Freed Bodyworks

I just went to Freed Bodyworks for the first time and got a therapeutic hot stone massage from Laura. It was, hands down, the best massage I’ve ever had, and the approach that Freed Bodyworks has of asking important questions and taking the time to listen made me more comfortable about the massage than I’ve ever been. Highly recommended!

I had Spiritual Response Therapy with Renata for my birthday in April. It has truly affected my life since. Before going, I would occasionally meditate and would sporadically pay attention to my energy and my intuition. My session put me directly back on track spiritually and energetically. I felt so much lighter, happier and just way better after my session. It felt like a huge release from past burdens, like I got a fresh start. Now I feel like I’m more in tune with the energy of the universe, my intuition is clearer and the things she helped me let go of have not and I know they will not return to impact my life. I am so grateful to Renata she is truly a gift and I would encourage everyone to schedule an appointment with her! Thank you Renata!

If you’ve never been here before, it might be hard to believe Freed’s high 5star rating. But once you take the leap and have a massage or attend a workshop you will understand why this place deserves every star and then some.
Their philosophy of «radical inclusion» truly permeates everything each employee does, from the comprehensive intake form (what are your pronouns? Do you wear heels? Do you bind your chest?) to the time the therapist spends before and after your appointment checking in to make sure you are comfortable and they can address your needs. I came to my first appointment in tears after a terrible day at work, and I have never felt so cared for and supported by a total stranger!
If you’ve ever been nervous to get a massage because you have an injury, are trans or genderqueer, think you’re too fat, think you’re too weird, or too anything, Freed is the place for you. They will care for you and your body with respect, and you will leave feeling like happy mush.

I absolutely enjoyed my 90-​minute massage with Emily Brown today. My husband and I were celebrating our anniversary together and going here for massages was the best decision we could have made! Freed Bodyworks felt warm, safe, and affirming for all people. The energy was so welcoming, kind, and accepting. Emily started out with a brief intake, which was a relaxed conversation, to discover what my needs were for the massage. She was an excellent listener and just seemed to «get it» and get me. Emily is a gentle spirit and her technical skills are superb. Her expertise is solid and it’s clear she is a natural healer. I will definitely be back to visit her again! :)))

I am a frequent visitor– I have seen several massage therapists. They are all great, and I especially recommend Elizabeth. She has a healing presence and always works out my kinks. After her massages, I leave with a new outlook on life.
The space itself is very welcoming, especially for lgbtq folks.

I have had multiple massages with Emily Brown and she is amazing! My body feels wonderful after and my friends have commented on how much my eyes sparkle after. Emily takes the time to listen, works with your muscles as they are, and knows when to work into the deeper layers for deeper healing. I also had a Spiritual Response Therapy session with Renata specifically to clear some blocks, and boy were those blocks cleared within a day of the session! The SRT was interesting because at the time, it didn’t feel like much was happening but clearly something was shifting and for the better. The space also feels very welcoming and comfortable.
Thank you Emily, Renata, and everyone at Freed!

Elizabeth is a really amazing therapist. She is friendly, warm, caring and really, truly listened to the answers to the thoughtful questions she asked. I really felt that this made the 60 min massage feel much longer and three times as effective. I felt taller and just so, so much better as I walked out. She is smart and kind. And really strong!

Laura is amazing. Knowledgeable, works out specific areas of stress and really listens to me. I am so happy to have found this place! It is affordable too :-)

The new space is beautiful and has such a great vibe.
I highly recommend Rita if you’re in need of a massage. I never once felt that the pressure was too much or too light. We talked prior to the massage and I communicated previous experiences and the present state of my body (e.g where I tend to get the most tension and soreness, the nature of my job, and my workout routine recently).

Fantastic massage with Aires. I’ll be back.

This place is fantastic! I’ll keep it short but here is why I like this place:
1. Caring, professional staff. Elizabeth (as I’m sure others) take the time to discuss what you like, dislike, and any issues or ailments you have.
2. The space is clean and inviting
3. Close to home! (… and easy to bike to /​easy Metro access)
4. Reasonably priced
5. Later appointments so I can come after work
6. Variety of services with a community feel
8. Appointment confirmations and follow ups via email
9. Non-​judgmental and open to everyone
Bonus: I was in bad shape and needed a same day appointment. I called to see if they could squeeze a new client in, and they were able to… and so polite.
Also: Elizabeth is wonderful! She really listened to what I needed and tailored our session to exactly what I needed. I have never had someone (especially on the first go-​around) pay that much attention to my specific needs.
I’ll be back.

I first had a very good experience here, followed more recently by an amazing experience here.
This last time I called morning of for an appointment but had to leave a voicemail, so I booked online for the only one I saw available, which was 3:30. In my voicemail I’d requested early afternoon, so when Frances called me back an hour or so later, she offered me noon, which was perfect!
I have a 2.5-month-old at the moment, and I’d woken up a few days back with major neck stiffness, I’m guessing from all the odd craning I’m doing while nursing, on top of lugging the little darlin’ around. I’m talking, I couldn’t even check my blind spot on my way to my son’s pediatrician! That’s downright dangerous! Clearly, I needed some help.
Sadiqua to the rescue. I’d never been to Sadiqua before, nor had a heard or read anything about her, but she was just what I needed. Since I’d been in before, my intake was short, but considering I needed to get home, I didn’t want to spend all afternoon chatting. Sadiqua had read my chart so after asking me what I needed — shoulders and neck, without question — she also queried me about an injury I’d had to my knees, and whether I needed any help with that. Which I took her up on. At any rate, I don’t know if I’ve had a better massage. I don’t always have a problem, per se, when I go in — I’m usually just after some loosening up overall, full body. But on this occasion I had a very specific need and Sadiqua seemed to find all my trouble spots and was using techniques I can’t say I’ve had anyone use before. I felt better immediately and am still feeling that relief a couple days later. Highly recommend.
Also, love their new place. The room I had on the first floor was warm, inviting, cozy and, while not quite soundproof (I did hear one siren, which is unavoidable in DC), very relaxing. I enjoyed both the music and the scented oil, which may be specific to Sadiqua? But I’m guessing you won’t find too much different with the others at Freed.

Sometimes you wonder when a place has so many amazing reviews — is it their friends and relatives posting? Are they paying people in cupcakes? Not the case here. The amazing reviews are well deserved.
A) good location — metro accessible, street parking available, walkable, bus accessible
B) service hours that can fit anyone’s schedule
C) easy online appointment process as well as reminders
D) clean, friendly, non pretentious environment and staff you feel a moment of chillaxness as soon as you step in to their center. Nicely decorated, feels cozy and non sterile.
E) and now the important part — the massage therapist and their service — James was awesome. I have really bad lower back pain from a combination of reasons. As a first time client they sit down with you and ask you questions — not just hand you a form to fill out. He listened to my needs, laughed at my jokes, checked in during the massage just enough to make sure I was okay but not so much that I wasn’t taking a nice nap during the amazing work he did.
Highly recommend. I mean I sort of don’t want to spread the word bc I don’t want them to get so busy that I can’t make an appointment but everyone does Deserve a good massage so I guess I had to write this review :-)
They also offer a bunch of other services and their website is very detailed including the bios of all their professionals.

As a first time recipient of a professional massage, I wasn’t sure what to expect. This establishment was PERFECT. I felt safe, welcomed and was wonderfully treated. Elizabeth sat down and had a brief consult as to what my comfort level was, where my pain was, and was very calming and friendly throughout. As someone who is naturally anxious, I felt relaxed right away and I would highly recommend Freed Bodyworks to anyone looking for a friendly and safe environment where you are treated as a friend and welcomed. It’s quiet, calm, immaculate and exceeded anything I had ever expected. I will definitely come back!!!

Aviva nearly literally puts my body back together on a semi-​monthly basis. I put my body through the wringer — I bike everywhere, manifest my stress physically, and, oh yeah — I play a full-​contact sport nearly every day of the week. I walk out feeling like my body is made of kittens and rainbows.
I’d been incredibly scared of getting a massage because my back is incredibly screwed up from a gymnastics injury as a kid, which has made it painful at times to even receive a hug, let alone get a message. Multiple friends sang Freed Bodyworks’ praises on the basis of the excellent massages they received, but it was their notion of «radical inclusion» and that all bodies deserve respect and attention that sold me. I figured a place with that kind of philosophy would be willing to handle both the back pain I was dealing with and also the stress I experience when people touch my back.
Yup. Totally true. I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with the receptionist so she could learn more about my activities and medical history so she could match me with someone whose style would suit me. She suggested Aviva, who has been phenomenal. Aviva and I spent nearly half an hour before my first massage in which we talked about my back problems as well as anxiety about having my back touched. She walked me through exactly what she was going to do and stayed totally within my comfort zone, but also suggested some things that might be helpful if I’m willing to expand that comfort zone someday. She’s a friendly and very calm presence, and I walk out of Freed feeling a thousand times better every. single. time.
Their new space is beautiful, with comfortable private rooms with good sound-​proofing so you’re not distracted by conversations in the reception area while trying to relax. They’ve also made part of their first floor something of a community area, hosting clothing swaps and classes. Everyone I’ve interacted with there has been friendly and professional, putting me immediately at ease.
If I ever move out of the area, I don’t know that I’ll find another massage therapy studio — I’m completely spoiled after spending time at Freed Bodyworks.

I am friends with the owners of this establishment!
Even if I didn’t know them, though, I’d be coming here for bodywork. I have received treatment from almost all of the massage therapists here and have recently developed a great working relationship with Kelly Bowers. If you have ever felt awkward about receiving touch or seeking health-​improving treatment, know that you will never be judged negatively at Freed. Everyone there is caring and invested in your well-​being. If you have a larger, rounder body than «average,» don’t worry! The tables all have widened arms so that you will be comfortable. The therapists are all very positive about bodies of any size, shape, color, presentation, etc. Highly recommend any of the therapists here!

I am completely sold on Freed Bodyworks as a holistic community space. Every employee I encountered there was welcoming and had a smile on their face. I got a 60 minute massage with Elizabeth and had a consultation with her beforehand. She put me at ease immediately and was just very calm and friendly.
It is a very body positive queer positive space! The tables are sturdy, wide, and comfortable as well as heated. I felt very safe, respected, and secure throughout the entire massage. Elizabeth really listened to what I needed and was AMAZING. She has a fantastic touch and really knows what she’s doing.
I won’t be going anywhere else for a massage in DC.

Best massage experience ever. Hands down. Beandrea and I had a wonderful consultation before she got started, she asked a ton of questions, and as a result she gave me the massage I wanted. .and more importantly NEEDED.
I also really liked the vibe of the place, everyone was so welcoming. I’ll definitely be back!

I was having a hell of a 24 hours when Aviva got to me. I let her work me over for two blissful, blissful hours. I have had a lot of massages in my day and this was hands down the best. I mean, Aviva listened to my issues and paid attention to all my problem places with her deft touch. It was truly amazing! Thank you, Aviva!

Freed Bodyworks is the kind of place that has «what is your preferred gender pronoun?» on their intake forms. If you have no idea why that question is asked, no worries, you’ll still have a great time! But if you *do* understand, this is an accepting and awesome place.
Their online scheduling system is straightforward and easy to use. They have a wide variety of times (even evening on weekdays) so I can usually squeeze in somewhere on the schedule. It’s not a really a fancy spa-​like environment, but an old row house that’s cute and relaxing. A block from the metro, and there’s usually neighborhood street parking in the area on 15^th or Potomac.
Been here a few times for sessions with Elizabeth and Aries, and I highly recommend both of them. They have slightly different styles, so you should definitely ask a lot of questions and be open with them about your goals and your pain thresholds. If you’re a first timer, they have a 30 minute intake prelude to your massage session to get to know your issues and just what you expect and want to get out of a session. Both of these ladies were very down to earth and really listened to what I wanted and needed. For me, that’s mobility in my shoulders and stress relief, so we spent a very focused amount of time on that on the times I’ve been here. These massages are very therapeutic and can be at the level of sports massage or physical therapy if need be (focused on gaining more mobility in addition to relieving muscle tension).
Overall, love that Freed is in my neighborhood (I would totally schlep across town for these folks) and hope they do well. Spread the word!