I had a great experience with David last week. I had a specific need for some TMJ and thoracic outlet syndrome treatment to address recent tension/pain flares in my jaw, neck, shoulders, chest, arms, hands. I have seen various other therapists to help me in the moment. That being said,I could tell from the beginning of our session that David's skills and techniques in any area of the body are extensive. He clearly has vast knowledge about the body and different modalities of manual therapy and applies them appropriately. He listens well and checks in with you through the session to make sure things feel OK. In the past week, I have significantly less pain and my whole upper body moves more freely. I also appreciated that he took a wholistic approach in our session. In addition to addressing my specific needs, he made sure I was aligned from my feet to my head. I received the treatment I hoped for and more! I will return! read more

David is like no other massage therapist I have experienced and I have experienced the best. Do not expect a normal back rub type massage that you get at the chains. This man knows his stuff and will fix you. Plus he is a sweetheart has great music, and amusing conversation if you choose to talk during your treatment. Love this guy! read more

David is a skilled, multifaceted practitioner who brings clinical expertise innovative tools and approaches to his work. I strongly recommend making a 2 hour appointment so that head to toe all issues can be addressed. Your needs will be listened to and addressed. Thank you David for your great work! read more

One massage and I was sold! This was the best massage. This 90 minute massage was therapeutic as well as relaxing. I felt rejuvenated!

If you are looking to get a massage to relieve pain David is the absolute best person in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. I normally get a massage every week and since I travel a lot I end up seeing a lot of different massage therapists. David is the best and most knowledgeable massage therapists I have ever seen. David is an expert in his field. Within 60 seconds I could tell David was better than anyone I have ever gone to. His knowledge and technique is head and shoulders above anyone I have every gone to before. Finding David was like finding a diamond in the sand. If you have pain and are looking for some relief from a massage David is your guy. read more

I've been to many massage therapists in Arizona and David is by far the best I've seen. He uses highly quality oil for the massage and is very clean. His COVID cleaning is also very thorough so I've never had any concerns in that regard. Highly recommend overall. read more

I was visiting Scottsdale and looking for a massage near my parent's place, where we were staying. I lucked out in that David's studio was just minutes away. The massage was by far one of the best I've had in terms of dealing with tight muscles, imbalances and tender areas. David was awesome! He used a number of tools and techniques and was extremely generous with his time. You could tell he really wanted to help get me to a better spot and he certainly did. Not only did I feel relaxed post-massage, but I have a lot less tightness and strain the day after. I highly recommend him. He'll be my go-to massage therapist whenever I'm in town! read more

I've been getting massages for over 20 years and Dave is literally the best massage therapist I've ever had work on me. Please note, this is not a massage for the faint of heart! Dave's specialty is deep muscular therapy which means if you're looking for someone to tickle your back, he is not the guy for you. But if you're someone that exercises regularly, is a mess from sitting at a desk all day, has an injury, or really anyone that has some kinks that need working out, look no further than Dave, he will change your life. He's got more tools than you've ever seen in a massage studio. Whatever your particular trouble spot calls for to get deep and strip that muscle, he's got you covered. He also does everything by feel. Oftentimes I'll open my eyes for a moment only to find Dave with his eyes closed, transfixed in deep focus on whatever area he's working on. I am particularly skilled when it comes to injuring myself. I swear sometimes it feels like I pull or strain a muscle a week. One time (swear to god) I actually tweaked a muscle while I was icing a different muscle. I have yet to bring anything to Dave that he wasn't able to either completely work out or at a minimum substantially improve. Now it's not always the most pleasant experience while he's working it out (he should really put out a swear jar for me) but the release makes it all worthwhile. Simply put, if you're looking for the best deep tissue massage in town, look no further, you've found him. read more

David was great! I felt really comfortable with him and he was very knowledgeable. My body is really tight and I wanted someone that could apply a lot of pressure consistently to my entire body-which is incredibly hard to find-but he did it! He even had these awesome weighted tools that I liked. It was actually my first time ever finding someone that applied the right amount of pressure the entire time. I will definitely start seeing him consistently! read more

From a person who has looked around to try to get a quality massage to break up facia (damaged tissue) from years of exercise at a reasonable price I can tell you this is your guy! Very personable and humorous guy and he takes the time to understand your goals. Realize this isn't the massage you get for a relaxing time but I can attest that you will have better movement and strength from the first visit. read more

Found David on Yelp months ago and have been to see him multiple times now. I wouldn't recommend him for a soothing massage that you fall asleep to if that's what you are looking for, but if you are seeking pain relief he is your guy. He clearly has vast knowledge of how everything is connected and is an expert in his field. I came in with weeks of pain behind my shoulder and left after just one session with him and already had 90% relief. read more

Love this guy -- funny and an incredible masseuse!

David was very professional, thorough and communicated well every step of the way. I had been experiencing some pain in my lower back and hips, and after this treatment, I left pain free. This type of deep tissue massage may not be exactly what the "Relaxing Spa Minded" individual is looking for, but from a therapeutic perspective, I am grateful! read more

David is not your ordinary massage therapist. He has extensive training and expertise in multiple different therapeutic techniques that help your muscles function the way they are supposed to. He has the most up to date knowledge and tools and is ahead of the game when it comes to new 'tricks of the trade'. Most professions are required to complete continuing education every year, including massage therapists and I know that David triples or quadruples the required amount of CEUs every year. He is a true professional and spends his free time attending seminars and learning as much as he possibly can to maximize the benefits for his clients. I would highly recommended David to anyone looking for a top of the line massage. read more

Too much Deep Tissue massage (supposed to be only 90 minutes) turned into 2.5 hours of pain session from which I'm still hurting three days later. It's not appropriate to be grabbed on the inner thigh, after I said "No, that hurts!", an 8 lb weight placed on my arthritic back, followed by being straddled and knee'd in the back, and legs stretched until my knees swelled like two balloons the next day. The back pain for which I came in for was made worse with additional pains throughout my entire body. I've received therapeutic massage therapy throughout the USA as a Healthcare Consultant, and I've never walked away feeling so violated and in pain. Why did I stay you ask? The therapist spoke about personal struggles in life and after the therapist brought up suicide earlier in life, my discomfort turned to fear. I will not be back! read more

David was absolutely fantastic! If I could give him 6 stars I would. I suffer from bulging discs in my lower back, and have been trying several different methods to avoid surgery. David explained my options to me, carefully did a complementary exam, and started me on a treatment plan that I'm so thankful for. I was visiting Arizona on business and I was in a lot of pain. Even though I live in Florida, David was able to refer me to other professionals that he trusts when I returned home. David is very thorough and takes great pride in his work. He combines this with a great personality and professionalism that clearly puts him above any other massage therapist in town. If you're looking for the best, call David and you will not be disappointed! read more

Hands down best massage therapist in town! I discovered David several years ago when he worked at Massage Envy and I followed him when he opened his own studio in North Scottsdale. David has a deep understanding of the body, underlying issues and how they are connected and takes extra time to address these issues. David has a variety of tools that he uses as part of his massage... He has also performed cupping on my back which was absolutely amazing (and didn't leave any unsightly bruises)! If you are looking for a deep tissue massage, David is definitely your guy! My only hesitation in writing this review is that others will discover David and it will be even harder to secure a coveted appointment on his calendar! read more

David knows how things connect better than anyone I've ever dealt with. I looked him up because of a longstanding frozen shoulder brought on by a gym injury. I was willing to go across the country to find someone who could do the sort of "medical" massage that he does. All the standard medical protocols didn't do anything, and I wasn't about to get surgery or take a bunch of meds to cover up the problem. He worked that shoulder over to loosen it up, along with a few other bits that are innocent bystanders but nonetheless caught up in shoring up those stuck muscles. I'll warn you, this is not a day-at-the-spa kind of massage: this involves lots of pressure. But he is a Godsend. My flexibility is much improved. read more

I've been going to David for several years now and let me tell you, I went thru at least 30 others to find him! He is amazing to say the least! He is always learning more about the field and using that knowledge to provide the best massage possible. He has a plethora of tools he can use to pinpoint pressure points and give you a release not found by the hand alone. I am a huge fan of his work and style of massage. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone who has a lot of tension! read more

David was extremely educated in how the body is designed to move and more importantly what prohibits those movements. As a former professional athlete for 15years, it was both an educational experience as well as a relaxing one. Appreciated the work and the relaxation part of getting my muscles back in a functional and pain free place. This will become a monthly visit. We tend to everything else in our lives and neglect our bodies. I realized that this visit. Changing it moving forward. Thanks David. read more

I have had lots of massages in my life but never to the level that Dave can provide. I like deep tissue massage which makes a difference. Dave certainly delivers and more. I never went to receive a massage for specific pain relief. However, in the past months , I have had numbness in my right arm and hand. Dave worked on it and today, I am feeling much better. Same for my right knee which I hurt while playing tennis. Nothing broken but very specific pain which wasn't going away. Dave showed me the muscles to massage and stretching to do which I am now doing myself to relieve some remaining pain. I highly recommend Dave to have work done for results. If you are looking for a very soft & relaxing massage; Dave can do it but you will be better serve by leveraging his expertise to really soothe some muscle pain. read more

David is the Best massage therapist in the Valley! I have seen a lot of therapists, and I feel so lucky to have found him. After moving to Scottsdale a few years ago, I bounced around looking for a superb therapist until I found David. I see him regularly and he has helped me tremendously. I feel so much better! He really enjoys what he does and has mastered his craft. On top of all of that, he has reasonable prices and great hours. Do yourself a favor and make an appointment with him, you won't regret it! read more

David Ralston, LMT, is the best massage therapist I've been to over the past 20+ years I've been getting massages for stress relief and as a preventative measure. David is extremely conscientious and professional. He is always in pursuit of learning more and seems to attend training & conferences frequently throughout the U.S. I've been going to him for almost 10 years now and have recommended him to many people. Truly the best! read more

DAVE is the best ---his knowledge of body mechanics, and how they all work together are 2nd to none! Book appt and you won't be disappointed! read more

Just to give an example of David's muscle knowledge, he worked on my iliacus during my last appointment about a week ago. He has a unique ability to find unused, tight muscles which help my flexibility and endurance. For those of you who value this kind of talent, David is your man! read more

I have been getting massages for over 30 years and DAVID IS THE BEST THERE IS. I have numerous injuries from an auto accident (fractured hips, knees, frozen shoulder, three low back fractures, two upper back fractures and one neck fractures). Thees injuries are very painful and rather than take pain pills I go to David for therapy once a week (if I could afford more I would go three or more times a week). He helps me live a more normal life with little to no pain at times. His deep tissue massage if fantastic. he listens to what is bothering you and goes to work right on it. there is no one better . I have referred many people to him who have all been helped. If you want to feel better, go to David one time and I guarantee you that you shall keep on going there for relief. His prices are very reasonable and for the treatments he give you , the costs should be triple what he charges. Go try him one time, and see for yourself how great he is. Fran R. read more

David Ralston is an incredible massage therapist. In the gym, I suffered a mysterious shoulder injury in which I could not (and never was able to) pin point the cause. For two months I suffered with deep pain in my shoulder, incredible tightness in my pec, trap, lat, delts, bicep and tricep. It killed my exercise routine. After no luck with a long list of treatments, I needed to try something new. I decided to look into deep tissue massage and found a review about David Ralston stating that his massages are not for the faint of heart, but are incredibly effective. This is just what I was looking for and couldn't be closer to the truth. David knows exactly what he is doing, and works as hard as his patients can tolerate to truly dig through muscles to fix an issue. Through talking with him, you can tell he is extremely knowledgable and experienced in his field. After one visit my shoulder was almost 70% better, after a second and final visit I was back to 100% and training as hard as possible. Fast forward two months, I hurt my knee, saw him twice for it and it is feeling monumentally better. I couldn't recommend him enough. If you have an injury or any type of lingering problem: see David! read more