About My Bodywork Techniques

I integrate a variety of massage techniques into my practice. These techniques are known to have a variety of beneficial effects for all systems of the body. Here you can read about the benefits of massage therapy. Based on your goals for our sessions, I use an eclectic blend of the following modalities:

Prenatal, Postpartum, & Labor Support Massage

The massage that I practice surrounding pregnancy and labor involves an integration of many of the modalities & techniques described on this page, with a focus on the specific needs and intricacies of the stage of pregnancy (or labor or postpartum). Read more about prenatal & postpartum massage. I use a variety of massage techniques during labor that can help to induce relaxation in the beginning stages in order to save energy for later, help to speed up labor that has slowed, reduce low-back and other physical pain during labor, and more. Read more about labor support massage.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is probably the most well known type of massage. It is usually what comes to mind when someone pictures a massage. This modality consists mainly of long flowing strokes, kneading, and joint movements designed primarily to increase blood and lymph circulation. In addition to improving circulation, Swedish massage increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues, enhances the removal of metabolic wastes, helps to relieve certain types of pain and muscle soreness, restores joint mobility, loosens scar tissue and adhesions due to injury and surgery, promotes relaxation, and soothes the nervous system.

Connective (Deep) Tissue Therapy (CTT)

A form of myofascial release, CTT is a relative of Rolfing® and Structural Integration®. Connective Tissue Therapy, commonly known as deep tissue therapy, works with the body's connective tissue (also known as fascia). This tissue essentially connects and surrounds everything in your body (including every individual muscle cell!) in one continuous network. The body's connective tissue can become tight, stiff and rigid, causing pain, lack of flexibility, and reduced range of motion. This can be caused by repetitive motions and overuse of certain muscles (for example, driving a car, typing, carrying a bag or purse on one arm, playing musical instruments, athletics, etc), surgery, trauma, poor posture, disuse or inactivity (such as sitting at a desk everyday). CTT works to soften and increase the fluidity of the body's connective tissue using the application of specific, slow, deep pressure, helping to reduce muscle spasm and pain, increase flexibility and restore range of motion. Over time with regular therapy, patterns of tension held on the myofacsial (muscular-fascial) level can be released.

Neuromuscular (Trigger Point) Therapy (NMT)

Another form of myofascial release, also known as trigger point therapy , this therapy works with the trigger points (commonly known as "knots") that form in muscle and connective tissue as a result of repetitive motion or overuse of certain muscles, emotional stress, trauma, injury, etc. Trigger points are extremely taught bands of muscle fiber that decrease circulation to that part of the muscle, causing the build-up of metabolic wastes and a decrease of nutrients and oxygen to the area, leading to pain, weakness in the muscle and reduced range of motion. Trigger points can also "refer" pain to other parts of the body which may present as headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, TMJ syndrome, fibromyalgia, sciatica, tennis elbow, and so on. Through precise and focused pressure to the trigger points, Neuromuscular Therapy counteracts the nerve impulse to the over-contracted fibers, allowing the muscle to relax and bringing much needed blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients back to the starved tissue. Over time with regular therapy, these pain and tension patterns can be interrupted and changed, reducing pain, restoring flexibility and range of motion, and leading to new possibilities for movement and activity.

Kinesthetic Awareness through Movement (KAM)

KAM is a relative of Trager®. This modality involves rhythmic, gentle, flowing, and playful rocking, swinging, stretching, shaking, and movement. The intention is to bring a sense of pleasure, playfulness, exploration, and ease into our bodies through the sensory experience produced through these movements. This modality can allow you to explore new possibilities for movement, activity, range of motion, and a general way of feeling in your body. It can help release deep-seated physical and /or emotional patterns and bring about a sense of deep relaxation, lightness, freedom, simplicity, and effortlessness.

Shiatsu

Also known as acupressure, Shiatsu (literally meaning "finger pressure") is a Japanese technique that involves stimulating points along the body's meridians (channels in which "Ki," or vital energy, travels throughout the body). According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ki can become stagnant at certain points along different meridians leading to a variety of physiological and psychological imbalances. The intention in Shiatsu is to help bring the body's Ki into balance by dispersing stagnant energy. Traditionally, Shiatsu takes place fully clothed on a mat on the floor. In my practice, however, I integrate Shiatsu into a typical session on a table, unless a client requests a full Shiatsu session on the floor.

Energy work

Energy work is a general category for a variety of energy techniques. In my practice, I integrate polarity therapy, reflexology, and work with the chakra, meridian, and craniosacral systems. The best way to describe my use of energy work during a typical session is a slow, gentle, receptive touch or hold with the intention of creating a space for physical and/or emotional shifts or releases that need to take place to happen in a peaceful and safe environment. The intention is to create a still, open, free space to allow for new possibilities (physical, spiritual, and emotional) to be explored on a conscious, unconscious, or energetic level.

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST)

BCST is a form of energy therapy that works with the central nervous system in order to affect the whole body, mind and spirit. Specifically, it is a gentle, non-invasive approach that involves sensing the rhythms of the cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that bathes the brain and the spinal cord) and simply holding a still and quiet space for the body's natural processes to bring about its own "treatment" based on the body's innate wisdom to heal itself.

Medical massage

Medical massage can involve a blend of a variety of modalities. It focuses on treating specific injuries, syndromes, or disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fascitis, shin splints, tendonitis, sprains/strains, and so on. Sometimes, medical massage may be prescribed by a physician in order to treat a diagnosed disorder.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy involves the therapeutic use of hot and cold water applications such as compresses and soaks. The therapeutic effects of hot and cold water applications are numerous. Benefits include: increased metabolism, immune response, and blood and lymph circulation, localized pain reduction, reduced swelling and inflammation at injury sites, and reduced muscle spasms, cramps, aches, and other chronic pain. During some sessions, I will utilize the application of hot or cold packs or warm foot baths either at the client's request or at my discretion for specific conditions.