Ed Rockowitz, ART

Hands down the best sports massage therapist in the east bay. I’ve had some minor aches and pains through running, Ed really listened and helped to get me back to form.

In need of body work and ART my girlfriend HIGHLY recommended Ed. As a triathlete with a long history of injuries, multiple surgeries (knee, shoulder, c-​sections, foot) and military service I have had a ton of scar tissue build up and muscle compensation. I have now seen Ed for about two months including an «emergency» visit due to intense pain and numbness in my hand stemming from my shoulder.
Ed works magic with steady pressure and active release, all while listening to you and what you feel is helping or isn’t. He thinks outside of the box and fully understands the human body and musculature to ensure a successful session. I have had other therapists who had released muscles and scar tissue creating instability and I felt worse the next day. Ed’s steady and gentle approach allows the body to heal and realign giving strength back to the muscles. The scar tissue work Ed has done so far has been amazing! The weakness resulting from scar tissue has started to fade and is slowly being replaced by strength. Simply phenomenal!
After 10 surgeries and copious injuries I have never felt as stable in my lower back as I do now. My range of motion in my shoulder has increased significantly, and my daily pain is slowly dissipating. I cannot say enough great things about Ed. He is easy going with a gentle and warm spirit that provides for a healing environment.

After a pretty major car accident it was apparent that I needed further treatment, and after glowing personal reviews by friends that had seen Ed I set up my first appointment. I immediately felt better after the first treatment. Although this is the first of many, I am beyond thankful for his skills and hope to continue down this road to recovery.

Ed is amazing and truly has healing hands.
I brought my 63-​year-​old Chinese mother to him and after just 2 visits, she immediately started feeling better. My mom has worked and and toiled for the last 50 years of her life and has never had anyone work (massage) on her, EVER. She’s recently diagnosed with cervical spondylosis so she is constantly feeling tight and has knots that had been forming for the last few DECADES. Ed managed to loosen some of these monstrosities and my mom now raves about how much looser she feels. I can see that she has a lot more range of motion in her neck; truly visible progress.
Thank you so much Ed!

Ed is nothing short of amazing! He knows what he’s doing and will help tremendously. He finds areas you need work on that you’ve never even realized until he has fixed it and you feel the difference. So glad I found him.
He has a great personality which makes going to him even better. Very outgoing, down to earth, and an overall great guy. He really wants to help his patients. After only just 1 session I feel greater than ever. Can’t wait to continue seeing him!

Ed saved me. Seriously. I’m writing this review so Ed’s name will pop up for the next person seeking some serious help. I wish I would have found him before I spent all that money and time on various other body work and chiropractors…
I had been suffering for over 6 months with pinched nerves in various places (neck, shoulder/​back) from an old snowboarding accident and had reached the point I could not sit down at work, could not carry anything and *gasp* could not dance. I tried everything and anything: chiropractors, yoga, massage, doctors, medicating, banging my head against the wall – and nothing worked. In fact, I got worse. I couldn’t sleep much. Sometimes I would wake up and couldn’t get up. Very scary. My point is, I tried many professionals and no one could help me.
Finally, a friend recommended I talk to Ed. He has several location options and an incredibly flexible schedule. He got me in the next day at his home studio in San Leandro. Very chill, easy parking. A few weeks later I got an appointment with him at the Oakland Crossfit gym the same day! So make sure to ask about other locations…
In 30 minutes, he adjusted me in places and ways I’ve never experienced in my 10+ years of chiropractic and physical therapy for various injuries. Immediately, I noticed major changes. Ed also talked me through the process, answering any questions I had, making suggestions for a speedier recovery. More importantly, after only two sessions, a month later I haven’t woken up in pain or felt the need to go back! AND I can go dancing, workout and started running again!!! – all without pain or worry. Thanks, Ed.
Ed is a true professional: knowledgeable, effective, efficient, honest – and a cool, approachable dude. Call him. Your body will thank you.

As a former competitive triathlete, current endurance athlete, and all around non-​compliant patient, I have found Ed to be very skilled at dealing with people who fit my profile. In addition to being an excellent and focused practitioner, he is down-​to-​earth, accessible, honest, authentic, and efficient. He holds highly professional standards and is honest and forthright if he doesn’t have an answer to causation of a particular injury or ill.
As far as his functional body work, he knows his stuff, has very strong hands, is highly skilled at problem identification, and thinks outside the box.
If you are looking for a ‘feel good’ overall body massage, this ain’t your man (but I’m sure he will have a great referral). If you are looking for highly intense, functional, and localized work, he is the bomb and will do you justice.

Recovering from a spine injury that had me sidelined for a year, turning 50 — and now hitting PRs in lifting/​CF and dropping substantive mile times on long runs???
And –no more pain, increased sensation in my arms and hands — and I feel awesome!!! How is that possible? Ed Rocowitz!!!
Ed is a scientist and a healer — he knows his anatomy! The past year has made me a frequent flier in spinal rehab medicine programs (PT/​massage/​ART/​etc) — I have to say the one thing that pushed my recovery over the edge is working with Ed. Ed is not only a gifted body worker, but a great communicator who has partnered with me to help me reach my goals. And as mentioned by others– he is a really nice guy!!! and utterly professional!
Without Ed there is simply no way I would be this active, nor would I be in shape to compete! My form is the best its ever been!!! My lifts and movements at their most efficient! And that is only after three visits!!!
Looking forward to having years of injury stuff unlocked and resolved!

Ed did a fantastic job diagnosing and treating my shoulder pain!
Having separated my shoulder a few years back, being a competitive triathlete, and now, getting very involved in CrossFit, I have found that my shoulder was a weak point in my chain and starting to hurt following some particularly heavy use. After ice, NSAIDs, and mobility on my own didn’t really do the trick, I called up Ed.
After just one session, which involved more twisting and bending than I thought was possible in one joint, I felt so much better. Ed also applied his new skills as a Rock Tape «Rock Doc,» and I am now able to get right back in the gym and move big weights overhead without pain.
Ed gave me lots of tips on continuing to take care of and diagnose myself, and refreshingly, was not pushy about booking a whole series of appointments (like so many massage therapists do). Instead, I feel like I truly want to get back on the table so he can help me maintain the strength I have and unlock even more mobility!

Ed Rockowitz brings legitimacy to massage therapy!
I’ve had many massages over the years, and Ed is one of the few therapists I feel has had comprehensive training, is truly gifted and knows what he’s doing. He’s also a genuinely nice guy.
All of the muscle aches and tension I felt prior to the session were gone within 24 hours of my session with Ed — and I had many. I also had a great ART session with Ed on a previous occasion.
During both therapies, true healing took place in my body. I look forward to many more sessions with Ed.

Ed is my favorite massage practitioner, and everything the other reviewers say is true. I recommend him all the time, and I go to him whenever I can.
I first went to Ed after I’d had abdominal surgery in 2005, and I was bent forward like an old woman and having a lot of pain because my psoas was so tight. Ed released my psoas and the pain stopped immediately; I felt like a new woman when I got off the table.
I also like seeing Ed because he’s such a sweetheart. I’ve always felt 100% comfortable and safe with him. And his new massage studio is beautiful, with big french doors opening out onto the garden.
Relaxing, knowledgeable & deeply therapeutic. Your body will thank you.

I have received both relaxing massage work (Lomi Lomi) and therapeutic work (sports massage with active release therapy) from Ed and am extremely happy.
I have been struggling with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and neck disk degeneration for years. When I started to see Ed I was waking up every morning with my right hand numb and fingers locked in a curled position. Within 3 sessions I have full range of motion back, feel physically better then I have in a long time.
I have recommended him often and I will keep coming back!

Received a massage from Ed today! He was fantastic. His technique is outstanding! He was very friendly and made me feel totally comfortable. I had a lot of shoulder and lower back pain and Ed helped relieve a lot of the pain. I definitely will seek his services again. Thank Ed!

One of the most seasoned, knowledgable, and fantastic body workers I have ever worked with (and I’ve worked with many). His massages are relaxing yet deeply therapeutic. He always finds what you need or didn’t know you needed, and his techniques are always growing. He helped me immensely with sports injury and alignment. I’ve recommended him often, and my husband and I keep coming back over the years!