“so… what kind of massage do you do?”
Each session is tailored to the client and their needs for that session. My favorite wheelhouse is an integrated blend of the slower, more intuitive modalities (like myofascial, deep pressure, and neuromuscular techniques), though I have also received training in pregnancy, hydrotherapy, deep tissue, lymphatic facilitation, injury treatment, sports massage, and Muscle Energy Techniques.
Each of these is detailed a bit below, to give you a better understanding of what that modality may feel like and what to expect (or ask for!). There is no additional cost for any of these styles or treatments, but it’s good to keep in mind that some of them will take up more time than others.
Swedish
Swedish massage is a style that focuses on relaxing the whole body by releasing muscle tension. It’s often thought of as the “classic massage,” and the emphasis is on comfort and soothing the nervous system through repetitive strokes and patterns. Swedish massage therapy uses softer strokes on the bonier and more delicate parts of the body, and stronger strokes where there is thicker muscle coverage. The therapist will typically apply lotion or oil to the body to help reduce friction against the skin and make strokes feel smoother. Some of the techniques used are: stroking, gliding, kneading, or vibration (i.e. tapping). Swedish massage tends to be a full-body experience, addressing each section of the body in similar patterns intended to help deepen the client’s relaxed state.
myofascial
Myofascial massage focuses on the connective tissue (fascia) that surround your muscles and bones. This style is typically done without lubricant, so the therapist can s l o w l y engage fascial tissue with sustained pressure, which will stretch, soften, and release tension. Some techniques include applying pressure to specific points, broad stretches over large area of fascia, and muscle rolling. Myofascial massage can be incorporated into most sessions, and can help address issues like fibromyalgia, sciatica, headaches, and chronic pain. This work may feel subtle or light (especially in comparison to other styles), or you may notice changes occurring away from the site the therapist is working on (i.e. feeling release at the hip while the therapist is working closer to the knee).
neuromuscular techniques
Neuromuscular techniques focus on locating and treating trigger points, muscle adhesions, and fascial patterns creating tension and pain. This work tends to be specific to the areas of the body that are causing the pain you are experiencing, and focuses on releasing trigger points through sustained pressure. While this work may not be as relaxing as a Swedish massage, pain is not the goal. Clients will be asked feedback throughout the session to ensure pressure remains at a “moderate spicy,” not “I have forgotten how to breathe” pain.
pregnancy massage
Creating a small human takes a big toll on your body, but massage can absolutely help relieve pain, tension, and stress! This massage will often involve side lying positioning, and uses a blend of Swedish, myofascial, and neuromuscular to help the client relax and ease discomfort.
hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is a technique that utilizes water at various temperatures for therapeutic effects. Changing water temperatures has a big effect on blood flow, which in turn can improve healing time. For example, using a hot water bottle on a client’s shoulders for several minutes can help loosen restrictions before beginning the massage, making it easier to get to areas holding tension.
deep tissue
Deep tissue massage uses sustained, deep pressure to target inner layers of muscles, treat musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain, and help break up old scar tissues (affectionately referred to as “crunchy bois” or “this asshole knot that lives in my shoulder”). Clients will receive frequent check-ins during this session about intensity of pressure, as the goal is to work together for an experience that is intense and effective without becoming painful.
And here’s a bonus for getting so deep into this page.
lymphatic facilitation
Lymphatic facilitation is a form of massage that supports the healing process by increasing lymph flow, decreasing edema and swelling, and improving the function of the nervous, lymph and muscular systems. This type of massage involves light, repetitive strokes along lymphatic structures of the body, and compression. Lymphatic facilitation can help people recover more quickly from sprains, strains, sore muscles, acute injuries, surgery (requires doctors permission), and swollen ankles. This service can be incorporated into other massage modalities, but it’s important to note that this is process employs a very specific protocol of repetitive, light strokes, and will feel quite different from other types of massage. Please keep in mind that this can take up to 20 minutes, depending on where the injury is located on the body.
injury treatment
Massage can play a very important role in injury recovery, by helping relieve acute pain, increasing range of motion, and help break down scar tissue. Massage can help a range of injuries including: sprains, strains, broken bones and muscles tears. The most common types of massage used for injury include remedial massage, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage and sports massage.
Please note that some injuries are contraindicated for massage, and that I am unable to diagnose or prescribe treatment. If you have been injured recently, please check in before our session so we can ensure the best treatment plan for your recovery.
sports massage
Sports massage tends to feel a little more energized, and can be a great option for healing or preventing a sports-related injury. This style utilizes techniques like rhythmic compressions, jostling, stretching, and deep pressure.
muscle energy techniques
Muscle Energy Technique is a more active type of treatment, where the client and therapist work together to lengthen tight muscles. The therapist will ask the client to engage the target muscle in a specific way while they apply light resistance. This takes advantage of a phenomenon of the neuromuscular system where as soon as the muscle is released it becomes inhibited for a short period, during which time the therapist will be able to gently stretch the muscle to increase its length. Muscle Energy Technique can also be used in opposition, where the client contacts an opposing muscle. This will automatically relax the target muscle (sneaky!), at which point it can be encouraged to relax further with a gentle stretch.
certifications
Breast Tissue Massage (2021)
Certified per WA’s requirements to administer massage to breast tissue on all bodies.
Breast tissue is an integrated part of the chest and shoulder girdle (on all bodies). Anatomical borders of breast tissue starts at the clavicle, extends to the center of the chest along the sternum, down to ribs 6 or 7, and stretches all the way over to the armpit (hanging out with the latissimus dorsi and subscapularis muscles). Because this tissue has such expansive territory, it can be incredibly useful to include massage in this area for issues like posture/back/shoulder pain, nerve impingement, joint inflammation, restricted breath or breathing conditions, whiplash or car crash injuries, anxiety, etc., not to mention breast-specific issues such as breast pain, pre-menstrual swelling, lactation, surgery, breast cancer treatment support and recovery, etc. This work can be done over clothes, over sheets, or with direct skin contact. Per state requirements, this work will involve a written consent form signed with every session that incorporates breast tissue massage (yes, even if you have signed the consent form a week ago at your last treatment, it must be signed again).
Massage in this area will often be a combination of different modalities, tailored to each client’s session needs. For example, a client with back pain may benefit more from a musculoskeletal approach (which will feel more like a Swedish massage, with broad strokes, lifting strokes, and site-specific pressure over “stuck tissues.” Basically - a back massage on the front of your body), while a client recovering from surgery or a recent injury would benefit more from incorporating lymphatic massage (which will feel lighter and more repetitive). Please note, this is not a sensual massage. It is totally normal to feel relaxed and really enjoy this kind of work, but any client that attempts to cross professional boundaries (for example, asking for genital stimulation) will prompt the therapist to immediately end the session, with the full payment due from that client.
On a personal note, I am THRILLED to be able to offer this work to my clients and will happily wax on about additional benefits, breast tissue care, the benefits of normalizing breast tissue care, and can also teach you a very lovely self-massage sequence that doubles as an excellent way to monitor your own breast health between sessions.
Cupping is a “reverse pressure” massage: cupping lifts and separates adhered layers of tissue, restores blood flow, stimulates the lymphatic system, promotes deep relaxation, and facilitates healing in hypertonic tissue. It can feel intense, similar to deep pressure work, and may leave marks on the body that resemble bruising (they will not feel tender or painful, though, like a bruise might).
massage cupping (2023)
intraoral massage (2023)
Intraoral targets muscles for treatment inside the patient's mouth (😮). The therapist wears a medical exam glove and slowly and gently treats the targeted muscles with light pressure. This work is gentle, slow, and incredibly beneficial for conditions like: addressing TMJ disorder, headaches, whiplash, balancing the jaw and anterior neck to improve bite and chewing, and emotionally-related jaw problems (e.g. all my fellow anxious beans unconsciously clenching their jaws right now).
coming soon:
I am always curious about new techniques, tools, and modalities! I love receiving new tricks, techniques, and frameworks from sessions with other bodyworkers, in-person classes, and all kinds of online resources (from AMTA online courses to TikTok). Keep an eye on this page for updates as my repertoire expands!