Bodymovement

Just called maybe this place is closed? A teenage sounding kid answered saying I have the wrong number lol I notice there aren’t any recent reviews as well

I didn’t have the experience that I wanted to have at Bodymovement. I booked an appointment here because — like most human beings — I hold onto stress and other negative emotions in my body. I’ve found that massage can help me release these feelings. It’s remarkable really how some massages have had as profound effects on my thinking as a psychotherapy session would.
I tried Bodymovement out because it was so close to where I live and that promised to make it an easier experience overall. Who wants to get stressed out by pursuing a de-​stressing experience? Also, when I got the massage back in February, Bodymovement had consistently high Unilocal reviews. Never has Unilocal so failed me before…
My complaints:
* Ralph talked through out the entire massage, and the conversation consisted of completely unnecessary small talk. It reminded me of the chit-​chat that can occur when one is getting a hair cut or a manicure — completely inappropriate for a relaxing massage experience!
* For a long time, Ralph lingered on giving me health advice. He criticized the amount of tension in my body, how frequently I visit the gym, the mix of activities I do at the gym, how many hours of sleep that I get regularly, and how often I get massages. The fact that I was — in that moment — taking care of myself by getting a massage went unrecognized. I was also irritated by Ralph hypocrisy. I don’t like unsolicited health advice in general, but certainly not from someone who is currently touching my body — the unhealthy body that he disapproves of — and breathing his cigarette-​breath down my neck.
* I wanted to receive a standard Swedish style massage, but instead received a very deep tissue massage. During the massage, I gave Ralph feedback, asking him to use a lighter touch. He continued to massage according to his preference, and at one point I had to tell him that he was hurting me. He continued. Two days after the massage, I was still sore. I felt beat-​up and resolved to end the massage prematurely the next time a massage therapist does things to my body that make me feel uncomfortable. I blew it at Bodymovement — apparently not putting my assertion skills use — and paid for it.

I like Ralph and I think he’s a standup guy. However, I left the place feeling not 100% satisfied.
Bodymovement is located in an unassuming location. Imagine those little commercial enclaves where doctors and dentists practice. Parking is convenient. Walking into Bodymovement feels just like a dentist office, but instead of a dentist smell there’s a strong candle aroma.
I met with Ralph and he’s a pretty friendly guy. Like at most massage places you fill out a form about your health history. There’s a water cooler in front. I found it a bit odd that there was a messy pile of DVDs right next to the couch even though there isn’t a TV in the room.
There’s one room in the back for massages plus an adjoining bathroom. The entire place is fairly unadorned and undecorated. It feels very clinical. The interior doesn’t really bother me but it does prepare you for the kind of quality you’re about to receive.
I made reservations through the website for a 90-​minute full body massage. Ralph then asked where I wanted to concentrate and what problems I have. I’m not really sure what kind of style Ralph used. It was like Swedish/​deep tissue style, using deep long strokes and kneading out pressure points. Although on his website he calls it a «sports massage» so I’m not entirely sure.
Ralph did a good job with my massage. He started with my legs then my lower back and finally my upper back and shoulders. But there was no emphasis on arms, neck, or head. Not exactly full body. Ralph goes slow and strong so it feels like your tense muscles are being worked through. The pain is welcomed. I left the office feeling slightly sore, as expected. Ralph has some pretty amazing deals if you’re a new customer or student. For your first massage you get a fantastic 50% off! And if you get another massage in your first three weeks you get another big discount. Definitely good for the pocketbook.
So if the massage was good why the low stars? Well the entire experience didn’t feel like a professional outing. Just small touches like how the DVDs are the side of the couch, the lack of adornment and polish, and the demeanor during the massage. Not only is this business fighting for customers but it’s also competing with higher end massage spas in San Francisco and elsewhere. Massages are luxury outings, so would I rather pay a little more to get transported to a luxury setting? Most likely, especially if I only plan on getting a massage once every 1 – 3 months.
In the beginning the small talk was very welcomed. I think Ralph can be well spoken and cordial. However once the massage started he kept talking and talking. During parts of the massage he would pause the massage to finalize a point he wanted to make. It felt like half of the conversation was about how bad the economy, taxes, and government is. He says that he might even move to Canada. I don’t know about you but the economy isn’t a relaxing topic for a massage. On some points I concurred but Ralph has a pretty strong opinion with everything. I politely agreed to everything especially for someone who is laying face down naked. I mean what am I supposed to do, tell him to shut up or try to argue a point?
There were a lot of moments where I felt like he went a little too far in divulging information about his history, clients, and business. I wouldn’t mind if I were a returning client with a personal relationship, but it’s my first visit. I did manage to receive some good suggestions on exercises and outlets for working on my problem areas.
Near the end of my massage Ralph said that he had to check on something. He ran to the front room and then came back saying that he was going to finish up with a few long back strokes. I have a feeling that he lost track of time due to getting carried away with the conversation, or rather him talking. The end felt rushed and unsatisfying.
Lastly Ralph sounded like he had a bad runny nose throughout the massage. It kind of irked me with the thought of oils and snot somehow finding their way onto my back. I hope that he wasn’t sick. My own nose became congested during the entire massage. I’m not sure if it’s the candle, cleanliness, or whatever. But at other places this is never an issue for me. I had a clear nose going in and it cleared up when I left. Was it the candle?
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Ralph can give a good massage. It’s not a luxury setting, but if you just want a good massage you’ll get it. The only thing is if Ralph is the kind of guy you want to get massages from? The half off deal for first time customers is definitely competitive. Would I personally rather pay double and get exactly what I want? Yes.

I’ve been to Ralph before in the past about a year ago and he knew where my pain was without me havening to say anthing…
Recently, last week I needed to see a massuse again and my issurance was going to cover the appt. The night before Ralph send me an email saying that he does not accept insurance and I would have to go to his other location all the way in Newark because they accept insurance there. I reply that same night that I would pay and my insurance would reimburse me. The DAY of my appointment about 2 hours before. I get an email saying that he has given my appointment to someone else! REALLY?!? I worked my ENTIRE schedule around this appointment! Not to mention the fact that I’m in PAIN! Why wouldn’t he ask me first if there was another option? VERY UNPROFESSIONAL AND INCONSIDERATE!

After reading several Unilocal reviews, I had high expectations going into the appointment, and so perhaps it’s not surprising that I walked out less than satisfied. No offense to Ralph, but he struck me as someone who is a bit too cocky for his own good. I couldn’t help but raise a brow at certain claims he made about massage therapy, physical therapy, how the body works, etc. After my appointment, for some reason I experienced extreme dizziness. When I told Ralph that I was dizzy, he explained that it was due to «the toxins leaving my body.»
I was also really creeped out at some points during the appointment. As a female customer, I felt really uncomfortable when he said I should be a back model (yes, he really did say this…), especially since he said this while he was giving me an upper body massage.
On a more minor note, I was also slightly peeved by his apparent need to share his opinion on the uselessness of getting a university/Bachelor’s degree (and this was right after HE had asked ME which undergrad school I attend). Dude, I came here for a massage, not to receive unsolicited career advice.
I’m giving him 1 star because I felt uncomfortable after his «back model» comment, and also because it seemed like he was talking out of his ass.

Thank you Unilocal for helping me find Ralph. I have suffered from Fibromyalgia for years and thanks to gymnastics my body was frequently aching in my later years. Over the years I have gone to many massage therapist. Some were ok and some hurt me pretty bad afterwards. A few years back I had found a therapist that did great work for me but got creepy and was inappropriate.
Now I found an awesome massage therapist who is not at all creepy! Ralph is currently working on helping me recover from my 5^th delivery of my son. I wished I had found him while I was pregnant. Within my first treatment he cured my headache that I had had for weeks which I thought was from my Bell’s Palsy that I got from my first week postpartum. I also had this left sided tightness in my neck. Again gone. He is helping me loosen up around my hip joints and lower back-​pain that I got from delivery a big fat baby. My husband is thrilled because he is getting his wife back as I can now stand up straight. I recommend him highly and no you don;t have to be an athelete to utilize him. Ralph is very understanding about being a parent as he is a dad too. I was only 3 – 4 weeks postpartum and had no problems with my 4 older kids coming and wandering around during my treatment and with my husband nearby with the newborn baby who needed to nurse constantly. Again I just wished I found him earlier. He has late evening appts so you can just go home and roll into bed if need be. Perfect for moms too so hubbie can watch kids while you go.

Just came from my first appointment with Ralph today, and it certainly won’t be my last! The physical aspects of my job is definitely wearing my body down, and I try to get massages consistently, but haven’t been able to find anyone worth going to on a regular basis since I’ve moved to the Bay a few years ago. That changed today, and I’ve already booked my next appointment. Ralph is knowledgable and can read body mechanics very well, administering just the right amount of pressure as he goes. He worked on my problem areas without me having to tell him where they were, AND gave me great tips on what I should do to help my muscles out. He has a great energy, which is just as important as giving great massages! This was definitely a relaxing and therapeutic massage for me.
His prices are well within reason, and he has some pretty great deals if you book in advance.
Thanks Ralph!

I work in construction, so my body gets beat up quite a lot. I looked for a massage therapist when I had a soreness in my back that just wouldn’t go away. I looked here in Unilocal and found Ralph. He had such great reviews so I decided to give him a shot. I haven’t regretted the decision one bit.
Every time I go, I usually get scolded for not doing the exercises and stretches he suggested, but he fixes me up while doing so. Sometimes he really digs in with thumbs and elbows and has me near tears, but it feels so much better afterwards. He knows what he’s doing and if you let him know where you’re having troubles he’ll focus more attention on that spot, but still work everything else too.
Just a suggestion when you go, dress comfortably, feel free to bring your own music and you can talk to Ralph about anything. He likes to chat, so don’t be shy. It also helps him get to know you, and personally, it made me feel more comfortable when I first started seeing him. I think it’s way better to know the person who’s working on your body. I think he’s completely worth the money, but if you want to give him a try first, he has a great discount for first timers.

I just got home from my appointment. First I should say that I read all the reviews on Unilocal.Ralph had great reviews. So I decided to try. He really knows how to read the body. He worked all my trouble spots. He also explained why the body tenses up and how to counteract that. His rates are reasonable. Well worth the price for the help of the maintenance on your body. I already scheduled my next appointment. I am definitely telling all my friends about Ralph.

I was a varsity runner prone to injury that desperately wanted to make it in the world of collegiate track and field.
I went to Ralph every other week to get work done. As a student, he gave me a huge discount that my bank account loved. As an athlete, he fixed things up so the injuries I had in previous years wouldn’t bite back when things mattered the most.
I like to think that it’s due to him that I made it onto my dream school’s track team. :)
Trust me. Just go.
Ambiance is perfect, so is Ralph.

I bought a one hour session for my girlfriend for her birthday and honestly, best investment ever! Ralph is a really cool guy and he’s been in the business for a long time so he really knows what he’s doing. My girlfriend has lock jaw and Ralph is so experienced that he knew what she had just by feeling her neck. He’s very knowledgeable about what he does and I highly recommend his massages!

Clean. Professional. Actual therapy, not just a quick fix.
This man is a miracle healer. I went into the shop, barely able to walk and the next day (after a 60 minute sesh), I felt like I had the body of a 15 year old.
Book an appointment with Ralph. He’s studied Japanese Pressure Points, sports therapy, and he use to be a dancer so he knows the body. He’ll fix the problem at it’s core for you. I’ve recommended this place to hoopers and CrossFit athletes and they said it felt like a piece of Heaven.
Brownie Points: Ralph is also the masseuse to the Jabbawockeez and use to fix Stanford athletes.
My favorite: He had a figure skating client who’d torn her ACL and the doctor said she would be out for at least 6 months. After sessions with Ralph, every other day, she was able to skate in 3 weeks. Don’t believe it? See him for yourself.

I’ve been waiting for my neck & shoulders to worked on for a while now, and I didn’t want to go to those $ 20 foot massage places that do full body, and not work on the troubled areas on my body.
My bff suggested this place. She too has been on search for a good massage place & luckily found this through Unilocal.
Ralph educated me a little bit about why I would have issues on my shoulders and neck. The 90 min went by quick. I still need more work done on my shoulders and neck. So i’ll be back for sure.
Price is well worth it. Since this was my first time I did get 50% off. Which was awesome!

Ralph is awesome!
I was highly recommended to go to him by two of my coworkers as I have had severe back pain hit me within this past year — first in July/​August 2010 (to the point of needing muscle relaxants and days off work due to the pain) to messing it up again this past March by just moving wrong in my chair at a training! (I would seriously be hunched over for 5 minutes after getting up from sitting down)
I had swore that if I had messed up my back again after last August that I would incorporate acupuncture this time around and/​or massage. I did some acupuncture/​chiro in April which was good, but coming to Ralph is much better and now Ralph is a definite component of my self care!
Just like some other Unilocalers wrote — he definitely can read your back! he knows how you have been sitting in your chair, which side you lean to, what side you carry your purse or other heavy stuff on, etc. He also is funny and down to earth and has some great stories!
I highly recommend if you are looking for a great massage in general or if you are an athlete looking to get the cramps/​tightness out, he is the one!

I had a 90 minute massage with Ralph this past weekend and I have to say it was pretty awesome. He worked really hard to get rid of my knots and he used moves that I’ve never felt before. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt so relaxed after the massage with him. If you have any muscle soreness, Ralph is really the guy!
The location of Body Movement is within a building with professional health offices. I couldn’t find his office from the parking lot; just park and walk around to the front and his office is diagonally facing the main street. Ralph is pretty much the sole owner and masseuse in that office; it doesn’t look like a fancy spa, but it’s private and comfortable with a heated massage table.
If you’re a student, he gives you 50% off his massages! First-​timers also get 50% off. If you refer him 3 customers, he’ll also give you a one hour free massage. Awesome!

Score!!!
I bought a session for my wife and all I can say is she was extremely happy.

I went to Ralph coz my former masseuse moved to a different location and is not very accessible to me anymore. I am amazed on how much healing be brought to my body. He said that I am his 2^nd worst customer (guess the 1^st one is his dad… sorry, Ralph!!) and we need extra work on me. During the session, we were talking about anything and everything; it made it more relaxing for me.
I am going to be a regular here now that I discovered him… I just may drag my husband too…
Thanks so much Ralph!

Ralph knows what he’s doing, he’s been in the game for a while now.
I do Muay Thai at Heritage and the guys there are friends with Ralph so that’s how I found out about him. I’ve mostly just gone to spa’s to get massages but being extremely physically active in working out and training. It was all starting to take a toll on my body. And trust me, spa massages are completely different than what Ralph will do.
Since I’ve gone in a few times to see him already and now make it a priority to see him every 3 weeks. My body is much better. He works out all the aches, pains, knots, issues I have in my body. And literally my entire body can be in pain. I must say though, sometimes the next day I am sore from the massage, but that’s mostly my fault because I lagged on going in.
Another perk is he’s funny as hell! He’s not creepy or weird or will make you feel uncomfortable. I know lot of people have experienced «weird» massages. And the discount for students and members that go to Heritage is great as well!
Verdict: I keep going back, so that must say something, RIGHT? 2 thumbs up

I have had a few sessions with Ralph after my first visit. I followed most of his suggestion (drinks lots of water to wash the toxin away, exercise more on my back instead of focusing only on the front, don’t cross-​leg, don’t clench my jaws too much etc). I noticed a lot of improvements and every session has been wonderful.
Today, I had different issues. I was having some parking mishaps in the city last week and ended up walking about 12 blocks in my 4 inch high heels in a really cold weather. My feet were screaming that night but I chose to ignore them and continued with 2 miles running and an hour of Zumba. After that, my right hip and both of my hamstrings were in pain to the point I couldn’t do cardio anymore. So I went to see Ralph today and he knew right away which spots that have been bothering me.
He worked on those knots & kinks right away and it hurt a lot (in a good way). I could really feel how each knot my hip and my hamstrings finally gave in and I felt rejuvenated. I feel so good and relax right now that I think I might attempt to do some cardio by tomorrow morning.

I’ve gone to Ralph for his services for almost 2 years. From experience I can say that he has provided the best deep tissue massages I ever had. He can find all the knots that I never knew I had. I was sold after the first session when he stated I should drink lots of water to get rid of the toxins. It sounds like a simple suggestion but none of the therapists I’ve had mentioned this to me. Also unlike most therapists I’ve encountered he provides nutritional suggestions and how it can get help get rid of the knots from the body. One great thing I like about Ralph is he checks up on you on a periodical basis to see if your are fine and asks if you need another session with him. This shows that he’s concerned about your health.
If you work at an office and desk all day like I do Ralph’s services is soothing for the body and mind. To summarize his certified-​qualifications demonstrates his expertise in massage therapy which is why he’s highly recommended by customers like me that keep going back to Ralph for his services.