My Services

Oncology Massage

     For people living with or recovering from cancer, this massage is usually comfort oriented until the demands on your body are diminished. The effects of chemotherapy, surgeries and/or radiation may effect more than just the areas that were directly treated.   
     Touch therapy for people recovering from cancer needs to be adapted for your current condition. While deep tissue massage may have been helpful prior to cancer treatment, energy levels and tissue sensitivities may have changed. Pressure and length of massage need to be tested over a period of time to determine tolerance. These elements of massage will always be determined by you. You will receive a caring and comfortable massage adapted to your specific needs of the moment. Your comfort is the most important part of the massage.  
 
     If you are currently being treated for cancer or are a cancer survivor, and have had lymph nodes removed, you can be confident that my training in Oncology massage and Manual Lymph Drainage, will help me to serve your needs.  I am a Certifed Lymphedema Therapist (Vodder). I am also trained in the Chikly method. My training also includes Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, useful for scar reducation, relief from axillary web syndrome and adhesions.
     Please give me a call. I would like to help you.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage /CDT

Manual Lymphatic Drainage  (MLD) aims to gently and rhythmically move the lymph through the body, relieving pressure and enhancing the functioning of the lymphatic system. 
As both a preventative and remedial technique, MLD can be used for a wide variety of purposes
     *primary and secondary lymphedema (after removal of or           damage to lymph nodes, etc.)
     *faster recovery from injury
     *reduction of post surgical swelling 
     *fibromyalgia and chronic fatique syndrome
     *some auto-immune diseases
     *tinnitus/ Meniere's disease
     *scleroderma 
     *migraine headaches
     * much, much more... Contact me to find out if you can benefit from MLD.   
     I have been trained in the Both the Vodder and Chickley techniques. I  have also received training for treatment of axillary web syndrome.

Lymphedema is a condition in which swelling occurs due to excessive accumulation of protein rich fluid in the interstitial spaces, usually in the extremities.
Complete Decongestive Therapy usally involves two phases of treatment:
     Phase 1 is primarily focused on reducing the size of the area of swelling, restoring mobility and preventing infection through education and training in self care.    
     Phase 2 involves self care, exercise and follow-up to maintain skin health. 

Medical Massage

Medical Massage differs from regular Massage and Bodywork in that the treatment is specifically directed to treat conditions diagnosed and referred by a Medical Doctor, a Doctor of Osteopathy, a Naturopathic Physician, or Chiropractor. When a patient is referred with a prescription, it is important to translate the medical diagnosis from the physician into treatable pathologies, discovering the extent of injury or pathology and the involved muscles. (Pathology is the study of the nature and causes of disease, including structural and functional changes.)
     After taking a thorough history, with an injured patient, I will often look at the client/patient's posture in terms of balance. Through a series of tests, I compare front to back, side to side and superior to inferior, in order to discover which muscles are pulling the body off center. Postural muscles are a primary consideration. (According to Dr. Janda, M.D., postural muscles  shorten in response to stress. Phasic muscles lengthen.) The postural muscles will be sretched or lengthened, using a variety of techniques. The focus of this  treatment is on the specific areas of the body related to the diagnosis. 
     If the person being referred, has a chronic illness for which they are being treated by a Doctor, or if they are medically fragile, pregnant, elderly, in need of palliative care/symptom relief, or are in hospice care,there are other considerations to be addressed: medications, movement or positioning limitations, bone density, inflammatory processes (chronic or acute), stage of pregnancy, history of cancer, history of lymph node removal, history of radiation therapy, risk of cardio-vascular diseases, as well as any specific muscular condition for which the client will be treated.
     The therapist should have a basic understanding of various pathologies. This is useful in creating an appropriate massage plan in which the client/patient participates, to establish realistic goals.
 
     When working with people who have everything from annoying, to life threatening, medical or personal conditions, it has been shown that the power of touch can make a difference.    Our goal is to provide you with the maximum benefits of massage, that is both safe and comfortable. Your comfort is key to this process. 

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger Point Therapy is a style of bodywork that focuses on stimulating and releasing “trigger points” in your body.  Trigger points are tender areas of tension that occur in the belly of the muscle tissue, or their tendons.  These points are areas of increased neurological activity, which create painful "knots" During a session, focused pressure is applied through a variety of techniques in order to release your trigger points.  The effects can be  lasting and profoundly transformative.

Myofascial Techniques

     The myofascia is a connnective tissue that covers all parts of the muscles. By releasing the fascia, the muscle is often able to relax more completely.
     Myofascial techniques, because of their adaptability,  can be very useful in working with people who have: musculoskeletal disorders, fibromyalgia, and even cancer.  It can be used for either deep tissue  or extremely gentle work and can be very effectively used for axillary web syndrome after lymph node removal following breast cancer treatment. Myofascial techniques can be adapted for use in deep tissue work or very light work. As in all massage, techniques can be adapted to the needs of the individual.

Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing that cleanses and balances the energy patterns in the body. As a result, the body’s natural self-healing mechanisms strengthen, helping to establish optimum mental, emotional, and physical health.


  The Reiki technique utilizes a gentle laying on of hands to conduct the necessary energy force between us.  The benefits of Reiki range from the release of habitual mental/emotional stress to alleviating chronic pain.     
      Reiki can be useful for many conditions such as different types of cancer or when other forms of touch therapy would not be appropriate. It may be ideal for those times when most touch is too painful or stressful. It is an exellant way of helping those who can not be "massaged" because of a current condition such as complex pain syndrome or fibromyalgia. If the gentle touch of Reiki is still uncomfortable, Therapeutic Touch, a form of energy healing, developed by nurses, can be done without touching. It also has potential for calming, comforting, pain relieving and caring healing energy.

Palliative Care or Hospice Massage

Palliative Care is a multi-disciplinary plan of care for those with long term illnesses or complicated health needs. The health care team may include, nurses, doctors, ministers, accupuncturists, diaticians, physical therapists, caregivers and massage therapists. It is a team approach to health care.

Hospice is a comfort oriented approach to end-of-life care. Those who work with hospice patients, offer a compassionate approach to the process of dying. Caring touch/ massage can be a valuable addition to  quality of life.

Often people with chronic illness or those with pain and/or depression may become isolated by the nature of their disease, or from feelings of not wanting to be a burden to friends and family members. Massage therapy can contribute to the social, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of patients and care-givers alike. Gentle, soothing touch and presence provides comfort from a caring source.