Expertise.com
2024

Last updated:

Best Massage Therapists in San Francisco

Our Recommended Top 8

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored San Francisco Massage Therapists on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

197

Reviewed

121

Curated

8

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
450 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94108
  • Post Op Facial Lymphatic Drainage
  • Postpartum Massage
  • Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage
  • Post-Op Care
  • Post Op Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage ™
  • Prenatal Massage
  • Facial Lymphatic Drainage

Why choose this provider?

Just for You Bodywork & Massage offers holistic services in and around San Francisco. It helps individuals combat unwanted fluid retention and toxins inside their bodies through its Post-Op Brazilian Lymphatic Drainage massage solutions. The clinic performs pumping techniques, proven maneuvers, pressure, and pace to improve fluid flow out of a client's system. It also offers Post Op Facial Lymphatic Drainage and prenatal and postpartum massage services. Luciana Andrus, the center's founder, is certified by the National Holistic Institute.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (15)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (11)
Google
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Price: Call for Pricing and Appointment

San Francisco, CA

Why choose this provider?

Need help contacting a Massage Therapist in San Francisco? Call our Concierge team at 848-Book-Pro (848-266-5776 from 6 am - 4 pm PT | Mon - Fri). They are standing by to help you get the service you need.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Price: Free booking service | Call 848.Book.Pro!

Website
333 3rd St 205, San Francisco, CA 94107

Why choose this provider?

Psoas Massage + Bodywork is a San Francisco-based massage therapy studio that has been offering customized bodywork services since 2003. The studio owner, Jenny Lightstone, is a massage therapist who is trained to provide specialized treatments. Lightstone and her team of therapists perform deep tissue massage therapy that helps rehabilitate injured muscles. This modality can improve range of motion and reduce swelling and pain. Other massage modalities offered are craniosacral therapy, sports massage, and myofascial release.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (282)
Google
4.0 / 5 (46)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (10)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2940 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94118
  • Sports Massage

Why choose this provider?

San Francisco Sports Massage & Performance provides its services to individuals and athletes in the metro. Its services include 60-minute sports massage and 30-minute ART that can treat shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and knee problems. Owner and operator Kevin Burns is a manual sports therapist and performance coach. He specializes in soft tissue therapies and helps individuals achieve optimal health. He is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (19)

Website
1395 31st Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122
  • Deep Tissue

Why choose this provider?

Mindful Bodywork SF is a massage therapy clinic that serves clients across the San Francisco metro. Its massage therapist, Cristina Fernandez, offers multiple therapy services, including Esalen, Swedish, deep tissue, oncology, pregnancy, and craniosacral therapy. She also provides myofascial release, Shiatsu, acupressure, and aromatherapy services. She focuses on integrating alternative and conventional approaches to treatment. Likewise, the massage therapist supervises individual and group yoga classes. Cristina is an Esalen Massage Therapist and Teacher.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (7)
Google
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
873 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
  • Thai Massage

Why choose this provider?

Buddha Bliss is a San Francisco-based massage therapy studio. It offers both therapeutic and relaxation treatments for clients suffering from stress, sports-related injuries, and medical conditions. The studio's massage options include deep-tissue therapy, Reiki massages, trigger-point massages, and shiatsu sessions. It also provides aromatherapy and hot stone therapy. Buddha Bliss was established by Bee, who has been practicing in bodywork for over a decade. She leads seven other therapists who are trained in Thai massages, lymphatic drainages, and reflexology.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.5
Yelp
4.5 / 5 (284)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
2120 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
  • Deep Tissue

Why choose this provider?

Massage Humana is a local business that provides custom massage treatments for clients in San Francisco and nearby areas. Its massage therapist, Nelson Olivera, has been utilizing a wide range of massage modalities to meet the specific needs of clients for more than a decade. He performs deep muscular therapy that aims to relieve chronic pain. He applies sports massage techniques to tight or knotted areas. Clients have an option to add a hot towel, tuning forks, warm stones, and organic coconut oil to enhance the session.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0

Website
430 40th Street, Oakland, CA 94609

Why choose this provider?

YogaSkya is a wellness studio in San Francisco that aims to heal the body, mind, and spirit The owner is a nationally certified massage therapist, with training from the Yoga School of Therapeutics, and her aim is to help students manage stress and pain, and thus enhance their quality of life. The establishment offers a range of packages to suit the health goals and needs of each client, and the techniques include Swedish, shiatsu, craniosacral, lymph drainage, and body somatics involving deep-tissue work. YogaSkya also offers group yoga sessions and private instruction, and it holds prenatal workshops to assist pregnant women with strengthening and nurturing their changing bodies. The practice sells gift certificates, and it rewards individuals who refer their friends and family.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Introduction

    Massage therapists are health care providers that use an array of techniques to promote relaxation, relieve pain, and increase flexibility. They're required to undergo intensive schooling in anatomy and massage techniques before working with clients, and they must have up to 2,000 hours of practicum, during which they treat patients under the supervision of a trained massage therapist.

    While some massage therapists strictly specialize in relaxation massage, others have undergone extensive training to treat specific injuries and conditions using a variety of techniques, including reflexology, deep tissue, and cupping. Other specializations massage therapists may offer include hot stone massage and hydrotherapy.

  • What do massage therapists do? 

    Massage therapists use techniques such as stroking, kneading, and rubbing muscles to release tension. This can cause increased mobility and flexibility and a dramatic reduction in pain caused by tense or knotted muscles. Massage therapists often offer treatment to those experiencing day-to-day aches and pains as well as to athletes and individuals who've experienced severe injuries.

  • Is massage therapy safe? 

    While massage therapy is generally safe, individuals with underlying health conditions or injuries should discuss this treatment option with a primary or treating physician. This also applies to pregnant women who are interested in prenatal massage — while massage during pregnancy is considered safe, women with high-risk pregnancies may be advised to avoid massage.

  • Should I see a massage therapist or a chiropractor?

    When considering which practitioner to see for pain and other health concerns, it's important to note the differences between the two. While a massage therapist treats the muscles, a chiropractor's job is to ensure the spine is aligned by performing adjustments.

  • How do I hire a massage therapist? 

    Wellness clinics and chiropractic offices often employ massage therapists to increase services offered. If you're unable to find one at a local clinic, you can often obtain a referral from your primary care physician or other health care provider.

  • What are the types of massage therapies? 

    There are several types of massage therapy, each with a different purpose. While some, such as aromatherapy and hot stone massage, promote relaxation, others are more therapeutic. Each type of massage uses different techniques and levels of pressure. The most common types of massage therapies include:

    • Aromatherapy massage: Using Swedish massage techniques along with essential oils to enhance relaxation.
    • Deep tissue massage: Used to treat musculoskeletal issues and involves increased pressure and deep strokes.
    • Hot stone massage: Hot stones are laid on the muscles prior to massage to ease tense muscles.
    • Prenatal massage: Specialized massage technique for pregnant individuals.
    • Reflexology massage: Massage to pressure points in the feet and hands.
    • Sports massage: Targets injuries and strains for athletes.
    • Swedish massage: Relaxation massage that increases circulation throughout the body by manipulating soft tissues.

  • Is it normal for a massage to be painful? 

    While some muscles may feel tender during a massage, feeling pain while getting massaged isn't good or productive. In fact, pain can cause tension in your muscles, making it more difficult for the therapist to perform a proper massage. If feeling pain while being massaged, it's best to let the massage therapist know so they can reduce the amount of pressure they're using.