I'd give 10 stars if I could, and if you read what he can do below you'll agree. David could easily charge several times more his normal fee ($60/hr) but he doesn't, because he is the decent sort who prioritizes helping others rather than trying to charge the highest price possible.
I purposely chose to update this review after having seen him weekly since November 2016 (90-minute visits each time) and feel comfortable that he deserves my highest recommendation.
Here's a few things he was able to treat, in ONE visit:
1) Early stage carpal tunnel (10-15 minutes of dedicated work addressing the wrist, arms, and shoulders relieved the wrist and hand pain I'd developed over the past two months). The pain was instantly resolved after treatment; and even with regular computer use the following week I only had a minor recurrence of pain (~20% of the original pain), which was resolved *entirely* after the second session. That alone was worth the price of admission, and more. If you have carpal tunnel, you must see him if you want to save money on splints, surgeries, and lost time from work.
2) Shoulder instability (we dedicated one full 90-minute session to both shoulders). He has a full series of techniques which when done in order relieves chronic shoulder issues, including frozen shoulder and rotator cuff issues. I had partial bilateral tears of my biceps tendons. Currently can do pushups again without issue.
Here's a list of a few things he is exceptionally gifted at, but will require more than one visit (if you've also had multiple injuries to the same area like me):
3) Chronic neck pain (typically he utilizes 30 minutes of our time for this, as it is my biggest issue) This is the reason why I come back to see David--his techniques for relieving neck pain are unique and entirely his own. If he asks you to do specific motions while he is massaging you or otherwise isolating a contracted muscle - do it without hesitation. He'll give you more pain relief for your money than you thought possible.
4) Low back pain - Just let him do his thing.
Regarding the environment:
The office: highly professional setting with waiting area, storage room, massage room with anatomy posters everywhere; impeccably clean and organized.
The massage table: The only one in Sacramento that has heat, is fully height adjustable and supports several hundred pounds; not to mention has a sheepskin cover, cotton linens and is the most comfortable massage table I've ever been on. I've had hundreds of massages out of necessity, and his table is my hands-down favorite, probably because I am part reptile and am constantly cold unless I have an external heat source. One of my favorite moments is when he has finished the massage while I am face-down; and then he has you flip over to be face up. The warmth and cushiness of that table. . . kind of makes you feel like you're in the womb. Or maybe a warm chimichanga on a toasty heating dish.
The cost/value: $1/minute of massage is the best way to sum it up. Considering this is the baseline rate for Sacramento, this is a steal any way you look at it, especially as he has the knowledge and expertise to resolve difficult chronic pain issues in just one session that most masseuses don't know how to address.
Knowledge/Experience: He is truly a CMT's CMT--the one that massage therapists go to, and the one that his regular clients keep a tight lid on because they don't want him to get swamped. The only reason why I'm spilling the beans is because it would be unethical to keep him under wraps. There are plenty of people who he'd be able to help, and I want those who really need his services to find him. For other like-minded functional anatomy geeks, you've found your man in David. He reads all the latest journals in massage, functional anatomy, anatomy trains, and is the closest thing to a Fitsom physical trainer/massage therapist as you can find.
Personality/professionality: David's one of the nicest, most honorable masseuses out there. Definitely no creepiness factor. He always takes the time to ask how you're doing first; what are the issues and priorities for the day; maintains a positive attitude, and creates a calm, healing and soothing space for doing the work of getting your body to rest and relax. He takes his work seriously, yet also has a delightful sense of humor and is simply a decent and kind man. He understands and responds with compassion to your pain, and does not dismiss it.
Take home message: David's my go-to masseuse in Sacramento, and is the best value for the money. read more