Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Myofascial Release, Post-Op Recovery Massage

Sarah Kneads Me!

Serving Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Alameda, San Francisco, El Cerrito, and Albany

Sarah Kneads Me - Massage in Oakland, CA

With the understanding that health care and needs are always changing, we apply the same style to our treatments. This is not a relaxing, check-out type of session where you nap or meditate. Your sessions here will absolutely require your participation. There will be dialogue, teaching, learning, and checking-in throughout your appointment, especially during the first session. Please plan accordingly.

This is a mask-friendly space! Mask wearers are welcome here, and I’m happy to wear one too. If you would like to wear a mask but forgot yours at home, just ask for one, I always have spares.

Sarah Donnelly, L.A.c, MSTCM, CMT

My years of practice have given me a love and obsession for solving the riddles of aches and pains. To this end I utilize acupuncture, all levels of pressure from gentle, rhythmic lymphatic drainage to deep, slow myofascial work. Each issue is addressed with fresh eyes and no two treatments are ever the same.

Sarah’s journey into massage therapy began in 2010 at the National Holistic Institute Emeryville. It was during this time, while supporting her grandfather in hospice care, that she discovered the profound healing potential of touch and it’s role in compassionate communication. Motivated by this experience, Sarah embarked on her path, driven by a passion for holistic wellness.

In 2013, Sarah furthered her expertise by training in Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage. During her volunteer work at Charlotte Maxwell—a clinic dedicated to serving low-income women with cancer—from 2011 to 2016, she honed her skills and deepened her understanding of the therapeutic benefits of massage.

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Services

Root Cause Discovery

Your comprehensive intake session includes a detailed review of your medical history and hands-on evaluation of lymphatic function, scar adhesions, fascial mobility, and systemic patterns, with initial manual therapy to begin clearing major blockages. You’ll receive a personalized 1-3 month recovery roadmap with specific recommendations for treatments, movement, self-care, and nutrition to continue your progress.

$290 for 90 mins

Initial Treatment

This appointment is required for new patients and a great way to start if unsure. After your intake, Sarah will review the treatment plan with you, and answer any questions you may have. Because each appointment is specifically tailored to you and your issues on that day, it might include bodywork, acupuncture, manual lymphatic drainage, facial restoration techniques, guasha, Celluma LED light therapy, cupping, myofascial work, or scar and fibrosis work.

This session is for patients interested in general manual lymphatic drainage, relief from chronic illness including Long Hauler’s Syndrome, or from the effects of procedures like oncology treatments.

$250 for 90 mins

General Session

This 90 minute session is tailored to what your body needs on the day of treatment, which we decide on together. 60 minute sessions also available.

$250 for 90 mins
$185 for 60 mins

Post Surgical

Sarah is trained in Cosmetic Post Surgical work, and pursues continuing education courses and research in post surgical work, scar work, and fibrosis work. She is experienced and educated in both cosmetic and non-cosmetic surgical recovery, and enjoys teaching her patients techniques for how to maintain results at home. Sarah is currently accepting patients who are experiencing recovery complications like edema, fibrosis, or the aftereffects of hematoma and infection.

$185/60 mins

Scar Resolution

A focused session on reducing the appearance and discomfort of scars. Your practitioner may use special techniques in acupuncture, cupping, guasha, lymphatic drainage, and myofascial release, as well as topical ointments.

$185 for 60 mins

Packages (please enquire)

$880 for 4 90-minute sessions ($220 each) – a 12% savings

$648 for 4 60-minute sessions ($162 each) – a 12% savings

Alpha Program: 6 weekly 90-minute sessions for $1,140 ($190 each) – must be scheduled every 1-2 weeks and completed within 3 months

Summer Glow Intensive:  Facial Tension Reset Series

Here’s what I’ve learned from years of this work: your face doesn’t separate beauty from comfort. The same tight patterns that create lines and sagging are often behind TMJ pain, headaches, and sinus issues too.

You’ve probably seen my before/after photos – those results happen because the treatments build on each other when you come consistently. Most people love their first session but then wait weeks for the next one, and we end up starting over each time instead of building momentum.

The Summer Glow Intensive gives you that sweet spot of weekly sessions where real change happens. Patients consistently tell me they’re amazed by both how they look AND how much better they feel – less jaw tension, fewer headaches, easier breathing, plus all the visible improvements you can see in the photos.
It’s the same work I always do, just scheduled the way that actually gets you the results everyone’s looking for.

3 sessions, weekly scheduling required
$480 ($160/session vs $185 regular rate)
Must book all three appointments upfront
6-week completion deadline from first session

Why 60 Minute Sessions Work

Most bodies respond optimally to focused, targeted treatment rather than extended sessions. Sixty minutes allows sufficient time for thorough assessment, systematic treatment of primary restrictions, and integration without overwhelming your nervous system’s capacity to process the changes.

This concentrated approach often produces more sustainable results, as your body can fully integrate the work between sessions. Many clients find that regular 60-minute appointments 1-2 weeks apart maintain better progress than spacing out longer sessions.

90-minute sessions remain available when comprehensive assessment or multiple areas require attention, but most ongoing care goals are achieved effectively within the focused timeframe. especially for chronic, multilayered health issues, a burst of frequent shorter sessions allows us to ‘get ahead’ of the inflammation to create lasting change.

What are Lymphatic Drainage and Cosmetic Surgery Recovery massage?  Click here to read the blog post.

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Testimonials

testimonials

Contact & Scheduling

  • 6536 Telegraph Ave, C-104 . Oakland 94609
  • sarah@sarahkneadsme.com
  • 925-268-0878
  • Text and Email preferred

By appointment only.

  • Monday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Thursday 10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Friday 10:00am - 2:00pm
  • Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

We accept appointments up to two months in advance.  For current availability information, please follow us on social media!

Visit our other website at Better Place for Healing!

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