Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage uses firm, slow pressure to reach the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, targeting chronic tension and knots. Special attention is paid to working the fascia and tight muscles to release tension.  

Benefits include relief from chronic pain, greater flexibility during physical activity, reduced muscle stiffness, improved circulation, and faster recovery from injury.

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) provides relief from chronic pain and the accumulative effects of stress, poor posture, injuries, and overall strains of life. 

Benefits include reduction or resolution of physical pain issues and emotional trauma, and it can be deeply relaxing. CST can resolve chronic issues and side effects due to old injuries, surgeries, and pain or movement problems with no known origin.

Specific conditions that CST has proven beneficial for include migraines, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, neck and back pain, TMJ pain, stress and tension-related issues, and emotional difficulties such as anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. 

Contraindications are few: Increased intracranial pressure, acute stroke (6-8 weeks), herniated medulla oblongata, concussion recent skull fracture (6-8 weeks), cerebral aneurysm, spina bifida (myelomeningocele), A-Chiari malformation, and cerebrospinal fluid leak. If you are not sure whether CST is right for you, check with your doctor.

During treatment the client is fully clothed and no oils or lotion are used. I evaluate and treat each person as an integrated totality and use gentle, non-invasive mobilization techniques. CST can be a standalone treatment or may be combined with Manual Lymph Drainage or received following focused cupping.

Manual Lymph Drainage

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) stimulates lymphatic flow to eliminate toxins, decrease swelling, and boost immune health.

Benefits include elimination of extracellular debris from the body, speeding up recovery from illnesses such as the flu and Covid, injury, or surgery. It is also deeply relaxing and one treatment can provide an overall sense of lightness and well-being.

Specific conditions that MLD can help include illnesses and conditions tied to the immune system, edema, pre-surgical prep, post-operative swelling and fibrosis, torn or strained tendons or ligaments, knee and hip injuries or replacement. MLD often helps certain physical issues that have no known origin. 

Contraindications include fever; cancer; acute inflammation; at least 2 years free of DVT; recent suture and incision sites; heart, liver or kidney failure; active infection; sites with skin irritation sites or open wounds; flu; COVID. If you are not sure whether MLD is right for you, check with your doctor.

During treatment the client is fully clothed and no oils or lotion are used. I evaluate and treat each person as an integrated totality and use gentle, non-invasive techniques. MLD can be a standalone treatment or may be combined with CST or received following focused cupping.

Cupping + Massage

Cupping + massage for soft tissue pain management is based on a traditional method that originated in Egypt or China. Plastic and silicone cups provide suction on the skin to decompress stagnant muscles and bring dramatic blood flow from superficial to deep layers of the muscle tissue. The blood brings in nutrients and warmth to the muscles, which alleviates stagnation, and leaves with the toxins, which the lymphatic system collects and moves out of the body. This treatment can be as deep or deeper than deep tissue massage, but it may not be as painful and the effects are often longer lasting.

Benefits include stimulating circulation and widening blood vessels, and allowing overworked or tight muscles to heal more quickly and release tension. Athletes (e.g., Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps) use cups before and/or after a workout or competition to increase flexibility, reduce muscle pain, and improve endurance and recovery times.

Specific uses for cupping include releasing general muscle tension, soft-tissue injuries, auto-immune conditions, breaking up scar tissue, migraine prevention/reduction, collagen production, respiratory issues, posture, herniated/bulging discs, lipomas, and frozen shoulder.

Contraindications are similar to those for massage therapy: Areas with rashes and other skin issues should be avoided; use of blood thinners except baby aspirin; active cancer treatment; areas with edema (try MLD or CST instead!); varicose veins; thin skin; presence of fever; active muscle cramps or spasms; spray-on tan. If you are not sure whether cupping is right for you, check with your doctor.

During treatment lotion or oil is used for applying the cups and a light massage is included before and after treatment. A treatment is either a full body experience or focuses on specific areas of the body. Cupping can be a standalone treatment or combined with MLD or CST.