John Davis is an exceptional LMT. His technical skills are unparalleled - he has an incredible ability to isolate and soothe specific pain points. Instead of just treating surface-level symptoms, John focuses on root causes to provide long-term relief. I've been seeing him for nearly a year and can't imagine going to anyone else. I leave every session feeling incredibly aligned and in tune with my body. Additionally, John is a consummate professional and a pure delight. Highly recommended! read more

Okay kids, the review before me said it best, I must be a massage slut as well, only, I work in a salon/spa! However, I like to get my massages outside of the work place and after my first therapist wrecked his wrists in a biking accident I had to go searching for a new one, and search I did! I went to on in JP, the person chanted over me. I almost jumped my naked ass right up off the bed and out the door. I think the monsoon that was going on outside kept my ass on the table! Then I went to various places in the Back Bay. I mean really, how many salons are there on Newbury Street! We could list many of them, but I will not do so. I will tell you this though, when I get a massage I want it to be firm, I want it to get my knots out, I want to feel like I had some work done, not just have a few light touches here and there, and I'd also like a therapist to listen to my needs and take them into consideration while I am being worked on. Not just follow a model of massage they might have learned in school or from their spa instructor, and I think that's what John is perfect at, listening and detailing the areas of your body that needs the most work! I have never left feeling more refreshed and happy! I must also say, his space has enough room to do the tango if you wanted. NO cramped room here with a bed jutting out of a corner, oh no it's a very mellow, inviting space that allows you to breath and feel comfortable, as well as a different selection of music if that lazy spa music isn't your thing!! And if you give him a try, I believe your first visit is discounted, so make sure you ask about that! All in all, a 5 star experience if I've ever had one and look forward to my next visit this coming Monday!! read more

We went to John for a Couples Massage Instructional session. He went through three jam-packed hours of massage theory and technique for all parts of the body, even specific approaches to individual muscles. Having never had a massage before, John was an incredible instructor and made the whole experience unbelievably fun. You can tell he is very passionate about his career, and he has an unbelievable knowledge of the art and science of massage (I'm a med student and he absolutely schooled me on the anatomy of the body!). Would highly recommend to any couple who is open to a unique and personal massage experience, and I guarantee you will learn tons along the way. Just know that this is absolutely an instructional session so you will be working right alongside him the whole time, learning from the best! read more

I am so glad I found John. He is a great masseuse who takes the time to speak with you before and after your massage to ensure that all concerns are addressed. He takes massage to the next level, prescribing you with stretches and products to use between visits. He truly cares about all of his clients, and works with you to make massages affordable (you can use your FSA and HSA dollars toward massage). His therapeutic massage is strong, and sometimes painful, but I always leave feeling light and renewed. John is someone you can trust that you are putting your muscles in the right hands! And on top of it all, John has a great personality and sense of humor! read more

Great first time experience! John was extremely helpful, really took the time to listen to my concerns and problem areas, and addressed them thoroughly throughout the massage, producing great results. John's massage was really targeted to my problem areas, which I really appreciated after having other massages where I explained my issues and then at the end of the massage felt like they weren't really addressed. You know the feeling that they're just going through the motions and only a small percentage of it is really targeted/effective? Very pleasantly surprised to find that this was not the case here! I'm currently studying for the bar exam so I'm under a lot of stress and have been spending a lot of time hunched over studying. In addition to the normal neck and shoulder pain, I also had a lot of stress tension in my jaw. John and I discussed this and he warned me about the intensity of the necessary jaw massage but also of the lasting benefits of undergoing this technique. I agreed to move forward with it, and while it was certainly uncomfortable at times due to the amount of pressure required, it was SO NECESSARY and SO WORTH IT. My jaw already feels so much more relaxed, and he said it will continue to relax after the lingering soreness from the massage goes away within the next few days. He was super responsive throughout the massage and very gently encouraged me to stick through the temporary pain to reap the long-term benefit. So glad I did. In addition to the great massage, John also gave me some tips for how to reduce the inflammation in my shoulders and keep my jaw loose. He also recommended a few inexpensive places for me to access a steam room and jacuzzi to help with this. I'm a very satisfied client and I highly recommend John to anyone looking for a really high quality massage. read more

I've had numerous massages over the course of my life, but John has become my go-to. What sets him apart from many other therapists is that he genuinely cares about your body getting better. Like visits to a doctor, the idea is NOT to keep you coming back week after week feeling sick. The idea is to get you healed and to keep you healthy. Every visit to John is met with a welcoming "How have you been feeling?" What you need to know before seeing John is that although his work is remarkably effective, therapeutic massage works best when it's a team effort. From your very first appointment, John steps in like a coach, confident and enthusiastic about winning the game, but making it very clear that it just ain't gonna happen if you're moseying around the sidelines. He offers tips and recommendations after every visit. I guess you could call that "training", right? Aside from being an expert in his craft, John has a great, easygoing personality. He is very adaptable and attentive when it comes to making your therapy session comfortable and relaxing. In my case, I'm on the quieter side but I love listening to people talk, and John always has some funny stories to tell. It makes my sessions more pleasant when I'm laughing between the more intense strokes. Excerpt from my internal dialogue: "Hahaha... that's a really... (DAHHhhhhh!!)... funny story about... (Owwww, that feels awesome!!)... your cat... (Gahhh, oh lordy!)... hahaha..." Anyway, my body's felt so much better since I started seeing him. If you're looking for an effective and deep massage, see John. read more

John is the Best at what he does. This a therapeutic massage at it's finest. John knows what he's doing and will help you further understand your own aches and pains. He even gives suggestions on what to work with between sessions. I would recommend anyone to this business. read more

John is professional, kind, knowledgeable, and generous. I feel very lucky at every massage.

I've been seeing John for over 2 years now, even after moving out of the Boston area. I always make a point to schedule an appointment when I'm visiting. He's a great massage therapist, and as all the reviews have noted, he is attentive to your needs, asks great questions, and identifies your troubled muscles. Agreed that he enjoys talking to his clients (within reason), but I've enjoyed that. So if you're not into it, I would suggest letting him know. Also, he structures the sessions to what you need that particular day, and strives to have you maximize your sessions, i.e. you won't have to come every week if it isn't necessary. I started with weekly sessions to work out some muscles after a car accident, and moved to monthly sessions. Now that I'm in better health, I go when necessary, typically every two months or so. He does deep thorough work, and does recommend supplementary products and methods to reduce stress and tension. Highly recommended! read more

I have a bad back. And neck. And knee. etc, etc, etc. Massage has been a part of my life for a few years now, but as a student, I haven't been able to make it as regular as I would like to, which is why I am very critical of every massage I have the opportunity to get. This massage came as a birthday present courtesy of my wonderful girlfriend. We are both in medical school and after a long year on the wards, I was misaligned, achy, and stiff to say the least. John was an unbelievable rescue. He took the first 15 minutes of my appointment to listen carefully to me and ask questions so he knew where to work. He made sure to explain what his planned approach would be, why this was his approach, and warned me that since this was a therapeutic massage (as opposed to relaxation), it might hurt a bit but that he'd teach me how to breathe through it. John was a consummate professional the entire time and was very pleasant to talk to and get to know during the massage. If you don't like people talking to you during a massage, maybe John isn't for you, but I personally loved it. And despite him taking 15 minutes in the beginning, I still got a full 90 minutes of massage! How does he do it? He doesn't jam pack his schedule. Why? So he too can relax a little and get ready for his next client to provide them an equally fantastic and therapeutic experience. I was sore for the first day or so after the massage, but good lord I feel so much better now. On a scale of 1 to 10, a definite 12. I will absolutely be back to visit John. read more

John is my massage guy. He's great at what he does, and I always feel better for his having worked on me. I've gone to John several times for running-related aches and pains, and general muscle soreness after long races. He always helps me feel a little more aligned, and has given me excellent advice based on his observations of my body. For example, he's helped me become more aware of some of my shoulder and back tensing, which I was completely ignoring since I was so focused on lower body issues. I've also changed the way I stretch and care for my legs after running thanks to John's feedback, and have noticed positive changes as a result. As others have said, this is not a candlelit, lilies floating in a marble tub, nature sounds type of massage. This is therapeutic stuff. It's not always comfortable in the moment, but I always feel better for having done it. John finds your knots and makes them go away. It's a total bonus that John is also a really nice guy, funny, and easy to talk to. read more

I have to say, that I was sold first on the fact that he had a 5-star review on yelp. So that is why I went to him. When I got there we chatted about my back pain and where it hurts the most etc. During the session he worked a lot of muscles, so at points it was a little uncomfortable, but after I left I felt amazing. I will definitely be investing in his business, because its worth it. Love this guy! read more

Visited again & was as impressed as last visit - John is the man for deep, therapeutic massage. He takes the time to talk with me about what is going on with my body, and even made a recommendation to use a foam roller on an ongoing basis. The massage itself was just awesome, too - he has real talent in his hands. read more

OK, I'm clearly turning into a bit of a massage slut, since this is the third therapist I've reviewed in the past year. But John is EXTREMELY talented and provides EXCEPTIONAL value at his lovely office in Boston. I like John's work so much that, on my very first visit, I purchased a package for seven more massages. John is very deliberate about wanting to help people take care of themselves, and he offers many thoughtful deals that make it much easier for someone to do so without ending up homeless and hungry. I feel so lucky to have found such a thoughtful, intelligent, kind, and talented massage therapist. Thank you John!!! read more

I have had a handful of massages before -- the last few (before John) were all done by students at a local massage school. They tried really hard to work on me, but I got absolutely no relief from them. Enter John! It was definitely the most painful massage I have ever had, but it was also the only one that actually left me feeling some level of relief. I had a massage Monday, and I waited until today (Thursday) to review because I was very sore for the past few days, and I didn't want to write an angry review. It was a smart idea to wait! John worked wonders on Monday, and though I woke up feeling beaten up on Tuesday, I feel a lot better today. For years, I've had pain in my right shoulder that hasn't resolved at all. Although the pain is still there, it's not as intense as it was before and it's not as debilitating. I couldn't sleep well, I couldn't sit anywhere without feeling this awful pain in my shoulder. The best part of it is: he really does get to know your body and its problems. As soon as he started my massage, he said, "You're a type A person aren't you?" just based on the tension he felt in my muscles. We hadn't really talked at all before that. It was amazing how much he was able to learn about me through a massage (and despite my not actively talking about myself). It was a great experience, and I will definitely go back when I have time! I felt very relaxed and comfortable, though I must forewarn all the softies: the experience is unbelievably painful! The relief is felt after, but during the massage, you will be in A LOT of pain. read more

John Davis deserves the five star reviews. I came based off these glowing reviews fore my back and neck and he really listened to my concerns and problem areas. This isn't a frilly day spa where to you go to relax- it's a therapeutic massage to really help you feel better. He also gave me a ton suggestions to help build upper body strength, and even emailed me some exercises to do at home. The man knows what he's talking about, and is a real professional. read more

John was as great as the reviews say. Chatty, but very friendly and easy going, willing to cater to my needs. Great with his hands.

I've been seeing John for almost a year now getting massages almost monthly. I purchased A group buying deal for Hands in Motion and they referred many clients to John Davis since he was able to book and accommodate more appointments. It must have been fate, because his hands work magic. And even better he is just a block away from my work- how convenient! John is polite and friendly, we have casual sessions and chat (which helps distract me from focusing on the sometimes intense therapeutic pressure). He made me more aware of my mental\physical health by discussing how your lifestyle is related to your physical condition. Being that I Work at a desk full-time I re-evaluated how my desk was situated so I wasn't straining my neck by sitting too long or holding the phone by shrugging... and I get out and exercise more. I leave each session feeling loosened and relaxed. Being a busty lady, I do think that some of my back pain is due to my size. However, John's massages have made a great improvement in the overall tension in my back. Very clean, great soft cozy sheets. I book my appointments a few at a time and I look forward to every visit. Worth Every Dollar. Every Time. Very Highly recommended for anyone who is looking for a massage therapist who will give you results you can feel. read more

This man is incredible. A surgeon w/o a scalpel. If you need it fixed, he's the one to do it. If you're looking for a soft hands relaxing experience, go elsewhere. read more

I moved here to Boston from New York this summer and have been searching for a good masseuse. I tried out G Spa ($110 for 50 minutes), G20, Southwest Day Spa, etc . I only paid $55 for 90 minutes with John Davis and it was the best massage I've had in years, and certainly ever in Boston! He was extremely knowledgeable, professional, and kind. He worked out all of my knots and knew exactly what was sore. I enjoyed the fact that it's his private studio and I didn't have to deal with spa staff on Newbury who usually have attitude problems! Also, he plaid classical music during the massage (strings), which for some reason was so much more relaxing than the usual 'muzak' junk they often play in spas. The deal was from Getsugar.com and runs till the end of February, and after that he has student discounts. read more

This was my first time seeing John and it will not be my last. Read his reviews and decided that I would try him out seeing as I was having some back pain and wanted to go to someone who actually knew what they were doing. It was clear he knows his stuff and for the deeper therapeutic massage I got it was surprisingly more enjoyable than regular Swedish ones I've had other places. Not only is he good with his hands, but he actually takes time to talk with you to understand what you're looking for before you start. Very impressed. Can't wait to go back! read more

I bought a HomeRun deal for John Davis. Going there with not-too-high expectations, I was pleasantly surprised, and impressed. I went needing some sports-related deep tissue work done, mostly lower back and hamstrings. John spent the right amount of time ascertaining what needed to be done, and did it. It was not a gentle pampering massage, nor do I think you'd ever get one from John. He was right on the mark(s), got right in there, and I felt results right away. I would definitely recommend John unless, of course, you want a pampering. Prepare to feel the discomfort of his extremely effective work! read more

John is great at what he does. He is confident but not cocky and totally professional and appropriate. He knows just what to do to work out all of your kinks and is super knowledgeable. This is not a spa massage. Its a real therapeutic massage intended to be effective; so if you remember to breathe and don't expect a back scratch, you will leave feeling soooo refreshed! read more

Does your neck hurt? Mine DID until John got ahold of it. No more pain...amazing. Too many therapists either skip the neck or don't have the confidence/skill to get the job done....not so with John Davis. Bravo......both me and my neck thank you! read more

My boyfriend and I did a couples massage class with John and it was amazing! He spent 3 hours with us going over basic and intermediate strokes and gave very personalized feedback and instruction. I always had a hard time giving massages because my hands would tire, but John showed me how to use my body weight so that I didn't tire out and could give a strong massage. Would definitely recommend him! read more

I recently attended a fund raiser for Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (CSC), it was a wonderful event attended by the artistic and philanthropic luminaries of New England supporting a great organization. In my desire to support the CSC I bought a 3 massage package from John Davis Therapeutic Massage in a silent auction. I did not know him or his reputation; I did this to support a noble cause. When I called John to schedule my sessions, I was shocked at his behavior, he was extremely rude would not give me simple basic information about his business, hours or availability. John insisted that he is not making any money on this transaction and that he did this as a favor to CSC. He flatly refused to honor his commitment and suggested that I take up the matter with CSC I have never been treated in this manner by anyone who allegedly "supports" an Arts Organization by donating goods or services. It is sad that this company took advantage of this wonderful organization by using them as an advertising vehicle to get his name in front of selected group of affluent consumers. John Davis got his 5 minutes of fame at this event by fraudantly offering his services in a silent auction and then refusing to honor them to the highest bidder. This unfortunate, sad and unethical practice will be reported to Massachusetts Attorney General's office and Better Business Bureau; we cannot allow such individuals to take advantage of nonprofit organizations and unsuspecting consumers. read more

John is awesome. I am definitely about 3 months late (or more) with this review, but my experience at John Davis Therapeutic Massage was perfect. I thought I carried a lot of tension in my upper shoulders and neck but John informed me that I also carried a lot of it in my forearms and legs, which surprised me but at the same time has made me very aware of how much I tense up my legs and arms at work. A trip to see John is certainly worth the money - he takes the time to sit with you and get to know you, and gave me some of the most useful advice I've ever received. He told me that upper body did not have the strength to hold up my head - which I now realize is completely correct. I started working out my arms and shoulders more (which, as a woman, I never did for fear of "bulking up" which was obviously silly) and I already feel better. Important note: if you want something in a dark room that's relaxing and silent this is not for you. But if you want results delivered and to start feeling better and understand your body more, I HIGHLY recommend going to JDTM. read more

John is truly remarkable and stands out above & beyond the rest. He takes his work seriously and wants it to have long-lasting benefits, which it absolutely does. It is beyond belief how well he knows the human body and can tell you exactly where the work is needed most even before you telling him. He can feel the tension in your body and works through it, so that you walk out of the session feeling lighter and almost liberated. My lower back pain went away after my very first session with John and after 2 months it still hasn't returned. He is tremendous!!! read more

As someone who has racked up a number of sports-related injuries, I can't say enough about the level of care provided by John. Before going to see him, I had tried out various therapists in the Boston area and found many of them wanting. While they were all very pleasant as individuals, they did seem geared towards those needing more topical treatments. Adding to my displeasure was the fact that often times the massages felt like they were being performed by rote. John, in contrast, seems to understand precisely what is needed and addresses the problem areas you cite. read more

Today I had my fourth massage with John in a series that I have been enjoying during the past two months. John's a wonderful massage therapist who brings communication, strength and insight to the massage table, which is key to understanding what's going on with your body and where. I lead an active lifestyle and it really helped to find out more about the inflammations and stresses that accompany the various physical activities I participate in regularly. I highly recommend John if you are looking for massage therapy that is professional and knowledgeable. If you are looking for a candlelit spa massage, this is probably not for you. If you want to experience a deep tissue massage that is truly therapeutic, go see John! read more

If you're looking for a horrible massage that leaves you feeling worse then you did to begin with, then John Davis is your man! I have received hundreds of massages in my lifetime and this was the worst massage without a doubt. I bought my massage from buywithme.com and was hoping to loosen some tightened muscles from the stress of my life and left wishing that I had never gone. John even made a comment to me after the massage was over that he was aware of the fact that he was hurting me during the massage. I don't know who wrote the positive reviews about him, but I wonder if they are just friends of his. I can't imagine him having the ability to give even a decent massage. read more

John is friendly, professional, knowledgeable, thorough, and it is a pleasure to add to his long collection of stellar reviews.

John is as good as it gets! I have had back pain for over 2 years now and have been to surgeons, chiropractors, and physical therapists...but I was only able to get the pain under control with the help of John. I highly recommend him! read more