Bodywork Central

The guys at Bodywork Central/​Bay Area Vitrectomy were fantastic getting me some much needed PT equipment to use during my epi-​retinal membrane eye surgery recuperation. I called them the morning I left the hospital asking them if they could bring me something to help me keep my head in the optimal position for my retina tear so it could heal properly and they went above and beyond to get me several options by that evening. They even dove into the rush hour bridge traffic to get me the equipment by that evening because they were so booked that day. I am forever grateful for their help and support. They really care about helping you get through this tricky surgery and I can highly recommend them. Freddi

My wife had a vitrectomy two weeks ago and has spent two weeks in a face-​down position ²⁴⁄₇. Her retinal surgeon’s office recommended that we contact Clive at Bodywork Central for advice on how best to get through the face-​down period. Clive could not have been more helpful or knowledgeable. He delivered a massage table and massage chair to our home, explained how best to use and adjust them, and then personally set both up for my wife to ensure her comfort. His equipment is state-​of-​the-​art and in excellent condition. Based upon our experience, we suggest you not even consider your post-​vitrectomy recovery without contacting Bodywork Central!

I decided to try Bodyworks after reading the reviews from other Unilocalers. Needless to say I was very happy with the experince and I have been back again and again.
Clive, the owner, is amazing. He does a great job of fitting you in with same day appointments, a huge plus for me. The massage rooms are not big but they are comfortable and quiet. Clive is my favorite masseuse but the rest of the staff is very skilled and they do a great job of create a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
The location is perfect and every time I walk out the door I feel blissfully relaxed and happy.

man, my back was killing me and I go for deep tissue massages to work out the kinks to feel like a human again.
Don’t let the rather messy reception area throw you off. It’s not organized but the massages are the best.
I had booked an hour with Caitlin and she was the absolute bomb. I wished I had booked an hour an half but I did a same day appointment so that’s my fault. But for a deep tissue massage that will not disappoint and restore your body to it’s natural, feeling good state, book a deep tissue with her and prepare to walk away totally satisfied.

I’d never had a massage before… guess I always considered massages to be a luxury item that I didn’t really need.
Oh boy, was I wrong!
My shoulders & neck were so stiff and in pain from commuting and constantly carrying heavy bags. It was BAD. Neck turning became minimal and I could barely carry a purse without my left arm & shoulder aching.
Since I no longer have a car, I needed to find a place close to home or BART. After reading so many consistent, positive reviews on Unilocal,I gave Bodywork Central a call and was able to get an appt. the same day! (Which was great, because I was a real mess at that point!)
After a 1 hour massage w/​Clive, I felt 100 times better! It was almost too good to be true! My problems were almost gone!
I was able to turn my neck pain-​free for the 1^st time in almost 2 weeks!
I give this place 5 stars because they fully exceeded my expectations, and I will be coming back again.
Bodywork Central is not a spa. They sell professional massage equipment and supplies, and have cozy, clean rooms in the back for massages. The whole place has a relaxing, Zen vibe about it.
Great location too… It’s about 8 – 10 min walk from Downtown Berkeley Bart.
I found them to be experienced and caring. Since it was my 1^st massage, they really took the time to ask questions and talk me through the process… and to not be afraid to «speak up» as needed.
Clive was great, I’d reccomend him to anyone.
Plus, he spoke highly of all the other massage therapists there, assuring me that the are ALL very good. I thought this was particularly kind & respectful.
Thank you for taking my pain away :)

My work is very intense and I can always count on Clive and his staff to provide a warm, inviting space and very skillful massage. It seems I always go in ruffled and riddled with aches and pains, and then come out completely relaxed and rejuvenated.
I highly recommend Clive and Bodywork Central.

Stopped in for an hour’s deep tissue table massage ($ 80). At first I wasn’t sure where they’d put me because the entrance looks more like a massage store, but tucked in the back are some serene rooms with the calming music and dim lights that make you feel all relaxed.
The masseuse was very attentive and had an amazing touch — rolling over all those knots with just the right pressure and kneading my legs and forearms into jelly.
Good location too. You can walk across the street to the Cheeseboard, etc., for lunch. Plus, if you park just two short blocks away, you can park without paying any meters. Oh yeah, called and got an appointment same day, which is awesome because it was on a whim that I decided to go.

I’ve had a couple massages there and they’ve both been some of the best I’ve gotten. the only complaint I have is that you can hear people in the upstairs school banging around and talking.
They are also very accommidating I wanted a noon massage and they made it happen even though they didn’t have an initial opening.

I would like to particularly recommend Sunshine’s work at Bodywork Central. I have been seeing her for monthly massages for two years, and I won’t be stopping any time soon. I come in with different needs every time, and she is always able to meet me where I am that day. Sometimes I need all my muscles simply «mushed» after a plane ride, and sometimes I need deep energy work and emotional discussion. Her massage care improves my whole life.

What better way to procrastinate than Unilocal!
Bodywork Central is a great little place in the Gourmet Ghetto to get massage supplies and get a massage. You can park in the parking lot if you are shopping but students at the Acupressure Institute have to park on the street. The store is currently open Mon-​Sat 10am-​11am only however very soon the store will be open from 10−6pm Mon-​Sat. The store itself is pretty bare bones and didn’t have the lotion I was looking for however, in a pinch, it gets the job done without having to go to Marin or SF.

I’m needing more decadence in my life, so what is more decadent than an hour long massage? I showed up to my appt and was immediatley warmly greeted by Corrine. This was my first time seeing her and after talking with me about my concerns, she came up with a plan to get me relaxed and pain free.
My massage was sooooo relaxing and just what I needed. I left feeling detoxified, and destressed. Corrine is amazing! I plan on becoming a regular of hers and will be back in 4 – 5 weeks.

We were traveling through Berkeley on our way from San Francisco to LA. My back was terrible and my girlfriend needed a massage, too. We found Bodyworks on Unilocal and went there unannounced. We found easy parking with the car with our bikes in the parking lot. We were immediately received and Clive actually «shut down shop» so that we could both have a massage at the same time.
I’ve never fallen asleep during a massage: The massage tables at Bodywork are so comfortable and Clive’s technique is exactly right. I walked out of the room after 45 minutes a new person. My girlfriend was very happy with her massage as well and it was all we could do to not buy many of the cool massage and back therapy items they sell in their store. Highly recommended.

Professional, great staff and owner. I suffer from ruptured discs and migraines and have been searching for someone that really knows treatment, not fluffy spa massage crap. Everyone at Body Work Central is an amazing massage therapist, however I highly recommend Sunshine.
I will continue to be a customer for as long as I live in the Bay Area, thanks!

All I wanted to do was to find some massage lotion so I can practice at home. Think you can find some in downtown San Francisco? Guess again.
Marcus: «Excuse me, do you have any unscented massage lotion?»
Bath & Body Works: (Thud. Marcus passes out from the overpowering scent of lavender and vanilla and magnolia and cherry blossom and passion fruit and cocoa butter and mango and jasmine and gardenia, and etc.)
Body Shop: «We do but it’s scented. Maybe you can try one of the stores further down Market St. You know the ones» (He was referring to the sex stores. No, I’m not kidding.)
L’Occitane: «No.»
The Spa at Nordstrom: «Ummm, well I’m not sure. We have a nice hand lotion over here but I’m not sure if it’s unscented. Oh, and I’m not sure if you can use it for a massage. But it’s only $ 16 (2 oz tube) and it’s great for your skin.»
etc. etc. etc.
Bodywork Central in Berkeley: «Yes, it’s right over here.»
Great selection of massage accessories, oil & lotions, and equipment. The staff (and the owner) are very friendly and knowledgeable.
I don’t know about the prices for chairs and tables, but the prices for the accessories and oil & lotions are very reasonable. And they also rent massage technique dvds. Mail order is also available.

In the complex next to the «Acupressure Institute.»
They offer a wide variety of different massage therapies, including Thai. They mainly sell therapist supplies there, but there is a nice massage room in the back.
My masseuse was Aimee Pomerleau, who used a combination of Swedish, Shiatsu, and Thai techniques. I went in with a serious knot in my neck, and now it’s gone! For now anyway…
Aimee is in Monday and Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings.