The Alexander Touch

Yesterday I had my first massage with Alex. It was the 100-​minute version. I’m 72 years old, and I was looking for help with tightness and pain in my neck & upper back, and with pain in my hip and thigh on one side. Alex works in a confident and focused way that is clearly based on a good knowledge of body structure. To be effective, he uses fairly intense pressure, but adjusts the level to the client. He includes stretches and allows the client to choose the intensity for each. By the end of the massage, I was flying high on endorphins, a feeling that remained intense for a couple of hours and then diminished gradually. The mechanical results included a much looser body overall and a smoother way of walking. One of the best results was much improved breathing, without the catch in my breath that I tend to have. Alex has a good website, and his whole approach is professional. Recommended!

I try to schedule an appointment with Alex every 4 to 6 weeks; I look at it as preventative medicine and stress relief and worth every penny. This week I have been almost debilitated by some sort of pinched nerve near my shoulder blade that sent almost constant pain down the length of my left arm. I was hopeful that Alex could help and told him about the issue. He devoted about 45 minutes of the 100 minute massage to the area in question. Sometimes it hurt like hell, but I could sense it was for my own good and Alex helped me breathe through it. Despite the intense work on this one problem, which I really needed, he still gave me the highlights of his typical full body massage and so I left feeling all warm and mellow and de-​stressed by the time I left. The next day, my arm was about 50% better and the hot packs I used that had been recommended by Alex gave me some hours of almost total relief. And now, 48 hours later, I have almost zero pain, after having dealt with this for over a week prior to my appointment. Alex is the best… he is a caring and funny guy who tailors the massage to what his client needs on that day. I have never had a massage from him where I left feeling he hadn’t given me his all. And that’s what has kept me coming back for about 7 years now. Thank you Alex! You rock!

The best massage therapist ever. Intuitive and professional, Alex really knows his stuff! He’s the benchmark I measure all other massage therapists against… and he definitely leads the pack.
If you get massages often, go for the packaged, pre-​paid deal. I don’t see the downside!

This review is long overdue as I’ve been seeing Alex exclusively for the past four years or so. I met Alex when he was doing corporate chair massage at my office. He instantly made me feel comfortable and relaxed. I went to school to study massage therapy and practiced professionally for over seven years. Like others on here, I searched for a good therapist who could intuitively practice trigger point therapy the way that I would on my own clients. Alex is hands down the best therapist I’ve ever come across in all of my years of professional practice! His rates are reasonable and he genuinely cares about the well being of his clients, just like he would his own friends. Every so often, he will check in with me if he hasn’t seen me in a while and let me know if he has any openings or specials, as he knows that I’m once again a student on a budget. You won’t be disappointed in a session with him!

When I moved to San Francisco in 2009, I spent about a year trying various spas and massage therapists around SF and the Peninsula. I am a huge massage fan/​snob/​addict and when I found Alex in 2010, I knew halfway through the first massage that I would never have to try another place. Since then, I’ve seen him about once a week and he is now an essential part of my physical and mental health.
Alex is intuitive, professional and literally the best massage that I have ever had in my life. On top of that, he is such a kind and gentle soul! His massages are consistent and his (newly renovated) space is very zen and relaxing. Alexander Touch is my happy place and I’ll never go anywhere else as long as he is in business.

Yes Unilocal,«Woohoo! As good as it gets!»
Alexander works magic. Literally, best massage I have ever had.
He is a true professional, and a gentleman. Ladies, do not be concerned about booking an appointment with Alexander, a male therapist, as he is respectful, friendly and polite. At no point did I feel uncomfortable or concerned — I felt completely relaxed and cared for.
When I go home to England, I will fly back just to have a massage from Alexander.

I really like a strong, deep tissue sports massage. But I don’t want such pressure (and pain) as to leave more stressed-​out after a massage than when I arrived. Alex is the perfect hybrid of strong and gentle. He’s organized, professional and empathetic. He gets it. Bravo.

Great massage! I felt like all my tight muscles were tended to. I felt 100% better when I left and stress free! The online booking was simple and easy. I look forward to returning someday soon.

Excellent massage. One of the best I’ve had in the city (and I’ve had many)
Found Alex via one of those social buy sites and now will continue to use him regularly
Good finds like this one have to be shared!

I found Alex with one of those coupon deals (I can’t remember which one?), and boy was I glad that I did. When I made my appt, he warned me that his massage studio is in his 3 story walk-​up apartment. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I got there, I was a little apprehensive. I’m a girl and this is a guy and I’m all alone in his apartment and I’m about to get naked. This was a perfect formula for something to potentially go wrong. Well, it didn’t. In fact he has the great demeanor and bed-​side manner, and made me feel totally comfortable. In the end, it turned out to be one of the best massages I’ve ever had!

Let me start this review off by saying that I’m a pretty conservative gal and was a little nervous about booking an appointment with a male massage therapist.
During my first visit with Alex, I immediately knew that I could relax. He had a way of making sure I felt completely comfortable. I have been to him twice now and can tell you that he is professional but warm at the same time. You can tell that he enjoys his work. He is both a calm AND happy person (yes, that matters to me!).
Major brownie points for the way he handled my first appointment:
I made my first appointment with Alex about a month in advance… that morning, I woke up with a terrible sore throat and called Alex to cancel. He was very kind about the whole thing and let me reschedule after I was feeling better (he didn’t make me reschedule immediately, which I thought was an extremely gracious way to handle a last-​minute cancellation).
After my first visit with him, he gave me some useful tips on how I could alleviate the shin-​splints in my calves.
I had my second massage from him today and it was perfect! I left feeling blissed out and like someone had pressed the re-​set button.
This is something I plan on treating myself to every month. :)

Alex is kind, professional, and an excellent and experienced massage therapist.
The setting has a nice positive energy that matches him perfectly! I can’t wait to go back.

I got my groupon on. I made my appointment. Showed up. err late.
alex was very nice, gave me my full hour. I had a very stressful week, and he totally cured it. He concentrated on my shoulder and neck because I feel that is the most tight. It was great is all I have to say. He is very open to suggestions, and most importantly listens to his clients. He even disclose he is a uses a little more strength than most.
Overall, I give him 5 stars for his awwwsome-​ness!
yay Alex!

As Unilocal helped me decide to buy a Groupon and book an appt. with Alex, I thought I would take the time to offer high praise for him as well! He is wonderful! He is full of great energy, professional, very nice and extremely intuitive to what your body needs. The space is relaxing and lovely — the table is the best table I have ever been on– and I am a BIG girl.
I really appreciate that he incorporates stretches into his practice and his technique/​pressure is firm but not painful — again, he seems to know what your body needs and doesn’t push past that. Something you just have to experience for yourself! His prices are amazingly fair.
I am grateful to him for today I can turn my neck better and sit up straighter! I will search no more for a fantastic practitioner, thanks, Alex!

I went to Alex on a Groupon and had a 70 min massage. To be honest, I didn’t realize the business would operate out of his house, so I was a little confused and slightly uneasy when I walked over to the address and saw a place of residence. Looking back, it’s probably risky on his part because you never know who could come off the streets of SF to get a massage. Anyway, Alex made me feel like a guest in his home — he remembered my name when he buzzed me, asked me if I needed to use the restroom, gave me a cup of water, etc.
I really liked how he sat me down before we started the actual massage to ask me what spots I felt like I need to work on. He also assessed my body during the massage to determine what areas were tight on me through some stretches he did — some areas of which I was completely unaware! He had a firm touch with steady pressure. When an area he was working on was extremely tight, he had me breathe deeply it so that the pain wouldn’t be so bad, and I actually felt my muscle pop and loosen! He also answered all my questions, and believe me, I had a lot. Time flew by so fast, it only felt like 15 minutes had gone by when it was over!
It’s a little pricey if you don’t have a Groupon, $ 80 for 70 min, but then again this might be pretty standard for SF massage therapists. I wish I could afford to go back every week, but I may just have to treat myself once a month. I’m coming back, Alex, my shoulders and neck can’t bear to be without you for an extended period of time!
Turns out that he also owns a massage-​chair business that will go to your office, conference, party, etc. I’m going to pass along the info to my office administrator to see if we can get someone to come in every couple weeks so maybe I’ll be able to get a massage more often from Alex (or his minions).

I had gone out to try out massage therapists (out of the country). In the end, I always NEED to come back to Alex. In my previous review, I mentioned that Alex knew I had walked a lot… one other time I saw him, he could tell I was wearing high high heels for that week! Not only Alex is excellent for those knots and pains in your body. For the highly stressed people with minimal aches and pains, you still need to go see Alex. He had always helped me relax and even fall into a deep sleep during the massage. For busy people out there, come let Alex take care of you while you rest. Enjoy his touch.

Alex is one of the best massage therapists you’ll find. He’s professional and highly talented — without my saying a word, he knew where I was tense and started addressing those spots. He’s got a firm touch but always leaves me feeling completely relaxed, almost as if I were in a trance. He’s that good!

I came to Alex in major pain yesterday. He immediately made me feel comfortable and welcome in his home, and the conversation we had before he started working on me let me know our session would be tailored to my needs.
One day later I am very very sore… but that’s a good thing! I feel like he touched every muscle in my back and I loved every minute of it. Plus, the stretches Alex takes you through are a big bonus that I haven’t received from other massage therapists. I highly recommend booking with him!

Getting a massage from Alex is like having a little bit of heaven here on earth. From the moment he greets you know you’re in good hands. His space is clean bright and professional yet once the curtains are drawn the room transforms into a warm comforting space. As for the massage itself — Alex offers the kind of massage that a massage therapist appreciates. I know this because I am a professional massage therapist too.
You owe it to yourself to give Alex your business. Your achy body will thank you.

Fantastic!
A great massage for sure. Personal, tailored service in a comfortable and safe atmosphere. Alex is a Godsend. I’ve seen him three times now and I will continue, for sure.
Booking through his website couldn’t be easier. It even sends you a reminder email 24 hours beforehand. Book early. Even though he just expanded his schedule, it fills up quickly.