I practice an integrative form of massage and therapeutic bodywork. This means I blend different techniques into each session; no two massages or bodywork sessions are the same. The approach and techniques used will depend on your goals and desires for the session, as well as what tissue restrictions or somatic patterns I find in your body. Before each session, we will talk about what is going on in your body and choose an approach that best meets your needs at the time.  

 

Connective Tissue Massage

All the structures of our body are surrounded, supported, and protected by connective tissue, also known as fascia. Connective tissue is a continuous elastic sheath that provides structural support for all our bones, muscles, tendons, and organs. When our connective tissue is healthy it is pliable and hydrated, letting our muscles, tendons, and organs slide over each other and allowing for uninhibited movement. Stress from injury, postural habits, trauma, and imbalanced repetitive movement can result in the connective tissue becoming short, dense, and/or dehydrated--the muscles then become “glued” together, which inhibits movement. Connective tissue massage techniques work to coax the fascia back into a soft, pliable state and to help achieve coordination, balance, and tone within the fascial system. The result? Greater flexibility, resilience, and postural alignment, which lessens the body’s susceptibility to injury and pain.

​

Neuromuscular Therapy

This therapeutic technique is used to release trigger points in acute or chronically contracted muscles and tendons. A trigger point is a hyper-irritable spot in the connective tissue that is filled with a collection of cell waste due to the contraction of knots in the muscle fibers, which cut-off blood supply to the area. Releasing the contraction of a muscle or tendon allows that area to come into a state of greater function, ease, and flexibility. If muscles and tendons remain contracted over long periods of time, they are vulnerable to pain, dysfunction, and injury. Neuromuscular Therapy is helpful in preventing injury as well as treating areas that have already experienced injury or dysfunction.   

​

Swedish Massage

The main intent of Swedish massage is to increase blood circulation and promote relaxation. The techniques used are rhythmic and flowing, which encourages the soft tissues and central nervous system to release patterns of stress and enter into a state of relaxation and ease. Swedish massage also helps boost the immune system and prevent injury from overuse and chronic muscular contraction.

​

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation 

These techniques combines passive stretching and isometric contractions to help release neuromuscular holding patterns and reset the muscles. I incorporate these techniques into the massage to bring balance to muscle holding patterns and overall length. 

. 

Prenatal Massage

Massage can help reduce pregnancy discomforts, encouraging relaxation and well-being for both the mother and fetus. The techniques used in prenatal massage are gentle, soothing, and flowing, benefiting the mother and fetus physiologically and emotionally. I require a physician’s approval prior to a prenatal massage session.

​

Somatic Experiencing 

Somatic Experiencing is a trauma informed, body-oriented therapeutic model that aims to resolve symptoms of stress, shock, and trauma that accumulate in our bodies. Trauma may be a result of acute stress or the end product of cumulative stress over time. Somatic Experiencing assess where a person is "stuck" in flight, fight or freeze responses and helps the body's physiology release, recover, and become more resilient. It does this by facilitating the completion of self-protective motor responses and the release of thwarted survival energy, which gets bound in the body/nervous system. As these "stuck" responses release and more resiliency develops, there is a ripple effect to the physiology of one's body on both physical and emotional levels. 

​

CranioSacral Therapy

CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, light touch approach that releases tensions in the central nervous system so that every other system in the body can relax, self-correct, and free itself from pain and discomfort. The craniosacral system is comprised of the membranes and the cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Restrictions in the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid affect the function of the central nervous system and the body’s ability to resolve stress. This can lead to dis-ease or pain in other parts of the body. CranioSacral techniques help restore and rebalance the craniosacral system, release connective tissue restrictions, and calm the central nervous system. CranioSacral sessions tend to be incredibly relaxing and are based on the premise that the body is self-healing.

​

Hot Stone Massage

As the name suggests hot stones are used in this type of massage therapy. Smooth heated stones are placed on specific points on your body and are also held in the therapists hands as different strokes and techniques are applied.  The heat and weight of the stones warm and relax your muscles allowing for the application of deeper pressure to areas of tension. Like Swedish massage the techniques tend to be rhythmic and flowing with the therapist alternating between the use of stones and the use of their hands.  Most people find hot stone massage to be deeply relaxing and especially blissful during the cold months.  Each hot stone massage is tailored to the individual. Some people just want to relax while others prefer to have deep tissue work incorporated into the session. 

​