Have seen half a dozen different massage therapists over the past few years to deal with chronic shoulder pain, and I have never felt better than I did walking out of my appointment with Rae. Incredible sense of putting just the right pressure in just the right spot, with care, kindness, and communication too. Can't recommend them highly enough. read more

Rae is an incredible massage therapist. Historically I have had challenges with deep tissue massage because I have found it to be uncomfortable and even painful. But Rae has an ability to apply deep, healing pressure with much grace and skill, and now I find myself enjoying and craving the deeper pressure! They have what I would call healing, intuitive hands. As a very active person, I'm grateful to have them in my corner keeping me in good shape! Thanks Rae! read more

Great bodyworker with strong hands, intuitive touch, and good communication skills. Highly recommend.

After struggling with chronic pain for two years and trying multiple types of physical therapies, I decided to book a massage on a friends recommendation with Rae. I was so impressed with their ability to intuitively know the areas to focus on and appreciated the targeted work on my biggest problem areas. The real magic happened after the massage. For the first time in years, I woke up the next morning without any pain. It was a feeling of liberation and relief that I cannot adequately put into words. Rae's expertise and intuitive touch not only provided immediate relief but also offered lasting results that I had only dreamed of. I cannot recommend Rae highly enough. If you're struggling with chronic pain or simply in need of some rejuvenation, do yourself a favor and book a session now. read more

Rae is a phenomenal bodyworker/therapeutic massage therapist. Rae combines a great understanding of the neuromuscular system, with a super engaged focus, plus a strong devotion to facilitating healing for each client. Rae can pick up on a problem area in need of work before I remember to say anything about that spot, or before I even realize myself that it's in dire need of helpful release! Rae is among the rare person or two that I will allow to even touch, let alone work on a delicate and chronically painful hand after three surgeries. After a lifetime of bumps, bruises, degenerative vertebrae, and repetitive stress injuries, plus the inevitable new mishaps and continuing repetitive stress & tension patterns, Rae plays an ongoing integral role in keeping me able to enjoy the physical activities and passions that make my life rich and meaningful. I'm forever grateful to Rae. read more

Rae is the answer to my massage therapist quest! I'll start of by saying I'm super picky about my massages and I've been searching for a therapist that does active release and is willing to spend time and depth with my problematic areas, which for me is my neck and upper back. I have a nemesis knot in my back so chronic that I've named it "Bob Gnarly" and I mentioned that in my appointment intake form. When I arrived, I was surprised to learn that Rae had turned on some Reggae music to greet my gnarly knot. It was on at a soft volume, relaxing tempo, and yet a fun touch! It impressed me that they took the time to read my intake information, as most massage therapists that I've had sessions with don't take the time to do that and then they insist on giving me a full body massage instead. Rae knew where to focus and within seconds of my session, I knew they are skilled based on the pressure and detailed findings of all the other knots in my shoulders. Gnarly and his friends did not stand a chance. By mid-session I was already thinking of purchases a package and a gift certificate. I walked out of there like a soft noodle and had to sit in my car for a few minutes while I came back to earth. Thanks Rae!! I'll be back! read more

If Yelp allowed more than 5-stars I'd give them to BodyWorks by Rae -- she's that good. I've had hundreds of excellent massages and Rachel surpassed them all. She listened to two specific issues (neck and shins) I'd been having, both of which I thought would just take time and care to heal. She spent time on them both + also delivered a exceptional full body massage. Bonus: she asked if I minded if she went 10 minutes over because she wanted to work on my neck a little more. Umm, hell no I don't mind a little extra massage! When I got up from the table both issues were noticeably better. She also gave me some tips on what to do to help keep both on the mend. I've since had a follow-up appointment have have one on the books for my spouse. Rae is an amazing and gifted practitioner. read more

I've had three sessions with Rae so far and I'm definitely sticking with them as long as they are here in the Bay Area. Rae works wonders on my neck, shoulders and rotator cuffs. I feel my shoulders at least 10lbs lighter after each session, and the relaxation effect lasts for weeks. Thanks, Rae! read more

Rae is extremely professional. The space is clean and bright and professional as well. The session starts with a dialogue about your body, discomfort, tightness and needs. Rae is a force of nature! The massage work is as strong and deep and you need. Trigger point therapy is what I have been missing my whole adult life! Rae's fund of knowledge of anatomy and pain is exceptional! I am ever so grateful to Rae for addressing pain I have had for decades with extremely precise and deep touch!! read more

Rae is an amazing massage therapist. I have seen her for years and still appreciate her care. I was hit by a car several years ago, which has impacted my body, and Rae is very attentive and helpful. read more

Rae is a phenomenal practitioner. Rae is not only knowledgeable and skilled, but they are also very intuitive in the way they spend time working on stubborn muscle knots. Over the last year, Rae has truly helped me understand the connection between various pain points in my body due to injury and/or chronic pain. They approach each session with such a warm and healing space. As another reviewer pointed out, Rae makes you feel as though they are as much invested in your health as you are. I always look forward to seeing, Rae. Highly recommend. read more

Life changing. Recently got rear ended and was blessed to meet Rae. Her tecnique is incredible..so much relief from first session . She was able to zero in on those points in my neck and shoulder that were the cause of pain shooting down my arm..... Cant wait to heal more in your hands Thank you Highly recommend read more

I had my first session with Rae back when they were working in-house at my company. I had a lot of tension in my neck, shoulders, back and arms, and I had seen all sorts of people before from chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists and other massage therapists but never really felt like they were able to find the parts that caused me pain. When I had that session with Rae I was blown away. I swear Rae has some super powers or x-ray vision or something because they can read my muscle system like a book. Rae knows the exact amount of pressure to give, can find muscles deep in places I didn't know could be reached, and finds ways to work not on you but with you. Rae's practice is also really next level and holistic because they will work on areas of your body that you might not think are associated with the pain you are feeling but are totally connected! It's totally given me a different understanding and a deeper awareness of my body and how I think about exercise or stretching in my day to day life. Sometimes its a bit tough to work out some of the problems I have, and pressure needs to be applied to help, but Rae is really great at making sure you are comfortable and very communicative in asking if their pressure is just right. Lastly, Rae is just an all round awesome person. They're really friendly, super chill to be around, and the vibe is always great. Rae also gives a lot of great tips for how to work on your problem areas at home too! Thank you so much for all your help and I will definitely come back again! read more

Short story: I'll be back. My previous massage therapist relocated and Rae was recommended by a friend and did not disappoint! I'm an athlete and need to get regular TLC to keep everything running smoothly - I crave strong massages without the frills of a spa. Rae was attentive, asked plenty of questions about my background, how I was feeling, pressure, etc. The space was simple and comfortable and Rae checked in if I was cool with the music choice- super chill. No complaints. I'm looking forward to my next visit. read more

Today I had my first session with Rae. They were very good at honing in on my problem areas and trying various techniques to alleviate and work on my issues. I wish I had come MUCH sooner in my recovery process ! Better than a PT session for me! Recommend. read more

Rae takes the time to ask questions before you even arrive, and even follows up after. She has a great place by the water in Alameda and does everything to make you comfortable- music, temperature, how firm you like for pressure, etc. That said, this is a therapeutic massage. She will find every knot and work it out. I found her through three other recommendations- including one for a runner's sore knee - and they were right. She is fantastic. read more

Ok I've been keeping Rae a secret for too long and I don't think it's fair to gate keep. Rae is such a talented body worker. I've been going to them for a couple of years to treat some chronic musculoskeletal issues. Each time I arrive, they are extremely present to what the diverse needs of the day are. It has been hard to find a regular masseuse with such skill, patience and kindness. Highly recommend Rae! read more

Rae was very thorough and gave a perfect massage for my lower back and shoulders. I would definitely recommend.

Came to Rae at the glowing recommendation of a friend, and came back again because they gave me the best massage I've had. Now I too get to be a Raevangelist! Extremely pleasant, professional, and effective massage. read more

I've gone to Rae off and on for a few years. They're really thorough, thoughtful, responsive, and communicative, and had good suggestions for managing my back/shoulder pain. I'd definitely recommend going to Rae! read more

Rae was everything I could hope for in a massage therapist. Super communicative and incredibly skilled. I felt like they accessed muscles I didn't even realize needed healing. They were thorough, patient, and their space is really comfortable and inviting. read more

Where I'm coming from: my mom was a board-certified Hospice nurse who also happened to be a Zero Balancing practitioner, 500-hour Esalen Institute certified massage practitioner, and biofeedback therapist. So, a bit of a therapeutic bodywork snob. I spent years driving almost an hour to get ZBs down in the South Bay but all three practitioners retired and/or moved out of the area. So I was not excited to trial and error my way through finding my next bodywork Jedi. After sifting through a few dozen listings on Yelp I was drawn to several of the modalities employed by Rae in their practice. With my background and experience, I knew that Myofascial Therapy and Neuromuscular Massage Therapy would likely provide tremendous relief to what I was dealing with. From the get go, Rae couldn't have been a better match for me & the severely debilitating aches, pains and general stiffness I was enduring. Their warm, bright energy and engagement with me to better understand the different areas of concern, dialogue during sessions about pressure and technique, ways to improve the results - *everything* about the experience helped me feel they were as invested in positive results as me! I've been back a dozen times and the improvement to my quality of life has been HUGE. We're still working together to get the last remaining trouble spots resolved, but I am so grateful to have found someone as gifted and caring as Rae. An important note: I almost always book 90-minute sessions, as I've found that really gives Rae time to listen to my body & address not only the areas I highlight before we begin, but also issues that I'm frequently not aware of when I arrive. I have absolute trust at this point that they'll spend the time needed to address the identified issues, but also ask me if I want them to move on when a point is reached where further work is providing diminishing returns. I really appreciate this kind of 'soft-skill' that demonstrates the level of care for clients they have - and respect for the value they provide. I also want to highlight Rae's seamless, professional website & appointment booking system. We've decided to shift appointments a couple times & they're able to quickly make changes and have the system kick out an email/text and all I have to do is click to update my calendar! Yet another way Rae makes it so easy to appreciate being a client. Do yourself a favor and book some time with Rae and let them help you feel a whole lot better in your body. I sure do. read more

Rae was extremely skilled and competent in helping to ease some long-standing neck and shoulder congestion. Clearly knowledgeable with anatomy and had an intuitive knowing in regards to pressure and how to get long-standing knots to unwind and let go. Definitely one of the best manual therapy sessions I have received in a while. I felt lighter and more grounded afterwards and had improved range of motion. Highly recommend. read more

Some days it feels like 95% of the population has forgotten about COVID and the short- and long-term damage it might cause. That's why I was so happy to find a bodywork specialist like Rae who not only engages in good safety practices but expects their clients to as well. When I walked in, the window was wide open, the HEPA filter was running on full blast, and Rae was wearing an N95. I felt completely safe during my session. Finally I have a practitioner I can see with some frequency--this is good news indeed after almost three years of skipping regular massages. read more

Rae is an incredible and talented massage therapist. They are super focused, attuned, and collaborative. They have been helping me with a back injury and post-partum recovery, and I couldn't be more pleased. Highly recommend! read more

I highly recommend Rae. They're knowledgeable and intuitive, identifying all the right points and working deeply and patiently to release them. Super responsive and flexible and has an all round calming and kind presence. read more

Rachel's massages are a wonderful blend of therapeutic and relaxing. She is willing to really work on the issues you bring to her or just let u settle into a relaxing massage. Highly recommend her! read more

Rae is a fantastic massage therapist. Her expertise in anatomy and treating painful conditions and her caring nature make her a great resource. Her office is clean and comfortable and, added bonus, has plenty of free parking nearby. read more

Rae is a legend. I've had them work on my beat-up body for the last seven years. They have helped me recover from 2 shoulder surgeries and back problems. I am forever grateful for the relief they have brought to my family and me. The utmost professional who focuses on your mind and body. Thank you Rae! read more

After two sessions with Rae, I already have much greater range of motion in my shoulders and neck. She has convinced me of the benefits of massage therapy. I consider myself a regular customer now. read more

I've had 3 sessions with Rae so far and it has been amazing. They listen really well to my concerns pre session and provide very useful summary and suggestions post session. They have strong yet gentle hands and are very responsive to request for changes in pressure and quality of touch. Great music playlist as well! I am very glad to have them as a part of my care team. read more

I just had the best massage by RAE! She's phenomenal, very knowledgeable and have great techniques. She the only masseuse that gives her client the full 60/90 minutes massage. I highly recommend Rea. You will not be disappointed. read more

Rae came to our house to give a massage to my brother who was suffering hip pain. She was knowledgeable, professional, sensitive, and easy to communicate with. He felt a lot better after the massage and we were all very grateful. read more

Hands down the best body work you'll ever receive. My husband and I have been going to Rachel for the past four years and we'll never go anywhere else. In fact, we moved out of the bay and still schedule sessions every time we're back. Rachel is attentive, knowledgeable, professional, and extremely good at her job. Also, I will forever be grateful for her prenatal and postnatal massage. read more

I talked with a colleague about my typing-related wrist pain and they recommended Rae. I found a suitable slot within a week from when I was booking, and upon booking got clear instructions on how to find the place (which is nice). Rae had clearly read in detail the answers I had typed into the booking form. This was the first professional massage I've had so can't compare to others, but she seemed to know exactly what to do and gave me useful tips and advice in response to my questions (e.g. which particular motion a given muscle knot likely resulted from). Both very professional and friendly/pleasant vibes. So far, seems to have helped with my wrist pain (and my arms felt very relaxed afterwards) and would definitely go again if it comes back. read more

I am not a frequent Yelp reviewer but Rae was highly recommended to me and did not disappoint. She spent the full 90 minutes working on my trouble spots just yesterday and already I feel a big difference. I just rebooked for another session next week. Thanks Rae! read more

Six sessions in, and I credit Rae with the majority of the improvement of my chronic back muscle pain since last February. She gets right to the painful spots, and spends a great deal of time working out the tightness. She is also great at educating me about the origination and referral of the type of pain I'm experiencing, which aids me in participating in my recovery with daily stretches and exercises. I'm leaving the area soon for several months on the east coast, and will really miss our sessions. When I get back in the fall, I'll be making an appointment to see her, whether or not I'm still dealing with this pain! Thanks, Rae! read more

Best and most effective massage I've ever received! Rae is friendly and provides a very comfortable environment. Their technique was incredibly thorough, spending much needed time on all of my problem areas. They gave me very helpful information about ways I can work on these at home with a foam roller and lacrosse ball. They even sent me home with a lacrosse ball! My massage was yesterday evening, and I feel a noticeable difference today. Rae recommended tight areas to focus on for my next massage. The oil Rae uses during the massage is wonderful. It absorbs well and doesn't leave you feeling sticky afterwards. Overall, I would give more than 5 stars if I could and recommend everyone to book a message with Rae asap! read more

Rae has an excellent understanding of anatomy. I have chronic neck/shoulder issues for about a year now and she gave me a massage - targeting regions that I did not know existed - that helped me identify trigger points. She also gave me a lacrosse ball (for trigger points) so I can work on managing my pain on my own. She is very knowledgable and professional, definitely recommend! read more

Rae came highly recommended by a friend, and lucky me, was up for a house call! Lately I have been experiencing some significant stiffness, so I needed some specific areas addressed to that end. Rae's well versed and intuitive technique was unlike any traditional massage I hav ever had, and I was delighted to notice that movement in my joints the next day were reduced. They were consistently checking in with me to make sure the pressure and areas of focus were just right for me. I can't wait to continue with Rae's care and hopefully the improvements will continue! read more