I had a great massage. Joan's an expert at pinpointing the root of any issue with the body and finding the solution. Her office space is clean, peaceful and welcoming. read more

I had a groupon deal for 90 minutes but didn't get the full 90 because I was late and she had another client coming in - totally my fault for not knowing exactly where the place was before I walked over from my building. Then she asked if I had a groupon certificate and made a frown when I told her that I did. At that moment, I realized that she probably already got paid and spent the money and she'd make no money off of me that day. So that's why I've never returned and minused a star. Her frown made feel inferior because I used a discount coupon. Otherwise, she give a great massage and I tipped her 20 dollars. She may know how to give good massage but I can read a face she did not see dollar signs with me and I felt like an inferior customer. And the website is more than unfriendly to make an appointment. In fact it's very frustrating to figure out. read more

Listen, ya'll. Joan has magic hands! First of all, her website's booking system makes it super easy to see when she's available and to change your appt as needed (I changed mine twice when I got sick and then today opened up in my calendar). So I came in today with a back that's been so stiff and sore! She takes the time to hear my whole story - back's been sore for 2 weeks, I do a drumming class where one leg is always in front, I have godbabies who I always hold in my left arm because I'm right handed, I run half marathons, I sit at a desk all day etc. With all this going on, I decide to treat myself to a 90 minute and I'm so happy. She really gets in to the tender parts, where the muscles attach and the oft neglected squishy parts that are hiding the tightest little muscles - and tells you as she's doing it while also offering advice for how to keep the tightness at bay. She's super knowledgeable about the body. When I'm the deep pain like I had today, I don't trust just anybody - she knows what she's doing! Sure, the building isn't pretty, but who cares, that's not what you're here for. (Also note that yelp's map is wrong - it's not near BART, it's in Alameda). Absolutely coming back! read more

I wish there was a "Zero Star" option. This company is the absolute worst. I never even meet the business owner. I continuously got a hold of her for weeks. Then I finally got her attention. She booked me and things were set. I showed up to my appointment and what do you know...she doesn't even show up!!! She didn't give me a heads up or nothing. There I was looking like a fool waiting outside her door for 20 mins. A moth later, she tells me she had surgery. WTF? I don't care. She should had said something or not even book me. I tried again to rebook and surprisingly she doesn't answer. Wow. Shocker. I was only so persistent because I bought a Groupon deal. Now I know why she's on there and by the looks of it she'll probably be on there for a while. Given the drive she has towards her customers is outrageously unprofessional. read more

Appointments were cancelled twice when I was pregnant. Enough said! Plenty of other places to go to in Oakland/Alameda.

DO NOT BOOK here! The building is horrible and dingy...I waited outside for over 20 minutes. Construction workers were drilling outside the suite (how anyone could possibly enjoy a massage with that noise, I'll never know!) and I swear I inhaled asbestos while I was waiting. I could hear the masseuse carrying on an extended conversation with the previous client inside and it carried on for 15 min PAST my appointment start time. I'm pregnant and was looking forward to a relaxing massage. But I'm sorry...my time is valuable and if you can't be professional and honor your appointments on time, then I have no desire to do business with you. Received a text an HOUR later from the masseuse - what a fucking joke! read more

It is a pleasure to write a positive review for Joan and her healing hands! She is wonderful to deal with. Her soothing energy and unique healing techniques are immeasurable. Her knowledge of the human body, anatomy and physiology is vast. I strongly recommend calling Joan for your next massage appointment. You'll feel welcome and comfortable in her soothing surroundings the moment you enter her salon. read more

I have been seeing Joan for massage for the last 5 years. She starts every session by asking questions so she can provide you with the best service. What's hurting, what is tight, what areas would I like her to focus on. Every massage is personalized to provide the maximum benefit. She has helped me rehabilitate from a couple of fractures and improved my flexibility and range of motion in both areas, along with decreased pain and stiffness. I look forward to the time spent in her care and always feel more relaxed afterward. read more

Do you need to get away and have ME time.....when that just isnt possible, get your ME time delivered to your door!! Bay Area Restorative Message is the best thing rolling the Bay Area highways. Joanne worked on my right leg and my left ankle and they have never felt better. The prior work I had had done temporarily helped but she was able to put me back on my skates and playing with my grand children!! My hands are back to drawing, writing and typing....which were all very painful things to do in the past. read more

Update from my previous review! Turned out Joan was in ER and apparently my phone number she tried to reach to me was wrong. That was why I couldn't get anything from her even though she tried beforehand. She apologized several times for that and, when she had to delay my rescheduled appointment due to her severe cold, she nicely offered me extra one hour session. I brought my mom who has serious problem with disks for one hour massage and she was totally satisfied. Joan knows exactly where to put more attention. When she was massaging me, she even caught I have headache just by feeling the muscle. She's the best I've ever been for massage. read more

This is a very professional and intimate environment! She is very professional, she makes you feel very comfortable and she understands perfectly your body while adjusting pressure! I would recommend this massage to anybody! Go and try, it a very unique experience, good for any type of need! I will definitely go back!!! read more

Love the massages and the flexibility of being able to schedule them when and where they are convienent for me, since I am only in CA sporadically. She works all over the Bay Area and will travel to come meet you for the massage if you are unable to make it to San Jose. She takes the time to find out what your problem areas are so that she can focus on those, and if you have many areas (like I do) she will make sure to see you as many times and for longer sessions if need be. read more

One word to describe my whole experience with Joanie... AMAZING. I am currently 6.5 months pregnant and this was my first prenatal massage. Joanie was professional, down to earth, and is such a very knowledgeable hard working woman. I will definitely be back! read more

A message therapist who is excellent at what she does. And she seems to enjoy it too. I have had a persistent Achilles tendinitis problem. I had undergone physio therapy treatments (spanning months) with minimal improvement - at two different physio therapy establishments. But, with Joannie, I felt better after the first message ... definite improvements after the second message! In addition, the rest of her message was excellent - high quality with attention to detail. Unfortunately, my work schedule makes it difficult to do these messages regularly -- something I wish I could, as I am sure my tendinitis will see marked improvement if I could. Her messages were worth every bit of the full price I paid (since I did not have the coupons that others are writing about). I am definitely planning to be back when I can. read more

Joanie is phenomenal. I was having major hip pain that kept me from even walking long distances without discomfort (I was 26 at the time, and have continued seeing her for the past 3 years). PT, surgery, and multiple rounds of doctors didn't really get me past a baseline level of movement. Joanie worked with me and really got into the deep tissue where the issue was, and worked through it until I was able to move without pain again! Joanie made me feel like I could get my body back - which is a pretty epic gift. She also did some great pre and post natal on me around my pregnancy which were especially key for relieving shoulder pain from nursing. read more

This woman is great. She's a real talker, so it helps if you're in the mood to chat. But she also knows what the hell she's doing, pays close attention to her patient, and gives great discounts. She listens to what you are saying you need and what your body says it needs, and she's a sports therapist - not a shi-shi froo-froo spa masseuse, so she's actually committed to a practice of healing. Go to BARMT! read more

I've been getting massages from Joan for six years. She is highly knowledgeable about the human body and trained in a number of different techniques. Her healing goes beyond the physical sense as her wonderful personality encourages one to let go of the stresses of everyday life. She gets to know her clients and offers helpful suggestions for better dealing with an individual's stresses as they arise. In short- her aim is promoting wellness. Sessions are more than reasonably priced, and definitely worth a try! read more

If there is a place to put a negative star, I would take it! Joan is the worst person on earth! She cx on me twice and tried to reschedule my appt couple of days before my appt. And on top of that, she texted me an hr before my appt when I am driving to her place. I understand ppl have emergency but seriously she can't have every emergency happen to her for every cancellation. I found her business a fake! She doesn't appreciate her clients especially when someone is pregnant and is in pain. If it wasn't for my friend who refer me to her, I wouldn't have even gone to her. Everyone, to save you guys trouble and time, I suggest you find a better massage that value your time and willing to help you feel better. She obviously doesn't care about you and are not willing to make you feel good. Her ads is super flaws and she is a flaker! I would rather spend my money on someone who value their clients. Joan is a horrible person, not reliable at all! read more

Super disappointed! Joan texted me at 1:35 pm today to cancel my appointment at 3:30pm, less than 2 hours notice. She said it was because of a medical emergency. I'd like to be understanding, but it seems like this has happened before with another yelper. Reliability is so important! I am 37 weeks pregnant, and not sure when I can get this massage again before delivery. It took a lot of effort to schedule this one, as I had to rework my work schedule and find childcare for my little one. Maybe it's my hormones but I'm literally in tears right now. :( read more

Just had my first prenatal massage with Joan. She is so wonderful and hit each spot I am having problems with. Good to have such relaxed and pampered during the pregnancy. read more

Husband and I just had 90 min. Massages with Joan. She was both personable and therapeutic. Her new address is right across from the Fruitvale BART station which makes it convenient for just about everyone. She really asked pertinent questions prior to starting and immediately made us feel comfortable read more

When I met Joan I had a powerful headache that I'd had for days. We were introduced and she noticed I was in pain. She went straight to helping me out and I demanded she give me her card. I've been a client ever since. She is amazing! Shes knowledgeable and excellent at her job. I've had 4 separate surgeries on one arm from rotator cuff repair to tennis elbow, I've damaged/pulled/bruised my trap, I have neuropathic issues, knots galore, muscles as tight as ropes, and tons of tension. Shes helped me thru so much pain over the years and shes introduced me to techniques that I now dont know how I got thru life without. I'm always impressed and completely grateful! Her prices are great and her hands heal! Even thru her own pain she delivers and makes me feel better. I dont know where I'd be without her, honestly! My body is so grateful to whoever it was that introduced us! I'll be a client forever. FIVE STARS! I highly recommend her services! CUPPING IS LIFE! read more

I've been seeing Joan Danenberg for about three years now. During this time I have seen other therapists, but they just don't measure up to Joannie. She takes great care to get to know her clients physical pains and I believe she genuinely cares about my physical well being. I very much consider her technique to be physical therapy. At first the deep tissue was tough for me to take. With Joannie's encouragement and persistence we have worked through the vast majority of my physical pains. Headaches are few and far between as opposed to daily. After my foot surgery there was significant persistent swelling. Joannie worked it all out through massage. She also suggested lavender oil to aid with healing. At first I thought it was crazy, but she was right. It worked wonders for speeding up the healing process. She was also a tremendous help when I came down with shingles on my sciatic nerve. It was horrible. Joannie did some research and incorporated a few herbal therapies. I really appreciate her efforts. If you are serious about minimizing, if not eliminating, pain and improving your overall quality of life, I highly recommend seeing Joannie on a regular basis. I used to feel ten years older than my actual age. After incorporating Joannie's massage therapy as well as chiropractic care into my life on a regular basis, I now feel ten years younger than my actual age. read more

Joan is the hardest working woman in the massage biz--and proof of the theory that someone who's experienced a few injuries herself knows the body best. She has helped me deal with an RSI, and gets into those tight knots in my neck where the migraines start better than anyone. read more

Great massage... I would like to go deeper next time but she made the great point of waiting to see how I felt the next day before going to that next level... Body work can bring a lot up and I felt that this was a good experience. Would recommend to anyone looking to let go, unblock, unwind or just loosen up . read more

Joan is one of the best massage therapists I've ever worked with and this review is long overdue! I had my first massage with her over a year ago when I bought a deal for a prenatal massage. The massage was great and I shouldn't have waited so long to see her again but it's hard to find time to get away with two little ones at home. This past weekend I was having a lot of back, neck and shoulder pain and was desperate to get some relief. After being out of town and busy all day Saturday I remembered that I had seen Joan on a Sunday and text her to see if I could schedule something. She fit me in the next day and I couldn't believe how much better I felt after seeing her. She is very knowledgeable about pain management and still provides a relaxing massage while focusing on the problem areas which is not something I experience very often - I have chronic pain from scoliosis and TMJ and I've had a lot of massages in the past 15+ years. They are either relaxing (i.e., not deep enough pressure to really release my areas of pain) or effective in accomplishing some pain relief (i.e., very firm pressure but not relaxing). My massage with Joan was both - I left there feeling a significant amount of pain relief and incredibly relaxed at the same time! Add to that her flexible hours (evenings and weekends) and quick response over text = a great massage therapist that I highly recommend. I will be a regular from now on! read more