Both my wife and I have been going to Dahlia for body work for a couple of years. Dahlia is one of the best massage therapists I've ever seen - she really knows her stuff, listens, is skilled in a range of modalities, and adapts the session to what you need that day. For example, last week I went to see her with pretty bad lower back pain. In addition to working directly on the area and other muscles affecting the area, she used some stretches and other techniques to relieve the tightness in my back. I ended up feeling much better. She also had helpful guidance on how to manage and recover from my lower back issues. The arc of my recovery definitely improved after our session. read more

In her home: a cozy and lovely setting. She is warm and personable. She really cares about connecting with her clients. She offers hot stone massage in addition to her other modalities. I went to her regularly when I resided in Oakland. read more

Dahlia has been a total light in my life this year while I have been recovering from a severe lower back injury. There are SO MANY great things I could write about her and my experience with her, these are just a few that really stand out: -Incredible massage therapist: Heavenly hands! Dahlia has been able to adjust her massage techniques with me as I have moved through the different phases of my recovery. I have really found this important, because in the beginning, I could barely get on and off the table, so the fact that she was able to adapt/adjust based on my needs was incredibly crucial on my recovery journey. She has a very wide range of techniques she uses, which has been such a great experience for me, as well. -Deep knowledge of the human body and how it works: I also really appreciate that not only will she work on relieving the pain I was feeling in the moment, but also took the time to learn my body to help me get to the root of what was going on, to help prevent future injuries. Based on the massage and what she feels in my body, she will also send me home with a few stretches to do to help the areas of concern. -Great listener: Dahlia really listens to me when I tell her how my body is feeling and what areas need special attention. She is always very open and appreciative to feedback, which is very important when working with the body, because it can all be so vulnerable and sensitive. -Covid conscious: She is very sensitive and aware of all regulations and guidelines pertaining to Covid. She has created a space and practice that follows proper air flow, masks, and sanitation. -Emotional safe space: My injury caused a huge shift in my emotional state, I felt constantly vulnerable and insecure. But with Dahlia's protocols, massage technique, communication, and energy, I always feel safe, emotionally and physically. And when I would leave an appointment with her, I felt lighter and more secure in my body. -Communication: Dahlia has been so great at keeping open and warm communication. Whether it is during the massage (she wants to make sure I am getting what I need), or before the massage - she always reminds me of upcoming appointments (really appreciate that!). And a few days after a massage she will check in to see how things are feeling. -Joyful spirit: And she is such a joy! She is very personable, warm, kind, and welcoming! It has been such a pleasure to become one of Dahlia's regular clients. I always look forward to seeing her! read more

I almost did not want to leave a review because I want to keep her all to myself! I've been seeing Dahlia once a month for at least a year now. She is extremely skilled at what she does. She is trained in many modalities of body work and does a phenomenal job of taking care of you. Her quality of service never varies and she is extremely reliable. I feel very lucky to have found her! read more

Dahlia is heaven-sent! Literally... I found Dahlia years ago in 2004 and have been with her EVER since! She takes extra precautions to keep her space safe with air purifiers, masks, and sanitized surfaces. Her massage takes me to another dimension, she truly listens as well as works in an intuitive fashion, focusing on areas I didn't even realize needed attention. She is a true bodyworker and has extensive knowledge of the body and its systems. I like deep pressure w massage, and she definitely knows how to apply it! Dahlia truly knows how to bring my body into such a deep and restorative relaxation and healing space. On top of that she is such a kind soul who genuinely cares about her clients, while giving the most blissful experience. Bless you Dahlia!!! read more

Dahlia is without a doubt the most intuitive and talented therapist I have ever had the luxury of being treated by. I've seen countless massage therapists (locally and abroad) and she has been the only therapist I've seen who actually treated my pain or discomfort in a way that I leave her home studio feeling lighter, taller, and unburdened. Dahlia uses a range of massage modalities, hot stones, and heat pads in her practice. She's helped me navigate regaining my body after having my first child, alleviating tension and pain that's stuck to me for weeks. I'm truly thankful to be her patient. Throughout the pandemic, Dahlia has been mindful and respectful of all COVID precautions and always wears a mask (sometimes two masks) during her sessions. She is understandably very booked and busy, so I try to stay on top of booking future appointments. read more

Dahlia is great - kind, thoughtful, and a very skilled massage therapist. She's been helping me with a knee issue, with really fine results. I highly recommend her. read more

I've been seeing Dahlia for the better part of six years now. As someone who has been a life-long athlete and student of the body (with a certification from the National Academy of Sport Medicine), I am very picky about who I work with. Dahlia is exactly the kind of professional I seek out. She is incredibly intelligent and knowledgable with a remarkably intuitive touch; she has spent time geeking out with me over my muscular and structural imbalances, how I currently use my body, and how I plan to use it in the future in order to know how to best approach working with me at any given time; she uses more (and more effective) methods than most; she incorporates myriad schools of thought from all over the world into her practice; and, most importantly, she is a life-long student of her craft, a quality I find is less and less common to come across these days. She has helped my body recover and stay strong for a long time, and it is my personal belief that she is innately predisposed to help people heal. read more

As far as I'm concerned, Dahlia is unmatched in her profession. friendly, caring and attentive, and is by far the best bodywork specialist I have ever worked with. My first appointment with her was nearly a decade ago when I was a college athlete suffering from some repetitive stress fatigue in my back and shoulders. Since them she's helped me through numerous other issues ranging from a rotated neck vertebrae, to a dislocated shoulder, a broken ankle, and day to day stiffness caused by sitting at my desk. No massage therapist I've ever worked with has ever been as thorough and dedicated as Dahlia. She seems to intuitively know what the root cause of a problem area is, leverages her incredible understanding of the body and how it moves to tackle anything your body can throw at you. I've had a good number of lackluster experiences with other CMTs/LMTs, but to this day, after dozens of appointments, I have never left Dahlia's studio feeling as though my main problem areas haven't really be addressed in full. AND she's always able to provide a detailed explanation of the issue and recommend a variety of stretches/exercise to keep the issues at bay. Plus her selection of soothing music is always on point. Her COVID-safety efforts are also exceptional, and include always wearing a mask, medical grade air purifiers, and lots of hand washing. I always feel very safe at her studio. I can't say enough how grateful I am to work with her. If I could give Dahlia more than 5 stars, I would. read more

Dahlia is simply the best. She listens, she cares, and boy does she have strong hands. :) When Shelter in Place hit in March 2020 and her livelihood was immediately in jeopardy, Dahlia's biggest concern was not herself but *her clients* not being able to get regular massage therapy during such a stressful time. If that doesn't sum up a natural born caregiver, I don't know what does. All of the other reviews here speak to her many amazing talents as a massage therapists, and I couldn't agree more. I always feel listened to when I see her, and I always leave my sessions with her feeling better in mind AND body. What more can you ask for? read more

Dahlia is AMAZING. I'm a bit embarrassed it's taken me so long to review bc Ive been going for years and the pandemic has me appreciating her services now more than ever (and yes! She is seeing people right now and has procedures in place that make me feel safe). If you have a job where you're on your feet all day and lift heavy things like I do then Dahlia can help you out with those muscle that keep aching or tweaking. She even offers advice on certain stretches. The initial thing that got me through her door however was migraines and the tension that comes with that. The cranial sacral and face/jaw work is unlike anything I had tried before. Your body will thank you. read more

Dalia is as talented, focused and dedicated as any massage therapist gets. She is amazingly strong, able to integrate techniques and provided valuable suggestions for my well being outside the sessions. She suggested other therapists to support her work, MADE a "salve" to reduce some swelling, and was generous in many other ways. She isn't just a great therapist, she is a wonderful woman. Book an appointment and see for yourself! read more

I did bodywork myself for over 25 years and have received TONS of therapeutic bodywork for my chronic back pain and frozen shoulder. I have to say the Dahlia is truly one of the best body bodyworkers I have had the joy of working with. Why is she so great? 1. She listens! 2. She did a great pre-appointment interview to ascertain whether we were a good fit. 3. She works on exactly what I want her to work on. If she has other ideas/suggestions, she runs it by me first. 4. She is very thorough. 5. She follows up. We just seem to be on the same page about health care providers in general which is very refreshing. read more

I arrived on Dahlia's table in December after 10 days of acute back pain, likely due to lifting a 22 pound turkey one too many times cooking Thanksgiving dinner. I was hopeful for just 90 minutes of temporary relief - as someone who has suffered the chronic pain of a herniated disk I will do just about *anything* for temporary relief. I was immediately impressed by Dahlia's curiosity before I even arrived. She was empathetic to my pain and agreed to take me on a Sunday morning to fit me in as soon as possible. With our plans arranged, she sent me a questionnaire to complete to help her understand as accurately as possible the nature and acuteness of my pain. When I arrived a few days later, I was led into Dahlia's comfortable living/massage room. Dahlia spent time chatting with me about what she was able to diagnose prior to my arrival - she'd consulted several of her anatomy books to try and isolate the genesis of my pain. And she took a comprehensive approach to my treatment -massage, hot stones, tuning forks, tiger balm - all covered in her standard fee. I was thrilled 90 minutes later when I stood up a bit sore but no longer in pain. Relief at last! It was worth it. Even if it only lasted an hour. But here's the kicker. It lasted a lot longer than an hour. The pain never returned! Two days later, after sitting at my computer a while, I felt some soreness and out of the blue my cell phone rang. It was Dahlia, making a follow up call, reminding me to do the stretches she suggested. An hour later after following her advice I felt much better, and that was the end of my turkey inspired pain. I am now a devoted disciple of Dahlia's. In our home she is known as the back whisperer. read more

I've been receiving massage therapy for over 15 years and I have to say that Dahlia is one of my favorites to date. Easy parking, close to the freeway, warm and inviting, clean and artful studio. Her skills are intuitive and healing. She is professional, directed and present. I highly recommend her. read more

I am recovering from a frozen shoulder, and have myofascial pain syndrome. I also have a desk job and am surgically attached to my keyboard. This combo leads to unbelievable tension. It's hard to even call it a knot when really just the entire muscle is in spasm! I've been to a variety of massage therapists over the past ten years. Some are relaxing, some are knot-busters, and the rare person is both. Dahlia's bodywork is both incredibly relaxing and truly knot-disintegrating. However, I think what floored me was the lack of soreness the next day. How that is even possible is beyond me! For something like RSI, or frozen shoulder, physical therapy is not enough. While my PT helps me stretch, and strengthen the weak components of my body, Dahlia helps release the tension in the muscles that are attempting to compensate for my weakness. If you are recovering from injury, I can highly recommend Dahlia as a part of your recovery and treatment plan. Even my physical therapist was stunned by the difference in my shoulders after a single visit with Dahlia. Well worth the time and money! To boot, she is a kind, gentle soul, with a serene space, and convenient hours. Give her a shot! read more

I found Dahlia on yelp, and with a leap of faith, I called her to book a birthday massage for my mom. Dahlia definitely delivered! My mother was so over the moon about Dahlia's work - she has sent my dad to see him now too! There is a questionnaire Dahlia has new clients fill out and she really actually adheres to what her patients ask of her. She is very through, skilled, and kind. Definitely a go-to if you're in the East Bay/temescal/lakeshore area..... read more

Man life is stressful, finding a massage therapist shouln't be. Thank you yelp for leading me in the direction of Dahlia! I hit the massage jackpot when I called her up for an appointment. From begining to end my visit with her was amazing. She was super professional describing her techniques as well as stressing the importance of communicating with her my likes/dislikes. I enjoyed everything about her massage: music, ambiance, warm stones, scented face mist..... Such a generous and caring person, and a great MT---5 well deserved stars! read more

Dahlia is hands-down the most helpful massage therapist I have been to. I've had really bad shoulder knots for almost 10 years. One of them was so bad it was all I could think about for weeks until I went to see Dahlia. I've gotten so many massages, mostly to deal with the knots, and never once did a MT tell me that the cause of the knot was a weak muscle that needed to be exercised. They often say, you have so much stress, you need to keep coming back, and they recommend massage tools to poke at and pound out the knot. Not that helpful. Dahlia told me that the rhomboids need to be strengthened and spent some extra time showing me stretches and exercises I could do. She also emailed me some links to rhomboid exercises. I followed her advice and the pain is gone. Gone! After years of varying degrees of pain in this one spot, I finally feel in control. About the massage: I specifically requested a therapeutic, deep massage and that is exactly what I got. Though I know she is capable of a relaxing, soothing massage, that wasn't what I wanted. If you want a healing, (kind of) painful massage that goes right to the root of your problem, this is it! She identified all the problem areas immediately and also worked on the related muscle groups. Truly I have never had such a comprehensive and informative massage experience. Dahlia did a lot of intense body work but also left me with an understanding of the causes of my pain and how to keep it from coming back. read more

Fantastic massage today! I am a CMT and highly picky about who puts there hands on me. I zoned out to the point where she had to wake me twice to get off the table! Ooops ;) She used hot stones and is amazing, I highly recommend her. Oh, and most importantly, the reason I was going to her in the first place was a minor car accident and needed someone who handles medical billing, she made this painless and as easy to deal with as possible, what a GEM! Thanks Dahlia, can't wait for our next session X read more

I had the pleasure of receiving a massage from Dahlia recently and highly recommend her practice. This is not just a massage for relaxation- Dahlia has an in depth understanding of physiology and her massages are both enjoyable and therapeutic. She's well trained in different types of massage and able to determine what style is appropriate for each person. I asked her to work on my upper back and shoulders and left without an ounce of the normal stress that I carry there. I also appreciate how responsive she's been in trying to make appointments work with my fairly tight schedule. I'm already looking forward to my next appointment. read more

[3/28/2011] I had a distinctly delightful massage from Dahlia this afternoon, and I highly recommend her skill and sensitivity. Her studio is serene and inviting. She had me fill out a short form before the massage to find out what areas I wanted her to work on, as well as what level of pressure I preferred for each area (i.e., soft/medium/deep applied to the neck, back, feet, etc.). I appreciate the way this allowed her to tailor the massage to my specific needs, and it made me confident that if I had any medical concerns that might affect the massage she would be knowledgeable about how to work with my body. Dahlia is a petite woman with incredible strength. Being a fairly petite person myself, I sometimes have trouble communicating to a massage therapist that they should feel free to dig in to my neck and trapezius muscles with their whole body-weight -- I was upfront with Dahlia in this regard, and she used her athleticism and skillful handwork to really iron out some of my rock-like tension knots. I also thoroughly enjoyed her use of hot stones, both as a massaging tool and as a method of centering my focus. I would also like to award Dahlia bonus points for the nonchalant way she handled a massage faux pas on my part: I arrived hot and flustered, then undressed and lay down On Top of the sheet instead of Underneath, so that when Dahlia walked in she came face to face with my bare behind. ---:---:--- [1/24/2013] Since my original review, Dahlia has become the only massage therapist I see -- she is simply the best, and I continue to be enamored of her skill and friendly demeanor. Beyond my excellent massages, I am particularly fond of the way her studio is so quiet and spacious. (I have had massages in the past that took place in rooms so small they felt like nice-smelling doctors offices. In Dahlia's studio there are several places to sit and drink a glass of water post-massage. I never feel rushed; it gives me a chance to absorb my newfound peacefulness before venturing back into the real world.) Word is spreading quickly about the fabulousness of a session with Dahlia, so I suggest calling or e-mailing at least two weeks in advance to book an appointment. read more

Dahlia is one of my favorite things about the Bay Area... seriously! Her massages are such a treat. I starting seeing her after a traumatic hit and run accident where I suffered whiplash. Dahlia was able to see me for at least 3 months through my insurance, and I was in for some big healing! She has an enormous wealth of experience and knowledge about physiology, stress, diet, trauma, and how they all affect our health and well-being. She understood what my body had been through and luckily was able to work with me long-term so that I could benefit from full treatment. Dahlia's massages are luxurious for an affordable price! She really takes the time to see what you need, and is willing to talk with you before and after the massage so that she can provide the best service possible. read more

I have been receiving massages from Dahlia for over 20 years. She is simply the best and most gifted massage therapist there is. as well versed in deep tissue as cranio-sacral work, Dahlia also possesses great intuition so, no matter what ails me she knows just which technique to use. I highly recommend Dahlia, for people recovering from injuries, pregnant women as well as, of course, people who, just like me, MUST have their monthly dose of Dahlia's Magic! read more

Thank you Yelpers for helping me find Dahlia!! She is a healer not to mention incredibly knowledgeable about the body. I went to her for TMJ and she really listened and worked on my joints. I am happy to say I am pain free! She also has helped me tremendously with pain I did not know I didn't have to suffer from. She was able to recover one side of my neck that was crippled from arthritis in just one session!! She is now my go-to massage therapist. read more

Let me start by saying that I have had over 50 professional massages all over the world, and Dhalia's massages rank at the top. If I could give Dahlia a 6 star review I would. She clearly has experience, an awesome knowledge of the body, muscles, organs... and a great sense of creating the perfect vibe for a massage. She uses essential oils, scents, hot rocks, ice packs, whatever she needs to help you get relief. I loved the way she used the hot rocks on me as massage tools. She has an array of great music to listen to, I particularly like the Tibetan Singing bowls. To top it off, she is so friendly, and has the right personality, so you feel that you can totally relax into the massage. Highly Recommended to Anyone looking for a great massage! read more

Dahlia is extremely talented and a wonderful masseuse. She hit all the right spots and was able to relieve the stress from all my sore points. The music was just right and she made me feel very comfortable. The pressure she applied was just right and I will go back to her soon. read more

I have been a loyal customer for over 3 years. Due to the nature of my work I'm always very sore and her deep tissue massages have kept me going. She has educated me in the past with stretches which has now kept me injury free for 3 years. She is excellent, thorough and just awesome. She has a very deep understanding of the human body and does magic with her hands. Very compassionate and helped me out when I had an elderly person at my place with severe back pain. She went out of the way and worked after hours to help me out. read more

Dahlia is a master in her craft. I have been going to her for 3+ years. She has significantly helped my chronic back and shoulder pain, and in doing so has made daily life a lot more enjoyable for me. She is talented in the body work itself, and often goes further to recommend targeted stretches and exercises to continually get better in between sessions. Dahlia also helped my wife during pregnancy. My wife has pretty tough back and shoulder tightness, along with leg cramping. Dahlia customized her approach each session as the pregnancy went on. My wife starting going more frequently and has said it was a big factor in her health in second and third trimester-- even helping her muscles be ready for the big day! I really appreciate Dahlia's holistic approach. She applies different methods and techniques. That has included hot stones and cupping in addition to the deep muscle work. She has years of training and practice, and yet continues to take courses each year to expand her toolkit. And Dahlia cares. She really cares for her clients, and goes out of her way to help and accomodate. I feel fortunate to have found her and have recommended her many times over. read more

As the owner of a Pilates' studio I appreciate quality body workers. Dahlia is the consummate massage therapist. She is experienced, articulate, and thorough. She has the ability to listen to your concerns, digest them into a plan and execute a massage tailored specifically to your body's needs. She has the skills and combined years of hands-on experience that make one appreciate the true artistry massage therapy can be. A sustainable healthy body requires constant management. Massage is an integral part of that process. It demands qualified, consistent and knowledgeable practitioners, in order to reap the benefits. Dahlia is top of the line. read more

My only regret is that I didn't see Dahlia sooner! I was in an automobile accident and was rear ended. I got approved for medical treatment by the driver's insurance for my shoulder and lower back pain since my pains worsened and did not subside. I saw a chiropractor in Oakland, Robert Townsend, who's amazing as well and after my first appointment with him, wrote me a referral to have 4-6 massages to help with my back and shoulder pain. Along with his referral, he had a list of providers and on there was Dahlia. I saw she had great reviews, her location was convenient so I gave it a go. I was not disappointed. Dahlia was attentive and informative. She explained the issues I was having in more detail and how she would be able to help. Since my treatments were being covered by the auto insurance company, Dahlia was incredibly understanding about this and provided me with the proper documentation after each of our sessions so that I could get reimbursed. She was prompt and thorough. My massages weren't the fancy spa treatment because remember, I was seeing dahlia for medical treatment in regards to an auto accident. Dahlia was amazing, she would successfully loosen and comfort all my target areas, I legitimately felt "less heavier, less tighter" when leaving our appointments. This wasnt just about relaxing but about getting me back to my usual self before the accident. She would use lotions and oils that made my treatment even better. The setting was homey, comfortable, safe and always smelled amazing, you knew you were in the right place. Dahlia herself is so caring and considerate, she's a health provider who also feels like a friend. And she's always reliable on providing tips and recommendations for anything fun or travel which is another plus! read more

Dahlia is great. I found her on yelp, and I couldn't be happier. She pretty clearly knows her stuff, and she has taught me some exercises I can do at home between sessions that really help. She's very knowledgeable, which is great for someone going in without a lot of experience or knowing what to ask for in a massage. She's really able to identify where you need focus. read more

Not at ALL surprised Dahlia has all rave reviews here, she is amazing - petite but you wouldn't know it by how awesome and strong she is. She uses hot stones throughout her massage (who doesn't love that..) but what I REALLY love about her is that she does amazing abdominal work. She has corrected my hiatal hernia twice now (when part of your stomach moves up above your diaphragm - this is actually pretty common and a lot of people don't even know they have it). I experienced relief immediately - breathing and eating became so much easier after she corrected this. I love that she especially loves doing this kind of work because it's unique and fascinating and I think a lot more people need it than they realize. The thought of having your stomach massaged might sound bizarre or uncomfortable to you unless you know a bit about how the gut works but I encourage you to say yes when she asks if you'd like this type of work done. If there is a problem there (or anywhere), she will find it and fix it, even if you didn't know the problem was there. She's even letting my partner come at the end of our next session so she can teach him how to do this work on my stomach since it needs to be done regularly until it's fully corrected but I will definitely not start seeing her any less because of that. Sweet, gentle, funny, sensitive, intuitive, awesome massage therapist I highly recommend. read more

Super soft and comfy table put my mind and muscles to ease as soon I laid down. Rich relaxing music in a beautiful atmosphere. All these side benefits were far exceeded by Dahlia herself. I can really tell that she has over 20 years of experience working on the body. She went right to my tension spots in my shoulders and neck and attacked them with strength (which my body loved). As a fellow bodyworker, I am pretty picky with my massage therapists and deep tissue. Dahlia is one of the best! I definitely highly recommend her! read more

I absolutely adore Dahlia!! She's helped me immensely. I threw my back out pretty badly and she made the time to fit me in right away. She was quick to make correct assessments on what was going on. She is highly intuitive on where to work and with exactly the right pressure. She's a healer that's for sure!! read more

The massage itself was phenomenal, one of the best that I've had from a physical standpoint. Unfortunately, the questionnaire that she asked us to complete asked us to identify our professions. I thought it might be a helpful way for her to identify potential problems areas that she might target....I did not expect that she would chat about the death of her family cat with my wife (who is a veterinarian), and her experiences in airports with me (I work for the airlines). We were hoping for relaxation in addition to therapeutic intervention, and instead felt like we couldn't forget about work (and specifically the less pleasant parts of our jobs) during our sessions. Although the massage itself was excellent, I am unlikely to schedule another session with Dahlia. read more

Dahlia is the "needle in the haystack" body worker I was looking for! She finds the areas in my body that are causing me pain and discomfort, and then she works her healing touch to alleviate it. I try to book a visit every 6-8 weeks and it's made such a positive difference in my daily life - less pain and stiffness, more flexibility and overall sense of well being. I especially appreciate the informed explanations I get from Dahlia on the causes and solutions to my problem areas, along with take home stretches and exercises. I can't recommend her highly enough. read more

Ditto what other positive reviews say: extremely intelligent, empathetic, skilled, experienced, and professional. She deserves every star.

I have known Dahlia for a few years now and am always struck by how knowledgeable and insightful she is. She has been in this business for many years and can automatically get to the root of whatever is bothering you. One example is that I had been having a back spasm for several months and nothing I would do helped. I was talking about it with her and she decided to take a quick look. In a short time she felt around and then located the problem as originating from my first rib and upper cervical vertebrae. Her work there was the first relief I got in a long time, no other therapist came close to replicating that! read more

Dahlia is a true healer!! There a therapists and there are healers. She is mastering both. She is deeply caring and intuitive in her work and as a person. I have a lot of body injury and have had massage and various therapy all over the world. In addition my mother is a CMT ad reiki healer...so I am particular. It is clear she spends time on advancing her skills, learning and sharing new techniques that allow the body to really release tension. It is very apparent she puts all of herself and a lot of love into her work. Absolutely go see Dahlia.. you will have a wonderful experience. read more