Bodywork Modalities

This gentle, hands-on therapy features guided muscular unwinding and intentional holds along the cranium and the sacrum. Similar to kundalini yoga it balances the nervous system and improves your sense of vitality. It is a deeply relaxing technique that will melt tension from your body and leave you feeling as if you’re walking on a cloud.

CST interacts with cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that suspends your brain and spinal cord in vital nutrients. This fluid had a pulse of its own, just like your heart, and it is just as essential. Its’ flow can be interrupted by congestion or blockages leading to: hormonal imbalances, headaches, and heightened stress responses among other symptoms.

You may find relief from this type of therapy if you experience: headaches/migraines, PTSD/depression/anxiety, autoimmune conditions or fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome, neurological conditions, long-COVID, tinnitus or vertigo, or lasting side-effects of whiplash and concussions.

As we live our daily lives, we tend to get stuck in specific postures. This causes connective tissue, called fascia, to adhere to itself and other vital structures. Fascia is everywhere; it surrounds your organs, blood vessels, bones, nerves, muscles, and even your brain. This direct approach to bodywork observes fascial holding patterns and promotes the creation of space for postural improvement.

Some myofascial techniques include traction, compression, friction, and twisting to increase overall blood circulation. This allows for a gentle and effective expansion to be found within the body. MFR is beneficial for scars, inflammation, nerve dysfunctions, repetitive stress injuries, and the long-term effects of physical or mental trauma.

Lomi Lomi is a traditional Hawaiian modality that truly treats the body as whole. With long, flowing massage strokes it activates the parasympathetic nervous system and lulls you into a deep meditative state. The continuous flow echoes the rocking of ocean waves. Typically performed with warm oil, both forearms and hands are used to wash your stresses away with the tide.

While there are many styles of Lomi Lomi, I prefer to apply these techniques with a traditional spa drape similar to a Swedish massage. This incorporates underbody strokes for the shoulders and back, as well as abdominal massage if desired. Abdominal massage is key to addressing chronic lumbar discomfort and can relieve cramping during the menstrual cycle. It can be especially beneficial to re-align the diaphragm and pelvis for postural balance.

Massage Magazine describes Prenatal Massage as follows:

“Therapeutic bodywork that focuses on the special needs of the mother-to-be as her body goes through the dramatic changes of pregnancy. It enhances the function of muscles and joints, improves circulation and general body tone, and relieves mental and physical fatigue. The gentle, noninvasive approach of prenatal massage can ease discomfort associated with pregnancy, help the mother-to-be prepare for labor and give her nurturing emotional support.”

Offered only in 60-minute sessions unless your MD provides a note approving 90-minutes. This is due to the variable nature of pregnancies and risk-level with longer bodywork appointments. Clients in the first trimester may still lay on their stomach and back, but clients in second and third trimester will be side lying for the duration of the session.

If you are receiving a prenatal massage you will need to complete the Prenatal Consent and Release Form.

The Bodywise Clinic states:

“Sports Massage can be divided into four types: pre-event, post-event, maintenance, and rehabilitation. The athlete’s body responds differently to each type of massage, and therapists have a variety of techniques they can use to achieve the desired results.”

This type of therapy can improve the injury recovery timeline and assist in general injury prevention. Often this results in greater range of motion, improved muscle tone, and relief from limitations in muscular function.

Massage therapists cannot provide diagnoses and massage therapy is not a replacement for physical therapy, although they do work well in conjunction with each other.

Cupping originates in traditional Chinese medicine with the purpose of stimulating the flow of energy. Modern American application typically focuses on stimulating the circulatory system and lymphatic system, as well as releasing scar tissue or adhesions in connective tissue.

While the marks afterwards may appear similar to bruises they should not be tender to the touch. They generally fade within two weeks depending on the intensity of application and each individual's response. I recommend this type of bodywork to people with old injuries, prior surgeries, chronic pain or headaches, and athletes.

This complementary style of bodywork can be incorporated into most massage modalities if discussed in advance. There are some health conditions that contraindicate the use of cups. These are listed on the Cupping Consent and Release Form.

This CBD massage oil includes a soothing blend of Hempseed Oil, Comfrey, and Arnica. These three botanicals combine blissfully to relieve inflammation, reduce bruising or tenderness, and notably reduce the symptoms of arthritic joint pain.

It is important to note that this blend will not have any psychoactive effects. CBD impacts each individual to varying levels but you may experience enhanced relaxation as an added benefit.

The brand of CBD that I offer is produced by Lab+Blends CBD from Biotone Professional Massage and Spa Therapy Products.