Business Details
24 Years
experience
Your Trusted Massage Therapy in Oakland, CA
Synapse Massage & Bodywork has been delivering exceptional therapeutic massage services in Oakland, California since 2002. Our team of highly trained therapists specializes in a diverse range of modalities, including deep tissue, Swedish, sports massage, and craniosacral therapy, tailored to meet individual client needs. With a focus on creating a serene and professional environment, we prioritize personalized care, combining technical expertise with intuitive healing to address both physical and emotional well-being.Our commitment to ongoing education and holistic practices ensures clients receive the highest standard of care, fostering relaxation, recovery, and long-term wellness. We serve a diverse clientele, emphasizing inclusivity, safety, and respect for all, and strive to be a trusted partner in our clients' self-care journeys.
Services
Therapeutic Massage
Physical Therapy
Prenatal Massage
Biofield Immersion
Swedish Massage
Deep Tissue Massage
Sports Massage
Craniosacral Therapy
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of collective experience across diverse massage modalities.
- Our therapists prioritize personalized sessions tailored to individual health goals.
- We maintain a clean, inclusive, and calming environment for all clients.
- Our team includes certified physical therapists for specialized care.
- We emphasize ongoing education to ensure advanced therapeutic techniques.
What people say
Phenomenal deep tissue therapy
Exceptional prenatal care
Tranquil, professional environment
Highly knowledgeable physical therapist
Personalized, intuitive sessions
Services
Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic Massage at Synapse addresses musculoskeletal issues through techniques like deep tissue and myofascial release. Ideal for chronic pain, injury recovery, or stress relief, sessions are tailored to individual needs. Our therapists combine anatomical knowledge with intuitive touch to improve circulation, reduce tension, and promote holistic wellness, ensuring measurable physical and emotional benefits for long-term health.
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy services integrate manual therapy, exercise, and mindfulness to treat injuries, postural imbalances, and chronic conditions. Led by a licensed physical therapist, sessions focus on restoring mobility, strength, and function while addressing root causes of pain. This evidence-based approach combines massage, yoga principles, and personalized care plans for sustainable recovery and improved quality of life.
Prenatal Massage
Prenatal Massage supports expectant mothers with specialized techniques to alleviate backaches, swelling, and stress. Sessions use side-lying positioning and gentle pressure to ensure safety and comfort, promoting circulation and hormonal balance. Therapists are trained in prenatal-specific anatomy, offering relief from common discomforts while fostering relaxation and emotional well-being throughout pregnancy.
Biofield Immersion
Biofield Immersion is a hands-off energy therapy that releases stored tension in the body's energy field. This modality addresses chronic pain and emotional blockages by rebalancing energetic patterns, enhancing self-awareness, and supporting the body's innate healing capacity. Clients experience profound relaxation and mental clarity, complementing physical treatments for holistic wellness.
Sports Massage
Sports Massage targets athletes' needs with techniques like neuromuscular therapy and trigger point work to enhance performance and recovery. Focused on injury prevention, flexibility, and muscle efficiency, sessions address overuse injuries and post-exercise soreness. Therapists apply sport-specific knowledge to optimize physical conditioning and maintain peak athletic function.
People
Stan Barrett
Owner
Stan Barrett, owner of Synapse, has over two decades of experience in sports massage. He worked with professional cycling teams and elite athletes, refining his expertise in injury recovery and therapeutic techniques. He established Synapse in Oakland in the early 2000s, creating a collaborative environment for skilled therapists.
Liz Williams
Physical Therapist
Liz Williams is a licensed physical therapist and certified massage therapist with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in holistic rehabilitation, combining manual therapy, yoga, and exercise to treat orthopedic and neurologic conditions. Her practice emphasizes client education and sustainable wellness strategies.
Aeryn Merced
Massage Therapist
Aeryn Merced is an Esalen and deep tissue massage specialist with training from Mckinnon Institute. She integrates Eastern meridian work and restorative yoga principles to create sessions that balance physiological and energetic systems for deep relaxation and healing.
Cole Fraser
Massage Therapist
Cole Fraser holds a BS in Kinesiology and specializes in deep tissue and neuromuscular therapy. With experience as an athletic trainer, he tailors sessions to address chronic pain and postural imbalances, combining anatomical precision with client-centered care to optimize outcomes.
Dustin Zacharias
Massage Therapist
Dustin Zacharias blends Balinese massage techniques with 900 hours of formal training. His background in early childhood education informs his patient, calming approach, focusing on stress relief and recovery for active lifestyles through intuitive, therapeutic sessions.
Questions
What types of massage does Synapse offer?
Synapse offers therapeutic, Swedish, deep tissue, sports, prenatal, craniosacral, and biofield immersion therapies tailored to individual needs.
Are therapists certified?
All therapists hold California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certifications and maintain advanced training in specialized modalities.
How to book an appointment?
Schedule online via our website or contact us directly at (510) 907-9974 for same-day availability and gift certificates.
Do you offer physical therapy?
Yes, Liz Williams provides licensed physical therapy integrating massage, exercise, and mindfulness for rehabilitation and chronic condition management.
What makes Synapse unique?
We combine 20+ years of collective experience, personalized care, and a commitment to inclusivity in a serene Oakland setting.
Are gift certificates available?
Instant digital gift certificates for any service or amount are available through our website for easy gifting.