Alex is PHENOMENAL. His level of expertise is out of this world. I've gotten full body massages at a 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! read more

Edward Chand is a fabulous therapist. During my training towards my black belt I often suffered from 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. read more

I had a massage from Sage, they were so good at addressing the areas of chronic pain in my hips and back. I was positively giddy when they released a giant knot in my glute that has been kinked up since forever. Awesome! Definitely looking forward to my next session. read more

Long overdue review for Andrea. She is a great therapist. Strong to firm pressure and great technique. The business has private parking to the rear of the building which is extremely convenient. I will definitely see Andrea again. read more

Where do I begin...with the sunlit and pleasant space, convenient yet discreet location or the highly attentive staff. Definitely the staff! Andrea is a rockstar. I came in after spending months on the road off and on and doing a final 9 day lap before returning home. To say the least my body was untuned and out of sync. I had knots in my hips, an elevated shoulder and what felt like a permanent cramp in my glutes. She had a lot to work with and Andrea got it done. She knew where to apply just the right level of pressure at the right spot to make me say, "ahhhhhhh" The relief was magical, feeling the release of muscles that had been holding to a steering wheel and sitting in the same seat for days on end. Next appointment with Andrea will be cupping. read more

I have a lot of tension in my neck and lower back, and am very in my head. Every time I get bodywork from Andrea, I feel relief and presence in my body. She asks the right questions, personalizes my care, and just does overall amazing work. Bonus, I'm trans, and feel incredibly safe and seen with Andrea. Highly, highly recommend. read more

I went to see Meredith at the Berkeley location. It was like going for a medical treatment. I just felt so much physically better in my body the next day that I wanted to leave this review. She's exceptional at breaking up locked in tight muscle groups and I absolutely will go see her again. read more

I've been going to Alex Gwozda for the past 4 months and he has saved me! Back in May of last year I injured my shoulder so bad I ended up in the ER twice needing shots of Toredol for what I can only describe as the worst pain in my life. Six months later I was still dealing with a lot of residual pain exacerbated by the fact that I sit at a desk all day. Then I saw Alex. I book him for a 75 min Western/deep tissue massage. That first session was excruciating (but hey, I asked for it!), tears coming out of my eyes and a lot of very intense moments, but after, oh my god, what a difference! My shoulder has been 100% normal ever since. I now re-book with Alex every six weeks and make this part of my self-care that I don't skip out on. It has greatly helped with reducing my overall stress, given me real time to unplug from the world, and keep my shoulder in check. Alex has a very sincere, grounding presence, an extremely sensitive "bedside manner" and a very intuitive rhythm to his work. I have had a lot of massages before that were "good" but Alex is great. read more

Alex Gwozda needs to change his name to: "Alex (is) GODzda". Why? He is a miracle worker! A CONFESSION: I have *never* been to Back to Center. I was the fortunate recipient of Alex's healing powers at a studio in SF ... this review is for ALEX GWOZDA. I'd had knee surgery (meniscus tear) about 5 years earlier. My knee had become stiff, sore, swollen ... walking was painful and my flexibility was practically gone. "This is it," I said to myself. "This is when I wind up with knee replacement surgery. I now have to confess I'm old*. I'm done." I went to my MD and made an appointment with a physical therapist who has a great rep ... but she's so great, she's fully booked. The earliest I could see her was TEN WEEKS OUT. Ugh. So ... I searched for a bodywork studio, and reviewed the massage therapists' on-line profile. I chose Alex based on his experience with chronic pain and sports injuries. I booked the maximum session length: 90 min. I walked (limped?) in, explained to Alex what was going on, and said "You've got 90 min. Let's see what you can do for my knee and legs, please." WOW. Did he ever focus! When the session was done, I immediately saw results. No kidding. IMMEDIATELY. The stiffness and discomfort were gone. My flexibility astounded me. Before the session I couldn't bend my knee much past 90 degrees ... when I left, I could bend my knee so that my heel touched my backside. What. Just. Happened!! I booked sessions every week for a few weeks, then every other week .. by the time my PT appointment finally came around, I looked at her and shrugged: "I found a fantastic massage therapist. I'm not sure I really need you!" :D Now -- I'm very, very lucky in this story. My issue wasn't so much skeletal/knee as it was muscular. And Alex found a way to get me moving again, and help maintain my improvements. I was *SO* sad when he moved his practice to the East Bay ... but am SO HAPPY to have the chance to recommend him to *you*. He's Your Guy. read more

I'm finally getting around to writing this review for Alex Gwozda but its something I have to do. I got a recommendation for Back to Center from a good friend of mine who is a body work professional and it happened to be very close to my office. I booked with Alex randomly because he was available at the time that worked for me, but holy crap I got lucky! I went in the first time for a 60 min deep tissue massage session and learned exactly what a massage should be! Alex had a great energy, asked all the right questions, and had a better awareness of my body than I even did. He found and worked out knots in muscles I didn't even realize I had and I left the first session blown away! I rebooked immediately after the session and ended up going back every month for over a year! Alex did things with his hands that no other masseuse ever had and every session was a little different based on how my body was feeling at the time. He even gave me some things to do at home that helped me in between my monthly sessions! I recommend booking Alex to everyone I know in Oakland even though I've since moved out of the area. Top Notch Body worker! read more

Best massage I've ever had and I've had a lot in the last decade. I have fibromyalgia and a lot of chronic pain/muscle tightness though I am a relatively active person. Alex was amazing. Already scheduled my next appointment. I would go every week if I could afford it. But I'll aim for once a month. Also, I had read others' reviews of Alex on here which is why I chose him. read more

Truly superb masseuses! This is why you pay extra for a professional. I'll be honest, I'm frugal and I like my $50 massages but they weren't getting the job done recently. I've had massages at places like Burke Williams and felt very underwhelmed and grateful that I had gift certificates because they were not worth it. After months of back pain, I finally decided to shell out a little more and see what real professionals not at high end spas could do, and these pros were amazing. I like a lot of firm pressure and they don't hold back but they also know that beating your back to death isn't going to help you. Kelley was my masseuse and she was fantastic. You could tell that she knows how the body works, how it's all connected and one affects the other. This is knowledge I simply wasn't able to get elsewhere. I was able to call and get a same-day appointment. The person answering the phones was very helpful and nice. They send you ample reminders so you won't forget. The location is up a little bit of a hill so if you're walking or riding a bike, be warned. I didn't see bike parking there but this Yelp page says there's bike parking. The massage rooms are very clean and inviting, with a lot of natural light and good ambience (not too dark but not too bright). They accept credit cards and be sure to tip accordingly. If you get a pre-paid package, you can save $10 per massage. read more

Meredith. Meredith was sent from heaven to exorcise the demons trapped in my shoulders, my hamstrings, my psoras or whatever is holding my hips together. The woman is tough on knots like mcgruff is tough on crime. I'm a member of cult of peloton and while i stretch every time I ride now, the repetitive motion can tend to aggravate certain areas. Do I walk out feeling like a noodle? Yes. Had I better drink water AND take an epsom salt bath after as well? You bet. Worth it. I'm back to life the next day with full range of motion. Magical. She's magical. Book her. 90min. You won't regret it. read more

I had an amazing massage with Andrea. She really paid attention to my problem areas and I felt so much better after my massage. Can't wait to go back! read more

I had a prenatal massage with Chrystal. TLDR: It was great, highly recommend. Here is what I loved about the experience: * Same day appointments available! I am a pregnant lady with a toddler - sometimes it's hard to book in advance for a number of reasons, and sometimes you have those days where you need a massage ASAP. I really appreciate when there is availability. * Excellent firm pressure. Chrystal checked in with me and I explained I like very firm pressure on the shoulders and feet, and that is what I got! For those who crave a deep massage, especially if you've had prenatal massages where they seem to want to be super-gentle, book here! * Lovely space, clean and cute, parking available. * Ease and relaxation - I am an extroverted and chatty person so when I get a massage I like to just zone out. I felt like Chrystal responded to that and created a calm, quiet space with just a few check-ins to make sure pressure was good and I was comfortable. * I felt better for several days after, which is what you want after a good massage. read more

It a hard time to find body healers right now, given the social context. I strongly recommend getting a massage with Andrea! I feel so much better every time. Andrea is amazingly skilled and intuitively knows just how to release built up tension and stored away stress. She is gentle and strong and seems to have a special way to energetically connect with her clients. If you've been wanting to try someone new, she is definitely the one! read more

Started seeing Andrea Reynolds Bodywork @ Back to Center to work on my lower back. Lower back no longer an issue. Andrea is helping me keep my (senior) body in tune for my active lifestyle. read more

Go see Meredith! I had a session with her today and it was amazing. Meredith is not only mellow but also professional and definitely knows her stuff. Not only did my sore spots get thoroughly worked on but I also received some great insights from her. You can tell that Meredith loves what she does and I will definitely be back! The place itself is very clean, quiet and down to earth. read more

I had high expectations given the reviews for this place, but I had the strangest experience. I came in because I have some knots in my lower back that I expected would get worked on at least a little. I understand that knots can sometimes not get fixed in one session, but in a 90 min session, I expected a little work. However, Kelly refused to work on it because I am ticklish. I have been ticklish since I was a kid. No masseuse I used in the past has had a problem with me being ticklish, and they all notice it dies down after the initial touch. I have the same problem on my feet when I get a pedicure, and nail technicians don't refuse to serve me. I should not have tipped her, and I am disappointed with my experience here. read more

I love Kelley!! I almost don't want to share because I want to be able to book with her always. I've been going to her for years and her hands are intuitive, she's thoughtful, so kind, and I love coming back to her. She's a remarkable masseuse and a stellar human. Highly recommend! read more

Edward has magic hands literally he has relieved my pain and most importantly takes the time to assess the root cause of the problem. I am very grateful that I found a person who understands my body and can identify the pain and knows how to remedy it. He always makes time for me and also takes the time out to explain his assessment on what's going on. The knowledge he has is great and helps me understand myself better. Hands down a great therapist. Thank you. read more

I have had massages from Meredith Shannon for years, and I can honestly say she is the best massage therapist I have ever visited. I've also sent friends and family to her, and they say the same. It took me a long time looking around in the East Bay to find someone of her caliber. Her experience and energy are amazing. read more

I was internet searching for neuromuscular massage therapists to help with my back/shoulder pain from repetitive use/strain. I was so happy to get an appointment within 2 days. Alex was amazing! I thought I would never find a massage therapist better than the one I had in Austin, but I think I have. (Sorry, Rhonda) Alex was very professional and knowledgable about all the muscles that were bothering me. I was worried about missing work next week due to pain but his massage helped so much! I would highly recommend Alex for massage for injury relief! read more

I just had a 90 minute Western massage with Alex Gwozda here. I was searching around on yelp yesterday for something (anything) I could get for today, because my back was killing me. Knots in the upper, aching in the lower. Most places were full, but he had one opening this morning, so I grabbed it, sight unseen (never seen him, never been to this studio). How was it? Well, I booked my next appointment with him before I even left the room today, for three weeks from now. I've never done that before! I've never had better work done on my back, especially my lower back, which always seems to end up a bit neglected. Alex did fairly deep tissue work, which I often can't take, because it hurts too much, but since his technique is smooth and his strokes are broad, I was able to breathe through some of the more difficult spots and really get the benefit of that deeper work. (He called it "firm Swedish"). He really knows his anatomy, and did some work on my computer-caused elbow strain. It'll take a few days before we know whether it helped or not, but see Wendy Y's review from 6/3/2018 - I'm hoping for similar results with my elbow that she experienced with her knee. Alex is great. Take advantage of the new customer discount and book a massage with him, stat! *Note about the studio - it has the great advantage of free parking behind the building, near the entrance. The room is quiet and clean and comfortable, you don't hear the freeway at all despite the location. read more

Just had my third 90-min massage from Beatriz. Her massages are incredibly relaxing and my back/neck/whatever is bothering me ends up feeling amazing after. She's also very helpful with recommending stretches and how to best recover after a massage. I love the environment at Back to Center -- it's a great space and the chocolates after your massage make you feel pampered. If you're considering getting a massage here, I highly recommend it! read more

MEREDITH IS THE BOMB. (Shall I say it again for the people in the back?) Seriously, I'm a bodyworker myself with 15+ years experience, and after that many years of giving and receiving massage, I know what's what, and Meredith delivers. She is a master of tension removal and de-stressing. She combines several different modalities to leave me relaxed and refreshed, every single time. Not to mention, her personality is delightful. A monthly massage with Meredith is a mandatory part of my self-care. And really, don't we all need more of that? Do yourself a favor and book a session with her ASAP! read more

As much as I want to keep it a secret, I need to let the world know that Chrystal is THE BEST EVER! Chrystal asks good questions and really listens for how she can help resolve the day's stresses. She creates a comfortable and warm environment, so I know I'm in good hands. She is also extremely talented and knowledgeable, and checks in several times during the session to make sure the pressure is not too light or too rough. Sometimes I think that massages are extravagant, but I find it is time and money well spent. There are ways that one's body holds stress that even yoga can't fix, in which case I suggest you schedule a session with Chrystal. read more

Great massage with Alex. Super intuitive, found all my spots and worked on them. Can't recommend enough!!

I'm a powerlifter/weightlifter with knots all over the place and occasional neck aches. My husband does CrossFit and has tight shoulders. I had a 75min western combo with Alex and he had the same with Meredith. Alex spent a lot of time on my back, shoulders, and neck and I felt amazing after my western combo massage! Alex & Meredith are very knowledgeable and my husband and I both think it was the best massage we've ever had. Plus: they have a parking lot, which makes things very easy. read more

Where do I begin? I found Back to Center on Yelp because I have exhausted all alternatives when it comes to the knots in my back (chiropractic, acupuncture, massage). I noticed that every single review of there's on Yelp was 5 stars, so it was an easy call for me. Now when it came to selecting a therapist, I'll admit I conducted no research prior to scheduling an appointment. I chose Meredith because she had the first opening. Little did I know that I was selecting a massage therapist who would change my entire opinion on the power or massage! I still remember my first visit. Meredith first asked me where I was experiencing discomfort. And then she went to work. After my first time with Meredith I observed that she had removed 2 knots that had been torturing me for years. Since then I have been seeing Meredith 1-2 times a month and during every massage I am reminded as to why I see her. I have described her to a coworker as being the equivalent of "Christopher Columbus navigating the uncharted waters of my back". She discovered knots that I didn't know I had. All in all she is the perfect therapist if you are suffering from physical pain. I always leave her massage feeling blissful and wishing it would continue forever. My knots improve each time I go and I believe that after a few months they will be gone completely! She's also a great person. Sorry if this review is too flowery, but Meredith is my favorite. Cheers! read more

I am a 51 Year old athlete. I play tennis a few times a week, cycle almost daily, and walk at least 3 miles most days of the week. I have many physical pains and ailments, and sometimes those get my way of enjoying my sports and my days in general. Tennis, Cycling, and Walking are all a necessity for my mental and physical health and I absolutely have to be able to keep doing those things. As a friend once joked, the world benefits from my getting to be able to exercise. There is truth in jest. But I digress: Alex Gwozda was recommended to me over a year ago by a good friend of mine after I was talking about how I needed to find a good body worker in Oakland. I've seen many body workers, rolfers, cranial sacral therapists, and massage therapists in San Francisco and Oakland over the past 20 years, and I can say with 100% certainty that I've never had one as good as Alex. He is friendly, attentive, very strong, and he really knows the body. My sessions include cupping, percussion massage, and deep tissue. I've had a hip replacement during this time, arthritic lower back problems, shoulder problems and Alex continues to impress me with his intuitive sense and ability to really get to the root of the problem. I see him every single week. I think he's the best massage therapist around and will continue to see him as long as he allows me to! read more

Pros: Convenient location Beautiful decor Friendly staff Flexible availability for scheduling Always feel 10x better after going Cons: None! Love this place. read more

I cannot recommend Alex enough. I've seen him consistently for 2 years and it's always the best. I feel like he has a sixth sense and just knows what you need. I always leave feeling great and excited for my next visit. read more

I've been using Bailey's services since before she launched Back to Center. You can get massages for cheaper, of course, but I doubt you'll get the quality, knowledge, and attention I have been getting from her. Bailey really works with me to make sure I get the treatment I need. She has a variety of incentive programs that will allow you to save on individual massages or packages deals. Check out the website for the deals available. I am pretty big (6'5" 255) and I need someone who can apply firm pressure when and where I need it. I am willing to pay a bit more for a quality massage, which is what I ALWAYS get from Bailey. I definitely would recommend Back to Center. read more

Had a wonderful massage with Kelley. She first asked questions, reviewed the notes that I had already given her, and made sure I knew that she could make adjustments at any time. One thing I found particularly great was the background form asked if you liked talking or not- something I really appreciate. My massage was excellent, she adjusted strength when requested. And did her best to make sure I was comfortable while staying safe. I will 100% go back. read more

Bailey is really, really good at her work. I am a big fan of massage for pain management. A good massage therapist can do wonders. What I appreciate about Bailey is that she has an extraordinary gift for working on the hurt shoulder or foot without inflicting a lot more pain. Today I went in with a tender shoulder and a body full of pain from various compensations it had set off. I walked out feeling much better, and I am going to sleep well for the first night in a week. The Schedulicity software on the website allowed me to see what times were available and make a choice that worked best for my schedule. Parking was not difficult. The Back to Center office is quiet and pleasant. It did not smell weird or mediciney, and the walls between rooms are solid enough that I didn't have to listen to other people's conversations during the massage. Bailey worked on my shoulder and a few things I didn't realize were hurt, and all of it was better by the time she was done. She was professional and kind, did not try to sell me anything, did not scold me about anything, and she really listened to all my feedback. I only wish there were more stars to give. Seriously, if you are hurting, book some time with Bailey at Back to Center. read more

It had been a while since my last massage, and I had been under a ton of stress. Meredith quietly greeted me at the door and led me back to the room. We chatted for a few minutes and then got started. I melted away...It was the perfect combination of deep work to release the knots and relaxation to release the stress. Thank you so much! read more

I went to back to center For my birthday. I got a hit stone massage with Beatriz. It was absolutely amazing. It was a hour and a half massage that felt amazing. I had a ton of knots and Beatriz worked them out then used the hot stones to go over it. I have never had a better massage. I want to go back for a Thai massage next. I really felt like I was back to center after this. Best birthday gift ever! read more

This is a great establishment -- very clean with numerous safety protocols and a very professional staff. Alex is particularly wonderful, very skilled and a great listener, making sure that each session addresses whatever issues need attention. He has helped me with both injuries and chronic pain and I always leave feeling better. He will also make suggestions for treatments you can do yourself. I can't recommend Alex and Back to Center enough! read more

Amazing deep tissue massage from Edward! He knows not only how to find the spots but to get in there and work them out. I'm sure I'll be feeling it all release more in the next day or two, but after getting off the table just now I feel like I just got a new body! Wish I lived here so I could make this my regular tune up spot. read more