Phoenix Rising Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork

Eric is so amazing I had to do a double take when I realized I hadn’t already reviewed Phoenix Rising.
I’ve been seeing him about once a month for the last year and if I had the budget for it I’d probably go once a week (once a day?). The initial appeal was the opportunity to schedule via text message, which makes life so much easier with a hectic work schedule (I don’t know why, but I always feel awkward booking massage appointments on the phone at work where other people can hear me), but I’ve kept coming back because Eric is awesome. He is incredibly knowledgeable about all the weird stuff your muscles do to you, and has given me some stretches to help with recurring problem spots. I never feel rushed and it’s usually the bright spot of my month.
I was a little wary when I realized they shared a building (and a door) with Fierce Fitness, but I’ve never had the noise from the gym seep into the massage room. Instead Eric plugs in his iPod and the only sound is the eclectic music he’s selected. Everything is super clean and nice and conducive to relaxation. I have dozed off on the table more than once.
Prices are reasonable, and he’ll also take those insurance credit card things. Overall would definitely recommend.

Score another one for Unilocal!I was looking for an LMT that would accept my independent health flex fit card, and another helpful Unilocaler mentioned it in their review. Score one for health!
We arrived (hubster and me) and filled out some short paperwork. We were comfortable from the moment we walked in to the moment we left. They were the perfect mix between professional and warm — as was the room itself. It was the most relaxing hour of the month for sure! and the rest of the weekend wasn’t too shabby either.
I’ll be back this year with my flexfit card in hand. So glad to have found this place and highly recommend it!!!

Erika is hands-​down (pun intended) the best massage therapist of all time. I’ve been all over the world and this woman is the real deal. I always leave feeling like a new person. Do yourself a favor and go see her!

One visit and I’m already hooked!
I live within blocks of their location and upon their opening received a coupon postcard that I never took advantage of and now I don’t know why I’ve never gone before.
I booked an appointment with Eric, he was extremely flexible and courteous when planning the appointment, his courteousness continued through my appointment. Being my first massage he was understanding of my lack of knowledge of the process and discussed what my needs were based upon what my issues are.
The office is small and relaxing, filled with healing energies. The entrance to their office is the same as the private gym Fierce Fitness, you will need to ring a bell for entry for the building. If the gym owner lets you in just confirm you are there for Phoenix Rising.
If you are looking for massage place I would recommend checking out Phoenix Rising.

First time pre-​natal massage with Eric B. Absolutely loved it! I feel like a new woman. Atmosphere was warm, welcoming and immediately relaxing. Eric was amazing at paying special attention to specific needs of mamas-​to-​be and particular problem areas. Definitely going back and definitely recommending!

Found Phoenix Rising through Unilocal and when I found out they took the FlexFit card I made an appointment. I booked with Eric Bamberg who is the best LMT I have ever seen. I have scoliosis and a spinal fusion so I am not a typical client. (I have experienced excrutiatingly painful massages from a person who didn’t understand my condition so I am always nervous seeing a new person). Eric asked about my problem areas and made sure I was comfortable with the pressure he used. He noticed where I was unusually tight and gave recommendations to open those areas up. I felt at ease and like I was in good hands the entire time so I booked a second appointment.
After seeing Eric for a second time I am hooked. He is so knowledgable about the human body’s muscles and gives awesome advice on how to stay relaxed in between sessions. The massage is tailor made just for you and how your muscles are that day which Eric reads like a book. It’s also the little things that make it so special like the heated massage table and choice of music. I can honestly say that I can feel the difference and I would recommend Eric to anyone in a heartbeat.

Eric is an awesome LMT! This was my first massage ever, but it was really, really relaxing and fun! Because I did not know what to expect, I only got a 30 minute massage. Eric talked me through everything, kept me comfortable, and helped me to relax.
One thing to note, is that getting inside this place is kind of weird. You have to go along to the side of the building where the Fierce Fitness door is, ring the buzzer, and then get let it (at least that’s how I ended up getting in). Eric was very friendly, and gave me lots of tips about things I can do to relieve some of my muscle tension at home.
Eric even has a deal right now where you pay $ 135 and get 3 hour long massages — it basically adds up to buying 2 and getting 1 free, which sounds nice (I’m debating doing it).
Overall, this was an awesome first massage, and I will definitely continue to come back here! I recommend!

I have seen Eric twice over the last month. The first time was simply a great, full-​body massage. Afterwards, I was able to identify where my real trouble spots were. On the second visit, I pointed them out to him, and he worked them good. The past week has been wonderful! The pain is gone, and I can’t wait for my next visit. The price is very reasonable, the office is lovely, and the added touches of a heated massage table and blanket make for a relaxing hour on even the coldest of Buffalo days.

I love Phoenix Rising, Erika is amazing and I am so glad I was refereed to her. It can be really frustrating trying to find a good massage therapist. There are so many all over and it can get pricey to just keep trying around, so I was very glad to have such glowing reviews from so many trusted friends.
During massages at other practices I have felt as though they were going through a check-​list and moving from area to area. Erika really listens to not only what you say but what your body is telling her and treats you accordingly. I leave each time feeling as though I have had a truly unique treatment tailored to what I really needed. Having had a history of back problems I was thrilled with how much this has helped with lasting effects.
The space is professional, but modern, clean, comfortable and inviting.
Nothing more cozy in the swirling Buffalo snow than to leave her office with a bottle of water and that warm, glowing, renewed feeling.

I recently went to Phoenix Rising to get a full body massage with Eric Bamberg, and it was one of the best massage experiences of my life. Even though it’s located in a popular neighborhood, I had no problem finding parking right out front– even in the dinnertime rush hour.
The size of the place is perfect– not too big, and not too small. The waiting area had a super comfy couch, and the place was decorated by someone that clearly wanted to make you feel at home– not just a generic ‘cool’ décor, but something you know was picked out with love and care.
Now onto the best part! Eric made me feel at ease and his working space was beautifully appointed, with just the right amount of light, and relaxing music playing to calm me. He even asked me what I’d like to listen to, and offered to let me plug in my iPod to play whatever I wanted. Sadly, I recently broke my iPod, but his mix was great.
He gave equal attention to all my muscles, and thoroughly relaxed me and worked out problems in my back and shoulder I didn’t know were there. I have had massages in the past where I have asked for a full front and back massage– asked to give equal time to everything, so that nothing was left out– and was left with areas that got little to no attention, and felt uneven afterwards. Eric somehow took care of every muscle– from head to toe. I also have super ticklish feet, and he was very good about not tickling them– I don’t know how he did it, but he managed to massage my feet without tickling– that’s true genius!
I had a problem in my right wrist from using the computer too much at work, and it was bothering me for a couple weeks. I didn’t even mention this to him (I somehow forgot about it) but he found it. He felt it, asked me about it, and we talked about the muscles and what was going on in there, while he worked it out. Afterwards, I am not kidding– it felt wonderful. I had no pain in my wrist.
What sets Eric apart from any other masseuse I’ve worked with is not just the attention he pays to everything– but it was little touches. He had a heated layer beneath the sheet on his table, so instead of being cold throughout a massage (it’s happened!) I was pleasantly warm for the entire experience. He also had a blanket on top of the top sheet to keep me toasty during the whole session– something I really appreciated. He also had a special table for the ladies, that has a notch/​hole that comes out, so you have room for your chest when you are lying face down on the table. The difference this makes to a woman is tremendous– laying on my chest is painful, and this made it extremely comfortable.
Needless to say, I will be going back and seeing Eric again. And of course, I would recommend this place to everyone.

Talk about relaxing– I had one experience with massage before going for a session with Erika. I was nervous, considering the first time was not that great, and didnt leave me feeling decompressed and relaxed.
However, going in to see Erika for an hour long treatment, i was extremely relaxed and at the end of the treatment– I could tell that she had worked out some really «stressed» points of my body. During the treatment, she told me she could either explain what she was doing and working out, or be silent– i went for the first, as I felt like i was learning a bit about my body and how it handles stress while it was happening. Erika also gave me some great advice on how to strengthen some of my more stressed points, and in general, she worked out a lot of toxins and stressed out points in my body.
Erika is extremely professional, knowledgable, and her space that she’s created to work in is unique and relaxing. I highly recommend Phoenix Rising to anyone and everyone in Buffalo who is looking for Therapeutic Massage.

Erika is THE best massage therapist I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. She is professional, always listens to your concerns and can always find areas of tightness or tension you weren’t even aware that you had. Usually these tend to be the root of the problem and she has a way of getting in there with her magical hands to release and relax your muscles. Erika has strong hands and can really get in deep, if you want her to, and she always make sure to check in to make certain that what she is doing isn’t too much for you.
The studio is clean, organized, professional and calming. I have recommended Erika to anyone and everyone I can, and I will continue to do so, she is amazing!

Eric is great. Not chatty. Nice room. great taste in relaxing music. Goes for those forgotten areas to get to the root of the discomfort. did I mention great hands.?Accomodating appointment hours too. Thanks. I’ll be back for more.

Erika is without a doubt the best best massage therapist I have ever had. I always recommend her to friends and colleagues, and they say the same thing. She is professional in every sense of the word; the space itself is inviting and relaxing; there is simply no better place for massage than Phoenix Rising!

I’ve recently started going to Phoenix to see Eric. I work on my feet for long shifts and went to him with some serious muscle tension and pain. I have been getting massage for years and he is hands down one of the best. He listens to where my problem areas are and I also feel 100% better when I leave. He doesn’t mind answering questions and is very knowledgable. He has even given me some suggestions on things I can do at home to help prevent some of my issues. I always leave feeling I got the massage I neededinstead of a standard massage that the therapist wanted to give me.
The décor of the studio is relaxing and clean. I have heard great things about the other services they offer, but give my 5 stars to Eric as I have not experienced their other services.