Therapy
Bodywork
I have been practicing massage since 1997 and Reiki since 1986. I blend deep tissue, Reiki and other eclectic modalities into each massage session for deeper healing, greater relaxation and longer lasting results. I enjoy using humor to help people take a break from their all too serious lives. I am committed to supporting people in learning to relax and moving towards freedom from pain. I specialize in injury treatment and rehabilitation, Reiki treatments, and pregnancy and postpartum massage.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is my favorite type of bodywork. Deep tissue slowly and deeply releases the muscle and connective tissue at its own pace. Changing solid to liquid by warming and melting the resistance. Mmmmmm. While a quicker or lighter massage might make you feel better for a day or two, a deep tissue massage is more transformative. Muscles don't bounce back to previous levels of tension, rather they stay lengthened. The slow pace of deep tissue massage is relaxing, while the depth of contact is very satisfying to most clients. Deep tissue massage isn't brutal "super deep" work as some suppose. It is about targeting areas of dysfunction and working on them effectively and at a depth that a client can comfortably tolerate.
Because of the slow pace of deep tissue massage, I recommend scheduling an hour and a half or two hour appointment if you want to receive a full-body massage rather than a focused treatment.
Injury Treatment
Whether it's a sports injury, whiplash or an on the job injury, when we've been injured it affects every aspect of our daily lives. My goal is to develop a plan with clients to steadily work towards returning them to a pre-injury state. I offer focused treatments that address the area of injury, as well as surrounding structures which influence both the strain and function of the injury.
I'm concerned about how clients are sleeping, how their work is impacted, and how they're coping with the frustration of losing some of their abilities. I want to make the maximum amount of change possible, without being so aggressive as to cause more damage. The techniques and modalities I use are an eclectic mix of deep tissue, myo-fascial release, circulation strokes, lymphatic drainage, and trigger point therapy. I blend these tools with a thorough understanding of the anatomy and movement to aid my clients.
As well as suggesting stretches, hydrotherapy, self-massage and other forms of self-care, I encourage my clients to connect with other avenues of support such as physical therapists, movement coaches, gentle exercise programs, etc. to maximize their recovery.
Pregnancy & Postpartum Massage and Therapy
I've been working with pregnant and postpartum women since I graduated from massage school in 1997. I became a doula and attended 11 births to better support and understand women during this amazing and physically challenging transition.
With specialized support cushions or a pregnancy massage table, I can help women relax while easing tension, releasing low back and hip muscles and soothing over worked feet. While receiving their treatment, women are encouraged to rest and if they'd like, feel free to talk about how they're feeling in this hormonally charged, emotional and transformative time. My goal is the holistic support of the whole woman.
After the birth, women need to be nurtured so they can nurture their little one. A good rest, a caring ear, and an understanding of the challenges of regaining one's body are the gentle offerings I like to provide women postpartum. During all phases of pregnancy and childbearing, I make sure that my clients have access to many resources and referrals. These include yoga classes, acupuncturists, naturopaths, midwives, OB-GYNs. My philosophy is that women should have personalized support that matches the unique beings that they are.
Reiki
I was introduced to Reiki energy healing when I was just 14 years old. I was stunned to find that I could treat myself and others for headaches, pain, insomnia and emotional pain. And all I had to do was place my hands on people. It seemed like magic, but there it was—in my hands and in the feedback of my friends. I entered massage school in 1996 with the goal of practicing Reiki professionally. After massage school, I studied Reiki II, and in 2000 I took my Reiki Master training. Reiki informs all the work that I do—it has vastly increased my intuition when treating my clients both in how I touch people and in what I discuss with them. It helps me tune into people and connect with them.
Reiki treatments are relaxing, rejuvenating and gentle. Reiki is an effective modality for any physical, emotional or spiritual deficit or pain. Reiki clients lie on the massage table and often drift into a near sleep state as healing energy is channeled into the body so it can restore itself. Immune system function improves (t-cell counts have been shown to increase in cancer patients), pain and inflammation decrease, busy minds get quiet, stress melts away, and energy (or chi) flow is improved.
Reiki is a fantastic treatment for anyone in this busy, fast-paced world. But there are also specific populations that might find Reiki a particularly good fit. Because it's unnecessary for Reiki clients to undress, Reiki is a suitable treatment for abuse survivors and others that might be uncomfortable with the vulnerability of a regular massage session. Because the treatment is so gentle, it is great for the very ill that cannot tolerate a more assertive touch.
Talk Therapy
I have pursued further education and training in counseling and mental health therapies to treat more of the whole person in my work. I am currently offering counseling services and Integrative Therapy. Integrative Therapy is my holistic approach to intuitively and creatively working with clients to address mind, body and spirit in a dynamic way.
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