The hallmark of my practice is integrating a wide array of techniques that I also enjoy and find to be deeply therapeutic. By drawing for many modalities, I offer my clients flexibility and creativity in every session.
A description and glossary of the modalities that I offer:
The use of hot stones for healing, dates back to ancient times. During a session, I use a combination of stones and my hands to give a well-balanced massage. The moist heat warms, relaxes, and moisturizes muscle tissue, which encourages faster release of tension. This allows me to work muscles and fascia deeply, without pain. The penetrating warmth of the stones improves circulation, flushes toxins, and calms the nervous system in a profound way.
Stones are used in primarily three ways during a session. Some stones are placed on key areas of the body and on areas that are particularly tense. I also place stones in the palm of my hand and perform strokes where they move along the body. Most people's favorite stroke of the session involves two stones moving from the shoulders to the feet and back again. When we find areas of hypertonicity, trigger points, or "knots," the stones are a great tool to melt and release this tension away.
I incorporate Hot Stones into most massage sessions as they are highly recommended for maximum benefits.
This classic style of massage uses long flowing strokes called effleurage, vibration, tapotement, and wringing strokes called petrissage. It is a very relaxing massage that is helpful in reducing pain and stiffness. With most strokes flowing in the direction of the heart, it increases circulation, blood oxygenation, and allows metabolic waste to be removed from body tissues.
Deeper and more specific form of bodywork that aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body by using slower strokes and deep pressure on tense musculature and fascia. This style of bodywork uses techniques for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia, integument, muscles, and bones with the goals of eliminating pain, increasing range of motion and balancing the body. Fascial manipulation allows the connective tissue fibers to reorganize themselves in a more flexible, functional fashion. Clients may be asked to move while I work to increase the overall effectiveness.
A wide range of techniques increase mobility, flexibility, and ease of motion. Stretches may be performed passively to a comfortable range while the client relaxes and focuses on breathing. Resistance may also be used, helping to engage the affected muscle to encourage it to release. Vibration and jostling while moving help the nervous system to release the unnecessary engagement of a particular joint. Traction increases space in the joint capsule and is enjoyable to receive.
Reflexology is based on the idea that the entire body is mirrored in the feet and hands. This is related to the meridian system in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. Pressure is applied to various reflex points in the feet and hands in order to stimulate or relax glands, organs, and other areas in the body. It is very relaxing and pleasant to receive.
In comparison to massage, Structural Integration focuses not on the muscles but on their protective layer, called fascia (also known as connective tissue). Muscles are contracting tissues that give the body and organs physical movement. The fascia surrounds the muscles, bones and organs in the body. The fascia gives muscles their shape and the body its structure.
In the west, Thai Massage is becoming known a fantastic new bodywork experience for many people. In the east however, it is a tradition that dates back about 2000 years. This unique form of massage is done on a mat on the floor. No oils or lotions are used, and the receiver is dressed in loose clothes.
This elegant healing art has many influences; it's dance-like quality is similar to a martial arts routine between the practitioner and recipient. The practitioner gently guides the recipient into different stretched or yogic postures, using all parts of their two bodies as a system of levers and pulleys. This leaves one with the feeling of having yoga done to you.
Thai Massage's rhythmic rocking gently relaxes as the practitioner helps open any constricted areas of energy flow in the recipients body through coaching of breath. It increases the range of motion in all the joints and stimulates circulation and energy flow with the use of accupressure massage along the energy lines of the body, leaving the recipient feeling refreshed and energized. It helps to reverse the stiffening in the body from age.
Thai Massage is a holistic treatment which addresses a variety of complaints; injuries, tight muscles, poor posture, low energy, headaches, even anxiety and depression. Because the acupressure massage follows energy lines in the body which stimulate the internal organ system, Thai Massage is effective for treating such things as digestive disorders and helps to balance and release suppressed emotions.
Renowned for its therapeutic qualities and sometimes referred to as "Lazy Man's Yoga," this session is inspired by and similar to Traditional Thai Massage. it is best described as a 'rhythmic dance' that soothes, energizes, and rejuvenates the body. There is more emphasis on yoga-like stretches than pressure point work and most massage is received while in stretches. There is a lot of movement associated with this modality and work is performed while on a cotton mat on the floor.
Trigger Points are hyper-irritable spots in skeletal muscle that are painful when compressed. They prevent full lengthening of a muscle and can limit range of motion. They may or may not hurt all the time but can give rise to referred tenderness, motor disfunction (spasm, weakness, loss of coordination) and autonomic phenomena (pale, cold skin / red, flushed skin / goosebumps / burning feeling). Trigger Point Therapy consists of locating these spots and applying pressure to the client's tolerance threshold. Working with deep, slow breathing is a key component to shifting trigger points.
To assist in the healing process, I offer my clients personalized yoga postures, alignment techniques, stretches, and exercises. The regular practice of these techniques will increase body awareness and maximize the benefit received from the work. All techniques offered are designed to directly work with issues presented in the body. I aim to educate and empower clients to take an active role in reaching their wellness goals.
Therapeutic massage performed while client is fully clothed and comfortably seated in a specially designed chair. Sessions typically last 10-20 minutes. Great for office staff, parties, events, and fundraisers.
The skin is the largest and most important eliminative organ in the body. Dry brushing exfoliates and removes dead skin cells allowing for better detoxification of the body. In addition, dry brushing is known to stimulate the lympathic system and strengthen the immune system. It also leaves the skin feeling silky smooth!!
A scent-sational modality that affects both the emotional and physical body with essential oils, which is the pure essence of a plant. When inhaled, they immediately alter mood and allow for a deeper state of relaxation. I use only the highest quality organic (or wildcrafted) pure essential oils. Since use of words "aromatherapy" and "essential oils" are not regulated, it is possible for products to be sold claiming to be "aromatherapeutic" but are merely made of synthetic oils. Only pure plant essences have the volatile compounds that promote healing. I carefully research my suppliers and ensure my clients are receiving a truly aromatherapeutic experience.
Raindrop Technique uses powerful therapeutic grade (organic or wildcrafted) essential oils with antiseptic, immune enhancing, and oxygenating properties. Oils are first placed on spine reflexology points on the feet. The oils are dripped on the back like raindrops and massaged into the skin. A moist warm towel is placed on the back and kept warm with hot stones. The oils then interact with the warmth and begin to heat up. When the client's tolerance is met or approximately 10 minutes has passed, the stones and towels are removed. The oils then become refreshingly cold and remain tingly for a few hours. The aroma created by the oils and the experience of the temperature shift make this a truly unique and delightful experience.
Paraffin wax baths involve dipping a part of the body into melted parrafin wax. The soothing heat encapsulated by the wax, relaxes sore muscles, and tendons, reduce inflamation, and promote circulation in achy joints and connective tissues. It is recommended for a variety of ailments such as arthritis, bursitis, eczema, fribromialgia, tendonitis, fibrosistis, inflammation, muscle spasms, fatigued or sore muscles, psoriasis, scar tissue, stiff joints and tennis elbow. Paraffin also soothes and moisturizes the skin by opening up the pores and allowing the wax to coat the skin in a way that a cream is unable to and the moisturizing benefits last.
I use the Sunny Health & Fitness Heated Palm Percussion Massager to refocus the body's nervous system. Initially, the percussive action creates an excitatory response locally, sometimes even causing the muscle to tense or spasm especially hypertonic or tense areas. After a short duration, the percussion rhythm confuses the nervous system and the muscles relax, creating a soothing/numbing response.
The heated percussive massager also stimulates circulation within muscles and cell metabolism by flushing out metabolic by-products. It also invigorates tired, sore muscles, soothes chronically tense muscles, promotes edema drainage which reduces pain caused by fluid build-up in the muscles and promotes healing by stimulation the flow of nutrients to tissues.