Modality Descriptions

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release therapy works to relieve tension in the connective tissue of the muscles, allowing the muscle fibers to unwind naturally. Slow, steady pressure is applied along with sustained stretching to soften and lengthen the connective tissue over and through the muscles. This modality is highly effective for addressing physical trauma/rehabilitation, scarring, inflammation, and compressed nerves. It can be adapted to all pressure levels, making it suitable for a wide range of clients.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Stretching

PNF stretching is an advanced form of flexibility training that combines the stretching and contracting of targeted muscle groups. This technique enhances the brain's ability to sense the body's movements and positions, and it's ideal for improving flexibility, muscular strength, and neuromuscular function, promoting muscle synergy. However, it very temporarily decreases performance and increases the risk of injury, so it is best used for rehabilitation, workout recovery and regular stretch training, but not as a pre-exercise routine.

Neuro-Affective Touch (nat)

Neuro-Affective Touch is a polyvagal-informed, psychobiological approach to bodywork. It addresses emotional, relational, and developmental deficits that verbal communication alone cannot reach by emphasizing the primary role of the body in healing. NAT is particularly effective for issues like PTSD and developmental trauma by fostering a conscious and compassionate relationship between the mind and body. While I am not formally trained in this modality, I integrate body awareness and breathing cues into my sessions to support similar outcomes.

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy is an alternative form of bodywork that supports the central nervous system’s ability to self-heal, using meditative “holds'' instead of typical massage strokes; it is not a massage.‎ ‎ Therapists observe the movement of fluid in the body and engage the breath to ease clients out of fight or flight and into a space of stillness and deep rest.‎‎ ‎ These gentle “holds” (and the intention behind them) harmonize with the movement of fluid, working to unwind the nervous system from hyperalertness, compressing holding patterns and tension tied to trauma.
Breathwork helps clients connect to their internal rhythm and true pace, yielding a stronger and deeper sense of peace and self-worth; addresing miss-alignments in the nervous system boosts health and immunity.‎ ‎ This is great for all ills—anxiety, PTSD, GI issues, motor coordination and autoimmune disorders, etc...or to unwind, reset and rest.

Polarity Therapy

Polarity therapy is another energetic form of bodywork, and like craniosacral therapy, it is not massage.‎‎ ‎ This modality is based on the belief that positive and negative charges in the body's electromagnetic field regulate its energy.‎ ‎ It involves gentle bodywork (mainly holding and tapping) exercises and self-awareness, and can be used to address conditions like anxiety, depression, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.

Percussion Therapy

In percussion therapy, a massage gun is used to deliver rapid, repetitive and reciprocating pressure to stimulate the mechanoreceptors in nerve endings that tell the brain to deactivate holding patterns in the muscles and joints.‎ ‎ This is great for rehabilitation and can assist with workout recovery, enhancing proprioception and increasing mobility.‎ ‎ Percussion is also effective in relieving nerve sensastion issues after injury or surgery.

Reflexology

Nerves connect the skin to internal organs, and the body’s entire nervous system adjusts to outside factors (like touch).‎ ‎ Reflexology (also called "zone theory") is based on the idea that the hands, feet and ears are connected to certain organs and body systems, and stimulating the external points promotes wellness for the corresponding interal points.‎ ‎ 60 minutes of reflexology for the feet can leave your entire body feeling rebalanced and rejuvenated..

Cupping/Decompression

Cupping helps treat musculoskeletal disorders by using suction to create negative pressure that decompresses the area, lifting the connective tissue into the cup to create space for the underlying muscle to unwind.‎ ‎ It can help correct movement patterns, address myofascial or soft tissue dysfunction, break up and reduce scar tissue formation, increase blood flow and release trigger points.‎ ‎ Painless bruising can last 5-10 days.‎ ‎ As damage to smaller structures like lymph capilaries is common with this kind of decompression, routine treatments are not recommended. Switching modalities mid-session is always an option.

Temporomadibular Joint Dysfunction (tmjd) Therapy

To treat lock-jaw, pressure is applied to muscles in and outside of the mouth.‎ ‎ It's more comforting and relieving than it sounds and I can personally attest to the power of this modality.‎ ‎ Most clients wear a straighter smile after the first session. Weekly treatments are recommended for those who struggle with bruxism.

Sports Massage

Sports massage assists athletes training, rehabilitation, and pre or post-performance goals by systematically targeting muscles that are used in a specific sports.‎ ‎ It involves various techniques that decrease muscle pain, improve recovery and enhance overall flexibility.

Deep Tissue

Elbows and forearms are used to apply slow, direct and intense pressure to reach the tension stored far beneath the muscle's surface.‎ ‎ It can be helpful in treating musculoskeletal issues, breaking up scar tissue and addressing sports injuries.‎ ‎ The intense pressure this modality calls for is damaging to smaller structures like lymph capillaries and is not recommended for every session.

Swedish Massage

This is your quintessential relaxation experience, featuering light to medium pressure and flowing, connected strokes to relieve tension and rehydrate tissue with increased circulation. ‎ If you are needing a mental escape, look no further.