I have had thousands of massages in my life, and even went to massage school at 17. Today was my second massage here. I like super deep, therapeutic massage. This is NOT a spa experience, but David is really in tune with the body and he gets in and works your muscles. If this is the kind of massage you like, then I would recommend. If you want some Swedish shiatsu, then this isn't going to be your thing! Also, they no longer accept credit cards, so he drove me to my nearby ATM afterwards to get I was charged $160 for 2.5 hours, which I think is excellent considering how badly I needed today's massage due to major stress and pain throughout my entire body! read more

I decided to try this place in spite of some downer reviews because I remained hopeful. Unfortunately, they were right. I went in for a 30 minute massage- mostly because I was testing it out. I had to insist that I only wanted a 30 minute massage before I went in and was asked to pay ahead of the massage. During the massage, Dave told me- no less than 10 times- that 30 minutes was not long enough and tried to get me to increase to an hour. Massage was pretty good, and would have been more relaxing if I didn't have to continually decline a longer massage. After the massage, as I was walking out, Dave looked me square in the face and asked me for a tip. I guess it's my choice to decline but I was feeling worn down by the constant need to say no, and I gave him a $10 tip, which brought the 30 minute chair massage to a total of $50. read more

In SB for a wedding and was on a plane for 18 hrs. I needed some help. Found this spot and walked in. The God: I can tell that David is a great masseuse. He has a great feeling for the body and works on what hurts without you having to tell him. He checks in often if the pressure is okay. The bad: My massage was 30 mins. Towards the end he hadn't finished so he quickly rushed through and ended up actually hurting me. He also ended 2 mins early despite the rushing. Be aware there is a $4 charge for using credit cards. He is very very pushy when it comes to getting a tip. He first asked for a tip and then followed me to my car outside the front door demanding and begging for more. I didn't enjoy that at all. This is not a spa don't expect to have a relaxed zen feeling. Expect to be worked and pushed for a tip. read more

I want to personally say that from the first time I entered the employees were willing to help. Gina in particular is the best at her craft. Her communication is unparalleled. I recommend coming here and being apart of local businesses. It will be a beautiful massage from head to toe. Lo que quiero desir es quando entre los trabajadores estaban listos para audadme. Gina en particular es la mas mejor en su talento. Su communicasion es lo que la separe de otras personas. Yo recommiendo que vengan para experensiar un massaje maravilloso. read more

My wife and I booked a last minute couples massage for the morning of our wedding. As other reviews have stated, there is a bit of a language barrier, however, actions speak for themselves. I highly recommend this hidden gem of Carpinteria! I am a bit picky when it comes to massages and prefer deep tissue whenever I can get it. At Mesa massage I received the most thorough massage I have ever had. My preconceived sexism has been shattered by David's female counterpart (I couldn't catch her name) who was probably the strongest masseuse, male or female, I've ever had work on me. read more

Massage: EXCELLENT!!! Service: Professional and friendly. (Note: They have limited English speaking skill, so please be patient and understanding.) Therapist: Gina. She is a highly experienced massage therapist who practiced Tui Na and Shiatsu. In case you're wondering what's their prices, since they don't have a website: 30mins = $39 60mins = $49 90mins = $79 read more

I used to come here, and then one day I asked for 60 minutes. He said 90 is better, and I said I can't do that. Then they charged me for 90. Also my back hurts twice as much ever since that terrible "massage". They think they're a therapy center. Just stick to normal massages. I left the place more stressed out because I got swindled into paying more. That sucks when you're on a tight budget. He gave me his card afterwards, so now I can tell you don't ask for David. -(2 days later)- My back hurts so bad, specifically on the left side of my spine...The only place he ever "massaged". He massacred my muscle. Biggest waste of time and money ever. read more

David is a great massage therapist. He was a acupuncturist in Beijing, but could not transfer his license to the US. I went in with the tightest back ever and a few pulled muscles. I had a 90 min. massage and feel so much better. He does a lot of acupressure and I feel sore for a few days, but then miraculously the soreness is gone and I feel great! He checks in often to see if his pressure is good. I just breathe through the strong pressure b/c I know my muscles are in need of work! I think he did some lymphatic drainage too b/c he was working along the lines of he lymphatic system. Very nice guy, limited English. Really likes working on the back!!! I will be going back weekly for a shorter massage now that my muscles aren't so tight. He offers walk-ins as well. He also offers a get-so-many-massages, get-one-free card. read more

I would give this place less than one star if I could! To start with I asked for a lady to massage me and a man walked in. I told him a lady he kept insisting on him rubbing me then after I was already undressed he had a lady give me a robe and walk me to a different room. She never covered me after I was undressed, no sheet nothing! Then after I was told it was $48 for an hour they charged me $60! read more

MASSAGE THERAPY - Chinese Traditional Acupressure - (805) 684-8818. WOW !! David is a MASTER, trained in Beijing, his hands have "eyes" that sense problem areas, and once found, he applies deep tissue massage and accu-pressure. I was required to strip naked whilst alone, and place a thin sheet over my body. He works through the sheet. He started on my back, working the buttocks, then moving upwards. He worked every neural ganglion in the hip joints, without fear, using special pillows and his arms to shift the angle of the legs, to get in DEEP. Once he had released this tension (took at least 30 mins) he moved up the spine, lower back, upper back, shoulder blades, shoulders, neck, then arms, hands, legs and feet. Then flipped me and did my stomach and chest. He has very strong hands that don't stop for a second. I felt emotional trauma from 20 years ago being released, this is the best gift you can give yourself, at a ridiculously LOW PRICE ($25/30 min). I went in thinking I would go 60 mins, but I gladly asked him to continue, once I realized I needed more - 90 minutes. I feel that I ripped him off at this price, that he is a sacred master, and worth so much more than this. Please honor him and yourself, and go see David !! Then tell your friends. He speaks little English, so bear with him on the phone, it is SO WORTH IT!! read more

I have been trained in massage and had countless massages of all types over years... and this was hands down the worst massage I have ever received. The man, David I believe, had no ability to listen to the body. He painfully poked at trigger points, assaulted me with his elbows, randomly pushed with no effect, and then insanely rapidly squeezed things. My body was tense and defensive the whole time, and I told him repeatedly that he was hurting me. He asked me if I was okay and I kept saying no, you are hurting me... increasingly trying to protect myself. He had no skills to adjust. He kept saying it was good pain, and I said no. Sure enough, I am bruised and in more pain the next day. All the tension I needed worked on is still there, only now I feel beat up on top of it. I can't touch my lower back. I was offended that he did not respect my feedback and mansplained that it was good. NO, it was not. I literally felt assaulted. The whole time, I considered getting up and leaving but my daughter was having a massage at the same time. (Hers was not painful, but also not at all effective. A lot of useless pushing. I wonder what kind of qualifications and training the people have at this place.) I have never been this vocal during any treatment, because I have never been so abused or ignored. It is so sad to go in for an expensive once-a-year treat and emerge upset. I was angry throughout the entire "treatment" and still am. I would stay far away from this place if you are considering it. read more

My (now) husband and I went to get a couple's massage here before our wedding. I was a bit skeptical during the initial minutes of the massage because they do not offer your typical spa type massage. Most noticeable to me was that they do not use massage oil and they do not just rub and relax you. They use a thin blanket over your body and give you a massage. Despite this, David did such a FANTASTIC job with relieving all the tension and tightness of my muscles. He got all the nasty kinks out of my back, which no place has ever done before. He definitely knows what he is doing and expect to get actual muscle "therapy," where you will walk out feeling like new. This place provided exactly what I needed before my wedding and I only wish that I could go back for weekly sessions! Did I mention that their prices are more than reasonable? For a 90 minute couple's massage, it was $170! I also forgot to compliment them on their friendly service, despite their limited English. read more

The two massages I got were incredible but you need to know what you're in for. This is NOT a spa massage. This is a serious, and seriously intense, therapeutic massage. I had excruciating pain in my lower back from long days of driving cross country. David identified the problem areas almost immediately and set to work on them. What he did was incredibly painful - but absolutely necessary. He explained that I'd be partially improved within a day and much better within 48 hours. He was right. It was amazing how much better I felt the next afternoon. I made another appointment with him for a few days later and he worked on other problem areas like a rotator cuff injury. If you are squeamish, uncomfortable with being touched on certain parts of your body, or have a low pain tolerance, this might not be for you. But if you have real back pain and are willing to endure an hour to 90 mins of hard pressure, make an appointment ASAP. I will be go back every time I'm back in SB/Carp. I'm a total convert. Also be prepared for the language barrier. David does not speak much English but he's a very nice man who is incredibly skilled at what he does. read more

David is the most skilled massage therapist I have ever been to from East coast to West coast. I have been to countless other massage therapists over the years, and no one comes close to his level of skill and ability to get deep into scar tissue, fascia, and muscles to provide incredible relief and healling. I wish I still lived locally, so that I could get regular massages from him. Many massage therapists are unable to work out tension and deep knots within one session as David is able to. I can understand that this type of massage may not be for everyone as some may not be comfortable with his technique, depth, and pressure. However, I have found it to be extremely helpful and healing and consider him a master masseuse. He uses a unique accupressure technique that seems to go deeper than most other massages, and I leave these sessions feeling like I am a completely new person. He has an almost intuitive ability to know where your are holding the most tension and will help dissolve tension. Where most massage therapist seem somewhat hesitant to spend the time or energy work through deep knots, David does not seem to shy away from this at all. This practitioner is a hidden gem, and I wish he had the ability to teach his techniques and pass this knowledge onto others. read more

Unfortunately, my friend and I did not have a great experience. One of the employees really hurt my friend after she specifically asked him to be more gentle. We were also tricked into a 90 min massage when we said we wanted a 60 min. He also told my friend that her tip was "too little" after she said her card would not be approved since he was already charging us for the 90 minute massage. Overall, not a good experience and I feel scammed. read more

My husband and I walked in for the special they had on the door. 10 min for $12 so my husband and I were going to get that. We asked if we could both get that and the lady asked together, I said yes. She said both of us for $50 She took us into a room and David did mine and I asked for my neck and back only. He put the blanket on and tapped my bottom (not sure if it's normal) The lady did my husband. We've never got a massage so weren't sure what to expect. David rubbed my shoulders for a min literally and said very tense. Then he went and massaged my bottom. I was uncomfortable but let him do the massage. After laying there with no time, it felt like a very long time. I would pick up my head to check on my husband and he was getting his back rubbed and neck. I literally had a bottom massage. David massaged my arms and legs for a total of maybe 10 min. He kept saying relax, but I couldn't because a stranger was rubbing massaging my bottom. They let us up an hour later and charged us $120.00 when we said the lady said $50 David said no $120 + $4 for debit card fee. Then he was showing us a tip chart. We said no tip because they over charged us. David said $10 tip and we said no again. I feel like I was ripped off!! My bottom got massaged!!!! I left more tense AFTER my butt massage. They got 1 star because 0 is not an option!!! read more