Reviews of Essential Transformations LLC (Massage Therapist)

Meghan Mellecker

I've visited Darryl several times to address chronic headaches and a sprained back and walk away each time with a new appreciation! He's patient in getting to know you and your needs and knowledgeable in answering questions and helping you develop a plan for your physical health. I highly recommend him for anyone looking for a individualized experience and i personally have gained a new appreciation for the benefits of massage therapy through him!

andrew armens

Very knowledgeable/professional. Thanks!

Ginny Driscoll

I had a visit with Darryl on Friday, January 18 and I slept better that night than I have in years. I have felt so much better ever since. He talked me through every part of the process, explaining what he was doing and why, and always asking permission before doing anything that might cause discomfort. As a music therapist, I appreciated how he discussed the anatomical effects. I highly recommend him!

HUI WANG

Darryl is so nice and professional. He helped me treat my back pain even at midnight (I really appreciate it!). Now I feel much better! I strongly recommend Darryl if you need any kind of massage or relaxation.

Sharif Youssef

Very intuitive and positive 1st experience, will definitely be returning back. If you've had nagging pain and tried many alternatives with no real solutions then I highly recommend.

Patrick Ten Eyck

I recently started supplementing my exercise routines with massages and Darryl is the best, hands down! He is very knowledgeable and communicates this very well when working with me. I am happy with the results and hope to continue working with Darryl in the future.

Cindy Frazier

Darryl was very attentive to my needs and was thorough while working the muscles that cause me pain.

Beth Ann Bitner

Darryl does magnificent work!

Kasey Theil

I am a power lifter and have been having some major issues with my lower back/glute area. After meeting Darryl, I scheduled an appointment in hopes to find some sort of relief. Immediately after the session began, the tension I was holding began to melt away. My sleep improved, I felt re-energized, and I was immediately back to lifting after my first session. He explained his methods as the session proceeded, as well as provided an extremely relaxing/comfortable atmosphere for me. I see him often now in order to relieve soreness in my muscles. Would HIGHLY recommend to anyone, athlete or not.

Bobbie Nelson

Daryl was fantastic to work with. He did a great job to make me comfortable and to explain everything as he did it. I had the neural reset done and I dlept better than I ever have that night. I went to Daryl with extreme sinus pain. The morning after my appointment, I woke up and was symptom free. I don't get that quick of results with medication. I can't say enough good things about my experience and I highly recommend Daryl if you are experiencing any pain.

Kim S

Darryl is very attentive to problem areas and truly cares about his clients satisfaction. I had multiple areas that needed extra attention; knee joint/hamstring/pulled ab muscle/ and neck pain and Darryl was very knowledgeable and attentive to those areas. My experience, with Darryl, consisted of muscle work/manipulation and then the relaxation portion of a massage! Great massage, time flew by!

Heidi Madsen

Darryl is fanastic! I treated myself to a massage before embarking on a thruhiker of the Appalachian Trail this year, and not only got an amazing massage but also some great tips on staying healthy on my trip. Five stars no question!

Valerie Barron

I had a massage with Darryl on 1/18/16. It was by far the most thorough and comprehensive massage I have EVER received. He found areas that were sore that I didn't even realize where hurting. After the massage I felt refreshed and ready to tackle whatever might come my way. I slept like a baby that night and awoke very refreshed and ready to hit the day running! I would highly recommend Darryl's services. Thank you so much Darryl. I will be seeing you again soon!!!!

Kelsey Adler

Very professional and warm, and really helped me out with this achey, constant upper back/shoulder/neck pain that I had chronically for about 3-4 weeks from studying in medical school. Explained everything as he went along and is unusually knowledgeable about what he does and about health in general & the human body! Felt good afterwards and even better the next day :)

Allison Curry

Darryl lessened my neck and back pain tremendously with just one visit. I feel enlightened by all that I learned about my body, it was really helpful to hear the science behind what he was doing. Not to mention- with certain exercises (that took very short amounts of time) my flexibility was increased TENFOLD. Different from any kind of therapy I have been through before- but all the more effective and fun!

Bob Jones

He was very professional. He took the time to address all of the issues I was experiencing. His massage area resembles more of a doctors office than a spa , which is nice. He educated me on some issues that he saw far as posture and ways to correct it . I left feeling alot better and alot less sore as well. I will definitely use him again

Brian Triplett

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from my appointment as I booked quickly in desperation with a bad back from lifting heavy equipment. And even following my visit with Darryl, I'm not certain how to explain what he practices (something between massage and voodoo?) I was surprised at how much attention he gave to muscles from my face to my feet since it was a back injury, but I went with it. His kind, calm and often funny demeanor combined with an intense knowledge, proved time and time again in minor examples, of how the body was connected left me feeling hopeful after our near 2-hour session. He had an impressive attention to detail and asked for honest feedback throughout as to whether or not he had loosened up certain muscles and points of tension. He spoke of other success stories throughout our time, and his confidence had me assured I'd be feeling back to normal soon. I've waited 24 hours since my visit to write this review, and I'm happy to say I'm cleaning my apartment today, lifting objects and bending in places I wouldn't dare yesterday. I additionally visited a chiropractor who cracked my body into shape both once before and after my visit with Darryl. This combination has led me to a speedy recovery. I highly recommend giving Essential Transformations a try. It's both fascinating and beneficial.

Valerie Eldridge

I met Darryl while working a road-show sales event in Coralville. Needless to say, I had been working 11 hour shifts on my feet for about 10 days straight at that point and I my body was seriously aching. I had a pinched nerve in my neck from sleeping on hotel beds and a few old injuries from a car accident and a bad horse fall were acting up. I had never even heard of this form of 'massage therapy' but I have to say that it worked better than any form of deep tissue massage I have ever done. He not only worked with my soft-tissue ailments and inflammation, but he worked with my alignment and postural stance without any popping or cracking of my joints. I have hyper-mobility in nearly all of my joints, so the ligaments are a bit longer than they should be. I often find that I feel very tight and yet I am still very flexible because of my joints. Darryl took the time to work with me and specifically target his practice to my needs. He was incredibly professional. He worked with my schedule, willing to both wake up early and stay late for a second session. Given that I am a student, he also offered a sliding pay scale in order to help me be able to afford this experience. Usually by the end of a long work week I feel exhausted, burnt out, and in serious pain. I can sleep for two days straight and still feel groggy. I finished out the work week after the neuro session feeling, rested, refreshed, and I slept the best I had that night in awhile.

Carter Havekost

At first, it seemed like an unorthodox massage and I wasn't sure what to think. Afterwards, I could tell that everything felt a lot better, in general. When I woke up in the morning, I felt amazing compared to the soreness I usually get and the initial feeling hasn't faded. If you have persisting problems anywhere, go see Darryl at least once and I guarantee you will go see him again since I know I am.

Katie Agey

Darryl is awesome! Following my appointment I slept great and was a lot more relaxed. He is very well educated on his work and tailors his practice to fit your needs. He is passionate in making sure he provides you with the tools to get you to feeling 100%. Would definitely recommend.

Frank Anderson

Darryl is a true professional, your body will thank you!

Sarah Furnish

Daryl cares about giving excellent service and care to all his clients. The NRT and Lymph Drainage has proven to be highly effective for my chronic joint and muscle pain. I recommend h to everyone.

Allan Berger

I got my first massage from Darryl when he was still training. More than just a “feel good” session, Darryl takes pride in using identifying problems and addressing them with techniques that take advantage of neuromuscular integration. I have chronic epaxial pain at my thoracolumbar junction, and it always feels better after: A good massage with lasting benefits.

julie Ozmun

My son went after a physical football game. He was sore, tight and had back pain. I was expecting a massage but what he got was way more than thst. Darryl did not do a traditional massage,instead he worked on the nerves causing the pain. I was skeptical but the way my son could move after and even after practice the next day was amazing. Anyone who has pain or in a sport needs to try this.

carol mendoza

I received my first massage ever from Darryl Dodd and it was a great one! I highly recommend him. I liked that he played relaxing music and explained everything as he went. My calves and feet were my problem areas and I left there feeling great with no pain. Thanks again Darryl!

Emily Phillips

I am 29 weeks pregnant and was having a lot of the normal back pain that accompanies. In just 10 minutes of sample work at the We Run Lucky Run, Darryl Dodd was able to alleviate the pain completely. I was also able to breath better and felt lighter. If you have been with child, you know that feeling is quite impossible to have! I would recommend Darryl to not only pregnant women but everyone! I watched him practice techniques to help my sister's neck pain and my 75 year old grandfather's back pain. So amazing! Professional, knowledgeable and we'll worth the visit!

LW K

This is a great business! Darryl is very knowledgeable and with the bodywork therapy he was able to relieve the pain from my neck and back that I have had for a long time. I also appreciated the ease of scheduling - one of the few businesses that actually embraces the on-line scheduling on his website. Finally, he provided advice on posture and stretching that should help avoid some of the pain I've incurred over time. I highly recommend a session!

Casey O'Connor

Working with Darryl was more than just physical treatment for a race recovery... but he also was very focused on educating me about WHY he was doing what he was doing. The results he told me turned out exactly as he expected and he also provided me with preventative information to help me avoid injury and pain going forward. VERY impressed with his passion to provide health care and education. Plus... he is a hell of a nice guy!!!

Kate Maas

I’m a little late with my review. I went here a month or so ago, visiting from Omaha. Finding a massage therapist outside your own city can be scary. I’m so glad I found this place! I recommend Darryl in a heart beat. He has such a wide knowledge base, that he shares with you and walks you through what he is doing. He’s very open to feedback and goes above and beyond. I came to Darryl with some extreme foot pain, and walking away, I felt significantly better. I can’t wait to book with him again, when I’m in Iowa City next.

Shelby Smith

Darryl is great. Really enjoyed the introductory session following my powerlifting meet. Highly recommend!

Audrey O'Hara

Great massage

Emily Camizzi

Hi, my name is Emily. I was a preschool teacher and had Darryl's son in my class. I was diagnosed all in 1 year with 3 auto immune diseases that will change my life and how I feel. My body ached daily and I found it hard to breath. I remember Darryl comming up to me and asked if I wanted a massage. I said of course i would love a massage, I am pretty stressed right now. So I went over to his massage place and he welcomed me in and explained all that he has learned and showed me a 3d sculpture of what your spine looks like. It was sooo interesting. He was such an easy person to talk to. He asked why I have been stressed so much, and I responded by telling him about my new health issues. It was sooo nice to have someone to talk to about it. He showed empathy by handing me klenex and just reminding me that I was going through a lot, but it is going to be ok. He started saying that he is going to help me relax today and see where I hold all my stress. It was relieving, and I could feel all that stress get lighter. That is the day I made my body first priority and promised it that I will continue to see Darryl and he will help me get through all of these life altering experiences. Darryl made a difference in my life, and he will in your's.

Natalie Tskhakaia

Loved the massage

Kathleen Dailey

Dr. Dodd provided amazing service and results! He ensured I was comfortable throughout the appointment, and explained everything thoroughly, so that I had a better understanding of symptoms and treatments. I felt so much lighter and leaner, and had an additional mood boost after my medical and lymphatic drainage massages. In addition, he also provided some good laughs! Thanks Dr. Dodd :)

Nick Messersmith

It was Great. Mr. Dodd did a great job explaining everything he was doing and why...He was good to interact with and made sure I was comfortable. I would defiinitely recommend him and tell everyone about him. I kicked much higher afterwards and My flexibility went up as well! GREAT JOB!

Erika Brighi

Darryl was at a recent Crossfit competition and was allowing athletes time on his table between workouts. The massage helped me loosen up and get ready for our final workout of the day. If you're a highly active person, I recommend seeing Darryl to help with overall healing.

Steve Henkelman

Thank you Darryl I slept through the night 1st time in a long time Very little pain this morning You are amazing THANK YOU

Cybil Mcintosh

Darryl is very knowledgeable and thorough! I would highly recommend him! I was having persistant low back pain and he helped it tremendously!

Henry Herrera

“The massage therapists here are fantastic! Great prices too!

Eric Hoang

I injured my back several years ago and I tried every attempt to find a holistic approach to heal it. After daily meditation and yoga, I still couldn't find the solution to relax my lower back muscles. I decided to visit Essential Transformations and see how they could help me. After a 65 minute "massage", I actually felt tenderness because they were really hard like a rock with no feeling. I would recommend Essential Transformations to everyone! They have such a different approach.

lmc6425

I've had fibromyalgia for 20 years and most masseurs are afraid to touch me and I usually hurt much worse after than before the massage. But Darryl's expertise and knowledge of the human body made this experience entirely different; I couldn't believe how much better I felt after I left! Darryl introduced me to an odd cum interesting and very effective modality called active assisted isolated stretching, never heard of it but after one session with Darryl I'm a lifelong advocate!!

Traci bruns

So thankful for my massage therapist, Darryl Dodd for lymphatic drainage & for doing termendious work on my jaw (Lyme & co infections like to attack the jaw bones & muscles)! Without these treatments, I would not be back on my mountain bike! So grateful! PS: getting massages to the jaw is something so key to health... it ties in to the limbic system. Also it's something most therapists forget to do.