Dawn Richarde has an intuitive touch for re-aligning the physical, balancing the mental and re-energizing the energy that weaves through both. While easy to think of ‘getting a massage’ as a luxury…good body work will release constriction and compression in the muscular system to better enable the luxury of living. Like clearing toxic debris trapped in a river bed or taking out a self imposed Dam, Dawn’s massage is essential for greater access to your bodies nutrients, clarity and peace. Honor your body with the gift of health…call Dawn!” – Jaquie C. 12-05-2015

“As good as it gets in my book. I have a regular massage therapist at home and am always hesitant to try somebody new in an unfamiliar place. Dawn has an awesome spirit. You will not find a more soulful person in this city. She was generous with her time and offering advice on diet. It was like a two for one deal with talking nutrition and getting a massage. Very relaxing and a therapeutic message both from the inside and out. I have sciatic problems and she understands both the muscular and sketetal issues associated with sciatic issues. She has hands if steel. Oh my. By far one of the most amazing massages of my life. She got in there and worked by pain and knots away. I wish I could stay a month!” – Erin Y. 04-30-2015 

“I have been seeing Dawn, the owner of Essential Kneads, once a week for three years. I have gotten massage all over the world and at some of the best health spas in the US and it is easy to say that Dawn’s massage is the best I’ve ever had. She has the strongest fingers and has incredible feeling of how much pressure to use and how to work with nervous system to get muscles to relax. Her massage does cost $80/hr but you will see that the results are ten times better than any other massage you have received. She is easy to be with and has a really nice set up in her office. The lady she has working for her, Lubya, is also very good–especially when it comes to sports massage. I am almost scared to write this review because I don’t want Dawn or Lubya to get too booked but if you have an injury or have not been thrilled with massages in the past I’m telling you that you WILL NOT be disappointed.” – CW 03-03-2013

“I found Essentail Kneads thru Google and read a few good reviews. I needed some neck and shoulder work done immediately and was in much pain. Dawn worked to accommodate me into her schedule and was professional yet welcoming. Having had many massages over the years I was not expecting to find a better massage therapist than my normal person back home…but I did. Dawn spent quite a bit of time in the discovery process to gain insight into my current state as well as past injuries and trauma to better align her technique and focus on specific areas. It was easily one of the best massages I have ever had and significantly helped relieve the pain in my neck and shoulders. I would strongly recommend her to anyone and will be back to see her when in Lake Tahoe.” – David W 05-25-2012

“I’m a 21 year old athlete training for the 2012 Olympics in the modern pentathlon. The five events of pentathlon are extremely taxing on the body, mind, and spirit. Before I began working with Dawn, I became so emotionally and physically exhausted that I began dreading my training sessions. Since I’ve been getting massages from Dawn, I’ve felt energized, more fluid with my movements, and more emotionally stable for training intensely 6 days a week. Dawn has released a lot of tension in my feet that had been causing knee and consequently hip issues. As a swimmer, Dawn has released a lot of negative energy from my shoulders and neck. Also, as an equestrian rider, her massages have released my lower back so that my spine is more flexible and I am more able to learn new techniques without pinching my L5/S1 intersection. I believe that Dawn’s massages will significantly increase my chances of qualifying for the 2012 games. She’s really great and I highly recommend her work!!!! :)” – B Kat 02-25-2012