Bodyworks DW Advanced Massage Therapy – FiDi — Local services in New York

I've pretty much been looking for someone like Rachel and Bodyworks DW for years. And as someone who has tried so many different types of bodywork (everything various Asian ones, to expansive fancy ones to more "woo woo" ones), let me tell you, if you're looking for bodywork - to fix pains, knots, old habits, etc. - come here. Even if it hasn't hit you yet that you need to come here, come here to treat your body before it really needs it. Preventative bodywork is just as important.

My jaw/shoulder was bothering me more than usual one night and by some miracle, I came across Bodyworks DW and took advantage of the discounted first time 60min session. Rachel was the only one working that night and when I arrived, found out we know a lot of the same people because of her history with yoga and my working at a yoga studio.

I won't tell you she miraculously fixed my pains in one session (anyone who tells you that is a quack), but she did lesson it and pinpoint a few areas I could work on to strengthen and further lesson the pain myself. I got "homework" too, which is amazing. She also encouraged me to do Pilates which...I don't know how I never took Pilates but it is the thing I have actually been looking for.

So I've seen her about 10 times now and...I can't tell you how neurotic I am about being balanced and I am totally comfortable telling Rachel things that I notice in my body. My imbalances aren't totally noticeable unless you look for them, but because she has the eye for it, she'll actually understand what I mean and in the nicest way (while still addressing my concerns) helps me understand that maybe I'm focusing on the wrong thing. She's even done work on my jaw that I've never had done before and it is about the best thing EVER.

I also have a thing about how I walk (long story involving pageant days) and I LOVE that Rachel has me walk for her (and also stand and bend and whatnot) before each session because it's evident what parts of your body are compensating for other parts. And there's just a way that she looks at you while doing this that lets you know she's noticing things in fine detail.

She's also been so amazing recommending other people I may want to see in and out of New York, which shows she really cares on wanting to help me sort through all my little problems.

I started at Fidi but based on Rachel's schedule, have been to the midtown location as well. They're...

Christopher didn’t want to be there. He shaved 15 minutes off my massage because I showed up a few minutes behind and used the restroom then he proceeded to have me sit down and talk -gather history and asked questions and details about irrelevant things. Didn’t respect my request to concentrate on pain source (sciatica) and instead insisted he also treat my shoulder. Dropped my arm from suspension instead of setting it down gently as soon as the minute reached the original hour and didn’t honor the time I paid for. It was only us at the studio in a later time slot and I didn’t feel fully comfortable with that although I kept assuring myself it was fine and this was a professional place it didn’t feel that way. Someone else should always be there so client feels safe and comfortable and masseuse is held accountable. I checked the phone before and after, it wasn’t an hour. I’ve had so many professional massages in my life, this one didn’t reach the bar and I will never be back. Do not recommend. Even if I wasn't offended by his rudeness it wasn’t a good massage and didn’t concentrate on my pain area.

Furthermore, after posting my review, the business responded with several inaccuracies. I have documentation confirming I was only 5 minutes late—not 25, as they claimed. Their reference to security camera footage contradicts the actual timeline. Additionally, they stated my shoulder issue was related to my sciatica, when in fact it involved the OPPOSITE side of my body. Their refusal to take accountability is, unfortunately, consistent with how I was treated throughout my experience. I also found another client who shared a similar experience—feeling uncomfortable when no one else was present in the office. This pattern reinforces the concerns I had...

I’ve worked with Akiko for many weeks and she has a genuinely gifted therapist who is responsive to feedback and remembers many things session to session.

The other therapists I’ve worked with have been pretty underwhelming, by and large. Intake is limited (“why are you here?” With no explanation of how they work or even what type of style I’m used to or prefer) I am usually the one who has to provide feedback without the therapist checking in, and that feedback often feels like it falls flat (asking for more pressure, for example. I bet this job is taxing on people but if your bio as a therapist says you specialize in deep tissue or sports massage, why are you getting huffy with me with asking for more pressure on certain areas?).

Also, I would point out that while the website makes it a point to say that pricing is all inclusive, this is ‘medical massage,’ and gratuities aren’t expected, they definitely are. So, just factor that in!

The review for this place are tremendous but, in my humble opinion, not entirely warranted, especially if you are considering going out of your way...