I was already familiar with the Berkeley Acupuncture Project and their amazing work and was pleased to find Tom Pettengill through them after a year and a half of upper back pain and migraines that were not improved with chiropractic and acupuncture alone. I've now seen Tom seven times after experiencing relief from my first visit. Before visiting Tom I wondered if this was a chronic issue I would be facing for the rest of my life. Now I believe I am healing and this is a temporary pain in the neck. I appreciate his no pressure approach to follow-up visits and immediately knew he was working with me to help me heal not to sell me a package. Tom was quick to respond to my initial phone call, took the time to speak with me over the phone about my issues, and sent me a questionnaire so we could get all of the background information out of the way prior to our first visit. I found scheduling with Tom to be simple and easy. He gives his all to each visit. For more specifics, Tom says it best on his own site and it matches my experience so I'll echo that for you here: "I practice a therapeutic style massage that evaluates pain and dysfunction of soft tissue in the body. This method can help restore fluid movement while reducing pain. An important part of my work is your involvement.  The more you can be aware and tuned into your body during each session we have, the better your results will be!  I can help you to relax but then you have to help yourself to release.  During all our sessions, you will be fully clothed. For your best results, it is important that you stay aware of your body during our session and, afterward, be actively involved in your own healing process. After all, you are your best healer!" What happens during a therapeutic massage session: You will be wearing your clothes - so you can feel relaxed and comfortable as Tom works through your clothing. Tom does therapeutic massage that helps to correct physical imbalances, relieve pain, and realign muscles so they perform better. This is all done thru a muscular re-education technique that is fascinatingly effective! He educates you about your own body regarding correct posture and movement suggestions, looks at anatomy books for visual learning with you because he believes that your education about your own body is the best way for you to get better and for you to heal yourself in the long term. read more

I went to Tom for help with pain in my foot and his work made a big difference. My toes are functioning better and I have less pain. I look forward to working with him again. Tom's approach is unique, gentle, compassionate and highly recommended! read more

Tom is an exceptional body-worker. I came to him dealing with intense radiating nerve pain that ran from my neck, down my arm, and into my back (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome). Having seen many body-workers for all types of conditions for the last 30 years, I am very picky. I could tell right away that Tom was outstanding. He was highly focused and approached my treatment with a slow, methodical technique, working some very contracted muscles in my neck. Despite the pain I was in, I immediately felt at ease as soon as he began his work. After just one session, my pain was reduced by about 60%, and by the second session, it was completely gone. He is the best body-worker I have found in the Santa Cruz area. I can't recommend him enough! read more

Masterful. That's how I'd sum up what I've observed as Tom's capacity to tackle neuromuscular issues on a broad spectrum. I think he's so good because he's very experienced, and he listens acutely. Which is rare. My issues are chronic and I'm finally getting better after years of trying. Enough said! read more

My session with Tom was absolutely incredible. He has such a calming and peaceful presence and deeply cares about your well-being. He is trained in various modalities which allows him to release deep tension and stress and to allow the body to heal. I'm so grateful for his services and beautiful presence in the world. I highly recommend working with Tom -Brittani read more

I woke up with so much pain in my neck, I couldn't even turn my head. Thank goodness Tom was able to schedule a session with me right away. He used his gentle muscle releasing techniques to undo the taught muscles in my neck. His ability to find the places that would let go first was uncanny. As the outer layers let go, he then continued with his gentle but directed approach to go deeper. By the end of my session the knots and spasms released. Like a patient, sensitive jeweler undoing a knotted chain he had set my neck to its natural free state. read more

Tom brings great skill and expertise to his bodywork. He listens and addresses the needs of his clients, bringing in his knowledge of anatomy and orthopedic techniques. During our session, he incorporated neuromuscular therapy (and explained the techniques in an understandable way) and a held a grounded, warm presence which proved to alleviate the back pain and emotional discomfort I was experiencing. I felt safe and comfortable in our session and left feeling lighter and happier! It's clear that he brings a lot of care and depth of knowledge in his bodywork sessions. I HIGHLY recommend seeing Tom for a therapeutic massage! read more

From my very first session with Tom I was blown away with the care I received and felt from him. I have chronic reoccurring neck issues and Tom took the time to understand my history and situation and come up with an approach that I felt comfortable with. I feel ease and relaxation after each visit. Highly recommend. read more

I am so happy I found Tom. I have suffered from acute Sciatic nerve pain from a herniated disc for four months and after my first visit with Tom I felt relief. He is a highly skilled body worker, full of knowledge about anatomy, movement, and pain. He has magic hands and uses many different techniques to work on the deep tissue releasing tight muscles. Tom is very kind and patient and spends time asking me questions and listening to the details of my answers which he remembers and follows up on. I highly recommend Tom. read more

Intune with the ways of the body- musculoskeletal and nervous system. Tom's technique of muscle contraction holding and pushing release is amazing. My body is responding effectively. He gives enough pause in between and always starts the session 'inviting me to receive & maintain attention to my body, should I choose' I generally do not want male practitioners for bodywork, but I feel completely respected and recommend him to anyone who wants more awareness and comfortability in their body! He also had a great deal he offered me initially as a Birthworker! read more

Tom is a highly skilled bodyworker - he brings his excellent knowledge of anatomy together with effective orthopedic techniques, and a warm, sensitive presence. My first treatment with Tom was pain relieving and healing and I definitely plan to work with him again. As another massage therapist (and orthopedic practitioner) myself, I absolutely recommend his work. Read some of the other reviews and check out Tom's website for a better understanding of what to expect with his style of orthopedic massage. read more

I came to Tom for help with residual quad muscle pain four months after hip surgery. His orthopedic massage has reduced the pain to mild discomfort and increased my range-of-motion, which no amount of stretching could do. I also arrived one day with acute lower back pain, after straining myself. Tom worked on my back and hips the entire hour. When I stood up, there was a 90% improvement, and I was able to work out the next day! I'm very grateful for his skills. read more

Had a stiff neck and Tom took care of it! Loved that he consulted with me before he got started and really focused on my problem areas. I will definitely be coming more often. read more

Tom is a miracle worker! I came in in extreme pain. Tom took his time, communicated with me throughout the process, made sure I was comfortable. 12 hours later I am feeling so much better! Definitely recommend him! read more

I had the best body treatment with Tom. I've been getting back into landscaping using heavier equipment which flared up my back, hip, & hand issues. After our session my body felt so liberated from all the strain & tension of the week that I slept for a full 24 hours. Just. Wow! Following up on some stretches that Tom taught me to help w my hip is helpful & really appreciate the tools he gave me so I can continue to improve my comfort & ability. Thank you so much, Tom! A++ read more

Tom has been very helpful and kind at addressing my needs from week to week. He is very thoughtful, and his approach/technique puts me in a good space mentally and physically. I typically see him for pain/discomfort in my hands from straining my muscles too much at the keyboard or playing guitar and piano. I have also had work done on my neck and back. He is very versatile and caring! Thank you! read more

Tom has been really great for helping with different tensions that I have in my back. I always feel extremely relaxed and loose when I leave the office each week. Tom has a strong touch that seems extremely intuitive and thoughtful. I was new to orthopedic massage and although it is much different than "regular" massage, I have ended up really liking it and Tom is great with instructing you on how to get the most benefit out of the experience. He is also located in the Berkeley Acupuncture Project location so you can conveniently go get acupuncture afterwards or beforehand if you'd like! Highly recommend Tom!! read more

I saw Tom a few years ago when he was just getting started at BAP. I had a 30 minute massage with him and was extremely satisifed. He is honest, kind, and can deliver one heck of a therapeutic session. read more

Tom is a gifted body worker with a gentle and intuitive touch. He uses a combination of active and passive release techniques (orthopedic massage) to relieve muscle tension throughout the body. As someone who suffers from chronic jaw, neck, and back pain, I've had tremendous relief from our weekly sessions. Over the past few months, I've had less back spasms, headaches, and teeth clenching/grinding. I am amazed at how much my TMJ has improved. I cannot recommend Tom enough! read more

As a result of over-exercising, I was having a lot of pain in my lower legs. Referred by a well-respected BAP acupuncturist, I contacted Tom Pettengill based on her recommendation. To say I am pleased with his services is an understatement. From the start, Tom pinpointed where my pain originated and then proceeded to apply specific massage techniques to promote healing. After my first visit with him, my knee and ankle pain diminished. Excited about how good I felt after my first visit, I saw Tom a couple of weeks later, to see if he could make my shoulder feel as good as my legs and ankle. After my second visit with Tom, I walked away pain-free. Without reservation or hesitation, I highly recommend Tom. read more

Tom has a wonderful intuitive healing touch, which he uses right alongside his vast knowledge of anatomy and physiology. He worked on me for 2+ years, and in that time, besides improved physical alignment and health, I gained a better understanding of the body mechanics and root causes of some of the issues I was having, which he discussed with me and showed me with textbook images. I also felt I gained a more subtle, but powerful, energetic awareness which I experienced in that deep relaxed healing state of his treatments. I enjoyed his orthopedic treatments as well as the oil massages (with his homemade infused oils!) he provided. He is truly a generous, knowledgeable, professional practitioner. read more

Tom has given me some excellent, calming and healing treatments. I was a bodyworker for years and I know when I'm in the hands of a genuinely gifted practitioner with a solid spiritual foundation. Tom is the real deal. read more

For over a year Tom has provided me with high quality, effective and reliable body work. Anyone with a sore body could greatly benefit from his skilled approach to massage. He employs a specific type of orthopedic massage called Muscle Energy Technique (MET for short) that is super effective in the healing process. This technique, which asks the massage recipient to play a more active role in the massage experience, has done wonders for the aches and pains of my active body. Tom also happens to be a great guy who is full of healing insight and wisdom! read more

I received work from Tom for 2 different injuries- one for an intercostal muscle strain and one for on-going neck and shoulder tension. It was evident both times that my comfort and safety was of the utmost importance to him; I felt very held and supported through both treatments. He started off by first asking me a number of questions around the injury to better inform what he would be doing. He then fully explained how he was going to proceed, which was comforting to hear. The atmosphere was very soft and calm, and I was able to fully relax and be in my body while he worked. Both times I received relief and left feeling lighter, calmer, and grounded. It is clear that he deeply cares for the well-being of anyone on his table and is fully present in mind, body, and spirit for each patient. His humor and compassion are his greatest strengths and make his massages that much more effective. I would recommend him to anyone in a heartbeat. read more

Tom is the best of the best! He is highly knowledgeable and skilled. He works on the target area and offers exercises and stretches to support your goals. He is also a genuinely kind human, who wants to help in whatever way his skills support. I highly recommend Tom!! read more

The bottom line: you'll keep going back. Tom has a real healer's touch, and creates an incredibly relaxing environment. He's a great listener, his pressure is just right, and he brings real kindness and caring to each treatment. read more

Tom is a truly gifted healer. As a yoga teacher who needs lots of support (so I can best support others), I have had many, many practitioners work on my body. Tom is by far one of the top therapists I have had the pleasure to work with. Working with him is like having my own personal somatic therapist, masseuse, and chiropractor rolled into one! He seems to use his vast knowledge, as well as intuition, to locate the places where my body is holding both physical, energetic, and emotional tension. He then creates the most compassionate and effective pathway into these bones and tissues to move what is stuck or stagnant back into healthy flow. He custom-designs each session just the way I need it to be in that moment, and leaves me feeling truly nourished on all levels. I notice that for weeks after our session my body is pain free and my heart is lighter. This is essential in order to show up in the best possible way for my friends, family, students, and myself. Thank you Tom! You are an important member of my mental and physical healthcare team :-) read more

I came in with a snowboarding injury and over two sessions am able to move, swim and exercise again. Tom offered me targeted sports massage to get my shoulder, neck, and back to release tension. It's exactly what I needed. There are many other approaches to body work, and I've tried a few but Tom's has been the most effective. I'm back at 75% and hopeful for a full recovery. It can be hard to find the right healer on Yelp, but if you need a powerful, targeted massage with a deep understanding of physiology and anatomy, Tom is a great choice. read more

Tom has a very special combination of experience, intuition and skill. He is a great listener and really understands the body. He is helping me find pain relief after 5 years of chronic back/hip pain. After my first session, I had my first pain free night of sleep in months. He is also helping me develop strategies to stay pain free. I highly recommend Tom! read more

Tom is great! I started seeing him about 6 months after breaking 2 ribs on my back. I was still in a lot of pain and couldn't exercise or do a lot of my normal activities. I've been seeing him now for about 6 months and the benefits are outstanding. He's really worked with me and my injury and as the healing progresses the focus of the body work changes. He's easy to schedule and affordable (I can see him 2-3 times a month thanks to his sliding scale at bap). Really good at what he does! read more

I am extremely grateful to have found Tom. Despite months of physiotherapy 'treatment' at Kaiser, an old shoulder injury was healing very slowly, and had -- as a side-effect -- caused a painful "tennis elbow." While checking out acupuncture treatment at BAP, I ran across Tom's profile. After just two massage sessions with him, my shoulder and "tennis elbow" are much improved, and I am quite hopeful that, after a few more sessions, they will be alleviated completely! read more

I've enjoyed my sessions with Tom very much. His presence is open and caring and puts one at ease from the beginning. I have had different parts of my back flare up at different times. Each time I have seen Tom for a session, he has been able to release the tension and soreness from the muscles that are struggling. His knowledge of anatomy and how the muscle groups work together is impressive and he takes the time to answer questions and give suggestions. He's a wonderful healer! read more

I had never heard of orthopedic massage, but was willing to try anything to get relief from acute lower back pain. Tom thoroughly and patiently explained the process and what he could and could not offer. The procedure, itself, is pure heaven. You're on a standard massage table, but fully clothed and on your side hugging a soft pillow. Tom's hands are magic. He is an excellent communicator, knowledgeable practitioner, generous with his time, and has a warm sense of humor, as well. He's a gentle, caring soul. read more