An Update! I wrote my first review for Nelson's massages in 2017, and I'm happy to share I'm still a client of his in 2022. His massages are *the best*. Nelson is still top-notch at communication and consent, something I appreciate when I'm alone in a room with someone. He's switching to house calls now, which is convenient. He is the only person I trust to repair my body. Thank you, Nelson. read more

This was my first massage with Nelson and certainly won't be my last. His studio is comfortable and conveniently located in downtown Santa Cruz and Nelson couldn't have been more easy going and accommodating. His knowledge and intuition of the body is impressive and the use of his entire body during the massage shows how fully invested he is in giving his clients the best treatment possible. I left feeling light, relaxed, rejuvenated and strong. Thank you Nelson for providing me with an amazing and transformative experience. read more

Nelson gave me the best massage I've ever had. He has an incredibly intuitive touch and helped resolve some chronic back pain I had had for years. He's deeply compassionate yet no bull****. He's wise and understands the relationship between emotions and the tension we hold in our bodies, though he's too humble to admit it. If you're in pain, see this miracle worker. read more

Some people learn to give a decent massage, but it is rare to discover someone who is a gifted practitioner. Nelson's session didn't follow a typical "massage" script whereby a therapist executes a series of learned-and-practiced-moves. Rather than simply laying on the table, I worked with Nelson in the session--I was an active participant rather than a passive recipient. Nelson centered on my needs and my ability to tolerate deeper work. Nelson blended a number of techniques: at times the session felt like a soothing Swedish massage, but the main focus was deeper work that helped me discover my habitual patterns for holding tension that we addressed as a team. He incorporated his whole-body into the experience in a Thai massage-like way. Nelson focused on connective tissue as well as the muscles themselves and he used hot stones near the end of the session for a soothing end to the session. The result was an experience that left me deeply relaxed and invigorated with a more nuanced understanding of my body. I will be back! read more

I sent this email a few weeks back. I just went to see Nelson again yesterday and he asked if I would post it. Don't know why I didn't think of that myself. He continues to work with me on the table like no one else I've ever experience. You gotta experience it for yourself. Here's the email: Hi Nelson, I just gotta tell you again how wonderful it was to have you work on me with such gusto and care today. The rest of my day was amazing. I think a major shift took place on the table there with you. I feel more open to my passion and my vitality. I'm so grateful for you and the healing gift that you offer. No one has ever had the guts or energy to help me penetrate my armor the way you did today. Thanks again, peter read more

I came to Nelson because I was having terrible stiffness in my neck due to lifting weights and sleeping. As I was walking in, Nelson immediately could tell what was bothering me, and was quick to point out the muscles that needed to be massaged. Nelson worked magic on me, really grinding out the muscle knots in my upper back/ shoulder, using his full body weight, which no offense I don't think a female masseuse would have been able to do. By the end of the massage my neck's range of motion was nearly fully returned. Additionally, Nelson was a sweet and caring man, he was in no rush and really made me feel welcomed. I could tell he had real concern for my health. Highly recommended and I plan to come back again in the near future. Obrigado, Nelson! read more

Nelson saved me. I got in a car accident a few years ago and no doctor or chiropractor could seem to ease my pain. One appointment with Nelson and my pain levels have drastically dropped. For the first time in a long time I can actually look at the ceiling without creating painful neck spasms. He even showed me some stretches that I do every morning that have really made me feel like a million bucks. He is very kind and clearly not only loves what he does, but is amazing at it. I am so thankful and definitely will be going back. If you're looking for an amazing massage, Nelson is the jackpot. Thank you so much! read more

Nelson gives, without question, the best massage available in San Francisco. He is intuitive and untiring. I see him regularly and he has been incredibly helpful in helping relieve my pain from a seriously bad back. By all means contact him if you want a great massage. Ray read more

Best massage I ever had. From Santa Barbara to SF he is the best, very intuned to your needs and heals you. Professional and very hands on.

I went in for a massage, and came out feeling as if I had had a life transforming encounter. Nelson is extraordinarily gifted as a body worker. He took time to inquire into my physical ailments, and connected intuitively with exactly what some of the issues were beneath the physical problem areas. I learned invaluable lessons about stress, and how to create more peace and well being in my body. He skillfully helped me move through the painful places in my arms and hands, and I left feeling more invigorated, rested, and at peace. It wasn't simply a massage, it was a journey. For which I am deeply grateful. I recommend Nelson highly! read more

Nelson is amazing. I was in town for a baby shower and had pulled my neck (scapula issue) and he was able to see me at 9:30 the morning of. Great guy, very talented. True healer. read more

I've been getting massages for years, and recently came to Nelson after my old massage therapist closed down his practice. Nelson is very knowledgeable, friendly, and most importantly really great at giving deep therapeutic massage. He ended up spending even longer than the time I had booked with me to work on some particular areas, and then spent even longer afterwards explaining the details behind what he was doing. As a bonus, he's also super convenient to reach right next to the Church MUNI stop. read more

Want a great body work session AND deep conversations about life and living? Nelson is your healer. His work is impeccable: consistently effective, adapted to what you need that day and beyond, mix of methods he figures out--with you--that is most well suited for what ails you. He works both in SF Mission and Oakland/Piedmont. Get to him as soon as you need him..... read more

Nelson is truly wonderful. Setting an appointment with him was extremely simple. I called him on Wednesday and we set up an appointment for Saturday. Done. He's extremely knowledgeable and skilled, especially where I need treatment the most (knots in my upper back). At the end of the session, my whole body was left feeling lighter and more relaxed. Nelson is a master at his craft and I am definitely seeing Nelson again. I would recommend him to all of my family and friends and I suggest you give him a call NOW! read more

I went to Nelson based on other yelp reviews and was not disappointed. I got the really deep massage that previous therapists have promised but couldn't quite deliver. Nelson was flexible, creative and communicative in his approach to the persistent pain around my scapula, providing a massage that both went deep at the roots of my pain, and was soothing and relaxing too. I learned a bit of anatomy and got some good suggestions for dealing with my overworked muscles on my own. I will definitely go back to Nelson, and will recommend him to friends and colleagues too. read more

Nelson is a true Body Magician, and I cannot recommend him enough. I've been a client of Nelson's for over a decade, and in the last two years I've seen him about every four to six weeks. In the time I've known him he's been centrally important in my recovery from chronic neck and shoulder pain, runner's knee, plantar fasciitis, and a torn bicep muscle, among other injuries and illnesses. Every time I leave a session with him I feel taller, stronger, and more connected to my body than when I entered. He knows my body and knows how to help me reconnect to my body, spirit, and soul, and no other therapist compares to his skill, touch, and expertise. He's helped me in ways I cannot describe here, and he'll help you, too. He is truly not to be missed. read more

Nelson is realy a Five Star, He does "Trigger Points" and specializes in thereputic massage for pain relief. I can't survive without his massage at least once or twice a month. Thank you Nelson. read more

Great Massage! Feel super relaxed & pain free. Love booking online to choose the best time that worked for me. I will be back! Thanks Nelson! read more

Nelson is very strong and a great masseur. I'd say he is especially good for very athletic guys like me who need very firm and deep massage to take the knots out and keep us on the court. Thumbs way up! read more

We're on our way to San Francisco!!! Why?!? Well our destination of choice use to be Santa Barbara, but we " can't get no satisfaction". Our massage therapist Nelson Olivera relocated to S.F. from Santa Barbara and we HAVE to follow him there. My husband and I have just about given up on ever finding a therapist for massage as skilled, effective and as intuitive as Nelson. So San Francisco here we come..... read more

Nelson is amazingly talented, knowledgable, strong, creative, intuitive, and kind. I feel so fortunate to have found him! I've had many massages all over the world and he is definitely, by far, the best! I called him to see if he could squeeze me in because I was experiencing neck pain and loss of mobility. He agreed to see me for 20 minutes (during his lunch!) Within 10 minutes he had found the problem - almost all my pain disappeared and I had full range of motion back! I've never seen anyone find a muscle problem and resolve it that quickly. I booked a full 80 minute massage for the next week, and words cannot do the experience justice! Nelson created a safe space, and then he found areas of deep tension I didn't even know I had until he masterfully worked them out and I felt what it was like when my long-held tension had evaporated. He also knows how to find stuck energy in the body and make it flow. I felt my energy body humming! By the time he was done, I felt like a new person - filled with energy and vitality. Wow! I highly recommend you book an appointment and experience Nelson's magic for yourself! read more

I've had over a dozen massages with Nelson, and every one has been a work of art in the medium of touch. Sometimes it's a pastoral landscape scene, sometimes it's a symphony, and sometimes it's a lullaby - but he always manages to know exactly what I need. He has a combination of talent, training, experience, and some magical ability to tap into exactly what I'm feeling that by far exceeds any of the other massage therapists I have seen. After seeing him exclusively for a while, I decided to try a few others to make sure I wasn't getting complacent. They were fine, but they weren't Nelson. Now, I may sound overly effusive. It may just be that I have found someone who resonates correctly with me and my body. But he doesn't just work on intuition - he actively encourages response during the massage, and is very interested in what's going on with your body before the massage begins. As others have said, he uses a mix of pressures, from light and soothing to deep and sometimes painful (in that really good way where you know things are getting cleared out). Once, when I had infrequent but severe wrist pain, he felt my forearms and then asked if I thought I could take some pain. I trust this man more than I think I know, so I told him to go ahead. He gently jammed his thumbs into my forearm, which hurt a lot, and stopped when I said I couldn't take any more. The next day, the pain was gone and it hasn't been back since. The man is a wonder, he's incredibly personable and kind, he knows his business, and I don't know where he gets the energy to treat client after client with the care of a parent or a close personal friend. I'd like to buy the entire bay area a massage with Nelson - and with his reasonable prices, if I ever get a job at Google (yeah right) I just might do that. Bonus: he's multilingual, I know he speaks his native Portuguese as well as English fluently, plus I think more. He's great to chat with, but if you just want to silently absorb the chill music, he's down for that too. (ps don't be freaked out if he uses his feet, he does this amazing lower back thing with them sometimes. though if you're a foot-o-phobe, probably let him know if he doesn't ask.) read more

Wow! Nelson is a gifted massage therapist who communicates, helps my body heal and makes me laugh. Even sometimes through the pain. Nelson understands the damage modern work does to some of us and he is magic at working out those tenesions and suggesting other ways to manuever. He has really helped me listen more to my body, be more aware of how I sit and stand. I really look forward to seeing him every few weeks. Many thanks, Nelson. See you soon. read more

I discovered Nelson through Lifebooker and would definitely recommend him. I have a lot of muscular-skeletal issues and am extremely particular about my massages, preferring deep tissue work over a light touch, which, while perhaps relaxing, simply doesn't get the job done. In fact, I find it extremely disappointing and frustrating when I get a massage, expecting to have my kinks and knots worked out, only to have them barely glossed over. Nelson, on the other hand, not only gave a wonderful deep-tissue massage, but, most importantly, knew exactly where to go to elicit the best result. (I was ooh'ing and ah'ing a lot!) He also knew how to get at the tight knots in my neck, which very few massage therapists are skilled at doing. read more

Nelson is quite remarkable. I bought a three pack of massages off Lifebooker and went to the salon. it was a bit confusing as the massages took place ut of Ele Ele Salon on guererro and the salon is nextdoor to the nail salon which has the same name, so I walked in there at first and all the nail ladies looked at me like deer in headlights and didnt understand what I was referring to when I asked for Nelson. The massage was nothing short of incredible. First, he looked at my bone structure and discussed my posture and activities in life with me so I could get a better understanding of where my neck discomfort stemmed from. He made the space very comfortable with good energy despite the fact that its a little side room in the back of the salon and isn't "spa" like but Nelson uses hot stones, has relaxing music, and all the skills needed to make you feel transported into a dimension of tranquility. On the third and final massage the only complaint I have is the man I assumed to be the salon owner was on the phone speaking very loudly and there are 2 doors between the rooms but very thin walls and I could hear his entire conversation which really took away from the massage experience. It didnt happen the first two times though. I will def. be going back to Nelson. read more