Back to Center

Bailey gave me one of the best massages I’ve ever had. She started out with a consultation and told me which areas she would focus on and why. Usually, I find that I massage therapists don’t spend enough time on my problem areas, but Bailey really tailored the massage to my body and it’s needs. The table was luxurious with the softest sheets and she played a relaxing playlist that was pleasantly unique. And the scent of whatever concoction it is that fills the room is clean and calming — I kept smelling my skin long after the massage was over. She relieved tension in my back and worked out all the knots, and also gave me the best hand massage. My favorite thing though was how she was able to give me a boutique spa experience without the snobbery or pretension. She really nailed simple decadence. I will definitely be making massages with Bailey part of my routine.

I am totally blissed out from my massage with Meredith.
Have been travelling for work the past month and needed to unwind,
little did I know I walked right into one of the best massages of my life.
She’s got the touch.

Alex is an amazing massage therapist. I requested a deep tissue and it was exactly what I got! The environment was clean and warm. I highly recommend Alex at Back to Center.

Kelly gave me one of the best massages I’ve had. Ever. She has a firm hand, knows her work, and is a warm and relaxed person, easy to be with. I was so happy I was able to get a same day appointment.
The space is quiet, with a non-​rushed feel. Kelly asked about what I thought I needed, and then got to work. I felt so relaxed and my back was greatly improved after her work.
I highly recommend this business and Kelly. Although I’m from out of town, I plan to get in every time I am in the Oakland area.

I found Back to Center randomly one day online and I am so glad I did. Meredith is amazing! I go in monthly for a 90 minute massage to de-​stress and it works every time. She does a nice job focusing on the tense and tights parts of your body while still providing whole-​body care. I always leave feeling refreshed and calm. The in-​office rebook rate is a nice plus as well! I recommend Meredith to everyone I know who needs a massage. So awesome!

Kelly is a amazing and I’ve been going to see her ever few weeks for help with some back problems. She’s very good at what she does, and always does a consultation and tailors her massages to what each patient really needs. Not only are her massages restorative, she’s also great at helping you de-​stress. Highly recommend her! There’s also a re-​booking discount which is nice :)

It was one of those days when I needed a massage (ok that’s most days for me) and I had been Unilocaling for the right one. Back to Center looked like a legit one with the awesome 5 star reviews. Anyway I was really happy that there was availability with Kelly, who was amazing. I got the western message, where she not only focused on knots in my neck and shoulders but also provided a relaxing full body massage. The techniques she used were very professional and she adjusted to my request for a firmer massage. I must have been too relaxed because I passed out for a split second and heard myself snore! Compliments to her! The room was comfy and warm with my requested nature sounds music (yes you can email them the type of music you want played). She incorporated hot towels, which were a plus. I definitely recommend Kelly if you need to unwind after a long hard day at work, she will work wonders on your tired muscles. Plus if you are a first timer, you get $ 15 off and if you book another one right after your appt. you get the same deal on your next massage. I took the liberty to book mine for next month!

MEREDITH IS THE BOMB.
(Shall I say it again for the people in the back?)
Seriously, I’m a bodyworker myself with 15+ years experience, and after that many years of giving and receiving massage, I know what’s what, and Meredith delivers. She is a master of tension removal and de-​stressing. She combines several different modalities to leave me relaxed and refreshed, every single time. Not to mention, her personality is delightful. A monthly massage with Meredith is a mandatory part of my self-​care. And really, don’t we all need more of that? Do yourself a favor and book a session with her ASAP!

I absolutely loved the massage I received from Kelly. I have been searching for someone to provide the same level of massage as I used to receive and I finally found it with Kelly at Back to Center. I will absolutely be back and I’m so glad my search is over!

Kelley at Back to Center was born with the gift of healing massage. I’ve had lots and lots of massages in my life having gone to school for Massage Therapy myself and I have never met anyone who can top Kelley. She has a wide range of variety and listens to what your body is saying in the moment. I’ve gone in a complete wreck and floated out on a cloud after one hour with Kelley (though I recommend 90 minutes if you can afford it). I used to see Kelley at her previous employer and have been to the new Back to Center once and I loved it. The décor was adorable and it felt cozy and safe.

At the very last minute I booked an appointment online with Kelley and my experience was nothing short of amazing!
This hidden little gem is housed inside of a quant little apartment/​office/​flat off of Piedmont Ave. and shares the floor with two other independent practitioner/​businesses. While there’s no formal «office», when you walk upstairs you are welcomed by a natural skylight, a few waiting chairs in the hallway, water tower and a few pieces of health literature to read. They have two treatment rooms that are both clean, minimal, inviting and emit subtle scents of and lavender throughout.
Kelley has a warm and super laid back demeanor, while still possessing a good working knowledge and understanding of the body. Before we got started we had a brief, yet thorough consultation about what I do for a living, my physical ailments and what I was looking forward to getting worked on during that session. I expressed that I’m an office manager and am constantly on the computer or at a desk and that I prefer firm/​hard pressure. Needless to say, she exceeded my expectations and did not disappoint. Since it had been quite a while since my last massage, she was very firm on pressure, but not overbearing, keeping in mind that my muscles needed to slowly loosen up. I opted for 75-​minutes and it was the perfect amount of time to get a full-​body massage and a little extra attention on my problematic areas (ie. my shoulders and neck). I even caught myself nearly falling asleep a few times! Thankfully, no loud snoring ensued. Afterward, I felt extremely relaxed, loose, calm and was definitely ready for a nice long nap at home. She even offers you a nice fresh hot towel to wipe yourself off, icy cold water to sip on a piece of dark chocolate w/​sea salt to nosh on. Bonus!
But even better —
— First time clients get $ 15 off their first massage
— If you book your next appointment immediately afterward in-​office, you get $ 15 off of that massage
— They offer affordable 5-​session packages for either 60, 75 or 90 minutes.
Kelley said it best — «We need to stop thinking of massages as a luxury and more as a treatment for our bodies» and I could not agree with her any more! I’m really happy that I found Kelley. She was super laid back throughout the entire process and I’m sooooo looking forward to my session with her next month. Thank you again Kelley!

I see Bailey once a month (made easier by the $ 15 discount she offers when you book your next appointment before you leave), and I’ve come to see it as an important part of my ongoing sanity-​maintenance. Bailey gives great explanations of things when necessary, and she knows a ton about anatomy and physiology, but I think she does her best «talking» once you’re on the table and she can get her hands on you. She’s a natural.
I’ve put off writing this review because I didn’t want *everyone* to start seeing Bailey… but really, the world would be a saner place if everyone did.

I’ve had many bodywork sessions with Bailey over the past few years and had the pleasure to have my first at the new Back To Center 2.0. Bailey is outstanding and highly skilled at what she does and I always leave feeling great in a state of extreme relaxation and relief from my various muscular ailments. She will not only give you great massage but is also very good at communicating about your needs and giving you solid after care advise and exercises.
The new studio is also fantastic. It’s a very spacious, quiet (it’s upstairs off the street which is nice), comfortable, and generally relaxing place to be. Getting a massage here is an experience I’d recommend to anybody and everybody. On top of that I was easily able to get free 2hr parking within a block of the location in mid day.
I highly recommend you take advantage of one of Back to Center’s first-timer’s specials and see for yourself.

I had a wonderful 75 minute western style massage with Kelley. She is very talented and gave me useful tips afterwards on how to release tension in my upper back from my desk job. I’m going to be a regular customer! Also, lovely low-​key space that made me feel at home.

I’m melted into my couch right now after my first massage with Kelley. She was so thorough, professional and healing! I literally caught myself dreaming in our session, I was so relaxed! Also, she really paid attention to the issues I told her I was having, and gave me stretches to do afterwards that would help in areas in which I was particularly tight. I immediately booked my next appointment with her after I was done! And you save $ 15 if you do! Next month can’t come soon enough!

I would give Kelley 10 stars if Unilocal let me. I haven’t been to Back to Center yet but hope to soon. The pictures look beautiful.
Kelley is a highly skilled massage therapist.
She combines intuition with knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics to provide a truly relaxing therapeutic massage. She knows how to do deep work gradually so that you can relax and let the knots unwind.
I have had many professional massages and Kelley is among the best. I highly recommend her.

Pros:
Convenient location
Beautiful décor
Friendly staff
Flexible availability for scheduling
Always feel 10x better after going
Cons:
None! Love this place.

I followed Kelley from her last place. She is the best whether you want a relaxing massage or more focused deep tissue, she is on point. Highly recommend stopping by for a visit.

I still get a Bailey massage once a month. My first visit with her was about 3 weeks after giving birth, and she’s helped by body through all sorts of changes and adjustments. I have hip issues and as everyone has mentioned — she’s more attentive and specific than many of the doctors I’ve seen! She gives great tips on how to address sore or tight spots or any other anomaly she notices during your massage. Super relaxing, fix-​it-​all checkups — aces!

Thank you, Bailey.
Thank you so much for your beautiful massage. I totally went to that blissful happy dream-​land space, and I feel like a brand new person today. Your massage reminded me of why I love bodywork so much.