Backworks Therapeutic Back Center

Phyllis B.
My first time having a massage and diane was awesome i feel like a million bucks. she’s so down to earth and has such a great personality

Kim truly is amazing, little lady with VERY strong hands. She goes deep! And it feels great (for those who like deep tissue). Out of 1 – 10 she’ s an 11!!! Thanks Kim! See you soon!

I have been coming here for years and started with a back injury. Kim’s massage is intense and fantastic for true lower back pain. I believe her when she says she uses chi even if I don’t believe in chi, she does and that makes the difference. However, if I am not in pain it is too intense for me and I prefer Diane who is by far a true compliment to the establishment. I just melt in her hands every time. Shes a keeper.

I came here for a one hour massage with Diane, and she was incredible! She was very strong but also had a gentle, kind demeanor. The massage was painful in a good kind of way. I was carrying a lot of tension in my neck and upper back, and she really worked wonders on me. When I left, I was already dreaming of my next visit.

Always so accomodating of my ever-​shifting schedule — Dr. Barnes is great and attentive to any/​all pain issues.

I had a great experience here with Kim. She is small but wow, is she strong. If you want deep digging she does it, but also knows when to back off, go lighter and then apply a hot towel. I stopped in for an appointment due to an acute pain, and I was treated to a 30 minute workout that left me warm, invigorated and a little shell shocked (in a good way)! The next day my lower back pain had greatly subsided and I could still feel a bit of the delicious burn in my shoulders from Kim’s serious workout. I’m going back. Very nice.experience.

I have to say, I was a bit nervous going to Amanda without seeing a review on her first. I’m so glad i did though! She was very polite and even though she ran a little late with her previous customer, she made sure to tell me she was still going to give me the full hour if I was available. Her massage was amazing. Very deep, somewhat painful on really tight spots but that’s the kind of massage I’m looking for. I felt a lot of relief the next day. If you are looking for someone to give you a relaxing massage I would go elsewhere but if you are looking for someone to work out the kinks then Amanda is your girl.

Diane is AMAZING. She is such a kind, warm person and clearly cares so much about taking care of people. Not only did she give me a great massage, but she carried my bags out for me, and she even came running and found me across the street to give me the two necklaces I had accidentally left in the room. Two thumbs way up!

I’ve been going to Backworks for the last two years to see Dr. James Barnes for chiropractic work and he has helped me tremendously. He is a very good chiropractor and I’ve recommended him to others.
I have not tried the other services at Backworks so can’t speak for the massages, etc.

I had a horrible massage here with Kim. Kim herself is perfectly nice– the massage (and its aftermath) were simply unpleasant. First things first, I asked for a neck and shoulder massage. Instead, Kim did a full body massage and might have spent 15 minutes of my hour long massage on my neck and shoulders. Okay, bad enough, but maybe it was just a miscommunication of some sort (though, when I mentioned it to her midway through the massage, she told me we would get to my neck and shoulders eventually).
Though other people seem to like her style, I was in mild to moderate pain during the whole massage. When she asked me, I told her the truth, but told her to keep going since I sort of figured that maybe it was some secret technique that I had never heard of that would be the answer to my chronic neck problems. Um, no. I was more sore and achy for the few days after I left than I was before I went in. I actually tried to call to talk to the manager about my experience, but after attempting to reach him twice to no avail, i just gave up. Definitely will not be back.

So it’s not the fancy spa experience with the cucumber and mint water at every corner.
But it’s sure as hell better for your back. My husband who has constant back pain and always has knots and needs exponentially more than a gentle rub down got exactly what he needed at Backworks.
My husband can’t remember his massage therapists name but I remember mine… Po. She was a tad unconventional but she was great. The massages hurt afterwards but we felt good as new the next day. We wish we lived in Boston so we could keep coming back. Alas… We’re all the way in Utah.

I rarely write reviews but I just had to write one here. Dr Jim Barrows DC is so professional and knowledgeable and really seems to care about his patients. I feel like I am in good hands. His staff at the front desk however have not displayed the same demeanor as other Unilocalers have described. In the 3 visits I’ve had, it amazes me how disgruntled they appear. You’d think with all the positive energy that flows from their co-​workers it’d rub off. You’d also think a holistic clinic would require positive energy from the front desk, the 1^st face of the clinic. It’s a little off-​putting & intimidating. The lobby counteracts their attitude, though. There are a plethora of great reading material, you never at a loss no matter how long you have to wait you’ll be sure to be kept busy. Plus, the lighting is so soothing!

Backworks refused to honor a discount certificate (
) after it expired and Coupme went out of business. In Massachusetts they’re legally required to honor the cash amount paid for the certificate after the «discount» has expired, but the business owner instructed the staff person I was dealing with (Laura) not to accept it for any amount, and has not responded to my follow up requests.

I saw Poe yesterday for a massage, as I was in real pain and could not move my neck. She started out with moderate pressure as requested, but I asked for deeper pressure since I knew I needed it. She was professional and I felt completely comfortable with her.
I believe that the person who gave her a bad review did not communicate their needs for their body. A massage therapist cannot guess how it feels for you! You have to verbalize it.
I will definitely go back to Backworks :)

Quick recommendation: for a thorough, effective, no-​frills massage, book an hour with Kim. She will rock your world.
More details: I’m the type of person who has massage therapists say stuff like, «In my seven years, I’ve never seen a back this bad,» and «Is your job very stressful?» and «Are you okay?» So, I’m not a massage novice, but holy bejesus, Kim is amazing. She will automagically find every sore part of your body and attack it with whatever tools she had available (hot towels, pads, fingers, elbows, Chinese oils, etc.)…because she seems to take the pain that your body is putting you through quite personally. She will wage war on your back pain – guerrilla war – and she will win.
This isn’t like the Mandarin where you get the whole spa setup with the whirlpool and rainforest showers and cucumber water. (Although, there is a water cooler and Snicker minis.) This is no-​frills, down-​to-​business work on your back. Don’t expect a fancy spa, and you will leave feeling like your body has been completely worked over in the most wonderful way.
I have my next appointment next week.

Didn’t ever think to see a chiropractor but after months of back pain… decided to go in for my first tune up. Nothing serious with my spine — just tight muscles and joints all over (back, shoulders and neck) that needs to be loosen up. Dr. Barnes recommended 2 session per week for at least a month. I’m mid-​way through and have noticed improvements.

Walk in: sore, tight, crunching in various joints, feeling old and not very flexible.
See: Kim. No question.
Walk out: limber, smooth, a little shaky, happy and feeling ten years younger.

Diane is a miracle worker. For real. She is amazing! Every time, she finds knots and tension in my back I did not even know I had. And she is relentless until they are gone! By far, the best massage. I love that she is about healing, not just relaxing. She always leaves me with ‘homework’ too to keep myself in tip top shape between sessions.
Love the prepaid packages — pay once, and keep going back, without feeling the charge to your pocketbook.
Note: Do not be discouraged by the office like waiting room. Or the green dirty awning. Once you get upstairs, into Diane’s room, you will feel like you’re in a five star spa.

Kim is amazing. For a peanut, she is unbelievably strong.
I’m a rugby player and I have issues in my neck and back like you can’t imagine. She looked at me standing w/​clothes on and pointed to the places that are the worst for me. She smiled and said something about Chinese Chi or w/​e. I knew right then that she would be amazing.
The day after, I had very little pain. I was surprised bc she was Randy-​Moss-​deep in my muscles for the entire 90min. I kept telling her more pressure and she said «tomorrow you not like me», but she’s so skilled that she didn’t hurt me at all. The next day I felt better than I usually do after deep tissue. I’m so glad I found her.
Very knowledgeable. I bought a package.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! Hands down the best massage I have ever gotten. I have had back problems since I was a kid, so my back has always had issues. I can’t stand the salon massages because that’s just a joke. I’m not paying you $ 100 to put cream on my back and play spa music. I want my back to feel better and work towards improving it.
I had Diane and she was A-​MAZING. I like a lot of pressure during my massage to really get into my muscles, and she did just that! Although for those of you that like less pressure they will ask you in the beginning and throughout if the pressure is ok. The room is very nice with soft music and a heated table just like in fancy salons. Except when you leave here your back feels better and actually stays that way for a while. After my appointment Diane gave me some tips to help my back from stretching to not locking my knees when standing. Huge difference. And for the awesome service they provide their prices are much cheaper than other places in the area.
So if you want that fru fru b. s kind of massage, go somewhere on Newbury street. But for a real therapeutic massage that will keep you feeling better for days, come here!