Well, I created a Yelp account for this review, please be warned. Bottom line - don't go. This was not a massage, it was a rub with an exorbitant amount of oil. I have attached a picture of the bottle so you can see how much was used. The masseuse had zero technique and never used his fingers to press into my muscles. He just spent the entire hour rubbing my body with open palms, as if the service was to be oiled up instead of massaged. He rubbed parts of my body that felt uncomfortable and intimate. I left feeling intruded upon and confused. Here is the whole story: I received a Groupon for my birthday and was excited to be getting a massage. I was prepared to pay the (required) tip after receiving an email detailing the tip amounts and how to access the building, which is no frills. I think my masseuse was John, but I have no idea because he never introduced himself. I entered the room which was in fine condition, nothing special. There was classical music playing, everything seemed fine. He asked me if there was any problem areas and I told him my right side was hurting me. He leaves, I undress, and lay on my back, chest facing the ceiling like he instructed. (I thought this was weird because my experience of more than 10 professional massages I always start laying on my stomach to get my back massaged). I attempt to clear my mind of all the yelp reviews I had read, hoping that the 1 star reviews were over exaggerations and the 5 star reviews should be trusted (this could be you!). He enters and turns off the lights, he sits down and gets his massage oil out (this is key). He puts a lot of massage oil on his hands and sort of sloshes it around, rubbing it all over (to be honest it sounds like lube). He then starts rubbing my chest (right above my boobs), my arms, and my neck. The chest was okay, though he spent about 10 minutes on it. The part that felt really weird is that he kept rubbing the front of my neck back and forth, it felt really vulnerable and scary. He also massaged my arms and they were underneath the sheets, so he was going underneath the sheets to rub all the way down my arms which were pressed against my body. He also rubbed my back almost all the way down to my butt so he would sandwich his hands underneath me and sort of push me off the table to get his hands underneath me. This lasted about 15 minutes. Then he keeps going and starts to touch my stomach. He is sitting above me so he reaches his arm over my shoulder, down to my lower stomach and touches my pelvic bone, hip, and the soft lower part of my stomach. This happens once and I say nothing... second time I say "I actually don't want my stomach touched" This is when it dawns on me that all those 1 star reviews were correct and this was a very bad mistake. He rubs my legs and flips me over, he exposes the entire half of my body from my foot up to my neck, so I am split in half lengthwise with the sheet. It is sort of tucked into my butt crack and under my boob. He proceeds to just rub his oily hands up and down my body. Not stopping to massage a specific muscle or area. Just up and down and up and down, replenish oil, up and down up and down. He would sort of cup my butt on the way down, it was definitely not my hip region he was touching. He then puts the sheet over me and sort of pats my body with it and soaks up some of the oil. Repeats the same "technique" on the other side. The massage is finally over, I put on my clothes, give him the 20 dollar tip and bolt. The weirdest part was that he used SO MUCH OIL. It was like he was tenderizing me. (please see the picture I attached, this bottle used to be full!). read more

Oakland Massage Therapy - This was full in the beginning of my "rub". The masseuse used WAY TOO MUCH OIL. I would not recommend this place. - Massage Therapy Near Me - Oakland, California

I didn't like my experience at all. The office is in a weird building office building and from the first moment I arrived I felt uneasy. He focused too much on my inner thighs, massaged my stomach without asking me, smelled strongly of perspirant and was wearing a raggedy old t-shirt and sweats. He didn't have my sign a waiver or anything. It was really unprofessional. He demanded an extra tip so the Groupon deal didn't end up being very good and the massage was extremely uncomfortable. read more

Contemplated a whole lot before writing this review but it's not fair this man John Porter gets to call himself a cmt... I am APPALLED. I'm the type to do a lot of research before and my one mistake was not believing these poor yelp reviews!!! I cannot believe how the same person can continue to scam customers on a daily basis and is still doing terrible business. Let's start at the beginning... Purchased 52 dollar Groupon. Booked my appt and only AFTER the booking process is COMPLETE do I get a notification there is a mandatory tip? Ooookay, someone things highly of themselves. Unfortunately this is where I realize that he is a terrible masseuse and can't cancel my appt because it's for the same day. I arrive at family paths building, I'm so confused now cause there was no mention about this building or the fact that every stall is labeled family paths... but i was told there is free parking? Technically I can still be towed. Moving on. My husband is a massage therapist(the real kind) so from experience I know to show up early so we can do an assessment... waste of time because John didn't come out of his "office" until 11:57. My appt for a 60 minute hot stone massage was then changed to a 50 minute massage with maybe 20 minutes of stone work. As soon as the massage started he starting yanking my neck and ramming his hands underneath my back.. i asked him then how long he had been practicing for and he snuggly says 20 years?! Where?! I told him he was very CONFIDENT... he took it as a compliment. I specifically asked him to not touch my hand because I'm injured and on many occasions he hurt me but after being hurt 4,5,6 times you kinda realize this guy doesn't have a clue. Let me not forget to mention his phone didn't ring but vibrated against the desk more times than I can remember. Who are you?! I just can't get over what a piss poor excuse it is to call yourself certified and then treat your clientele in this way. Oh and he never did shake my hand... thinking back to it now I'm glad I didn't!!!!!!!! Oh yes! So I complained to Groupon and they had no problem explaining to me I could exchange my Groupon for credit which is exactly what I did. I let them know everything about this scammer!!!!!!! Hope you enjoyed your 30 dollar "tip" John! read more

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HORRID - Go if you want your stomach massaged and breasts grazed - I hate writing a bad review, but I was so appalled with my experience here that I felt it necessary to share in order to warn others of what you're getting yourself into. I went to get a massage with John one week ago, and right off the bat I felt uncomfortable. Not only did he not stand up to greet me, he simply sat there and asked, "You here for the massage?" and when I said yes he replied, "Ok, what kind?" I told him deep tissue and full body with a focus on the neck and shoulders. And that was it, no questions about previous injuries or areas that I wasn't comfortable with getting massaged (like every other massage therapist has done at every massage I've gotten, ever.) Now onto the massage itself: not only did the massage lack any type of technique (I'm not even sure this guy is an actual Licensed Massage Therapist), but he also used so much lotion that it was almost comical. It gets worse, I was told to begin by laying on my back (also a first) and he began to massage my stomach while "accidentally" GRAZING THE SIDES OF MY BREASTS - I'm really unsure of whether he deemed this appropriate or not, but I was insanely uncomfortable and scared to say anything. I finally worked up the courage to say, "can you please focus on my shoulders for a bit?" as politely as I could, to which he replied, "You said full body, right?" I was in such disbelief and increasingly uncomfortable. I never leave my underwear on for massages but for this one I had (call it intuition perhaps?) and I'm glad I did. I felt as though the blanket was being lifted much too far up off my breasts when I was laying on my back and too far off my behind when I had turned over to my stomach. I emailed Groupon about the matter, I thought they might like to know that they are doing business with someone who uses little to no technique and makes questionable moves during a massage. Waiting to hear back from them but my head is still reeling from this unfortunate experience. Most uncomfortable and agonizing 60 minutes of my life. :( read more

HORRIBLE!!! This business was referred to me by one of his customers (a customer who has supported his business for 10 years). As I was searching for a good massage therapist, my friend suggested I check Groupon. I did, purchased the deal, called the business to make an appointment as well as speak with the owner to understand services. Arrived to my appointment EARLY in the morning and the owner immediately tells me a $20 minimum tip is required. This data was not provided during our phone conversation, but he advised details were noted in fine print in an email confirmation. I checked the email and in the last paragraph of the fine print, it indicated $15 tip. That is different from $20. I told him I don't have cash and he said I would have to make another appointment so I can provide him a tip. Overall, I was there early in the morning for a service, I was prepared to tip with a credit card, and I was just looking forward to a great massage/service. Bottom line, I called Groupon to get my money back. This was not the type of service I was expecting and I will not be back or support a business that provides such customer service. If Yelp didn't require me to select a STAR, this business would have none. read more

Just horrible. I bought a groupon for a 90 minute massage. First of all, it's just a room in a sketchy office building. John has zero bedside manner and immediately informed me that the minimum tip is $25. Even though I found that a little curt, I was willing to pay it because I had come all that way. To be honest, I was going to leave a $20 tip anyway. However, I only had $23 on me and he would not accept this. He doesn't take credit cards (hello? Square anyone?), so I was sent home because of $2. No where on the groupon page did it say there was a minimum tip nor did the receptionist notify me of such. Just to be clear, I spent $15 on Ubers to get here and back, as well as $45 in childcare fees for a sitter, only to be sent home over $2. I am beyond livid. Tipping is called tipping for a reason. The point is that the customer gives you a tip based on how well they think you did. Like I said though, if he had accepted credit cards I would have gladly paid him the $25. Or, if they had communicated in advance I would have had the correct amount on me. read more

Reading the 1 star reviews make me laugh, but also a bit frustrated that people are willing to ruin a business' reputation over differences in communication style. I got the Groupon deal. ALL of the information was there that people are complaining about. It's up to YOU to read the fine print. Not that hard people. With regards to the building- it was never marketed as being a fancy bourgeoisie day spa. I've had a lot of deep tissue work over the years and most of it was in similar spaces in medical office parks. I think people forget that most small businesses don't have trust funds or rich parents to buy them a quaint storefront that would look great on Pinterest. There is NOTHING wrong with the location. If you feel weird then you have bigger issues and likely should go to the downtown of any major American city. It's clean, quiet, relaxing, and just fine. I would rather my money go towards paying someone for great work then rent or cute decorations. If you want some fancy experience to make yourself feel elitist, there are places in Berkeley for that. Now onto the massage. I was skeptical because I've had such mixed experiences with massages, however, Jon is great! In 3 visits he has helped to loosen up a very tight shoulder/tendon and although I'm ridiculously sore the next day, I find the deep tissue sessions to be very restorative. It's hard to build that initial trust with services like haircuts, massages, etc., but in this case I feel that I can show up and Jon knows exactly what to work on and how much. This is the first of dozens of Groupons where I've actually become a customer. I've been to close to a dozen specialists over the years for everything from normal massages to ART and Jon definitely is the top of that list. FWIW my wife also got a Swedish massage. She felt that it was firm, but relaxing and plans to return as well. I feel that I found a gem of a service in an area where anyone with a few months of experience thinks that they should be charging premium rates. I will also add that Jon has never tried to upsell any other services nor does he try to push you to purchase additional services as many local specialists do. read more

I always get a Groupon to try out different places to find one I really like and best fits me. John was nice, but I think since I was his last client of the day (for Mon-Fri appointments you can only reserve 8-10pm with your voucher) it felt like he was in a rush to get home. The location is interesting. Don't expect to be somewhere where other masseuses are. It's definitely a building where there's other offices you can rent out and miscellaneous businesses. The room you get put in is the size of a handicap bathroom stall (I'm not joking) but it's decorated as a massage room so it's not too uncomfortable. I think since I was confused and a little put off by the location, I couldn't fully relax like I wanted to. Plus the awkwardness of the massage starting off face up didn't help. The massage was alright. Nothing super special or that I would go back for. Glad I got a Groupon for it. read more

So I got this on a whim through LivingSocial, and I do not regret it. It was an incredible experience. John was my therapist and after getting a little lost in the building, he came and found me and was incredibly personable and professional. The space is small but very comfortable and totally functional. John asked exactly where my problem spots were and I had one of the most relaxing if not slightly painful (in a good way) massages I've ever had. I told him about some previous injuries I was still getting over, but failed to tell him where exactly they were, but he had no trouble finding them and my leg actually felt noticeably looser when I was going to grab cash for his tip (classic millennial, I didn't have any cash). He was also very thorough with my shoulders and checked in to see if everything was okay in terms of heat, pressure, and location. The deal included a 90 minute massage, hot stone therapy, and a scrub (which I totally forgot about until it happened), and I really couldn't more highly recommend the experience and the John (although I'm sure other folks are great there too). Price was totally great because of the LS deal, but looking at normal prices, they're actually totally affordable for CA. ALSO totally forgot, there's a parking lot which is totally a godsend for a business am I right? Also if you're uncomfortable with having any portion of you massaged, he was nothing but accommodating. I never felt as if he was leering at me, and his hands were never anywhere that they weren't supposed to be. His job is to massage and care for your body because you're probably trash to it. He cannot read your mind, if you do not want something worked on, it is your duty as an adult to tell him. If you want a puritanical massage, I highly recommend buying a massage chair, I've heard they're great. read more

I do not care about whether or not the massage is in a fancy spa or what the ambiance of the location is like. This review is solely about John, his work and the space he creates during the session. There was no warm-up like with most massages. John just dove right in with deep pressure on my neck. I felt unsafe the entire time I was on the table. He touched me in places that were inappropriate without checking in with me first (pubic bone, under my breasts and my stomach). While he didn't give me a creepy vibe, he gave me ZERO vibe, like he was just trying to get through the massage and I was just a body, not a person. Furthermore, he slammed around the room, making lots of noise that jolted me out of what small amounts of relaxation I was able to cultivate for myself. He moved with no care for how his actions might affect my experience. The only way I can describe this massage is slap-dash. I write this review in the hopes no one else will have to go through the experience I went through. It's not worth it, no matter how much of a good deal it seems. read more

Work, school, study. Repeat. This has been my routine for the past several months or so. All this time with just work and no play for Kim have gotten to the point of increased neck and back pain....and the occasional butt cramps from sitting for a long period of time. Luckily it's spring break. What's better than booze on your days off? An awesome chillaxin massage. When you come to the Oakland Massage Therapy center, don't expect a fancy place with receptionists or whatnot. This place is simple---a room, the massage table, you, and the therapist. If possible, get the mini sampler package (only for first timers); it will save you a bundle. John, the massage therapist, rubbed me down with oil and just let his hands worked it. His fingers and knuckles kneaded those darn muscle knots in such a gentle way it felt like I was on clouds---Pure bliss achieved. Seriously, my body felt so good it was like having a massaging orgasm. I walked out of the building with messy hair, dazed, and relaxed ---all the good signs of a well done massage. read more

I used a groupon deal to book a Swedish massage with John and regretfully, it was the worst massage I've received from anyone. Here's why: 1) lack of professionalism: when I arrived for my appointment, John didn't introduce himself, or welcome me - he simply started walking down the hall expecting me to follow him. While this is not so great for client rapport, the rest of the session was consistent with this kind of aloof treatment - that's the last thing I would want in a massage therapist. Once in the room, he did ask me what I wanted to address, but after giving me time / privacy to get settled on the table, he came back in and basically did not address me during the massage, nor did he pay attention when I said I did not like the technique / approach. I felt very uncomfortable throughout the massage, and my overall impression was that he really didn't give a shit about my massage experience. 2) bad business practice: appointments were hard to book - you had to do a little detective work to find the booking site. 3) atmosphere was subpar - while I do not expect a spa environment per se, there's a lot you can do with even a basic set up. What ruined the atmosphere was that the room was too dark (and without really having established rapport). There was one track of music that was borderline elevator and it was playing on repeat the entire hour. 4) Technique didn't make up for the lack of warmth in his demeanor. He started with cold finger (such a no no) and had onion breath. And then started working on my back while I was lying on my back - which effectively just amounted to a lot of friction on my skin. I have never seen that technique used and it was not effective in relaxing me. It didn't help that he didn't really change his approach after I told him it wasn't doing anything for me. read more

Woke up in serious pain; was thrilled to see an instant Groupon. Purchased and called to schedule an appointment. Some annoyed-sounding guy answered and when I tentatively (since he never identified himself as a business) explained that I bought a massage for today, he said curtly, "They're all booked!" End of story. Business got you feeling cranky? Here's a tip (or three): (1) You know how many hours in a day; don't sell more vouchers than hours. (2) Don't want to talk? Don't answer your phone. (3) If you're polite to potential new clients in pain, they'll probably call back; if you're not, they'll probably Yelp. read more

My session was on a late afternoon Sunday. I chose a time that would be super quiet because I wanted to really relax and let go. I had received a Living Social gift to OMT for 80min. The session was either Deep Tissue or Swedish with a mix or aromatherapy, hot stones, and scrub. I was so looking forward to it. What I did not expect was the cool greetings and lack of warmth before, during, and after my session. There was no explanation about the session. No intake about my conditions aside from the one sentence as to whether or not I had any recent surgery. The therapist didn't explain her experience nor checked in with me periodically. She seemed skittish and wasn't very friendly. I had to mention to her that her nails were digging into me after I realize it wasn't some tool she was using during my session. Thankfully there are no scratch scars. The therapist was OK. She did her job well like from a manual that she memorized. She only focus on my back. What about the rest of me?! I had to wonder what kind of training she got and what her deal was with the place. The building is a little tricky to get in on the weekend. I'm not sure who followed me but I think he might have been one of the proprietors but he seemed aloof and appeared unfriendly and irritated that he had to be there on a Sunday afternoon. He checked me in with no questions about anything to make me feel at ease. After my session which I was pretty groggy. I admit that I fell asleep. Shows how much rest I needed and this was restful in the least. I don't know who John is from the other reviews but he should break out of this place and market himself alone. This will be my first and last time. read more

Not what I was expecting. I felt uncomfortable almost the entire time. I particularly felt uncomfortable when he started massaging my butt. He didn't ask and I felt to scared to say anything. I have never had a massage where they have done that. Maybe some therapists do it and patients appreciate it, but I didn't. I couldn't wait for the massage to be over. Also, he answered a phone call during my massage, very unprofessional and not relaxing. I forgot to check the yelp reviews prior to buying a Living Social pass. Huge mistake. If I had checked the reviews I would not have gone here. Nor will I go back. read more

John will give you one of the best massages you'll ever receive. My budget usually only affords NHI school massages, but when I found John through Groupon Now, it made trying an excellent professional massage THERAPIST possible. While there are always a dearth of massage specials thru Groupon where you will get a just okay, routine and even cheaper massage from numerous spas, you should really treat yourself to see what a highly trained professional like John can do for you. The key word here is "THERAPIST" and John rightly earns that title as he learns and intuitively understands your concerns and stresses by verbally asking and then physically feeling and then effectively addressing your unique tight knots and weary body. Only complaint is that it is confusing to get to your first appointment. 1) You have to enter on the opposite side of the building, and NOT the entrance on MLK Way. 2) You must call your therapist on the phone OUTSIDE of the building and wait for them to answer (which is not always immediately if they're with a client) and THEN buzz you in, where they will meet you and escort you to the appropriate waiting area or treatment room. We had the unfortunate luck of having a well-meaning person exiting the building just let us in, then spent the next several minutes wandering around in the maze of offices. I've already suggested that they include specific entry instructions in their appointment confirmation emails. This does not effect my rating because I understand that in these tough economic times, not every business can afford to hire a receptionist right now. Seemed like many Yelpers were concerned about the area. I was there on a sunny Friday afternoon and actually made a day of it, first having tea & pastries at Awaken Cafe (excellent) on Broadway and then meandering through Ogawa Plaza and then to the massage appointment and did not feel squeamish at all. In fact, I did have one young black man in a hoodie chase me...he was carrying my jacket, returning it to me when it unknowingly fell off from being slung over my purse. The whole area is a mix of start ups, government workers, hipsters, homeless that all seem to coexist okay. Just like any major urban area in any US city, I would not want to be there late at night. In the day time, no problem. Street parking is available and non-metered, or the building's lot had a few spaces open. I've never been to a real massage therapist before and was use to the new-agey spa thing for massages...so I was at first taken aback by the office like setting and lack of pretty spa decorative elements. But then I came to understand the difference between a spa massage and a massage therapy session, with the former being just nice, but the latter much more business-like in the matter of thoughtfully assessing and then effectively addressing and treating some serious needs and concerns of your stressed and tight body and muscles. read more

Once again, I see a deal on Amazon Local and because of the issue last time...see my previous post, I checked for the words for "first time customers only", after reading through all the fine print, I did not find those words, so I called just to be sure. Of course, the Amazon deal was for first timers only, of course it was misleading and not listed as such..so be warned! I did speak with a person this morning that I assume was John, and when he asked my name and I told him, he said Oh, I remember you, I was going to give you the deal, but never mind." Must be that real honest reviews hurt, right John? I have never said anything negative about his skill, just his practice when dealing in business. It won't be long and OMT will no longer exist. So many bad reviews and poor customer service is not good for business. People do read Yelp before visiting a business. I would think that the Board of Massage Therapy should check all massage therapists licenses after reading all of your reviews here Yelpers; seems that some, with the exception of John may not be licensed, or just don't care. Again, great massage skills John (from my experience in 2012), poor business and ethical practice. Too bad, could have had so much business you wouldn't need to put out Amazon, Groupon, or Living Social deals...and that's just from me and my contacts, as a neuromuscular massage therapist turned paralegal. Best of luck in your endevours John. While you are very talented, so are many others, and I was willing to give you another shot. read more

I had a Groupon for a 60-minute Swedish massage, and it was definitely more than worth the money I paid. Before the massage, a couple of things made me wary--the incomplete website, the location, the lack of a waiting room...all those things the cranky Groupon customers complained about. However, if you're likely to be put off by these things (and by the gripes of the aforementioned cranks below), remember that it's the massage that counts, and I can assure you that this one definitely counted! I was so blissed out at the end that I forgot to ask my massage therapist's name, but he was great. I have some tricky tense spots in my back and legs can be painful if not worked just right. I felt like he listened to me and paid attention to my reactions to what he was doing until eventually he worked out those knots. I left feeling more relaxed than I've felt in MONTHS. read more

Wow. Just finished a one-hr massage with John, which I received as a surprise gift from my husband. The massage was the best I've ever had, and I'm honestly still in disbelief. I don't get massages often, but when I have, it's been at fancy pricey spas (one in SF Lower Pac Heights and one in Sonoma)-- and this massage blew those out of the water within the first five mins. BOOK. JOHN. NOW. My husband isn't the type to research much ahead of time, a contrast to myself who must anxiously do reconnaissance work via Yelp and other sources before visiting a business. So when my husband surprised me, of course I had my doubts but felt so gracious that I consciously told myself to be open. I also had always booked female masseuses, so I also had to mentally prep myself for a male masseuse. I'm so happy that this massage purchase was out of my hands, otherwise I would have never even known this place and talent existed-- much less a 7 min walk from my place! If you're still not convinced, here are some highlights: 1. John asked where I carry my tension and what kind of massage I was looking for. I explained that my husband had booked the deep tissue massage, but that I had only ever experienced Swedish before. He kindly accommodated with a mix for a "deep Swedish". Asked me some great basic questions before ever getting started. Told me to let him know if it ever got uncomfortable. It didn't! He even checked in during the massage to make sure he was hitting all the right points. 2. The pressure he applied was consistent and strong throughout. As I requested, he gave more time to my upper back, shoulders, and neck. Incredible! I don't know much about pressure points, but he clearly does. In my opinion, he literally hit that perfect point in pressure where it's strong enough to deep sigh in relief, but stops right before any flinches of " too much". Balanced! read more

I grabbed a LivingSocial deal for a 90 minute massage with John and I couldn't more highly recommend it. John was professional, courteous, and generally made me feel at ease throughout the course of our session. I have lived with massage therapists, chiropractors, posture therapists, and I can with total confidence say that this is one of the best massages I've ever received. Not usually one for regular massages, but I will definitely be returning next time that familiar tiredness in my neck and shoulders shows up (because I spend my days hunched over a computer). I can also say as a young, single woman - I felt totally comfortable the entire time. Not sure what happened with the other reviewers here but I never felt unsafe or any different from any other massage experience I've ever had. Also online booking made things super easy - highly recommend! read more

This is not your typical spa place. The minute I got to the place, I wasn't feeling a good vibe at all. Very shady location, even shadier once you get inside. If you are thinking of purchasing that Groupon or whatever kind of deal... DON'T! Because what you will get will NOT be worth even the half price that you bought the deal for. Came in here with my brother to get a sports massage after a long run the day prior. Two people came out and they both acted as if they knew what a sports massage would be. I got the lady and I do not want to call her a massage therapist or a masseuse because that would just be a big lie. She literally just shook my body, stretched me a bit and pressed me here and there with her lotion and that was it! She did not hit any of the spots that were tight even though I told her that all my leg muscles were tight from running. This lady obviously did not have a clue what she was doing. I don't think what she did there can be be categorized as a massage in anyone's book. My brother came out of the room he was in and said the same exact thing about the man who gave him a massage....or should I say pressed and rubbed his body. I am dumbfounded that there are businesses like this out there and even more dumbfounded that Groupon offered a deal for a company like this. Very disappointing. Definitely felt like you've just been robbed. One review said it right... RUN and stay as far away from this place as you can. read more

I had a coupon for this place, and went in to get my massage today. I was not expecting a lot as it was my first time here. The massage that I got would not even qualify as anything near massage. It was not worth even 10 bucks, if et all. The lady who gave the massage, just rubbed her hands randomly, with no sense of the points where the massage should be given, what points should be pressed. I am no massage therapist, but as a consumer I know what points help relieve the pain and make you feel better. She just randomly stretched me a bit, pressed here and there, total BOGUS! And I did tell her before the massage that I want to get the stress/pressure relieved from my shoulders. Funny thing, half way through the massage she realized that she needs to put some music on. The room was weird, the therapist was not a therapist but someone they just picked up randomly from somewhere it seems! And as some of the reviewers have pointed out, this place does look a little shady. When I had booked my massage, I had talked to another person who sounded like a manager of the place. I was hoping there will be some front desk where I can talk about what I want. Instead, my massage therapist met me at the entrance to the building and straight away took me to the massage room, which was odd. And I had to pay for my massage in the room only. I did ask her if there is a manager and she said no. I will think 100 times before even thinking of giving this place another try. I wish I got my money back and the time that I lost. read more

Yesterday I went to see John thinking I needed a sports massage but due to some circumstances, I really wanted to relax a bit more then a sports massage was allowed. John was extremely attentive and gave me a mix of a deep tissue massage ( which right now my muscles are so sensitive, I could not have handled more) and a sweedish massage and it was pure heaven. Johns attention to every muscle group including my abdomen was wonderful. I left feeling relaxed and loose. I am a little sore today enjoying the benefits of knowing my muscles are loosening up and detoxing a bit. :) I am planning to go back again in another week. John was incredibly professional and he has been in this field for 20+ years and it shows. I am signing my husband up for a massage this weekend. John's setup is quaint and modest. There is free parking behind the building which is owned by Family Path ( don't let that throw you off- they rent out to other businesses). read more

One of the best massages that I have ever had. I have been having regular messages for over 20 years. I know a good massage. Looking at the reviews... Here's the deal. It's not a fancy place, John doesn't have a staff to wait on you, it's bare bones and not a fancy spa atmosphere... BUT, if you are looking for a serious massage like a deep tissue, sports massage or any other kind of healing massage that isn't just to relax. John is your guy. He's good. The other stuff doesn't really matter. Adjust your expectations and you will have a great experience. I would rather get rid of all my knots, work out the kinks, relax my muscles than to wear a fluffy robe and leave feeling like a feather as touched me. John has extremely strong hands and gets in a groove when giving a massage. It's a gift. :-) Enjoy! read more

Massage therapist seemed super rushed, kind of phoned it in. Additionally, he didn't answer the phone when I couldn't get into the bldg at my appt time, however he ended the massage exactly an hour after my scheduled appt time. Not my fault he didn't answer the phone to buzz me in. I guess if you don't regularly get quality massages, you would be happy with this place. Do yourself a favor and go to Hannah at Piedmont Chiropractic Network (in Oakland), or Rhonda at Smith Chiropractic (in El Cerrito) instead. Both of those ladies are phenomenal. Also, Oakland Massage Therapy is in the HOOD. read more

This company was IMPOSSIBLE to get in contact with. I fractured my ankle and tore my tendons and had to get surgery and am currently not able to get off a couch. I received the one day reminder for my appointment. I took the following steps: I immediately attempted to cancel my appointment online, but not allowed to do so. I called four times over the span of the next 24 hour and left messages and never received a call back. I immediately contacted the email on the website, but apparently the email got sent to Genbook and it said it is "not able to act as intermediary to our users' communications with their clients. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause." To Genbook's credit they actually responded when they had no need to do so. This was to be my first ever massage, which was a present from my girlfriend. Needless to say I am exceptionally disappointed with my experience. I would avoid scheduling anything with this company because it may be impossible to change your appointment and then you are out your money. read more

I purchased a Groupon Swedish massage for my girlfriend and I and we used it last weekend. The building was not hard to find and there is plenty of parking in the back. We were buzzed in and asked to wait downstairs. Once we entered the building we didn't know where to wait, there is not waiting room, but more like a bunch of hallways and doors. We continued walking forward and came to a staircase where two women asked us to come up stairs. The women were friendly and they escorted us into a room. The room stunk like garbage and had no ambiance what-so-ever! There were three electric candles on and some relaxation music, but overall it was a bleak stinky room with two massage tables and nasty carpet. On one of the walls next to a massage table there was a window with mini blinds and a door, my girlfriend opened the door where a man was sitting in a messy office type room with a computer. She asked him to leave as it was a bit uncomfortable having someone sitting in a secret room with a window while two women are undressing in the room...creeper! It is only common decsently to let a customer know if there is a man in an attached room with a window who can easily see in the massage room if he wanted...not saying he is looking in- but that is a bit creepy! We undressed once the man left and our massage therapists came into the room. They asked what areas we wanted worked on more than others (I am not sure why as they did not work on those areas). My massage therapist rubbed so hard on my bones I though my arms would be black and blue the next day. A massage is intended to work the muscle, not a hard rub directly on the bone! It hurt, and it was not a good massage hurt! She did not focus on the area I had asked and they rubbed some kind of oil that had no smell, maybe olive oil? I would suggest using lavendar oil or a nice soothing oil smell as the room smelled like garbage. When the massage was over my girlfriend looked at me and we both could not wait to get out of there. She said her massage was not good either and that she was getting bone rubs too...so not fun. I could not wait to get out of that building, we got out of there as fast as we could and will not return! I am not sure where these ladies went to school, but that was the worst massage experience I have ever had! read more

Don't purchase the Groupon! I was lucky enough(or so I thought at the time) to receive this as a gift from a couple who learned that my husband and are I expecting our first child. They gave us each a groupon to use at Oakland Massage Therapy. I redeemed the coupon for a prenatal massage and when I did that, I was directed to their website to make my appt. It said 11am on 3/8 was available so I chose that one. Only after I made my reservation, I'm given info that this groupon requires a minimum $20 tip to use this service. That was a turn off right off the bat but I went ahead and arrived at my appt this morning. First off, the building entry code that he posted on his Appointment Confirmation didn't work but I was able to get someone's attention from inside the building that told me they couldn't let me in because John Porter would have to let me in. I explain that the code is not working and then he tells me that John is now here next to him. So this man who doesn't even identify himself as the massage therapist named John immediately asks if I am there to use the Groupon. I say yes and then he tells me that he only does Groupon appts on weekdays from 6am-9am and then 8pm-10pm. So I tell him that I wish that his website didn't have 11am as an available time to get my Groupon massage. And I ask him if he can do the massage since I'm there. He says no and tells me that I have to go back home and go on the website and make my next appt during those hours. I am not inclined to do that. First of all, I am shocked at his lack of customer service. If he adhered to that rule, he could have seen that there was an 11am appt for "Groupon for 60 min Prenatal Massage" on his schedule and could have notified me beforehand. I mean, he knew I had a Groupon when the first thing he said when he saw me was that he was aware that I had a Groupon. And then to treat Groupon customers as second class citizens by only allowing them to come before or after normal business hours. Then requiring a mandatory $20 minimum tip. Unacceptable. After reading the reviews on Yelp, I'm not going to reschedule an appointment with this man during night time hours. This gift was meant as a sweet gesture to relax me during my pregnancy and it has turned into a bad experience and a waste of time. read more

I got a groupon deal from them and that was a smart move. I've had many different massages all over the world and realized that some people have natural instinct to find out what our each individual unique body needs are. You can be trained to a certain degree, but the rest is up to he/she has that special talent. That being said, the therapist wasn't what I looked for. I did tell him to focus on my shoulder area, but he was just rubbing the same area over and over. I didn't like to receive a phone call later on from the owner who just left his first name on my voicemail without the business name. He said, 'It's XXXX, please call me." I thoguht it was just plain rude. It took me a while to realize it's from the massage place. I don't wish to receive any more phone calls for promotions, etc as I now have a fantastic therapist I regularly go to. read more

I recently tried Oakland Massage Therapy - thanks to the modern-day coupons. John was my massage therapist, and he was outstanding. He has a nice balance of strength, technique and a real, natural ability of touch and connection. I've been receiving massages for 25 years, and I only book a 90-minute treatment as 60-minutes doesn't satisfy me. My body is greedy, what can I say? The deal was for a 60-minute treatment. I was ready to leave, slightly unfulfilled. John was fantastic, and I wasn't left longing or felt it was too short. That said, I will see him again and again, booking 90-minutes with him from here on out. read more

I bought a Groupon after reading all of the rave reviews, and I was not disappointed! I booked an appointment for a sports massage with John online (super easy!) for the day after a trail half marathon, when I knew my muscles would need some TLC. John asked me if I wanted to focus on other body parts in addition to my legs, and I immediately said, "neck and shoulders, please!!" I always carry so much tension there, so it was really nice to get him to work on those knots for a good 20-25 minutes. For the legs, he not only gave me a great massage, but also did some nice hip flexor stretching as well. I also found out during this massage that my left pectoral was extremely tight and is probably something I need to watch out for in the future. In fact, John showed me an easy pectoral stretch to do. So, not only was this session very relaxing, but educational too! I won't comment any more about the mixed use building or the non-spa-like environment because I feel like everyone else has touched on it. The room was actually much cozier than I had imagined from reading the other reviews. Yes, it's sparse, but it was also clean and comfortable, and there was a candle and soft music playing during the session. John was friendly without being too talkative, which I really appreciated -- honestly, who wants to gab for an hour when you're trying to relax?? He was also extremely professional and courteous. I will definitely be back, and have already recommended him to all of my running buddies. read more

Perhaps had I read the reviews online more closely, I would have requested John, and would have had a decent massage. That being said, the entire experience was mediocre. The environment left much to be desired. For example: -No towel warmer, so anything required warm for my "deluxe" massage was microwaved a foot from my head -No control over the lights, meaning face-up into full-flourescent, commercial bulbs -No music- I was told the "laptop" would not play c.d.s, and was asked if I wanted to play music from my phone. I did not. And the massage itself was mediocre. I was asked about problem spots, where I repeatedly mentioned that my back and right shoulder were places that I wanted attention, and she pretty much did not touch them at all. Granted, the person (Jasmine) who performed the massage indicated that she had only been working there for two weeks, but I am truly disappointed by the entire experience. I left feeling more stressed, and tense, due to the obscene amount of money wasted on a sub-par experience. For half the money I could have gone to the National Holistic Institute and received twice the professionalism, quality, and ambiance. read more

I have been going to John for the past 3 and 1/2 years every month and he knows exactly how to relieve the muscle aches and tension in my neck and shoulders and legs. He has strong hands and always asks me how I am feeling. John isn't much for chit chat but of course you're here for a massage so just let him know what needs to be done, muscle aches, tension and he will do his best to relieve the pain and stress. I come here for a basic Swedish massage and he always give me 110% effort. There is free parking in the lot behind the building as it is a multi-purpose building and you need to be buzzed in. If you make an appointment online, be sure to read the instructions as he doesn't have a receptionist. When you are buzzed in, please walk up the stairs and sit in the waiting area. There are no frills but you get a relaxing massage at a reasonable price. read more

I had a good 60 min "deluxe" massage with John yesterday. I thought it was a solid session. He asked where I carried my tension and gave several options, to work exclusively on my problem areas or to allocate a bit more time to them in a general massage. Today is the day after. Prior to the massage I had been tight from doing a # of spin sessions. I felt far looser today and felt fine on a 25 mile bike ride. To those who complained about the locale, the price is reasonable, even without a groupon. If you want Claremont spa amenities, be prepare to pay Claremont rates. The waiting room was carpeted and comfortable but not fancy. The massage room was small but adequate. I will return. read more

I got the most amazing massage of my life here yesterday-I slept so well afterwards and am still riding the relaxed high! This place would get 5 stars if it fulfilled 2 things. 1) John is nice, but not chatty (just a warning, I generally chat during massages but I guess I'm weird like that) and 2) I got a Groupon for this and left a $20 tip, which was so worth the money! However, 50 minute massages are usually $80, and then a tip on top of that? I am going to try to justify it to myself, but at $96 for less than an hour...it might be a couple months of saving to make it happen again. If it was a super nice place I might feel more comfortable with that price, but as others have commented, it is a bit of a random set-up... But I would DEFINITELY check this place out. John's massage is incredible. read more

Like others have mentioned, this is no spa--but when the masseuse (John) is this talented, there is no need for all the extra stuff -- at least not at his price. I've never had a massage without music, and at first I thought, mmm--let's see how this will be. But with his skill, I wouldn't have cared if he was playing heavy metal. l no longer care if the new age tunes are playing or not. The man has extremely strong hands, and has obvious experience and skills at working out those knots until they are gone. Yeah, the location is "sketchy" I suppose--it's Oakland, and it's not Piedmont, or Montclair. But, there is a parking lot, and so your car will most likely be just fine. If you know the location, and understand that this is a small, one-man business without the frills, then you'll just be ready for the best massage of your life. I will be coming here regularly. Glad I finally found my spot--thanks John! read more

I worked with John because I had a serious injury and used a Groupon coupon to find help... Yes, his is not in anyway a spa. But what concerned me is John's unclear advertising of his cost; his claim he is worth $180 for hot stone massage and that it isn't available elsewhere. This made me feel like others that the service was a rip off. He doesn't have a personable demeanor and looks for ways to make folks feel uncomfortable... Claiming he has dealt with many folks and he has so much experience... If you read the reviews you will see he has rubbed many people the wrong way..He did help my injury but I am going elsewhere for the rest of the treatment because he hurt my feelings claiming that I was a person who insults massage therapists because I forgot what his pricing was. I looked on line and got it wrong. He must not feel very much worth in himself to demand such exorbitant tips ? 30% 40% ??? His words made me feel like a racist and I am not !! He seemed to be more concerned with his fees than helping me. I a 70 and on a fixed income... Buyer beware !! read more

I have been seeing John for sports massages regularity for over 3 years and the reviews I'm seeing seem overblown and excessive like many other yelp reviews where people can say what they want and hide behind a screen name. He is in no way a sexual predator, he is professional and always focused on the massage technique. When things have accidentally become uncovered he is quick to cover them in all instances and where he may be massaging more intimate area like abs he isn't looking down, he is looking away and focusing on the technique. The pelvis is key to much pain including the back to its important to loosen those areas as well if you really want lasting effects. If you are uncomfortable with certain areas all you have to do is tell him and he will stop immediately. Don't blame him for your lack of honestly. He is a great therapist. He is reserved and can be curt at times but his prices are great and he's incredible skilled. I will definitely keep coming back! read more

Law school finals and I'm a wreck! John was amazing, he listened to what was going on and specialized the session to target the areas that were killing me. I've had a lot of massages (lucky girl) and he's one of the more skilled therapists I've seen in this city. Reviews below are correct, this isn't a day spa nor is the building particularly gorgeous but I'm paying to relax and get the knots out not for cucumber water and tile walls. Also, sorry about the soapbox but I happen to think mixed-use buildings are cool so take that you crappy reviewers that have something against sharing space with community service non-profits and tip $6 anyway. The room itself was very nice, private, heated massage table, music, smelled pretty and after I thought my amazing deep tissue massage was over he whipped out the hot stones and I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I think he gave me a few extra minutes too out of pity for me most likely but either way, thanks! I made an appointment online in under 2 minutes for the same day, love the easy online booking with lots of time availability- they're open late! Don't call, book online- then they don't have to hire someone to answer the phone and you still get exactly what you want. read more

I got a groupon for this place, and I didn't have too much expectations. I got a 60 min regular massage with Patricia, and it was very nice. She was very friendly and she asked how I wanted the massage and made sure she wasn't using too much pressure. I was soo relaxed. The place was a bit hard to find, since you have to be buzzed in and then it's on the second floor. I was so confused...but then Patricia came and showed me where to go. There isn't exactly an office or anything, so I don't really know how it works. Oh well. haha it was well worth the $50. read more