Descriptions of the kinds of treatments I often utilize within a bodywork session.  Broadly my practice can be  best described under the umbrella of Deep Tissue, Sports, and Injuries Massage.  Within a session I may, and often do, also incorporate other tools such as cupping, gua sha, or other Asian Healing art techniques depending on the conditions presented.  These descriptions below are a way to demystify some practices that may not already be familiar to clients.

Deep tissue breaks apart patterns of holding, moving, and being in the body that are no longer serving the individual. It unravels some of the connections made in haste or in habit and allows the body to reconfigure, rethink, and reorganize. 

Deep tissue massage is the specific application of pressure to the body that addresses both the superficial and deeper layers of muscles and surrounding connective tissue. Various techniques of manipulation are used such as deep pressure, flushing, friction, trigger point relief, breaking apart of scar tissue, and tapotement (tapping or pounding on tense areas of the body). Specific injuries, pre/post surgeries, occupational stresses, and sport or hobby related stresses are addressed to uncover the root of discomfort or dis-ease in the structure.  

Cupping is an ancient healing art with origins in Egypt, Greece and China. Within this practice, glass, plastic or silicone "cups" are suctioned to the body along the spine, around the joints, or throughout areas of deeper tension and stagnancy in the body.  

Eastern Medicine proposes that cupping brings energy to areas that are deficient and disperses energy away in places of excess. Through a Western Medicine lens, cupping is said to bring up or disperse blood and debris from underlying muscles in areas that have become deficient or stagnant due to injury, posture, trauma, or repetitive stress. 

The results of cupping will be different for each individual. Cupping will often leave circular marks where the cups were placed, for 3-7 days following a session. These marks range from light pink in color to a deep red or purple depending on the age and/or severity of the condition in the area cupped. Marks fade away naturally through the lymph system, while an increase in water consumption, physical movement, and sweating will move them through faster.

Gua Sha is an ancient Asian Healing Art through which smoothed-edged tools made of various material — horn, bone, metal, wood, or stone — are run over areas of tension, breaking apart underlying scar tissue. This action moves energy in the body and flushes stagnant cellular debris. 

Gua Sha creates marks similar in color to Cupping marks, which naturally disappear through the lymph system. Because of Gua Sha's more superficial effect, the marks tend to fade within 1-3 days.

Ayurvedic and Chinese Healing Arts address conditions of the body with respect to the seasons, body type, energetic dis-ease, and the context of our surroundings. 

Ayurveda originated in India and holds the belief that our health lies in the balance between the mind, body, and spirit. Specific oils, liniments, and applications are chosen depending on the time of year, body type of the client, and type of condition presenting.  

Chinese Medicine utilizes the knowledge found in the elements of fire, metal, water, wood, and earth to understand and treat the conditions expressed through the physical body.  Lines of energy that correlate with the elements as well as the organ systems are focused on within a bodywork session depending again on the time of year, body type of the client, and type of condition presenting.