I'm ignoring Yelp's suggestion that friends should not write reviews...I am a friend of Anna's but I am writing this because I feel my review can help other people find relief from stiffness and pain. I have pain and stiffness that I have been unable to alleviate. Over the years, I have gone to the doctor and been diagnosed with mild arthritis and given drugs to "kill" the pain. I don't function well on painkillers. I believe being active is the best way to keep moving. Often I end up with sore muscles, especially in the neck, shoulder and upper back. All the doctors I have visited have tried to treat me with painkillers, muscle relaxers, or simple hot/cold compresses and PT. Physical therapy helped, but required a prescription and two appointments a week. Anna convinced me to lie on her table. I've had "massages" before, and they feel good while I'm being worked on but with no real lasting results. Anna's treatments get very deep into the muscle and releases the knots. This is not a gentle process. That being said, Anna is responsive to your verbal and physical response. If it hurts too much, tell her! The real results don't come until several days later when the muscle has healed and the increased blood circulation has carried away the lactic acid and toxins. The relief and increased range of motion are phenomenal and lasting. I cannot recommend her strongly enough. read more

This review is long overdue... I have been seeing Anna on and off for about a year now. She is an incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and talented massage therapist. Her work is intense and focused, working toward long term improvement rather than short term relaxation. I particularly appreciate the time Anna takes to ask very specific questions to gain a better understanding of the aches and pains in my body, and then the personalized stretches and exercises she suggests (and demonstrates) to help me maintain her work on my own. From neck and shoulder issues, to problems with my hips and psoas, Anna relieved tension during sessions and taught me ways to address by pain on my own. Although I can't afford to see her nearly as much as I would like to, the stretches she teaches help to maintain the work between sessions and have become apart of my routine. I would highly recommend Anna to anyone seeking truly beneficial deep tissue work, which is obviously backed by a wealth of knowledge. She is clearly passionate about her and has done great things for my tensed, stressed-out body. read more

I am not easily impressed by a massage. Very seldom do I leave a massage fully satisfied, and even less often does that feeling stay with me for a while afterward. Anna Mulholland has revolutionized my understanding of what a massage can do for me. She has raised the bar to new heights. Even though she has worked with me over the past few years, each time I come in she is able to read the points of tension in my body and the type of massage therapy I need. Her approach varies over time and is based on my particular condition each time I come in. I highly recommend a massage with Manna! I hope you have as good of an experience as I did. read more

Anna is a wonderful masseuse, she is so good I registered on Yelp just so I can give her the five stars recognition she truly deserves. She listens and is very sensitive to where the problem areas are - and to fix it - which is a rarity nowadays - most of the other massage therapists I tried, just get right to the massage, rushing for time. I am into deep tissue massage and was looking for someone who could help my very sore back and neck for the few months in the year when I am in Boston, and I think I have found just the one. Thank you Anna, I will be back for more! (and soon so will my husband and cousins and friends!) read more

I went to Anna because I was experiencing constant pain in my back/shoulder/rib area. I am really glad I stumbled across her information because I am feeling so much better now! The first thing Anna did was give me advice on how to improve my posture, which was very helpful. Such advice is not something that every massage therapist will give you without prompting. As Anna warned me, this massage wasn't going to be a relaxing picnic in the park. She wasn't afraid to really work on my muscles. It was painful, but it worked. If you are looking for a serious massage therapist to address your pain, Anna is your person. read more

Anna is definitely gifted in the healing arts. I visited her after sustaining a few injuries to my shoulders and elbow. Within seconds of laying hands on me she was able to pinpoint the source of my pain and ever since that first visit I have full range of movement and no pain in those joints. She even showed me things I can do at home to help myself. I have had deep tissue massage work done before but I have never experienced such productive results. I am so glad I found her! I recommend her strongly to anyone wanting freedom from pain resulting from injury or stress. read more

I'm a snob when it comes to body workers. I'm in my late 40's and grapple with lots of old injuries due to over-exercising. I've encountered plenty of mediocre, ineffective body workers and physical therapists. But Anna is the real thing; she's an expert. She knows her anatomy exquisitely. She works super-deep, yet super-carefully. I inevitably leave a session with her feeling soooo much more comfortable and more informed. She offers advice on how to stretch and strengthen so that I can remain active in smart, healthy ways. I cannot recommend her highly enough! read more

Wow A very relaxing afternoon. My neck is supple and pain free. I feel loose and relaxed after my first visit to Manna Massage. Anna worked diligently on my aches and provided a great massage experience, She seems very knowledgeable about all things psysiological as well as matters or insurance and your health care dollar. I'm looking forward to a return visit. Unlike "spa" or salon massage that amounts to expensive tickling or my Tui Na experience that was freeing but HURT LIKE HELL, Anna gave her all to iron out my kinks without leaving me bruised and abused. read more

I strongly recommend Anna's thorough and skillful treatment. I called her on a Friday evening, as I could not stand my shoulder pain anymore. Anna agreed to see me despite the late hour, and literally saved me from another sleepless night. She detected the problem right away, and with a very meticulously deep tissue massage has treated muscle problems which I have been carrying for months. The Cleveland Circle location is very convenient and accessible, and the price is very reasonable and worth every penny! I will certainly come back for more treatments. read more

Anna is terrific. I have been a devotee of massage since the mid-seventies, and as a musician who has traveled a great deal, have experienced all kinds of massage in the four corners of the globe. I consider this kind of work as essential maintenance in my line of work. What a great way to figure out what one is doing physically - finding all those tension spots and energy blocks - taking an active role in maintaining good health and a high level of functioning. Anna makes a great guru and fellow discoverer! We are so lucky to have her here in Boston. read more

Hi Yelpers, I am not much of a reviewer, but I feel I had to pass this along. After being to the doctors numerous times with my shoulder pain and fed up, I decided to try an alternative method of therapy. So, I went on Yelp and found Anna @ Manna Massage. I decided to give it a shot. I actually got a appointment to fit my schedule, and Anna got to work on my shoulder pain right away, to say the least it was invigorating. Slightly painfull but after a few days I could really feel the benefits of the service. Greg Vaughan read more

As a serious athlete, I am accustomed to feeling tight and tense, especially my hamstrings. So, when I visited Manna Massage for the first time, I was not surprised when Anna spent a lot of time on my hamstrings. I was surprised, however, over the next couple of days when my hamstrings began to feel incredible - loose, relaxed, and pain free. Anna takes an educational approach to her practice - she taught me appropriate stretches and activities to help with my tight spots. She is well worth the trip! read more

Anna is a great massage therapist. Not only is she capable and technically very good, but she is also committed to her work and the well-being of her clients and has great integrity. She engages her clients in a cooperative dynamic partnership for growth. She pushes hard and works deep but I feel really empowered by her to make substantial changes and pay attention to my body. Anna's tough but very kind and in it for the long haul with us in the work she does. read more

"I have been to see a few massage therapists, but none compare to Anna. She is professional, personable, and an expert in her field. I went into her office with knee and hip pain, stressed from work and left her office feeling like i just got back from a week in the carribean. Whether you are training for a marathon, stressed at work, or just tired of dealing with pain-call Anna and you will feel better. I highly recomend her services!!!" read more

For the past few years I've been receiving Bodywork From Anna. In a nut shell, she's great! Great hands, always studying, trying to improve her abilities which are already well beyond the vast majority of Therapists I've encountered. She listens when you tell her what's going on. It's obvious she cares about getting rid of the pain your in. Just a very skilled practitioner. I highly recommend her. Rick Robiar read more

My sessions with Anna have produced amazing results. She has increased the range of motion in my surgically repaired shoulder(s) and they are pain free for the first time in over 8 years. In addition to working on trouble spots I know that my visits with Anna have gone a long way to keeping me injury free and flexible. Give her a try. You've got nothing to lose and *so* much to gain. read more

I woke up this AM unable to stand up straight due to severe pain from sciatica. Fortunately, I was able to get on Anna's calendar this afternoon for a 60-minute appointment. She did some amazing work to get me feeling so much better. This is a lot different than your typical spa experience -- little if any frills, just great treatment from the hands of a master. I'll be back! read more

I have had many years of experience with therapeutic massage due to a tendency to suffer from back and shoulder spasms. Anna rates as one of the most beneficial therapists I have visited. Her treatments have a lasting effect, which is what I need to stay OK. I will try to see her once a month if I can. In my case deep tissue therapy works the best. read more

Anna has really changed my body and my life with her incredible therapy. She works deep and hard and knows---almost before you do--how and where it hurts. I leave feeling energized and relaxed and so much better. She is amazing and you should try her! Kirsten O read more