I love learning new modalities, and since everybody is different, it makes sense to have lots of tools in the toolbox. That said, most people just want pain relief and don't care about the specific technique used. That's why I made it simple. All you have to do is choose the length of your session and I'll do the rest!
Click here to book an appointment, and we will find what is best for you!
Medical Massage (a.k.a. Orthopedic Massage)
Orthopedic/Medical massage therapy is a type of therapy that mixes various types of Advanced Manual Therapy techniques. These include but are not limited to, Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, Therapeutic Stretching, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, and Structural Integration.
Orthopedic/Medical Massage therapy is appropriate for anyone experiencing pain or tension or who would like to increase flexibility and performance. Orthopedic Massage and Clinical Manual Therapy are the rehab approaches for individuals looking for non-surgical, non-medication-based treatment for injuries.
Orthopedic/Medical massage therapy consists of three primary elements:
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Assessing clients' condition and needs
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Adapting the treatment to heal the source of pain
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Educating the client about self-care activities that will prolong the results of the therapy.
Deep Tissue Massage
This is an umbrella term for techniques that target the deepest layers of muscle and connective tissue. These techniques may be the best method for releasing tension and stubborn adhesions (muscle knots). Deep tissue massage is effective in relieving tight or painful muscles, postural compensations, and chronic overuse or repetitive movement injuries.
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Note: These more intense techniques may create a slight discomfort or soreness that lasts a couple of days before the actual relief is realized.
Cupping Therapy (a.k.a. Myofascial Decompression)
Cupping is an ancient medical treatment dating back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures. One of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, the Ebers Papyrus, describes how the ancient Egyptians used cupping therapy in 1,550 B.C.
One way to think about cupping is that it is the inverse of a deep tissue massage. Rather than applying pressure to muscles, the suction pulls skin, tissue, and muscles upward. The treatment is said to improve blood circulation, speed up healing, reduce pain, and ease muscle soreness. According to Dr. Houman Danesh, a pain management specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, cupping helps "jumpstart the body's natural healing process."
Note: Cupping may cause the skin to temporarily turn red, blue, or purple, especially if there is an injury or energetic blockage under the cupped area. The skin discoloration can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks but is rarely painful. Once the marks have cleared, the procedure can be repeated until the condition or ailment is resolved
Myofascial Release
An effective and long-lasting soft tissue therapy for treating skeletal muscle immobility and pain. This method engages the myofascial connective tissues (the tough membranes that wrap, connect, and support your muscles) and loads them with a constant force until a release occurs. Myofascial Release uses slow, gentle, and mindful techniques with subtle and incremental pressure, making it an ideal therapy for those unable or unwilling to undergo more vigorous techniques.
Myofascial Release is extremely effective in easing chronic pain, restoring mobility and range of motion, and is highly recommended for those suffering from fibromyalgia.
Note: Each Myofascial Release treatment session is performed directly on the skin without oils, creams, or tools. This enables the therapist to accurately detect fascial restrictions and apply the appropriate amount of sustained pressure to facilitate a release of the fascia.
Neuromuscular Therapy
Neuromuscular Therapy engages the relationship between the nervous and muscular systems to create reflex responses. All of the activity of the muscular system depends on the nervous system, which is the main control system of the body. By using the physiological relationship between nerves and muscles, we can change muscle length and kinesthetic perception.
Modalities include Trigger Point Therapy, Muscle Energy Techniques, and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
Sports Massage /
Therapeutic Stretching
Excellent for athletes and people at all levels of physical activity, sports massage uses techniques designed to enhance athletic performance and treat specific problems, injuries, and pain associated with sports activities.
When performed as a pre-event treatment, it stimulates blood flow to the muscles and increases flexibility to reduce the risk of injury. It is typically more vigorous than traditional massage. Post-event treatments are designed to stimulate cell growth in muscles, which speeds up tissue repair and reduces recovery time.
Note: This is the only form of bodywork I do where the client stays fully clothed, making it a favorite for first-timers.
Corrective Exercise, by its simplest definition, is movements or exercises chosen to correct a specific dysfunction, thereby minimizing or eliminating compensation and producing efficient movement patterns.
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Corrective Exercise works to correct:
1. Faulty joint alignment
2. Lack of stability
3. Poor motor control
Correcting a dysfunctional movement pattern will not only aid in the reduction of pain and tension, but it can also help prevent future pain and injuries.
Couples Massage
Do you both like deeper pressure? Teaming up with Bill Kraus of Cool River Massage, this match is made in heaven for deep tissue enthusiasts! Both therapists specialize in deep tissue techniques, sports massage, myofascial release, cupping therapy, and even Ashiatsu! We can do more relaxing techniques by request, but that is not what most clients ask for when they come to us. Our clients usually want deep, firm pressure through most or all of their sessions. Does this sound like you? You have found the right team to address your deep tissue needs. Open to any two-person party: Spouses, partners, friends, parent/child, etc.
BEMER is designed to improve circulation thereby supporting the body’s natural self-regulating processes. Blood is the body’s universal means of transportation. Oxygen, nutrients, chemical messengers (e.g., hormones), and immune cells are all transported through our blood. When our body’s cells, tissues, and organs are adequately nourished and metabolic waste products are removed, our bodies maintain a healthy balance and function properly. The optimal regulation of circulation is a prerequisite for ensuring good levels of health and fitness.
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