Synapse Massage &amp; Bodywork

excellent value for a $95/hour emergency massage. I had a knot in my shoulder that had been giving…read moreme headaches for days, and went in for a deep tissue massage with firm pressure. "Rose" gave me a very nice massage with deep work in my shoulders and other large muscles. Now I'm completely relaxed and my knot and headache are gone. Tip: ask to not be put in the far room, where the fan comes on directly above the massage bed.

This place has literally been a life saver for me to unwind and relax under very stressful and…read moreunexpected situations. I've just gone and not requested anyone specific and all .e times I've had a good experience. The place is clean, well run and maintained. One gender neutral bathroom in the back. A big room for the massages separated by cloth. Well appointed inside with Thai music that is soothing. The 60 min deep tissue was too short so I recommend d the 90' min. They are very efficient with the check in because every client fills out a chart and can circle areas to focus on and x out areas to avoid. You also mark the duration, type of massage, and how strong you want the pressure. I've been pleasantly surprised by how good the massages are. Clean, efficient, and effective. Will be back .. only wish the parking was easier to find and they had some specials or discounts .

Nice and very clean restroom

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Lucky Foot Spa

4.6(112 reviews)

1.1 mi•Oakland Chinatown

I've been here off and on. The last time did cupping was 4 years ago at this same place…read more I generally come here twice a year if not less. This time I specifically came cupping because I have some pain areas that is affecting my sleep. I just came back from a vacation from Asian which I felt is taking long time to recover physically. After the cupping procedure I did find they my shoulder , back and neck area was instantly relieve.. I will Update you all soon if I slept better .

Came here for a massage and got more what felt like a medical intervention with Jennifer over at…read moreLucky Foot Spa. I was in major pain, work has my back out of whack and was in desperate need for someone to get everything feeling better. I gave Lucky foot Spa a call and headed right over. I knew how messed up I was so I opted for the two hour massage for $140, such a great deal for something so necessary for me. Jennifer was my masseuse and she was super strong, maybe even too strong for me and I'm a thick gym goer who has a decent pain threshold. I thought I needed work on my back, but Jennifer found that the true cuplrit of my pain was my neck and shoulders. She tried to knead her way to get the knots out of my neck and shoulders, but I will definitely need a few more visits for a real resolution. Its been two days since that massage and I am feeling so much better! I definitely need to make a bi weekly massage part of my self care routine. When im ready for my next one, ill be right here at Lucky foot spa

Massage room

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Malai Thai Massage

4.9(214 reviews)

0.1 mi

Great experience! I had a 60 minutes deep tissue and felt less tense afterwards. The environment…read morewas also peaceful.

This was the best massage ever!!! I was so stressed and tight and now I feel so light. Nina is…read morelovely!!!

Lobby

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Sitting area in front of

CoCo SPA

3.1(31 reviews)

1.4 mi•Old Oakland

In town visiting my sister. Will come back every time…read more Amy gave me a great massage and was super kind as well. Good energy, awesome massage and nice people. Definitely recommend!

DO NOT GO HERE. I asked for a regular one hour massage for 60 usd and paid. During the massage she…read moreasked if I want harder intensity to which i replies yes but she goes onto say its "extra" and i said no thanks. After the massage is done, i tipped her and she told me its not enough!! That i need to pay extra 10USD for the "hard intensity" PLUS MINIMUM 30USD TIP. I shouldnt have tipped at all. The MASSAGE SUCKS ASS. Go somewhere else. This chinese place is a scam.

A great place, very comfortable......

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YaYa Health Spa

4.0(14 reviews)

1.2 mi•Oakland Chinatown

My partner and I booked massages in advance and were placed in separate private rooms when we…read morearrived. The place was clean and simple, no fancy decor but inviting enough with dim lighting and gentle melodies playing in the background. Beware, you can hear through the walls -- cars honking outside, staff chatter (in Chinese) in the lobby and shared space with massage lounge seating, even my boyfriend's snoring in the room next to mine during our sessions. We got the combination massage (30 minutes foot/30 minutes body), and my experience was positive. Pressure wasn't consistent during the entire treatment, but for the most part it was on the deeper side and effective. The first half focused mainly on the back, plus neck, shoulders, and arms, as well as a bit of the legs. The second half, my masseur asked me to "turn over" as he left the room briefly. He meant not only to flip over to lie on my back but also to change positions so that my head would be at the foot of the bed. From there, he did a very detailed job on my legs, feet, and each individual toe, borderline painful but overall good. We paid upfront before our services, including a credit card fee (2.50 per massage). Afterward, we gave a cash tip. They have a sign at the front asking for $20 (with very friendly language), which is the typical amount we tip anyway. The staff was incredibly kind and professional, so I have no complaints.

I would not recommend this place…read more The experience started off strange but bearable when they required us to pay for the massage and tip before receiving any services. They asked if I was comfortable with a male massage therapist, and I said yes. However, the therapist appeared extremely nervous and was shaking throughout the massage. He was unable to apply much pressure, making the massage ineffective and uncomfortable. I paid for a full-body massage, but only the back side of my body was massaged. The front was completely skipped. When I asked why, I was told the therapist wasn't sure whether it would be appropriate. That explanation made no sense to me, especially since I had already agreed to having a male therapist. If you're advertising a full-body massage, customers should receive a full-body massage. What made the experience even worse was how my friend was treated. After her service was finished, she was told to wait outside in the cold while I was still receiving mine. The area is not the safest, and I found it incredibly unprofessional to ask a paying customer to stand outside and wait. Overall, this was one of the most disappointing massage experiences I've had. Poor service, poor communication, and not the service that was advertised. I will not be returning.

0.7 mi•Piedmont Ave, North Oakland

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Melt Massage

4.8(114 reviews)

Hana is a very talented, experienced massage therapist. She is really tuned in to her clients and…read moremakes every effort to make them comfortable and address their concerns. I would unreservedly recommend Hana.

Hana is a delightful, skilled masseuse who spends the time to understand exactly what you need, and…read moreto adjust your massage as it occurs to ensure the best experience. She keeps up to date on massage techniques and practices. I find her massages both therapeutic and relaxing. Her office is in a lovely older building and is very peaceful. I go as often as I can, and now my husband goes more than I do!

Melt named Finalist in Best of Oakland Magazine contest! Vote by June 14th for all your favorites Oakland treasures.

So honored, again!

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Thank you to our clients for your loyalty and support. I believe we have the best therapists and I'm thrilled that you do, too!

The NOW Massage Emeryville

4.6(34 reviews)

2.0 mi

Available by appointment

Certified professionals

Came here on a last minute booking for a prenatal massage and had the most relaxing time ever! I…read morecame in for my 8pm appointment and was quickly greeted and shown hospitality. After a few minutes I was then introduced to my masseuse for the session, Meredith. Meredith greeted me formally with a handshake, following up with questions on how I'd like my massage to go and what areas needed more attention. She walked me into my room and assured me to lay however I felt was best. Throughout the massage she applied a consistent amount of medium firm pressure and worked on my upper back and hips the most as requested. It's been hard trying to find massage places that will provide a decent prenatal massage but Meredith steered the way for where to go. The session closed out with her kindly asking me if I had any questions, plus advising me to rehydrate and load up on protein for me and my little one. Definitely the place for a relaxing and serene experience!

I booked a last minute massage and wasn't sure what to expect. WOW- this place was a VIBE. The…read moreambiance, lighting, ocean waves, scents, all of it made for an incredible experience. I had easily one of the best massages with Andrew. He was so progressional, knowledgeable, kind, communicative, and incredibly talented. I did a pre-natal massage and added the scalp massage last minute. The scalp massage turned out to be a dream- it was a great addition to an already amazing massage.

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iMassaj

5.0(80 reviews)

1.7 mi•North Oakland

Great massage! Private studio so it's very comfortable. Would definitely be recommending to all…read morethat I know. Location is very easy to find as well. Helped combat my tight schedule so I'm forever grateful! Can't wait to be back!

You are in great hands when it comes to Alexandra. I was so out of whack after two weeks of nonstop…read moretravel and she was so attentive to what my body needed plus a great communicator to make sure she was aligned with my own needs. Couldn't recommend her enough!

IMassaj is a place of relaxation, rest and tranquility

Our fingerprints don't fade from the lives we touch

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Swedish Massage

Oakland Foot Health Center

3.9(173 reviews)

1.4 mi•Oakland Chinatown

•$

I originally booked a half foot and half body massage, but I modified it and requested shoulder,…read moreneck, head, and foot instead of the usual back and foot combination, and they were very accommodating. It ended up being one of the most relaxing experiences. I had a bad headache that day, and Sasa focused on my head massage, which helped a lot. I felt so much better afterward. I will definitely come back and recommend this place. They don't speak much English, but they are very open and accommodating to your needs. Their prices are on the more affordable side, so I highly recommend tipping generously if you're happy with the service. They do ask you to pay first, but I let them know I would add the tip after the service, and they were completely okay with that. I didn't feel pressured to tip in advance at all. The place is clean and neat. see the pictures for reference.

The front desk staff ended up doing my massage, which was already unexpected. I had booked a…read moreone-hour foot massage, but instead she kept rubbing the same spot on my head over and over--it wasn't relaxing, it was actually irritating. When I looked up, I saw she was on her phone, texting, and only using one hand to absentmindedly rub my head without paying attention to what she was doing. I immediately called her out, and she didn't deny it--she just told me to wait for another massage therapist. This experience made it clear that this business does not prioritize or respect its customers.

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My Beauty Spa

4.7(252 reviews)

3.1 mi

Certified professionals

Walk-ins welcome

Whenever I need a self care moment, I like to come to My Beauty Spa! It's easy to find street…read moreparking outside and I can often book an appointment last minute. I usually call because the website reservation system is not accurate. The receptionist is always friendly and welcoming. The venue is clean and quiet. I usually get a classic facial. It's a good price for what you get ($90/1 hour). Fion is especially gentle and the extractions barely hurt! Overall, a nice relaxing time and my skin comes out glowing.

I've been here several times and have enjoyed it each time. Got the massage and facial combo most…read morerecently and was able to book a same day appointment with no issues. Fion was my esthetician and it was such an amazing facial. She provided a great facial massage and face was glowing for multiple days after. So many people commented on how nice my skin looked! I'm looking forward to coming back!

Facials

The difference between our Classic Mascara Look and Volume Full Set

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That was ceci did my lashes before and after,love it! Will co e back for refill

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Ben W.

11 years ago

I have been a client of Stan's long before he began Synapse Massage & Bodywork. I decided to try two of the new therapists working with Stan, Jaimie and another day, Julia, and I was happy I did. I really appreciated their professionalism and the variety of touch that Synapse now has available between the different therapists. I was right to trust my thinking that anyone working out of Stan's studio would have to be experienced, caring, with good hands. I also very much appreciate that the space is clean and peaceful, and the sessions begin and end on time. I highly recommend Jaimie and Julia for their respective skill and professionalism. read more

Whitney M.

293

10 years ago

I've been meaning to check out Synapse for ages. As a bodyworker, I always like to know who's doing good work in my neighborhood. I've seen Liz outside of that practice and her work is excellent, so I wanted to know some of the other therapists. I had a session with Jamie a few weeks ago and it was really excellent. She was professional, attentive, kind, and very skilled. She listened to my litany of aches and pains and paid specific and relevant attention to each area. Her pressure was strong, steady, and consistent. Her pacing was slow and smooth and I felt both deeply relaxed and very safe. I left feeling better than I had in a while. read more

Juliette W.

10 years ago

I have have been receiving bodywork from Stan off and on for over a decade now. Recently I was fortunate enough to receive a session after an embarrassingly long hiatus. (No time is a terrible excuse not to care for yourself!) Holy cow was I reminded of what I had been missing. Stan's sessions are incredibly intuitive and therapeutic, both strong and pain specific but sooooooo relaxing. Wow - I walked out like jelly! And the new space on Summit street is gorgeous! Don't miss the confirmation email that tells you about the free parking in back like I did! read more

DJ D.

11 years ago

I highly recommend Synapse Massage for a therapeutic, relaxing massage experience. Stan has the right combination of technique, attitude, knowledge, and personality that makes for a top-tier massage. The details are clearly thought through to enhance the experience: the room temperature and the music are spot on every time. There are only so many good things I can say, you just need to try it out to see for yourself!! read more

Celeste S.

129

10 years ago

Had an amazing deep tissue massage given by Stan. Excellent pressure and effective techniques to get at the shoulder and neck tightness. He was also very gracious in changing my time as my car had been broken into and items stolen. Was great to walk into their space and feel the quiet and calm. Will definitely be back. read more

Rosarie H.

9 years ago

Synapse is an excellent massage studio. The office is beautifully appointed, and clean. Stan Barrett is an experienced, skilled and wise therapist. He has helped me with several surgeries and most important promoted my ongoing good health. I am lucky to go to Synapse and grateful for Stan's massage care. read more

Dee B.

1 year ago

They have been detailing this car from day one. Im never disappointed with the service.

Anonymous P.

12 years ago

All three of these professionals are simply excellent. You can't go wrong here.

laura i.

421

9 years ago

Divine! I have had the massage from Stan. Go and be in his hands!!!

Synapse Massage & Bodywork - massage_therapy - Updated September 2026

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I've had a number of massages in spa-style settings before, but this is my first experience at a…read moreplace that specializes in therapeutic bodywork. I have been having a lot of issues with posture-related misalignment and back pain and wanted to find a massage therapist whom I could visit semi-regularly. Shout-out to Mason. I've had two sessions so far and have been extremely impressed with their knowledge and skills. On my first visit Mason asked me a lot of questions about my issues and watched me do a few exercises to determine a plan of action. Mason clearly has a deep and holistic understanding of anatomy and helped alleviate some of my chronic tension/pain after one session, including addressing some tightness in muscle groups that I didn't even know were related to my neck and shoulder issues! Mason checks in regularly about pressure and comfort levels. At the start of my second session I mentioned some life stressors that I had been experiencing and Mason also incorporated some seriously relaxing/gentle techniques that left me feeling calm and ready to tackle life's challenges. I will definitely be back as much as I can - I only wish I could afford to come more often!

Super considerate, very thorough work, and not too much pressure. I went in pretty beat up, and…read morefelt much better after.

Crown Thai Massage

4.9

(46 reviews)

Had a great massage with DJ. Definitely want to schedule again. He had great, strong hands.read more

If you need a great massage in a pinch, this is the place for you. I've been going here for a few…read moreyears and it never disappoints. The rooms are always clean, the therapists are well trained with strong hands, and they'll take care of what you're looking for. I just saw JD and had a ton of neck and shoulder pain. He magically found all of my tense spots and worked them out, one by one. He also kept making sure the pressure was as I wanted. It's hard to find a massage therapist who listens to and understands the human body that well. I'll be going back for sure!

Back to Center Bodywork

4.9

(105 reviews)

Edward Chand is a fabulous therapist. During my training towards my black belt I often suffered…read morefrom repetitive Stress injuries, overall soreness, muscle tightness and strains. His ability to identify the root cause is impressive and most importantly the instant relief is like a miracle worker. I absolutely love his deep tissue work which is rare amongst most therapist. It is clear that Edward is very talented and knowledgeable on the anatomy of the human musculoskeletal system. Edward is one of those individuals who's is a great healer and seems to find his own self healing by healing others. I am grateful that he is available for me during my times of critical need. Hats off to this amazing therapist/healer.

Alex is PHENOMENAL. His level of expertise is out of this world. I've gotten full body massages at…read morea few other places in San Diego and because that was all I had to compare to, they were great for what they were. A massage therapist I went to in San Diego recommended that I try neuromuscular therapy due to my needs and her noting that my body responded well to compression massage (thank goodness for her because she led me to search for NMT therapists specifically in the Bay Area). There are so many positives but the main ones for me are that I was having migraines once a month and after going to Alex regularly they were completely gone. He listens to your needs every session. There are multiple times when my upper back hurts more and he focuses on that area. I personally regard my sessions as treatment rather than a massage because of how they are tailored to my needs. No two massages have felt the same and that's a pro for me. I also really appreciate the knowledge he has about improving posture and tips for us remote desk workers. I've needed to take some of his urgent appointments due to hurting my back and foot and he was super responsive and both times I felt improvement. So amazing! Very grateful for those urgent appointments! Alex is extremely communicative with rate changes, when there is a COVID exposure if you have an upcoming appointment, updates on what he might be doing that impacts you as a client, if he's taking new clients or not, and for scheduling. I've been going for a while now and Alex has always kept his mask on (in case that's important to you!). He has also offered perks for free like essential oils and hot stone when other places charge you at least $5-10 extra for that. Parking is extremely easy, but you might have a hard time finding the spot initially. Instructions sent do explain how to get there. Highly recommend Alex. I wish I could give more than 5 stars!

Selā Thai Wellness

(20 reviews)

Now I have had A LOT of massage in my lifetime. I also have a lot of injuries and I'm not the…read moreeasiest person to work on. Let me tell you, Paul is phenomenal! My massage was so good, I didn't even get dressed before I messaged my friend to come in. Wonderful customer service on the phone and with booking. Beautiful space. Only downside is that it is upstairs. Also looks like they have their own parking. I'll definitely be back.

I went today and received another amazing experience! I have been here a couple times and tried…read moreother places but I have to say this place has been the best! She was able to get to my knots and checked to see if the pressure was just right for me. I will be back soon!!

Andrea Turner, CMT - Five Creeks Massage Therapy

4.8

(72 reviews)

Came for help with TMJ and very tight scalenes, the massage was very healing, soothing. I really…read morefelt relaxed after leaving, highly recommend!

Wow. I came to Andrea for a TMJ massage and it was totally and completely wonderful. She spent time…read moreassessing my pain and what I was needing before the massage started. She worked on my shoulders, neck, and jaw (from both in and outside my mouth!). Not only was the massage relaxing and soothing, but it has given me more relief from my chronic pain than I have felt in literally a year. Andrea is a gem and her work is phenomenal. I'm so glad I found her! I'll definitely be back.

McKinnon Massage Clinic

4.8

(24 reviews)

•$

So glad that the McKinnon clinic is back up and running! Affordable, professional, and truly…read morecaring, talented therapists! $50 for an hour massage?! How can you beat that?!

Loved my massage with Joyce great deep tissue work on the back and neck. Easy to find, convenient…read moreto park.

mama meg's massage

(104 reviews)

I've been seeing Meg for massages for over two years now and she is truly incredible. She has…read moresupported me through both pregnancy and postpartum, and I always leave feeling so much better. Most recently, I saw her about a week after giving birth to my second baby when I was having a lot of upper body pain from breastfeeding and constantly holding a newborn. Meg knew exactly where the tension was and worked through my neck, shoulders, and upper back so thoughtfully. The relief I felt afterward was immediate. This relief significantly helped my breastfeeding journey - something I wish I had done with my first baby. Meg is not only extremely skilled but also so kind and calming. If you're looking for prenatal or postpartum massage, I can't recommend her enough.

I've now been going to Mama Meg's for over 2 years and have had massages from all therapists. All…read moreof them are fantastic! I worked with Haighley during pregnancy when I had a bad case of sciatica and saw her almost weekly until it resolved. She was a lifesaver when nothing else worked. I've worked the most with Josh postpartum and he's helped me so much with some low back and hip pain surrounding breastfeeding and playing on the floor with my now toddler. Whenever I come to him, we figure out what makes the most sense for that day and he's always been able to loosen my muscles and have me feeling close to new again. I value his professionalism and gentle wisdom as well. I highly recommend all the therapists but especially Josh. Thank you!

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