A Deeper Touch

I’ve been seeing Gareth for a couple of years now and feel better after every session. I’ve come a long way from my first sessions where I would almost need a ball gag to hold back elation (HA!). Over the last two years I’ve had less shoulder/​neck issues due to him loosening me up and providing helpful tips on stretches I can do at home.
Recently I had a pretty strong pain develop just outside my knee after a long bicycle ride. The pain was pretty bad and I had trouble walking. He made time to see me and in about a day I was able to pay him a visit. After our usual catch up chat he had me sit up on the table and began to stretch out my leg, hips and calf. After about 15 min I took some steps and I could already feel the progress. Gareth has a deep understanding of how the body is connected and uses his knowledge to pin point whatever issues you may be having to work his magic.

OMG HURTS SO GOOOOOD…
Gareth will beat you into submission people — in the best possible way. This guy is NOT a «masseur» — don’t call him that either, he’ll quickly correct you that he does «Body Work» which I get now — he has a very deep understanding of body muscle kinetics and also seems to have a great intuition of where you may need help. his work is not just for pleasure, although I like deep tissue massage so for me it was pleasurable. I think he was more thorough and caring than the doctors I had been seeing for my chronic lower back pain issues. Recommended!

Gareth has a sound knowledge of anatomy and he provides not just a comforting massage, but one that actually fixes the issues I was facing structurally. He is kind, committed, and treated deep injuries with care and expertise I had never experienced before.
I highly recommend Gareth for dealing with recovery from injury or surgery. Not many massage therapists have the depth of knowledge to help you in this way and he does.

Magical!
I was having knee and lower back pains/​aches, and Gareth knew exactly how to apply body work to release the tension perfectly. The body work is different than a regular massage, which is very therapeutic. However, I haven’t been on medications or knew creams for over a week. Thank you for his expertise and knowledge.
A deeper touch is a must for a monthly ‘tune up.

Gareth is truly the best. Since i have moved to Miami, I haven’t had a masseuse that is comparable yet. I have received massages from a few others in other places around the state of Florida and even from some claiming to do myofascial release, but they were never as good as Gareth. As a very active person, keeping my body balanced and well is important to me. I just wish I could find someone as good as him here in Miami! You are very lucky to have him San Francisco!

Sound knowledge of anatomy and body mechanics, hands like divinity rods in the way they seek out adhesions, injuries and sore spots, compassionate, and all-​magical in the way my past injuries have just melted away under his care. These are the words to describe Gareth. I found him thru SOL physical therapy when I went there for rehab of my hurt knee. After 3 months with the 3 different physical therapists to no significant improvement, I asked for massage therapy. After the first session with Gareth, I realized I have stumbled upon a gem of a therapist. He is just the BEST therapist i have ever had, and I have seen more than I can remember.
Now I see him every 2 wks, for 2 hr massages every time, and its been 6 months. He has healed a hamstring injury that I sustained 15 yrs ago, that used to plaque me every time I run. He maintains my super-​painful lower back muscles so I can be a full time mom/​salsa dancer/​surfer/​runner. And he renders my bad knee pain-​free every time I over-​use it. PAIN-​FREE. Yes people, it does take patience, because healing takes time. And you will learn that if you do the homework that Gareth gives you, you will not only heal, you will become stronger. It is due to Gareth that I’m back to dancing and running again, and that I’m in the best shape of my life. He is a keeper. All mine.

I’ve been to other massage studios in and out of the bay area, and, while getting a feel good «spa» massage can be great and relaxing, there’s certainly no denying when your therapist is knowledgeable about physiology and anatomy and how muscles respond and work together, you’ll have a significantly more rewarding and valuable experience.
Gareth is that massage therapist.
He is so very attentive and will take the time to sit down with you to talk about what may be bothering you and what you’re looking for. He’ll customize the session to give special attention to those problem areas, whether you’ve identified them or he’s discovered them.
I began working with Gareth nearly a year ago due to a bulging cervical disk that was impinging on a nerve, causing moderate to severe nerve pain and numbness down my arm. After several months, no more arm pain and no more neck stiffness! I’m back to my usual activities including climbing and running. Now on the other end of the spectrum, I see Gareth to keep things loose and make sure I stay injury free. Finding Gareth has improved my quality of life significantly!

I have been seeing Gareth almost weekly for nearly 4 months as part of an extensive rehab program supervised by my 2 PTs. He has worked expertly to help me recover from foot/​ankle reconstruction and bilateral mastectomy reconstruction.
He helped me unlock and support a completely torqued neck, open pec/​back, strengthen multiple parts of my gait. He also helped me recover from overall weekly muscle soreness from my 2 – 4 hour per day rehab régime. He works well with my PTs.
HE IS ONE OF THE BEST MASSAGE THERAPISTS I HAVE EVER SEEN, and I have seen a lot. He is particularly interested in healing, not in a woowoo/​incense and crystals way, and is sensitive, strong and knowledgeable about anatomy. He is very aware of how to sequence massage/​body work into the healing process, ie not working on an area until sufficient post-​op time and clearance from doctors has occurred. He is straightforward, professional and has a good sense of humor.
He has taught me a lot about pitience with my own healing, knowing my body/​skeletal-​muscular structure, and has been a very complimentary part of my treatment. I credit him for alleviating pain, helping me understand what I need/​express that to my surgeons, and being a positive down-​to-​earth energy in my healing. I recommend him highly. HIGHLY.

Gareth is the most talented, educated massage therapist I have ever had the pleasure of working with.
I’m an active volleyball player and indoor rock climber. I started seeing him as part of my recovery treatment from shoulder (rotator cuff) surgery. He knows the human body so well. Before starting your massage, he’ll genuinely ask you about your body, your habits, your trouble spots, your lifestyle and what you’re hoping to achieve through bodywork. But not only does he ask, he listens, remembers and considers the whole picture.
And once he gets started, he knows the perfect spots to target to relieve tightness and strain and can tell you each individual muscle or tendon he’s working on and why. (He’ll even give you simple stretches to do at home that help reinforce his massage work.)
He knows how to balance a treatment massage with a relaxing massage. But if straight treatment or straight relaxation is what you’re after, he can do that, too. He is sensitive to your needs and always professional. And his studio provides a calming atmosphere while being very centrally located.
Gareth played such a huge role in my recovery from surgery and will continue to play a huge role in my overall wellness and mind/​body connection. I couldn’t recommend him more highly!

All pregnant ladies out there! if you are experiencing any joints or muscle pain associated with the pregnancy, Gareth is your salvation!
I went to Gareth for a severe pain in my hips and lower back due to pregnancy. Gareth took the time to ask me about my health history and the specifics about the pain. He knew exactly what to do as he has lots of experience with prenatal massage. Gareth specializes in targeted deep tissue massage — he focuses on specific areas at issue and works with you to address the issues right there and then but also offers solutions to prevent pain in the future. I went to Gareth once every week from late 7^th month till i delivered and all the discomforts reduced significantly as the pregnancy progressed (not the opposite you would expect). Make sure to get a 90 minute massage, where you get both the benefits of the targeted massage and a thorough all body massage.
I’m hoping to go back to Gareth for my postnatal check up soon!

My main squeeze got me a massage from Gareth for Christmas. As an avid cyclist (CX cross racing, long distance road, alleycats, etc) whose not as great about stretching as long as I should, my bod was in dire need of some body work.
And I use the term body work, because a massage with Gareth is SO much more than a massage. More than a deep massage. It’s a lesson about your body, your lifestyle and how to make both of them better.
Gareth spent the time to ask and LISTEN about my training, routines and any trouble spots I’ve been having. He addressed them beforehand using diagrams of the human body with easy to understand explanations about why and how muscles and tissues are acting the way they are. During the session, small notes about muscles he was working on was super helpful, as was the post massage explanation about what we did, and stretches to keep those muscles stretched and you feeling good.
What solidified it was the fact that my ride the very next day felt like I was flying — where was all this energy coming from? Felt GREAT!
If you’re an athlete of any kind: cycling, running, climbing, yoga, and everything in between: this is your man!

I have had massages all over the world, and this massage by Gareth was one of the best ever. Gareth is so knowledgeable and his massages are relaxing and therapeutic. Highly recommend!

Gareth is an excellent massage therapist who takes time to identify the issues you are having and address them. I’m a cyclist and went to him for back pain, neck pain and hamstring issues and he took the time to talk through these areas with diagrams and visuals to better explain to me what was going on before working on me. Two of my cyclist teammates go to him as well. Great massage! We all recommend him highly.

Finally! Western SOMA gets a professional masseuse! I first went to Gareth when I was six months pregnant and suffering from very serious back pain. Gareth really took the time to figure out the source of the pain, and when he was through — I was a new woman! I’m not sure I would have made it through my third trimester without him. His flexible hours are a great bonus for the working gal. All around, just a wonderful experience!

I traveled to San Francisco recently and received a massage from Gareth and I have to say it was one of the best Massages I’ve ever had.
I don’t know all of the technical terms for massages but all I can say is that I had extreme tension in my shoulders and neck and his firm but not hurtful technique was just what the doctor order. The place was very tranquil and soothing. This guy is just GOOD! He is going to be my go to guy when I travel to San Francisco! Too bad he is not in L.A.

Gareth is a natural. He just seems to intuitively know where your most troubling «knots» are and how to work to release them. He is strong, always applying appropriate pressure (but never more or less than you want). He is conscientious in his efforts to understand what’s going on with your aches and pains so that he can best address these issues in his treatment. Since I have ongoing chronic back pain, I’ve been to many massage therapists over the years; Gareth is absolutely among the very best. I highly recommend him!

What a great massage!
I have been to massage therapists from Calistoga to Germany, and Gareth is among the best. He has a great understanding of anatomy, and he knows how to deal with a variety of injuries.
I have had massages from guys that were ‘awkward‘ or that were so powerful that I ended up with bruises. None of that with Gareth. He is completely professional, and his massage studio is very calming and relaxing. I recommend him to everyone.