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Modalities
Like many western-style massage therapists who have continued their education past their initial schooling, I practice Integrative Massage, which means that I integrate techniques from a number of different modalities, or styles of bodywork, rather than performing sessions of one pure style.
Typically, people begin coming to see me to address a particular pain condition. After a series of anatomically-focused sessions to address that condition, some clients transition to a regular schedule of full-body preventive wellness massages. Others see me occasionally for tune-ups, or to deal with acute flare-ups caused by travel, snow shoveling, etc.
Some of the benefits of massage are cumulative. A regular schedule of preventive wellness massage will not only address the areas of tightness that eventually bloom into noticeable pain as they arise in your body, it also decreases anxiety, enhances sleep quality and digestion, and helps you manage the stress that is unavoidable in our fast-paced society.
Downloadable brochure: The benefits of frequent massage
Intent is important in designing a session. While nearly any massage modality will have general effects on lymph circulation, muscles and fascia, there are modalities which address each system specifically. If the intent is to specifically improve the flow of lymph (whether to reduce swelling or boost immunity) I will primarily use strokes from Lymphatic Drainage. If the intent is to release taut bands of contracted muscle, I will primarily do Trigger Point work. If the intent is to release fascial restrictions (fascia surrounds each cell, each fiber, each muscle and each organ), I will primarily employ Myofascial Release.
How Long is a Session?
A full body massage, such as the preventive wellness massage described above, will typically require a 60 minute session, and will involve a majority of Swedish Massage, enhanced with strokes from other modalities, such as trigger point work on occasional "knots". A full body massage that also includes several assisted stretches will typically require a longer session (such as 90 minutes). If there is a significant amount of specific work needed on an area, 60 minutes becomes insufficient for a full body massage. Work in other areas may be shortened or omitted to fit into a 60 minute session, or the session time could be extended. If you are new to massage (especially if you are a senior), or tend to experience rebound pain from exercise (which happens to some people with conditions like fibromyalgia), beginning with a 30 minute session dedicated to just upper body or lower body would be advisable.
Swedish Massage
 Swedish massage (or classic massage - as it is actually no more Swedish than french fries are French) is my base style of massage. It uses a system of long strokes, kneading, friction, percussive and vibration techniques on the more superficial layers of muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints. It is used primarily for full-body sessions and promotes general relaxation, improves blood circulation and range of motion, and relieves muscle tension.
Oil or gel and lotion are used to reduce friction and keep the strokes smooth. Please let me know if you are allergic to nuts, so I know to choose hypoallergenic products for your massage.
 I can also do a massage entirely devoted to relaxation and energy balancing. Oceanic in rhythm, with long flowing strokes, light kneading and gentle rocking, the ethic of sensory awareness and integrating the whole body especially informs this style of work. Stay in the experience of the current moment.
Trigger Point and Frictioning Work
 Definition: "A myofascial trigger point is defined as "a hyperirritable spot, usually within a taut band of skeletal muscle or in the muscle fascia, that is painful on compression and that can give rise to characteristic referred pain, tendereness, and autonomic phenomena"
Less technically, trigger points are "knots" and are responsible for lot of pain. As Paul Ingraham states, "That small patch of knotted muscle is stagnant and swampy, literally clenching off its own blood supply, a vicious cycle called 'metabolic crisis.'". When the trigger points are released, the muscle is able to elongate to its proper length and pain is relieved. The "knot" is often not where the pain is felt, so it is important for the therapist to understand "referral patterns" to know where to look for the trigger points. They can be caused by a variety of factors including accidents, over-use or under-use of muscles, ergonomic imbalances in the home or workplace, or structural imbalances in the body.
But trouble does not only occur in muscles. It can also occur in the tendon where the muscle attaches to the bone. Overuse conditions such as tendinosis (collagen degeneration). As this results from excessive load on collagen, taking the load off is important. To the extent that taut bands are shortening the muscle, releasing those knots can be helpful. In addition, cross-fiber frictioning and myofascial spreading strokes break up collagen cross-linking, reduces fibrosis, increases blood flow which helps remove metabolic wastes.
General Information about Myofascial Pain
Encyclopedic Sites describing conditions
Myofascial Release
Information coming soon...
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
 Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a light pressure massage directed along the paths of the lymph vessels, using special strokes derived from the work of Dr. Vodder. Lymphatic Drainage is designed to help alleviate edema, accumulations of interstitial fluid in the tissues. Even if you are not experiencing water retention, this style of massage still might be for you. For instance, if you find that you are catching colds easily every time the seasons change, your immune system may be sluggish. This style of massage will assist your body to detox. Improved flow of lymph can help your body fight allergies, viral and bacterial infection and other common sinus problems.
Note: My training is in Practical Lymphatic Drainage, which is targeted to essentially healthy individuals. I have not been through the 135 hour course of training to become certified by the Lymphology Association of North America (LANA). If you are experiencing severe clinical lymphedema, it would be more appropriate for you to see a therapist certified to that level in Manual Lymph Drainage or Complete Decongestive Therapy, as these exceed my own scope of practice. Such therapists are listed at the National Lymphedema Network site or at the LANA site.
Assisted Stretching
While a certain number of assisted stretches were part of my initial training, and I have been doing yoga for several years, I have recently been doing more focused studying of various types of stretching, including Active Isolated Stretching. I am in the process of developing a full-hour session that is dedicated to invigorating and revitalizing rather than relaxing you.
My intent with this new session is to provide something that is especially great for a lunchtime recharge or a study break.
More information coming soon...
Chair Massage
 If you don't feel you have time for a traditional table massage, you could have a seat on my special massage chair, and I can work on you right through your clothes. (I don't use oil with this style, so there is no concern with staining.) This is a great work or study break, typically 10 to 20 minutes focusing on the head, neck, shoulders, back, arms and hands. You may have seen this form of massage being done at trade shows or airports.
 Chair massage evolved out of a Japanese technique called anma. It was popularized by David Palmer in San Francisco, who created the world's first massage-specific chair in 1986. His intent was to revolutionize touch therapies, allowing anyone to get worked on without taking off their clothes, at nearly any location.
Brochure to learn more about Chair Massage
What about Deep Tissue Massage?
You may have heard of Deep Tissue Massage. Unfortunately, this term has so many different meanings between different massage therapists, it is effectively meaningless (its most accepted meaning today is that it costs $10 more at a spa).
 The term arose out of the tradition of Rolfing (a modality of Direct Myofascial Release). In your body, muscles are built up in layers, some of which are superficial and some of which are deep. For instance in the area of your rear pelvis, you have superficial gluteus maximus, and deep piriformis. Deep Tissue could mean massage that is intended to obtain tissue lengthening and release in a deep layer of muscle, requiring deep pressure in that one spot. Frictioning tendinous insertions of muscles is also perceived by most clients as deep work. These forms of deep tissue I do. I use the amount of pressure required to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. I prefer precision over force. I do tend to enter deeper layers very slowly and at an oblique angle to minimize pain and frequently use myofascial lifting strokes in addition to compressive and frictioning strokes.
To some people, Deep Tissue means a massage that primarily uses deep pressure, over the entire body, and throughout the entire session. This form is not my speciality. As I am connecting strokes across the body, I am generally working with medium pressure. All-over deep work is not wrong, it is just a style that I currently prefer to refer out. I have on my radar for future continuing education acquiring training in a form that uses the feet to deliver all-over deep pressure.
In the meantime, if you prefer all-over deep pressure work, you might want to check out the Japanese/Hawaiian bodywork form called Seifukujutsu or Okazaki Restorative Massage, which uses alot of strokes done with the elbows. Chuck Segard is a local therapist who does this modality. Another style, a total-body cross-fiber treatment with a great deal of thumb work, is called Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy. Scott Dorsey is a local therapist who does this modality.
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