It is my belief that it is a human right to access health care, including therapeutic massage.  While this struggle remains on a national level, on a personal level I am committed to providing massage therapy to those whose financial realities prevent them from accessing it.  I offer a sliding scale to those who need it; for those who are able to pay my full fee, I offer a unique opportunity to PAY IT FORWARD.  For every two full-fee sessions, I donate one session to someone who is unable to pay at all.  When you book with me, you can feel good not only through your own session, but also in knowing that you have given someone else the same gift.

Massage therapy is manipulation of the body in a way that promotes relaxation and healing.  The field includes a wide range of techniques, from the lighter touch of Swedish massage to the more intense deep tissue or trigger-point work. 

Although it is possible for the practitioner to lean heavily into a client's tissue, a 'heavy hand' is generally counter-productive to the healing process.  I believe that there is a qualitative difference between 'pain' and 'discomfort.'  For many clients, however, these words are synonymous.  A more gentle and gradual approach to bodywork allow space for a client to find their own 'edge' -- that place where the manipulation is a little bit challenging, but not painful or overwhelming.  That edge is the place of positive change.  Contrary to popular myth, massage therapy should not be painful.  When the body experiences pain, it automatically tenses up.  Muscles that are tense are protecting themselves from injury, and they will not allow the deeper touch of beneficial massage therapy. 

With my clients, I work on a 1 - 5 pressure scale, where 1 is 'barely noticeable' and 5 is 'too much - stop!'  I feel that working at a 3 to a 4 promotes the most blood circulation to the muscle tissue and also allows the body to explore what is beneficial discomfort versus unhealthy pain.  Each client has their own threshold, and it is important to respect and honor that.

I also use techniques from modalities that are very light (less than an ounce of pressure.)  That does not mean that your muscles are not being 'worked on.'  Often, the lighter work of manual lymphatic drainage is MORE effective at releasing tension than intense and potentially painful trigger-point therapy.  Before each sesion, I will check in about your preference, and during the session your body will inform the appropriate depth of pressure.

Regardless of the techniques, in every massage session, it is you (the client) not me (the therapist) who is in charge.  Your body has needs and wants; my role is simply to be a facilitator in your healing process.