm so happy I found Matt. His professional demeaner and knowledge of anatomy impressed me. He recommended a sport massage session, with myofascial release. Worked wonders, after an hour session I had relief in my back and shoulder. Continued seeing matt a couple times month, and still visit him when I have pain. Always gives me a warm welcome hes a chill guy to have a conversation with. read more

Pure bliss! It's so nice to have a massage by someone who knows anatomy and is perfectly slow, deep and fluent in movement. I had a really bad migraine all day and left feeling no pain. Highly recommend! read more

Do yourself a favor! Book a session! Or better yet, make Matt apart of your life plan. You'll not regret it.

I've had several massages from Matt over the last few years and they've all been great. His passion for his work shines through and the massages I've received from him have been both therapeutic and relaxing. Highly recommend a session with him! read more

I had such a great experience! I highly recommend Matt - he makes an extra effort to do a great job. I left extremely relaxed and happy. I will definitely be back. read more

Matt knows his stuff. I am so glad to have found him. I was agony, late at night emailed. He got right back to me, was able to see me the next morning... He listened to me, explain my injuries & what was going on... as he said my neck was "pissed"... it was. He started by melting the muscles with massage, carefully getting my neck to move with more range.. then he did a lot of stretching, & more therapy type work with neck & shoulders... an hour later I was out of pain & could move... I am grateful to have found him & would recommend him to everyone who is in pain!!! read more

Matt Abrams is beyond outstanding! I was fortunate enough to have a treatment with Matt and I couldn't be more pleased. He is extremely kind and professional, and just an overall genuine guy. Matt was able to identify areas where I had stiffness(shoulders/back) and focused on areas where I was experiencing pain(lower back). He is definitely knowledgeable and I highly recommend seeing him if you have sciatica or back pain. I felt incredible the week following my treatment with Matt. Thank you so much Matt! You're the best! read more

Always get the most professional best sports massage Matt definitely knows every part of the body and knows how to take care of the aches and pains he's a healer I definitely recommend Matt at balboa massage read more

Mr. Abrams is really great at what he does! He cares about his clients and is knowledgeable in his field. An expertise in making me feel like brand-new again at every visit! Thank you! read more

Kudos to Matt for keeping my back healthy and loose. I have been going to Matt for about 10 months now after having back surgery. Matt uses many modalities in order to get the great results that keeps me wanting to come back. I leave each session feeling awesome! Thanks Matt! read more

If you have been on the hunt for a great massage therapist, go see Matt. I've been going to Matt for a few years now. I was introduced to him through a mutual friend. He has a lot of knowledge about my injuries and has helped me many times when my back has gone out. Matt gives a very thorough massage, he really listens which is very important and he's reliable. I've been to many different therapists and no one gives a deep tissue like Matt. read more

Matt is the man! There's nothing this guy doesn't know about massage. And he's a surfer and plays a lot of other sports too, which makes such a difference when it comes to massage for a sporting injury or ache - I could chat to him as one athlete to another, and he totally got how and why I was aching and then did an awesome job of easing it all. read more

Soooo not surprised he has 5 stars from 26 people. He's AMAZING. Super knowledgeable, really understands the body, perfect pressure every time, listens, moves the body in lots of different ways in order to get the areas that need the most attention, and on top of that, he's positive, always smiling, very accommodating (comes to my place), and worth every penny! read more

My 5 star ratings do not cone easy, and Matt has definetly earned it. I came to Matt looking for help for my frozen left shoulder and it was one of the best things I have ever done. He helped me get my ROM back as well getting the muscles firing again in that area. If you are an athlete or weekend warrior looking to come back from an injury, I would highly suggest seeing Matt. Besides all of his great work, he is a genuinely nice guy and a pleasure to talk with. read more

Matt is awesome! Our company has a setup where he comes to our offices once a week and gives office chair massages. I'm on my computer all day and also do a lot of yoga so my shoulders are always super tight. He's always able to finds those knots and knock them right out. Thanks Matt! read more

Matt is a terrific massage therapist. I came in while on summer vacation with the family. After my personal experience with his thoroughness and professionalism, I decided to recommend a massage to my wife and two teen daughters, ages 14 and 16, after confirming that he is comfortable working with juveniles. He said he personally got his first full body massage around the same age. The girls had never previously had a full body massage. They both thoroughly enjoyed the experience. read more

MASSAGE GOD! My neck has never felt better thanks to Matt Abrams! During grad school all I would ever do is study and my neck would get super tight and strained! It was horrible.....I literally had no choice though since I had to make those grades. Thanks to Matt I was able to move my neck and feel super relaxed! Thanks Matt you rock! read more

I am HOOKED on what Matt can do for my back. I've had these chronic back issues brought on by stress and was too damn proud to do anything about it. I talked to Matt and he immediately was able to just tell me a few things to switch up in my day to day that made a mind-blowing improvement in my breathing and pain. That was before he even touched me! I've had massages before but not like this. His approach was different and he even explained to me what "fascia" was and like magic, he was getting spots I would've never thought to touch that brought a ton of relief to the pain I was experiencing. He's the only one I trust now to actually bring me long-term relief and I don't plan on stopping seeing him anytime soon. Thanks again Matt! read more

Blissful massage, was completely intune with what my body needed. I myself am a massage therapist and energy worker, and this was absolutely one of the best I massages I have received. Thanks Matt, you are such a healer. read more

Matt at Balboa Massage is fantastic. Both his customer service skills and his massage skills are outstanding. I highly recommend his company. I needed eight 30 minute massages done on Valentine's Day, and I needed them on short notice, plus I needed Matt to come out to the house we were renting to do it, and he did a great job. He grabbed another massage therapist on his staff and came out to our beach house and set up right on the sand for us. And when that got too warm for us he came back to the patio and set up there. Every single one of the eight people he gave massages to LOVED them. They were so pleased and said he and Jennifer did a fantastic job. Use them for your massage needs - you won't regret it! read more

I have been going to Matt for the last couple years and the massages get better and better! He is great at feeling out problem areas and customized the massage to your body. I've stopped going to other massage places because, by comparison, they feel generic and impersonal. Matt is also great at accommodating my schedule for last minute appointments. My only regret is not seeing him more often!! read more

Matt is an awesome massage therapist! As a fellow colleague, I am very picky when choosing a therapist to work on me. Matt is very well versed in his treatment skills and knows how to customize each session, focus on my areas of concern and get amazing results! He is very respectful, calm, and most courteous. I would definitely schedule with him again! Thanks Matt for doing what you do so well!! read more

Matt is a great massage therapist. I have gone to a few different massage therapists but matts massages are by far the best I have had. He is very good at finding knots in my muscles and getting all of them out! I would defiantly recommend a massage from him and you will definitely won't regret it! read more

I have been going to Matt for at least 9 years and the massage he gives is absolutely incredible, his hands are magical, his touch is healing, his knowledge of his craft is second to none, I have severe lower back and neck pain and after his massage I feel renewed, as far as i'm concerned there is non better, read more

Matt is truly a master of his craft, he has amazing energy and great knowledge and it shows in his therapy work. Super easy to book online, nice clean location. Highly recommend. read more

I've gotten massages from many different places and nothing else could ever come close to the experience I had today. Matt's find where the tension/stress are at and the areas it affects. I truly felt like a new person walking out of there, I can't wait to go back in 2 weeks! read more

What a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing massage. I will be back. The music selection was perfect to the rhythm of the massage.

I have had many massages in my lifetime and am quite picky about my massage therapists. That being said, Matt is by far one of the best! I have been receiving massage therapy for Matt for years now and even though I've since moved away from Newport Beach, but I still make a point to see him when I visit. His skills and attention to detail never ceases to leave me saying "ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..." He is very professional as well as knowledgeable about the body and customizes each session to whatever problem(s) I am having that day. Matt's massage is one to leave you feeling better for more than just the hour session! read more

I'm a bit of a massage connoisseur, so I have fairly high standards. Matt meets or exceeds my expectations every time. Very knowledgeable and skillful. I'm so glad I found Matt! He has helped me with a hip problem, and I look forward to every appointment. read more

Would give more stars if I could! Just had my first session with Matt and it was amazing, he definitely knows his stuff. On top of being extremely knowledgeable, he is a really nice guy. He showed up on time, brought fresh linens and asked logical questions regarding problem areas, recent injuries, etc. He definitely followed my lead as far as whether I wanted to chat or just relax. This was by far the best, most beneficial and therapeutic massage I've ever had. I liked the fact he was very well versed in things like Yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi, too. I will definitely continue with Matt and have scheduled a Personal Training session with him, too. read more

Matt's massage is by far the best I've had! His technique is great - totally intuitive and listens to what you need. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND him! You will not be disappointed. read more

Matt does a phenomenal job! My back was really locked up and I was in tremendous discomfort. I like to do some fairly intense weight training and I was in this condition for several days. I decided to see Matt after not being able to get an appointment with my (now former) massage therapist for a couple of months. By the next day I was 80% better. Two days later I was 90% better. I am really impressed with Matt's knowledge of the anatomy and the unique techniques that he uses. I have had hundreds of massages, and I had never experienced some of his different techniques that apparently worked very well. I will definitely be a loyal client. I highly recommend! read more

Matt is awesome. He knows every different kind of massage technique you could ever want and some you didn't even know you wanted. I've been using him for years, especially after a bad motorcycle accident a couple years ago. He works wonders. read more