I've been experiencing neck, shoulders and lower back pain for a long time. I heard some great testimonials about Monty's services from members of a local BNI group in Pasadena. I decided to have Monty service a try and I wasn't disappointed. Just from 1-hour session with him, he helped alleviate the pain I was experiencing right away. The difference between other massage therapist and his service was that was able to identify the source of the pain and treat it from the source. Monty provided exercise tips and equipment to use to continue pain relief outside of the treatment. I highly recommended his service to anyone that has pain workouts or sports. read more

This is not the sort of massage that will feel good. Sports massages tend to be a little uncomfortable and sometimes painful as the masseur applies a lot of pressure to muscles to open things up. That said, Monty takes this to a new level with his clients. I'm a high-level trail runner with several podium finishes in the last couple of years in ultra distance races. I'm accustomed to pain and tight muscles and physical therapy work. I booked this massage on my birthday as a treat to myself to open things up a little after some big mileage running weeks over the last month. I arrived and Monty was very friendly and attentive in listening to my background. He assessed me for balance and imbalances to determine where to work on me. He then immediately went into applying an enormous amount of pressure on various muscle groups: shoulders, back, glutes, hamstrings, etc. There was no real warmup of the muscles, just straight into deep tissue massage on these areas. It was the most painful massage I've ever experienced and more painful than a lot of the PT work I've received over the years for things like elbow replacement surgery. Each time he'd move to a new area, there was virtually no warmup and he went straight into applying tremendous pressure on trigger points, and it was excruciating. Today I'm still sore in several areas with some pretty bad bruising on my back. While I appreciate "no pain no gain", I think this was a bit too far. Monty seems to be a very well-meaning gentleman, and he's friendly, and according to the reviews here, he's obviously helping some people with their injuries. But at least based on my experience, I cannot recommend a massage with him, as it is very painful, and the main result a day later is some bruising and soreness. read more

I have been to Monty for two separate injuries. He is always so great. At the first visit he taught me how to foam roll my problem area. Monty applies the right amount of pressure during a message. I also love his music! Would definitely recommend. read more

I had been experiencing some very debilitating piriformis syndrome. As a Chiropractor that's very much in tune with my body, I know I needed the expertise of someone well experienced with bodywork and deep tissue massage. After one session, I feel great! Monty is very professional and knowledgeable and I highly recommend him! read more

Monty is fantastic. He is truly gifted and is keenly aware of how the body is interconnected. After 2 sessions, you feel feel a significant difference - guaranteed. I received body work at numerous places throughout the world and he has been the only one who can produce results that truly make a difference for you, long-term. He deeply cares about relieving you from pain and is truly a healer. I cannot describe in words how great he is and how you will feel so glad and grateful to have met him. Thank you so much, Monty. read more

Great! Monty is very knowledgeable, and has a really solid understanding of the body as a complete system. He's not going to just mash on wherever you're feeling pain -- he'll work upstream or downstream to address the root cause. It's hard to find someone of this level of quality. Highly recommended! read more

Came in with some bad back pain and overall body soreness. Monte did a great job working on me and catering the sessions to my areas of soreness! read more

Monty is the real deal in body work. His knowledge of the muscular system and kinesiology helps him to pin point and then specifically target the areas in my body that are in need of fascia release. He is also great at prescribing stretching and exercises that help me to maintain the therapy long term. Combined with my Chiropractic Care, Monty is the balance to my spinal alignments. read more

I am a boarded family medicine physician. I have been having upper back and neck tension. I know the limitations of taking medication for chronic aches. I came to Monty seeking a hands on approach. Monty did a fantastic job. He has training beyond massage therapy. He utilizes active release technique. I could feel the knots in my back releasing during the session. He truly cares about his clients. I highly recommend him. read more

I have made real progress being treated by Monty. I have back and leg problems and he has treated them with various modalities, mainly the myofascial release method he is trained in. This has worked better for me than PT and previous deep tissue massage treatments I had with other people. Also, he's intelligent and calm and I enjoy him. read more

Great therapist with good rates! Warm, inviting, and knowledgeable about the body and what it needs to maintain optimal functioning. Highly recommended. read more

The holistic knowledge, skill, and deep care that Monty brings to his practice is priceless. I was recently struck with debilitating sciatica pain, and could barely move. I started doing Trigger Point Therapy on myself and was able to relieve some of the pain, but one visit with Monty leveled it up and dissolved the pain! He began with thorough analysis of my movement and body, then he was able to provide a massage that felt amazing and attuned to what needed release. He also offered exercises and practices I could do at home. My wife who is a solar roof installer and also went to him for the aches and pains that can accompany intense manual labor that is the roofing and construction industry, and she too felt renewed. We'll both be coming back regularly for maintenance, and to work toward preventing painful flare ups as much as is possible. If your body hurts, this is the place to come for pain relief and restoration. Even if you're not in intense pain and a regular plan of maintenance is what you're looking for, this is the spot! read more

Monty is an amazing professional and a compassionate bodyworker. I am extremely sensitive to therapeutic massage, and he listened to my concerns and adjusted his pressure and touch accordingly. I went into the session with tight hamstrings and low back pain. I left my session with Monty, feeling relaxed and with no pain. I highly recommend him! read more

I was having a lot of pain in my shoulder and neck area, wasnt able to fully rotate my neck to the right. Monty explained to me what could be causing the pain and how he would work my muscle to relieve the tension. During our session he checked to make sure the pressure levels were okay and asked me if I felt any other discomfort. At the end of the session I was so relaxed I could've knocked out and I was able to fully rotate my neck. He did a few extra stretching techniques on me to make sure I had flexibility in my shoulder as well. Monty is extremely knowledgeable. I really liked that he explained to me what to do to prevent the pain and how to relieve the pain in my day to day activities. I would definitely go back. read more

Choice Bodyworks is the ONLY place I ever want to go for my physical rehabilitation. Monty is extremely kind, professional, and knowledgable. It's clear that he takes his craft seriously and loves the work that he does. I came to visit Monty when I experienced long standing pain in my shoulder from years of athletic use and sleeping with my arms above my head. He accurately diagnosed and explained why I was experiencing pain and then began working on releasing the pain through various pressure points. The whole time he made sure that my comfort levels were suitable and that there was no excruciating pain (gotta embrace some of the soreness!). I truly cannot recommend Monty and Choice Bodyworks enough. The best of the best. read more

Monty did a fantastic job. This was my first sports massage, which I scheduled after dealing with some recurring chest inflammation. After our session, I'm already finding more mobility and relief than I've had in quite a while. Highly recommend!! read more

I've been to see Monty twice and have been impressed both times. He is knowledgeable, friendly, and definitely knows what he is doing. I was experiencing some limited movement and pain in my back, hips and shoulders. Monty was able to identify the cause of the problem and after I felt more movement and less discomfort. The second time I went, he worked muscles that have been bothering me for some time. The next morning I went for a long walk and felt a freedom of movement I've not felt in a while. I highly recommend Monty for sports massage and deep tissue work. He has a personalized approach that I feel is very effective. read more

I have chronic knee pain (runner's knee) that has improved very little with physical therapy. Monty's massage technique and personalized approach helps correct the source of the problem - how I move. He analyzes how I walk and do certain movements, like squats or lunges. He notices how flexible (or inflexible) certain muscles are, and proceeds to loosen those tight muscles and fix the imbalances. I like how he takes a holistic approach, looking at the whole body, not just the knee, because inflexiblity in my calf or hip flexor affects how my knee moves. He gives me specific stretches to do at home, and they've definitely helped. Monty's overall approach really does the trick. I always feel better after a session with him! Thank you, Monty! read more

Monty is great! It's true sometimes sports massages are not the most comfortable but for me, a ultrasound Sonographer, it's what works for me. All the tension I'm holding is released with the different methods. And I've learned some ways I can keep myself loose when I'm at work everyday. To anyone who wants to work on serious chronic pain on certain muscles, I would definitely suggest Monty! He's awesome and really takes time with you to explain the movements of the muscles and what will help or hurt it more. read more

Monty was great! I surf a lot and have a lot of tension and tightness in my shoulders and middle back. After the session I felt much more limber and tension free. I have had some not so great experiences with massage therapists in the past, and Monty was completely different. He made sure I was comfortable with the amount of pressure used and gave me some tips on how to continue my therapy at home. Could not recommend him enough, thanks Monty !! read more

After losing my massage therapist during the pandemic, I needed to find a masseuse, strong enough and knowledgeable enough to meet my needs. Monty is that guy. I am a long distance, runner, and I train middle schoolers to run the LA Marathon so needless to say, I put my body through a lot of physical activity throughout the week. Not to mention, I love weightlifting. So whenever I bang my body up too much. I always come to see Monty. He knows exactly what part of the muscle is causing me to have discomfort in various parts of the body. And while I can't say that it's a soft nice massage. He definitely goes deep enough that it actually makes a difference over the long run. Additionally, he is kind and professional, as well as punctual. If I could, I would see him every week. Lastly, he teaches your various stretches or strengthening exercises to help you prevent injuries in the future. I've been seeing him for the last two years and honestly I don't know what I'd do without him. He was a savior during working from home and continues to help me whenever I need an adjustment. read more

I can't thank Monty enough for helping me heal after I've been in 2 accidents. A friend of mine referred me to Monty. The pain my body was experiencing along with the trauma made it a challenging recovery. Monty listened and helped guide me. Based on his observations and the feedback, I provided, he would make modifications. He is really easy to communicate with because he is a genuinely good listener and wants to help you recover. Monty was honest and told me that if he couldn't help, he would not drag our endless sessions but rather help me find other solutions. But I was willing to do the hard work at home and follow his advice on exercise and stretches that would aid my recovery. It was not easy and the sessions were extremely intense at first. This is not a place to come and have a relaxing massage. This is sports medicine therapy and the recovery process may be vigorous. It was for me but Monty helped me work on my breathing so I could get through it. I would ask for breaks when I couldn't bare through the intensity. Monty is very understanding, and would either move on to another area of the body or would distract my thoughts so I can refocus on something other than the area he was working on. I can't thank Monty enough for all of his patience and authentic care. He really is invested in one's healing. read more

Monty is the best! He makes himself available whenever I need him within 24 hours and really knows his stuff. His work is structurally sound and I trust him completely with my body. I can feel myself elongating, relaxing and unwinding from my stress during his work. And the results of his work last a little longer than most other work I've had done by massage therapists. I highly recommend him! read more

Monty really knows his stuff. I have had some chronic back pain that didn't seem to be getting better. The treatment itself was thorough. He took his time and adjusted to my level of flexibility. He suggested some other things I could do in between sessions, such as diet and other nutritional adjustments. I highly recommend this service by Monty. You definitely leave feeling like you got a deep tissue cleansing. I'll be returning soon. read more

Monty is awesome at helping address tightness in my shoulders and neck. I didn't know that part of the reason I felt tight was stress and that it was also related to the tightness in my hips and posture. I really recommend Monty for anyone looking for body work because he knows muscle anatomy so well. read more

An absolute godsend! I can't say enough how helpful my sessions at Choice Bodyworks have been. Monty is a master at his craft and I walked out noticeably better than when I came in. I routinely have to wear 40lbs of gear everyday at work and this routinely leaves me with neck/lower back pain but after a few sessions, I feel much better and Choice Bodyworks will remain a part of my self maintenance for the foreseeable future! read more

Choice Bodyworks is the place to go when you are having issues! Monty is amazing ! There are times when it just starts to hurt and you can't take it and then voila he goes to the next spot and by the end your body is happy again! He is so nice and explains what is going on with your body and explains what he's doing and why. It all makes sense and the next day Nothing Hurts! You truly get your money's worth... I would travel from anywhere to find him!! read more

Monty was a much needed relief when I injured my shoulder. His knowledge of the joints and muscles surrounding my shoulder really helped to alleviate the pain. In addition his work on my lower back helped ease the soreness I tend to carry because I'm well a heavier guy and carry a little extra weight in the front :) Overall Monty listened well to my needs and was able to pin point the areas of soreness and pain and work out the tension. read more

I was in desperate search for a good sports massage after I tweaked my lower left back around the SI Joint while cycling. At first I thought it was just my sciatica acting up again, forcing my left leg to feel weaker. But after a series of tests involving posture, movement and flexibility, it was determined that the problem wasn't my back but simple overuse of my leg muscles which resulted in tightness of my glutes and hip flexors, leading my body to put more strain on my lower back. This was confirmed as I laid on the massage table in discomfort, telling myself it would be ok to cry, as Monty worked his magic. This is definitely not your relaxing, Swedish-type of massage that just masks the problem by making you feel good for a day or 2. This is one of those massages that FIXES the problem. Of course, Monty is a professional and would ease off when I expressed to him a couple of times that it was getting rough. But for the most part I let him use a lot of pressure to really work the muscle stiffness out. After the massage was over I could feel immediate relief in my back and leg muscles and noticed that my hips opened up a lot more. We scheduled 2 more massages after that with 2 days of recovery in between because I really wanted to attack the problem and get back to my normal cycling routine. Each subsequent massage focused more and more on on my glutes and hip flexors, leaving me less stiff every time. He also worked on my right achilles (a problem I've had for almost 10 years from a bad strain), allowing me to have a better pedal stroke and relieving my right hip flexor even more. Monty was also kind enough, before and after each session, to show me more stretching techniques that I now incorporate in my routine. I truly appreciate the effort Monty made in getting me back to normal. During our sessions I became aware that a few years ago he, too, had the same issue I did, as Monty is a cyclist and active person, himself. I feel that his active lifestyle definitely helps in him being in tune with someone as my self, since he can definitely relate to what an active person is feeling. If you've got reoccurring issues or something that's been nagging you for a while I HIGHLY recommend to book an appointment with Monty. And if you're an active person, or someone that plays sports competitively and not getting maintenance by Monty then I truly believe that you're missing out on your performance. Monty has not only earned my respect in his knowledge and techniques but he's also earned another loyal customer, as I will continue to get monthly maintenance by him so long as I'm still competing. read more

I can't recommend Monty enough. I was left with not only a better feeling knee, back and ankle, but it truly changed my day. Walking into the office, I was curious to what Monty would do. As a former professional athlete, I've had a lot of experience with different techniques and pain relief. I can confidently say that Monty provided the most effective care I've ever experienced. He is so knowledgeable, but I appreciated his kindness even more. Go see this man! I will definitely be back. read more

Chronic muscle tightness and poor mobility have always been an issue for me. I have been to at least 10 different massage therapists over the years, and it has always been difficult to find one who is technical enough to spot the problem quickly and address it. Monty will treat your issues holistically and effectively. After each visit, I find myself continually improving. read more

was experiencing lower back pain. went to multiple chiropractors which relieved the pain but only short term. week or 2 later the pain came back. after a while I decided to try massage therapy instead. monty focused on my legs, because I rarely stretch my legs compromised my lower back. a few days after the first session my back was almost back to normal! anyone experience lower back pain def needs to give monty a call read more

I have had the pleasure of working with Monte weekly for the last 6 months. I was saddened to hear my long term practitioner was moving out of state, but very pleased that she referred me to Monte. He is always very in tuned with where I need work, and is adept at working with my body to both relax and unwind me. He has been extremely dependable, and always on time. His gentle and kind demeanor is a nice pairing with his skilled touch. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to up their self care game. read more

Monty has helped me out tremendously. His techniques are very effective and understanding of the body is unmatched in the area. I highly recommend seeing him. read more

Monty is really great! I've had knee issue for years and one visit with him, I was able to walk up and down the stairs much much easier. I like his approach of focusing on mobility first before strengthening. For years of physical therapy, i was always told to focus on strengthening. But as some muscle groups have more focus on strengthening, other muscle groups aren't as strong. He massaged the muscles that have been tight that released a lot of tension and enabled me to walk easier. Thank you Monty! read more

Monty is very knowledgeable with body mechanics , and the interaction of different muscle groups. He takes time to listen and analyze how your body moves . After a single session I felt looser, and even a bit stronger. I think my muscles ability to create tension increased because some scar tissue was broken down. I'd definitely recommend Monty to friends. read more

I've been having problems with my ankle, knee and lower back for a few years. I've now seen Monty 3 times and in those 3 visits he's helped me more then 3 different chiropractors could over the course of about 9 months. . I would definitely recommend him to any friends and family. read more

After sustaining a lower back injury in 2014, I've needed frequent treatment to address the tension and pain related to a muscular system that's attempting to protect any future injuries. I recently received a neuromuscular treatment session with Monty and was very pleased and impressed with his ability to immediately analyze my issues and address with Trigger Point massage and necessary stretching! He was very in tune with my pain threshold and understood the right approach to relieving my lower back pain. I'd recommend him to anyone seeking relief from daily pain issues! read more

Monte is a very nice guy, he talks to you first to assess your needs and pain points, and not only solves your short term problem with the pain, he also trains you on how to prevent it from happening again. His deep tissue message is DEEP! I've had a lot of great massage therapist over the years but Monte is probably the best deep tissue therapy I've had. Plus he is down to earth and respects your time, I hate showing up to a massage place and having to wait, his place office feels exclusive and its only you in there so its a whole lot more private. read more

Recommended! Monty is a professional with a passion to do truly therapeutic work for his clients. He prefers the more detailed work over a massage purely for relaxation but if things start to feel too intense, just let him know and he can back off on the pressure. Monty has experience with people in active lifestyles and will work to tailor each session to your specific needs so, be ready for an engaging & beneficial experience! read more