Dr. Espinosa exceeds any chiropractic experience I've ever received. I recently fell down the stairs two times within a week and was in a ton of pain. I knew I had to see someone what would be gentle and that I trusted would get results. Dr. Espinosa, who is caring, detailed, and attentive, spent time to do whatever it takes to get me better. He doesn't focus on the clock, but on the patient. He utilizes many modalities (NUCCA, massage, traditional chiropractic) to be able to serve the patient and their needs. After one visit, I was in a lot less pain and had a lot more mobility. After helping me through my acute issue, I have now decided to work with him on my chronic back pain with success. He is highly intuitive and works with many complex patients, so I believe he will be able to help me in new ways that previous practitioners were not able to. read more

I highly recommend Dr. Espinosa and Odyssey Chiropractic. I went to Odyssey for numbness in my leg. I experienced a noticeable alleviation of the numbness following my sessions. Dr. Espinosa is really dedicated to his practice and cares about his patients. In addition to his treatment, he gave me good advice regarding my posture and sitting position. He's personable, highly educated in his field, and his approach is gentle. The office space is beautiful and the neighborhood is safe. Dr. Espinosa is also great at sharing his process with patients and educating them about his approach. read more

Dr. Ulysses Espinosa has four superpowers: Superpower 1 - Chiropractor: Enslaved by the siren call of the keyboard? Has it got you tap-tap-tapping far into the night, until you are turned, no not into swine (oops, mixing legendary episodes here...), but slant-shouldered slouches? Head and neck way out of whack? If you are looking for a way to escape this enslavement, let Odyssey Chiropractic straighten you out - and no, it won't involve tying you to a mast. (OK, Homer did not actually mention that as one of the heroic acts performed by Odysseus, but THIS Odysseus i.e. Dr. Ulysses Espinosa, WILL solve your problems! Dr. Espinosa goes above and beyond, spending a lot of time to identify and correct whatever your problem might be - he is a nerd in the best sense - he just really wants to figure stuff out. He takes carefully calibrated measurements to thoroughly analyze and record your skeletal problems and uses his considerable skills as well as various devices to help resolve them. He works really hard and employs some moves that were surprising to me. He is a NUCCA practitioner - not your usual 'let's-crack-your-neck' kind of method. In fact, no scary neck-cracking involved. Superpower 2 - Therapeutic Massage: He is also a skilled massage therapist. If you want some soft tissue relief as well - he's your guy. I am now being treated by him for a Medial Collateral Ligament Sprain, as well as other issues in the same knee (tight hamstrings, quads, IT band) caused by limited mobility over a months-long period. He is working on stretching those muscles out and it is just such a relief to realize I WILL be able to get my mobility back - I'm already seeing a great improvement. Again - he works really hard at this! Superpower 3. Fully Bilingual: Yes, he is completely fluent in English and Spanish. Superpower 4. All Around Great Guy: He really cares about fixing what is wrong with you. I realized that when I first encountered him 12 years ago, when he was doing massage at Millberry Gym at UCSF, and he fixed a problem for me. When I wanted to go back to him again, turns out they had discontinued the program. I have been trying to track him down ever since, and finally found him again, at Odyssey Chiropractic. (And in the meantime, he had gotten his credentials to become a Chiropractic Doctor.) He is an exceptional, caring human being, and though that wouldn't even matter if you were being successfully treated - it's a biggie for me! He's the best! read more

I have been seeing Dr. Ulysses Espinosa for several years for both chiropractic work and massages. From assured, caring, adjustments to deep tissue massages, Dr. Espinosa is a gifted body worker who really knows what he is doing, I can't recommend him more highly. read more

Dr. Ulysses is just the best. He is incredibly knowledgeable and always takes the time to explain things in a way that's so easy to understand. I saw him for a herniated disc in my neck, in so much pain. He helped so much within a few sessions and it also ended up helping long standing issues like lower back pain. His combination of expertise and intuition is unmatched! read more

Ulysses does amazing massage work. The combination of targeted muscle treatment, insightful advice for self care, and relaxation techniques makes for a positive healing experience I feel much healthier than when I walked in and my legs feel brand new. I highly recommend Ulysses for anyone who is experiencing back pain or just wants a relaxing massage. read more

Well worth it. Sensitivity to one's needs, to my body, to my soul. I stand up taller and feel I can breathe. Gentle persuasion in the correct manner. He's the best! read more

Ulysses is extremely gifted at massage and kinesiology. I booked a massage with Ulysses after a rock climbing fall that had caused me significant back pain. Ulysses was excellent at determining the extent of the damage that I had done to my back, and was great at pinpointing the areas of my back that needed the most work. The technique that Ulysses ended up using was active release, which was extraordinarily helpful in relieving my back pain. A week after the massage, and after further stretching, my back pain was completely gone. Thus I went from debilitating back pain prior to the massage - so much that it was extremely distracting from work - to being pain-free. Furthermore - Ulysses is a very nice, professional person, and his studio is lovely. Quiet, great neighborhood, etc. I strongly recommend him to anyone in need of massage, particularly due to athletic injuries. Totally worth the cost. read more

Ulysses is a unique massage therapist, he's practically a healer. I know that sets the bar high, but every time I've been to him I have left feeling the power of his healing touch. Last year I strained my back and realized it right away. I had done this before and recognized that I was in for at least a week of serious pain and limited movement. For once I was proactive and called Ulysses. He saw me right away and did a series of very careful and highly effective active release techniques. Not only did I leave feeling much better, I am SURE that he saved me several days of agony. He always provides me with advice about how to continue the therapy through proper stretching, icing, heating, etc which only further makes my point. Whether you need a massage for therapeutic or relaxation purposes, Ulysses will not disappoint. His space is peaceful and easy to find and his energy is very soothing. Check him out, if you haven't already! read more

Ulysses worked on my husband, who was suffering terrible pain as a result of terminal cancer. Though my husband was taking medications to calm the pain, it was Ulysses work that truly helped him relax and have some quality of life in his last months. Ulysses is not only an excellent masseuse, but more importantly a sensitive, perceptive and gifted healer. I have had many types of body work done on me, and I can honestly say that Ulysses is by far the most effective in working to heal pain, injuries and stress. read more

Ulysses gave me the best massage I've ever had in my life (I've been to The Claremont Spa and Beijing and Phuket's top-rated spas, and I'm telling you, this is as good as it gets!). Ulysses is extremely skilled in bodywork, and he also took the time to really understand what my needs were based on my lifestyle and recent activity. His office in Bernal Heights is comfortable and relaxing, and I was instantly at ease in his care. You know the feeling you have when you're getting a massage, and the massage therapist is doing EXACTLY what you want? That's a great feeling, and there was definitely some of that with Ulysses. But even better is when they are doing something that you've never felt during a massage before and you're thinking, "How are they doing that? I have no idea but I never want this to stop!" Well, most of my massage at De Maravilla was an entire massage of that feeling! As someone who has had plenty of professional massages, this was the first time that happened to me. I've recommended De Maravilla to friends and relatives, and they all said the same thing: amazing. Honestly, you can pay two or three times as much for a pretty average massage, but Ulysses is the best deal around, hands down. read more

I bought the Yelp deal here last fall, and finally got around to making an appointment last month, and was really surprised by how much I enjoyed the experience. Ulysses runs a pretty small operation -- the massage room is just the spare bedroom in his house in Bernal Heights, and so it can be a little tough to get an appointment -- but he really knows his stuff. I don't have a ton of experience getting massages, but Ulysses seemed to me to be a lot more knowledgeable and well-trained than the other places I've been to; unlike other experiences, Ulysses was able to explain why he was using the techniques he was using, and seemed to know what I needed just from his touch. He uses a technique called "active release", which as best I can describe it involves applying pressure to one end of a contracted muscle and maintaining it as the muscle is elongated and pulled thorough. I've never heard of anything quite like it, but the results were stunning and immediate -- there was noticeably less tension in both my shoulder and hamstring after just doing it once. I strongly recommend a visit here. read more

Dr. Ulysses Espinosa is a very professional and knowledgeable masseuse. I've had bodywork in San Francisco of various kinds for decades. As a musician who has held her right arm up for several thousand hours, performing the clarinet, (the weight of which is held up by the RH thumb), I have shoulder, arm, wrist, and back issues. Dr. Espinosa uses a release technique that I was unfamiliar with until now, a thorough, deep massage that is intense and very beneficial. Ulysses is very sensitive and constantly communicates with you, so you can ask him to back off if it becomes too much. He's also extremely polite, a Los Angeles transplant who plays hip, background music, not the usual New Age fluff. I'll be going back for sure, I highly recommend him. read more

I first met Ulysses over 4 years ago, by accident. I had just landed in San Francisco from a whirlwind work trip and my neck was locked to look over my left shoulder. Needless to say I was in need of some serious care so I found the only spa that was open late and booked myself a massage, thinking it would at least help. I was fortunate enough to have Ulysses as my talented masseuse and when I walked out of the room I could not believe how good I felt, I was a new woman and my neck was fully maneuverable again. I was hooked and became a frequent client of his. As the job stress worsened I became more dependent on regular sessions with Ulysses Just like when you find the hairdresser who speaks directly to your hair, the perfect latte or the apartment you have been dreaming of, you just know when its right. I found my body-worker that I never knew I needed. Ulysses is responsive, communicative, nurturing, intuitive, professional yet personal and very knowledgeable. Most importantly he works with complete heart and I have never left a massage without feeling incredibly amazing. I was always pleasantly stunned at how he could pinpoint the exact areas of pain without me even talking about it. Much of this probably comes from his extensive training across different styles of massage therapy, but there is also some sort of magic he applies. Each friend I sent his way never completely believed my rave reviews until they witnessed him for themselves. Each person had that perfectly blissful smile that I knew very well. I hesitate to tell you about Ulysses because I don't want his schedule to be too full, but I think this secret is worth sharing. Enjoy. read more

Ulysses knows what he is doing. I've had a few back surgeries and my experience with massage therapists is that they focus exclusively on areas of my back/neck with historical issues. Ulysses did wonderful work on those historically problematic areas, however what sets him apart is how he was also able to identify and address another painful area I had not even mentioned during intake. I highly recommend De Maravilla therapeutic massage to anyone in need of a serious, healing massage. read more

Whenever I'm in the Bernal Heights neighborhood of the Mission District visiting Ulysses is a must. Ulysses is the only masseus that was able to do anything about my neck. Ever since I started doing P90x I have been having aches and pains that don't go away. But Uly did a tremendous job during the massage sessions and also showed me how to deal with the stress of the workouts by doing stretches before and after my workouts. I am a bit of a skeptic when it comes to experiential stuff but I am always impressed by Uly's knowledge of Eastern techniques that he has honed directly from Chinese and Thai masters and healers from around the world! read more

I had such a great experience at De Maravilla. Ulysses is such an amazing technician, and I will most definitely be going back on a regular basis. I recommend him to everyone lol... read more

I've had massages in Thailand, in Kabuki Spa and Imperial Spa before. I can't say I'm an expert in this, but Ulysses's massage technique was way different then all the others I've experienced before. After having couple of massages from Ulysses, I realized the other ones were like a lousy or sloppy work! Relaxing with massage is one thing, but he really pressures to the right spots in the right amount, and totally relaxes your stiff muscles. And he takes his work really seriously. From the soothing music to the atmosphere in the room is a great way to let go off the stress of your life. Once I had this 1 hour massage at the Kabuki, and the woman who didn't look like she was into the thing at all, chewing a gum and stuff, left me on the table at some point without telling me anything, to talk to someone outside and didn't come back for 5 min. It was super annoying. With Ulysses you get your moneys worth, and you will want it all the time.. read more

Ulysses really cares. Had an incredible massage today. I am a huge fan. He spent a lot of time with me and it felt both relaxing and healthy. Was not painful in the least. read more

As a massage therapist myself, i would ONLY trust De Maravilla to work on me. Ulysses must be the Therapist of the therapists ( Top Secret). I dont mind driving from San Mateo to Bernal Heights, and it is really close to Mission where i can just walk around and get a bite to eat before or after my well deserved massage. read more

WOW -- what an extraordinary massage. I still can't believe how wonderful and talented Ulysses is. I've already bought two gift certificates for friends, and scheduled my next appointment! I came in with a lower back injury, and Ulysses was so uncannily attentive and gifted at locating the pain, and then relieving it -- I actually feel like a new person after the massage. Besides relieving the pain, Ulysses also did a full body massage that was incredibly relaxing, and that released so much tension in my body. This was an INCREDIBLE experience -- it was, without question, the best massage I've ever gotten. Incomparable. I highly recommend it to anyone. read more

I have been Ulysses' client for the past year. We have had to address complicated physical conditions, as well as the occasional emotional challenge. Ulysses is very skilled in a variety of techniques that he evaluates for any given situation. Recently, in addition to serious physical issues, I sustained the loss of my 17 yr old cat. Ulysses was able to successfully address the physical as well as the grieving process. He is indeed highly gifted in supporting healing by manipulation, as well as soothing energy work. Ulysses, as he states, is "the dessert" of my week. I wish I could go every day. read more

I'm not typically one to indulge on a regular basis. Day spas, pedicures, hair appointments, and brow waxing have all been sidelined into my once-in-several-months, sometimes even once-a-year activities. However I very much believe in exercise, diet, and maintaining my health. Since meeting Ulysses, massage has transitioned from being an indulgence into a form of self-care and meditation. Given, it's only been a month of weekly appointments, but each week I've found that more than just my aches and pains have been lifted; my attitude and perspective get a boost! I leave with a giddy smile ready to take on the chaos or peace that waits to meet me once I slip out of a robe and back into the reality of responsibility and deadlines. As the others mention, it's true that Ulysses is extremely intuitive with his touch. Surprisingly, this is not at the expense of being presumptuous. At every step, he asks about pressure and invites feedback. This makes me feel incredibly comfortable and heard. As I lay, typically face down, I am often torn between asking to learn more about bodywork, and falling quietly into a relaxed meditative state. Ulysses seems to welcome and encourage both. His passion for massage and understanding the body truly inspires me. read more

I have been continuing my massages with De Maravilla and I am just about recovered. I was in a motorcycle accident and hurt my hand, neck and foot. Through his treatment all my pain is almost gone. Thanks Ulie, you are a great massage therapist. Cheers. read more

I have been getting massages and bodywork with Ulysses for the past 2 years. I am not exaggerating when I say that his hands are truly a gift and it seems like he was born and called to do exactly that kind of work. After a whole body massage I always leave feeling completely rejuvenated and smiling. What I truly enjoy and have not experienced with anyone else but Ulysses is his guided meditation massage. He has a very soothing and calming voice that guides the breath to go deeper and deeper making the tensions ease up instantly while his hands work on the knots. He has this special kind of touch that makes my stiff muscles and my strained body simply let go and I can't help but to fall into a serene semi-sleep every time. Each session gives me the sensation of my cells bursting with bliss afterwards and feeling so tranquil yet totally alive. I often ask him to end the session with some A.R.T. work on my hands and wrists that hurt a lot from doing graphic design for hours every day. I don't know how else to say it but it works like magic, 10min only and my heavy hands and painful joints feel like new and weightless. I always leave feeling peaceful in my mind, balanced in my body and light on my feet. Ulysses being also a Reiki Master makes each visit to be not only a massage but also a healing. I really like his approach to body work and his knowledge of so many different techniques. He believes in what he does and puts his heart to give the best he can which makes him unique and exceptionally gifted in a selfless way. read more

After years of different massage therapists and countless attempts to find the perfect massage therapist - I have finally done it - thanks to Ulysses!!! I cannot stress how amazing I feel after his body treatments. He is gifted with such precision and skill which only highlights his intuitive nature with healing the human body. His very specific approach of working on the problem area with target exercises , has managed to corrected some of my issues almost immediately! And when you are in the mood for a more relaxing experience, he can surely offer that while still doing wonders to your body! Oh and did i mention the price - WHAT A BARGAIN! I still find it incredible that I get to get twice as many massages (which in my line of work - Hair Styling - the body work is necessary) by the MOST talented masseuse in the city!!! He offers a ton of discounted price specials that seem to good to be true, but the truth is get in while you can! He is the greatest! read more

I have been seeing Ulysses for over 3 years and cant recommend him highly enough except that I don't want his schedule to fill up. I started going to him after a injury to my back and his combination of active release, meditational ambiance and massage techniques made a significant improvement to my recovery and now I am back-and hip-pain free. He's very good at varying his techniques and pressure based on what is needed for that spot and will gradually work out tough knots in a way that doesn't feel too harsh or invasive as I've found other massage therapists to be. That being said I get the sense that he has a whole host of techniques and customizes it to the person and type of touch that suits them the best. Ulysses is the best, spoils his patients with attention, schedule flexibility and generous appointment times & discounts. I couldn't fathom going anywhere else. read more

Ulysses is a very knowledgable therapist. He tailored the message base on my injury and need. He makes sure that you are comfortable and in the right form. He also makes sure that you know that he is a massage therapist not a doctor or a chiropractor. The place is clean and very nice. He is very friendly, professional and definitely not just doing it for money. I am done looking for a descent massage. I know now where to go when my neck acts up. Thank you yelpers for the accurate review for this place and Ulysses. Best place to get a massage. read more

Nice space and great massage therapist! I really like that active release therapy technique.

I cannot begin to tell you how great the massage is! I plan on going at least once a month. Ulysess is amazing! It's therapy. If you haven't gone, you really need to. He really understands the body. I haven't felt this good in a really long time. read more

Thanks to Ulysses, I ran my half marathon! He helped me through the final weeks with a hip injury and I finished the race feeling better than I had several weeks prior. Amazing, skilled, kind and widely knowledgeable. Many thanks!! read more

Ulysses is such a great therapist. He is very sincere to his work and cares about my comfort all the time. This time I booked him because I was feeling pain in my lower back. I knew the it was from the car accident 5 years ago. He asked me some questions about how the accident happened and where I feel the pain at mostly, then he started the session. Ulysses always tells me what he is about to do and asks me if the pressure was right. He really is knowledgeable about human body, and on top of that, he is also a Reiki healer and the energy of Reiki is running through his hands during the session during the session. I can tell he is putting his 100% concentration to release my pain and make me feel comfortable. It is just amazing. His salon is in a nice quiet neighborhood but give yourself 10 extra minutes to get there since there is a lot of constructions going on right now. Ulysses just started online booking which is so easy to use and convenient. No more emailing and calling, you can book him right away. read more

Amazing! Remarkable! Best massage ever! Truly the most knowledgable and amazing massage therapist I have ever received.

The ambiance was very relaxing and beautifully decorated. I love the concept of a foot massage place. I think it would be even better if you could also combine that with getting a pedicure - that would be ideal! Staff could have been a little more professional, such as explaining more what was going to happen since it was my first time. And there should be a door between the massage area and their 'staff/break' room area - a few times it got a little loud which was distracting. Overall, though, a very nice experience. read more

To start off with, I have had bad experiences with massages. The first I ever had, the woman had on long acrylic nails so needless to say it was not relaxing. The second time, the woman would not stop talking about how her house was haunted and ghosts were trying to kill her children. Seriously, I wish I was joking. However, I really needed a massage after getting into a bike accident and starting at a new job where I sat at a computer all day long. Ulysses was really informative and showed me some stretches I could do at my desk. He also understood that any discussion of ghosts should probably not be had while at work. YAY! I left feeling really relaxed and would definitely go back. The only downside was I was expecting to see a storefront but it was in his house and there was no signage so I felt a little creepy and hoped I wasn't knocking on a random door: "Hi, I'm here for my massage! Oh... sorry." read more

De Maravilla Massage, Ulysses Espinoza, stands out among bodyworkers. I can't recommend him enough. He is professional, always effective and offers a range of therapeutic massage that is rare. I am thrilled with his work....he's a gem! read more

After reading all the YELP reviews, I bought a HomeRun deal, $39 for an hour massage. I would have certainly paid full price (still a good deal compared to other places) given the quality of the massage. Ulysses is clearly a pro, he explains everything he is doing, he asks questions to understand what you're looking for and his technique is impeccable compared to anyone else I've tried in the Bay Area. He is professional and calming and you can tell he takes his practice very seriously. The studio is in his home, so don't expect a "spa business" as you pull up (luckily, there is pretty easy parking in his 'hood) but the room and atmosphere where the massage is being performed is clean and relaxing. I had just run a half marathon the week beforehand and needed special attention to lower my legs and lower back. I tend to go for deep tissue but his technique he used, called "active release" was amazing and I don't think I'll go back to deep tissue after this. It was super intense and not a relaxation massage (he warned me about this) but my lower body felt amazing afterwards. I feel like this would be great to do with him after long runs to help in recovery. After trying many places in the Bay Area, I'm certain to go back to Ulysses. read more

I've been all over the world for massages and, in 15 years, this is the best one to date. After a fascinating mixture of therapy and relaxation, I came out of his office in a totally different state and that effect has lasted for weeks. I can't recommend him highly enough, particularly for athletes. He is a genius and one of the most intuitive people I have ever come across. The best thing about San Francisco by a landslide. read more

Ulysses is awesome. He is incredibly knowledgeable and professional, and a lovely person, too. Whether you want a general massage or need very particular attention - as I did for a troublesome hand problem - Ulysses is truly "una maravilla." read more

I have now had more massages from ullysses than anyone in my 58 years. I consider him a therapuetic gift to myself. jms