This review is long overdue. I was referred to James a few years ago by friends for lower back pain that would radiate behind my knee. I had tripped while running. I tried massage therapy, acupuncture, my PCP, rest, etc. over several months and at times the pain would drop me to my knees. If I recall it only took 4-5 visits and I was running again completely pain free! This was my first experience with Rolfing and James has set the bar quite high in my opinion. He is very well known in Marin and well respected! read more

James is a miracle worker! Helping reduce migraines, anxiety and tension. I feel so relaxed and see improvements after just a few sessions

James does a great job of addressing issues with both Rolfing and laser therapy. He has great attention to detail

I am so grateful that I was referred to James. He is a true healer. I first went to him in 2019 with some bad pain in my hip as well as in my neck, arms and hands. He immediately put me at ease with his gentle and compassionate way of being, and he impressed me when he shared his insights as he worked. As someone studying to be an occupational therapist, I was extremely comforted by his vast knowledge of the body and its many systems. His combination of physical manipulation and laser therapy seemed to be just what my body needed. After just five sessions, my hip pain was gone. I had never experienced such a rapid remedy to a pain issue! It is clear that this work is his passion and we as clients are lucky to benefit from it. Thank you, James!! read more

If I could give James 10 stars I would. I have been in excruciating pain for 6 weeks after a trail run. We (all the practitioners I saw and there were many with lots of $$$) determined it was nerve pain. It was from my hip all the way down through the top of my foot. I stand all day and no pain relievers worked, so I suffered...constantly. I decided to do SUP yoga (OnBoardSUP) since it made me happy and I was in pain anyway when my friend saw that I was limping. She referred me, and I am eternally grateful. In just 2.5 sessions, I am in no pain and I slept for the first time weeks. When I got out of bed this morning I couldn't believe that I could walk without pain or limping. I thought it would come back after a while....still good! I can almost cry from joy, but I am too elated. If you want your life back or just a better one, see James! Now! Don't walk, run! Or limp, whatever it takes, he is the real deal. Namaste' James xoxo~Andriana p.s. it can be painful, but so so worth it for the short term of it, to have long term relief. Just b r e a t h e :) read more

Three years ago, after working as an esthetician for then, 15 years, I was forced to go on disability. My sciatica had become completely debilitating. My hip was stuck way out of alignment. my pelvis had frozen and my lumbar curve was flattened out. Not only was I in excruciating pain, but I was deformed as well. I thought I would not be able to work in my profession again, and that was what I was left with. I went to a chiropractor for many months weekly, which helped a little. I had been given James number by a friend a while before. Everybody talks about rolfing like its some crazy rebirthing that hurts like hell. Buy I was DESPERATE! So I called. That was the best thing I ever did. I'm not going to lie, there's a little discomfort. But the relief that follows is so profound that it's really not a problem. He has such a compassionate way about him, he makes you feel completely safe. I have definitely had massages that did less and hurt more. I started to feel better right away; but we had the breakthrough after about 5 or 6 sessions. My body is now back to normal. I still see him every couple of months, my best day then is my worst day now. I owe James my life because he gave me mine back. Seriously awesome!! read more

I herd about James through a BNI member who said he was a great Rolfer. I was a bit skeptical on Rolfing but I decided to give it a shot since stretching would only do so much. I was looking for a new way to start gaining more mobility and cause less discomfort when trying to do normal every day tasks. When I first went to James I had a contracted muscle in my left quadriceps and an immense amount of discomfort in my ankles,hips, knees and shoulders. In my left leg i couldn't lift my knee to my hip and when I tried to do so a bump would appear right next to my hip. After one session with James I Immediately could lift my left knee to my chest and by mourning the bump had went away. I also was able to bend my knee and my ankle and had less tenderness in the joint. The pain in my shoulder went away and I could lift 10 more lbs on bench press. This was after one session so I could not wait to fix and realign the rest of my body! After three sessions my whole body was left with little discomfort. I felt like a new man. I still wanted to come back for another session but James told me to come back only if I needed to. A week passed and all my discomforts slowly but surely went away. I learned so much by asking questions through the experience that i figured out how to not let my body become so uncomfortable to just live and work. I would tell anyone I know feeling any kind of discomfort to go see James Scwartz and begin living life again;pain free! read more

After more than 3 1/2 years of working with James, I thought it was time for an update. James is compassionate and very, very astute addressing my very complicated health issues and injuries. Since my last review, he has helped me recover from several surgeries and a vicious assault. Working with James brought my body back into alignment and lessened the excruciating pain of spinal surgery. It quickened my recovery, allowing my nerves and muscles to relax and incisions to heal more rapidly. I am now able to turn my head (ie: check my blindside while driving) without it generating a cerviogenic headache/migraine each time. Last year after being assaulted, I developed very severe PTSD, anxiety and depression. James has been able to reset my parasympathetic nervous system, allowing me to make great strides in recovering from a completely debilitating situation. Not only has the asymmetry of my face (mentioned previously) virtually disappeared, I am now able to breathe more freely since he has worked on my deviated septum. James has been instrumental in me regaining some quality of life. If you are someone with complicated, often baffling health issues, do yourself and your body a huge favor and make an appointment as soon as possible. The single best thing I have ever done for my body is work with James. read more

James saved my life. I called him the first time on the Labor Day weekend after many days suffering from serious headache and the Friday night without sleep, rolling around crying with extreme pain. I thought about going to emergency room that night, but I already took so much painkillers and not any help at all. Going to emergency room, they would just give me heavier dose of painkillers which doesn't solve the issue. I got James's number from a friend long time ago, but didn't reach out yet. That Friday night, I did more researches about James, read all the reviews about him from all sources and decided to call him in the morning from desperation. That was Saturday morning, James wasn't planning to work. He had to be getting ready for his daughter's wedding, which was 2 weeks away. But hearing me crying, suffering from so much pain, he said: "you sound like you in so much trouble, I will see you in my office in an hour." I came In barely able to walk straight, my head was as if there was someone holding a hammer pounding on it every minute or so. After that very first session, James took away 70% of my headache. That was right. 70% at the very first session. He actually spent additional time with me to make sure that he did all what he could to help me out of that extreme pain. When I got home, the painkillers started to kick in. I have been working with James since then. I am now 95% recovered. And I am still always looking forward to sessions with James because I feel improvements, I feel taller, better every time I see him. He is warm, caring. He is just such a great person and so knowledgeable in what he is doing. I am so grateful that I found him. Can't imagine my life now had I not called him that Saturday morning. And I actually don't want to imagine that. read more

James is a master. Whenever I see him he is able to address the issue I am facing. More importantly it is done in a specific way that provides not just relief but often a fix. I travel often and get the symptoms from all the flying, driving and laptop work - neck, lower back, shoulders and driving and he is able to correct it in 1-2 sessions. read more

As a fellow Rolfing Practitioner, I know James as both a colleague and a client. Having had about 15 sessions with James, I have made progress in the way I walk and stand from years of soccer and other athletic endeavors. His method is refined over 20 years of experience, and I always leave feeling better balanced and upright. I place James amongst the top Rolfing practitioners I enjoy getting work from. Now if we could just get him to teach! read more

All of these 5 star reviews are well deserved. I've been receiving treatments from James for over a decade and what I can say with conviction is that he is the most effective bodyworker I have ever known. His foundation in Rolfing is what originally compelled me to see him, even though the Rolfing I was familiar with hurt like hell. What a great surprise it was to find that James' bodywork techniques did not hurt and were actually more effective than the many painful Rolfing treatments I had previously. If it was possible to give him more stars, I would. read more

I can't say enough good things about James's skill as a Rolfer. My husband and I have been going to see James on and off for a number of years when we are experiencing any discomfort in our bodies. James has a real gift for assessing where the body needs assisting. I feel lucky to have found James years ago and recommend anyone who is considering Rolfing to call James first. One reason I am also happy with James is that he is sensitive in how he gives his treatments. I am highly sensitive and can be extremely ticklish because of this. From the start James recognized that he could work deeply but needed to ease into the pressure he used so I wouldn't have a defensive reaction to the treatments. After receiving treatments from James I always walk out of the office feeling (and I think looking) taller. My face is often tingling with the feeling of more circulation and I feel clear and light -- and also often pain free! I know how frustrating it can feel to be in need of body work and unsure of who to turn to - In case you are in that situation I highly recommend James for treatment! read more

I stumbled across James when I was looking for a Zerona laser treatment for myself. As we spoke I learned that James does total body/mind wellness so I brought my teenage son in for treatments for his IBS. Before seeing James my son's condition worsened for two years despite acupuncture, cognitive therapy, etc. which lead us to prescription medicine. After two laser treatments with James my son was able to wean off his medication thankfully. James did multiple laser treatments each time we met which reduced my son's anxiety and inflammation which eliminated all his IBS symptoms. As we continued treatments all of my son's illness disappeared and we are forever grateful for James. One year and counting my son is still IBS free. read more

I have benefited so dramatically since receiving Rolfing treatments from James. I had a lot of trouble with my right hip and leg resulting in pain at night that kept me awake. He is so very good at assessing where you need help and with his treatments (4 to date), I have no pain at all. I feel younger and more energetic. I am more comfortable in my body than I have been in years. I feel like hiking again. My husband has also gotten great relief from several of his chronic issues. James is very kind and sensitive and easy to talk with. He is a god-send for us. There is some pain with Rolfing but it is over as soon as his treatment ends and then you are noticeably better -- and in my case, pain free for the first time in a long time. read more

I have been going to James off and on for the past several years to keep my body healthy and working at a top level so I can do my job as a physical therapist. Being a physical therapist, I am very particular about who I work with, who works on me, and that person has to have a high degree of knowledge and skill in their craft as well as a great communicator and a great person to work with. James satisfies all of those qualities!! James is an unbelievable Rolfer who looks at the body in such a different way that really gets down to the sources of the problem. He is very innovative in his treatment approach and can get results where others cannot. If you are looking for a Rolfer, James is your guy! read more

I can't say enough good things about James. I have seen 6 different Rolfers over the last 35 years and he is one of the best! I went to him for a frozen shoulder (it had been bothering me for over 5 years). I'd seen 2 Rolfers, 2 chiropractors, energy healers, medical massage therapist, and acupuncturists for it but still could not get 100% relief. After 11 visits (he worked on other troublesome areas on my body too) my should is pretty much back to normal! I also have chronic overactive nerve areas on my body that had been bothering me for over 4 years. He worked on those areas and I finally got tremendous relief. He used a cold laser on me for my mild PTSD and helped reset my nervous system. I'm calmer and not so jittery. I highly recommend him!! read more

I have seen James 3x now after finding him on Yelp. I have gotten Rolfed before but James is different. I am not a body worker but I think the other reviewers are right, he is a master of his craft. I would strongly recommend him to people who have mysterious aches and pains, like I did or to those whose other alternative therapies don't seem to be working for them. How can you tell? You notice it almost immediately and the effect doesnt go away with time. He is also very patient in explaining to me why he is working on a body part to show how it is related to where I perceive my aches to be. read more

Thanks to James I have been able to train and race successfully into my 50s. I have been a patient of James for more than 15 years. In that time I have had many injuries and setbacks and James has been instrumental in getting me back on the trails and track. As a high school cross country and track coach I have referred several of my runners to James and he has been helpful in making sure my athletes are ready to race in the big meets of the season. I have also referred many of my running friends over the years so I would highly recommend James to anyone looking for an experienced Rolfer. read more

James has helped me to feel alive in my body. After playing Rugby for years, I have numerous dings that I learned to live with. After only a few sessions with James, I started to realize how those dings had accumulated. Under his expert care, I feel better, stand taller and have come to find the pure pleasure of being in my body. I highly recommend James and would encourage everyone to use his services. read more

James really knows the human anatomy, understands how it functions, and most importantly, how to repair the damage we inflict on ourselves. I had a persistent shoulder problem of unknown origin (probably age), and after many fruitless consultations with MD (specialized in sports medicine) and Physical Therapists I decided to give James a try. After only two sessions I improved my mobility from 50% to 85%. The sessions are somewhat painful but much less than an accidental wrong movement, and the proverb of "no pain no gain" holds true. Totally worth it, I will go back to him until my shoulder is totally recovered. Thank you, James! read more

He removed the pain from my knees and restored my body so I feel like Gumby, what more can I ask for? Getting rolfing from James is the best investment you can make for your body. read more

I have been in chronic pain that is often a 10 on a scale from 1-10 for months. I have many problems that I thought were separate but James explained how most of them are connected. I have lumbar stenosis, bi-lateral hip bursitis, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, bilateral tears in my gluteus minimus and plantar fasciitis. I also have Crohn's disease, which exacerbates my joint pain. Doctors, physical therapists and even James, have all deemed me a "difficult case". In the past several months I tried everything, including PT but I kept getting worse by the day; to the point that I was sure I would end up in a wheelchair. My Kaiser doctor suggested steroids, narcotics and Advil, then he sent me to PT, but I was too weak to do any of the exercises. I was weak and in too much pain to stand or walk beyond 15-20 minutes when I started working with James just two weeks ago. After my first session, I was able to stand and walk for 40-45 minutes and the leg pain that was so excruciating at night when I would lie down, went from a 10 to a 3. My second session was last Friday and I was so thrilled with the results from one session that I was really looking forward to how the second session would help. Since last Friday, I am hiking an hour a day and today I noticed that when I stood from a crouched position, I no longer needed to push myself up with my arms. I can stand straight up just using my legs. My pain at night is at a 1 and it no longer wakes me throughout the night. My plantar fasciitis that he only worked on once, is nearly gone. PT is necessary but I was in too much pain to wait weeks to build muscles where I need them. Now I can begin PT and I will continue to see James. I am happy again and my outlook on life and my health is optimistic. I highly recommend James for treating chronic pain. There's no need to take steroids and narcotics if you work with James, a skilled master rolfer. read more

I arrived in California with a persistent pain in my knee and a stiff neck that was painful with any movement. I am amazed after one session with James how much relief I have. I had tried stretching and several massage therapists before coming to James and but nothing helped either chronic problem. My neck was so stiff i couldn't drive safely because I couldn't turn my head to look in the left lane. My knee was so painful I couldn't press on it to hop on a bed or sit cross legged.. I had never tried rolfing because its reputation was it was a painful therapy. This was not my experience here. The pressure was deep but not insane, no more than deep tissue massage. I was lucky James had an opening in his schedule and wished I could have seen him again during my 3 day visit but he was fully booked. Anyone that works with him will be impressed with his knowledge and genuine caring nature. He is a true health care professional! read more

This work has been life-changing for me - when I first started getting Rolfed 10 years ago on my daughter's suggestion, I had constant pain and a lot of concerns over the progression of my scoliosis, which is somewhat severe. My chronic pain went away within the first few sessions and the flareups I would have from time to time have gotten much less frequent and less painful and do not last very long. Most of the time now I am in no pain at all. I went to see a spinal specialist recently and he painted a dire picture of what my future could be but I just didn't buy into it because I have seen that with Rolfing and the exercises I learned in physical therapy I have more control than I have ever had over my physical well-being. Given the extent of my scoliosis, I still have to deal with weird things that seem to malfunction for no obvious reason but we seem to be able to resolve them more and more easily. Another bonus is that I look better - my wife always knows when I have been to see James because I look so much taller... read more

This work has been life-changing for me - when I first started getting Rolfed 10 years ago on my daughter's suggestion, I had constant pain and a lot of concerns over the progression of my scoliosis, which is somewhat severe. My chronic pain went away within the first few sessions and the flareups I would have from time to time have gotten much less frequent and less painful and do not last very long. Most of the time now I am in no pain at all. I went to see a spinal specialist and learned that my scoliosis will likely continue to get worse. I know that regular Rolfing and the exercises I learned in physical therapy give me more control than I have ever had over my physical well-being. Given the extent of my scoliosis, I still have to deal with weird things that seem to malfunction for no obvious reason but we seem to be able to resolve them more and more easily. Another bonus is that I look better - my wife always knows when I have been to see James because I look so much taller... read more