Chair massage now available Fridays at Franklin
March 28, 2011 •
If you don’t already know about Michael O’Keefe, you will now have two days a week to get acquainted with him and his strong, healing hands.
Every Wednesday since 1999, O’Keefe has brought his massage chair and masterful touch to 7307 Franklin. He now offers appointments on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days, beginning Friday, April 1.
A certified massage therapist who practices what he calls “conscious touch,” O’Keefe says massage can help ease the stress and sore muscles that often come with office work.
“Conscious touch means that I’m paying attention with my hands and my whole consciousness,” he says. “From the work I’m doing I can feel what is going on in that person’s body and use that to guide the massage.”
O’Keefe uses an upright massage chair rather than a flat table, which allows him to access the neck, shoulders, back, arms and hands—body parts that take plenty of abuse in an office setting. A baker for nearly 20 years, O’Keefe was supervising the night shift at Acme Bread in Berkeley when the nighttime schedule just became too difficult to manage.
“I tell people I went from kneading dough to kneading muscles,” O’Keefe says. He trained in massage therapy and set up his own business, Back Basics. He also offers his chair massage services at offices in Hayward and the South Bay as well as at studios in El Cerrito and Mill Valley.
For novices who may be somewhat apprehensive about massage, O’Keefe says not to worry. “I always ask people what level of pressure they want and can offer light, medium or heavy and anything in between,” he says.
O’Keefe takes appointments by posting a signup sheet on the door of room 7307 at about 9 a.m., or you can call him for a slot at 510-384-9068. He divides the day into increments of 20 minutes, but some clients book multiple slots. Act fast, as his days usually book up by mid-morning. Cost is $1 per minute, and gratuities are welcome.
Massage therapy: 7307 Franklin Building
When: Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Cost: $1/minute; minimum 20 minutes recommended; gratuity appreciated
Discount: $5 discount for first-time clients
Appointments: Call 510-384-9068 or go to 7307 Franklin to sign up
As a regular “customer” of Michael’s chair massage, I encourage people to try it out. It is a great stress-buster and a great way to take a “break” at least one day a week! The price is reasonable.