I grew up dealing with health issues that Western medicine failed to connect or cure.  I suffered from indigestion, joint pain, chronic sinus and throat infections and severe mood swings. I was given multiple rounds of antibiotics and eventually had surgery to remove my tonsils and adenoids. I was put on birth control at age 13 to regulate heavy periods and intense cramps, but the pill eventually caused my periods to disappear altogether. The normal functioning of my body was disrupted by taking these medications and I wasn't getting what I actually needed in order to heal.

 

My body was speaking a language I didn't yet understand.

Raised on the Standard American Diet, I ate primarily highly processed foods and very little vegetables, lean proteins and complex carbs. By the time I was finishing high school, I was struggling with chronic joint pain and looking for answers. I knew it wasn't normal to be feeling tired, weak and in pain for no apparent reason that a doctor could find.

​

At age 20, I discovered the healing power of food. I remember being blown away to connect that we are literally what we eat! The nutrients provided in fresh, natural foods are broken down and are used to create the cells in your body. I became fascinated with learning how the human body functions and what makes it work better. I've continued following this journey for over 20 years with the goal to be able to help myself and others live better, feel better, heal better.

​

Originally, I pursued education in nutrition and became a holistic health coach, working in the health food industry for a number of years. Eventually I decided to enter the field of massage therapy!

Having experienced chronic pain, I understand the struggles of not being taken seriously, of having to figure it out on your own and the mental anguish that goes along with it all.  I've been able to help many people get back to life and recover from chronic back, shoulder, hip and neck pain, tendonitis, headaches and acute injuries. 

​

My interest in the healing arts has continued with a more recent education in acupuncture. I wanted to be able to go deeper, to address patterns of pain and dysfunction that weren't responding to massage alone. In 2022-2023, I pursued education for adding acupuncture as a modality to my practice.

 

It's All Connected 

​

Acupuncture is a form of treatment that is a central part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, an ancient philosophy that has been practiced for thousands of years.  In TCM, the body's internal organs are thought of not only as individual structures but also as complex networks. One of the key principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine is looking for patterns that indicate imbalances in the circulatory networks of the body, known as meridians. While Western medicine is concerned with individual symptoms and conditions, TCM looks at the culmination of a person's symptoms and lifestyle to connect patterns of imbalance to discover the root of dis-ease. The purpose of acupuncture is to stimulate and balance the flow of qi, the energy that flows along meridians, to properly nourish the organs, body and mind for good health.

​

Massage & Acupuncture combined is a beautiful way to encourage healing from within. 

Acupuncture can help with pain relief but is also useful for conditions such as acute injuries, arthritis, PMS, migraines/headaches, insomnia, fatigue, stress, anxiety, depression, digestive issues, constipation, IBS, nausea, allergies, sinus issues and many other conditions. 

​

Acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system and in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body's natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being. Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? I would love to help you discover a renewed sense of energy, more restful sleep and an increased healing ability for chronic and acute pain issues. 

​

Not a fan of needles? That's ok too.

​

Massage therapy alone is a wonderful way to address stress, reduce muscular tension, manage depression and anxiety and encourage healing of soft tissue injuries.

Whether you are working from home or the office, sitting for many hours of the day, driving in stressful rush hour traffic or find yourself stuck in repetitive activities through work or sport, we create patterns of muscle tension holding in the body that need to be released. Our connective tissue, fascia, the 3-D web that envelops muscles, bones, organs and everything else, gets increasingly dense and less mobile and can negatively affect posture and breathing. Chronic body tension combined with accumulating daily stress can lead to weakened immune function, anxiety, depression and pain. Persistent musculoskeletal tension can restrict blood circulation and nutrient supplies to the body’s organs and tissues. The experience of low-grade, habitual tension can contribute to chronic hormonal, biochemical and neurological problems. 

​

The physical and mental benefits of massage have been studied and proven to reduce stress, tension, and physical pain.  Regular massage therapy not only decreases the production of cortisol—the stress hormone—but also significantly increased the production of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters which are critical for managing stress and enhancing feelings of well-being. 

​

Getting an occasional massage works well to reduce anxiety over a particular situation, such as grief, or if you have a minor area of discomfort that can be addressed in one session. It is important to understand, however, that massage therapy isn't a magic bullet. Self-care is an ongoing process. Just like you need to brush your teeth and exercise consistently, massage therapy is something to engage in regularly for best results. Scheduling monthly massage appointments can dramatically improve long-term results.  Whether you want to be proactive about your well-being or are looking to address mental or physical issues, regular massage therapy has the power to create positive change in your life. The more often and the more consistent you receive a massage, the better your body will feel over time.  When it comes to achieving and maintaining good health, your happiness and relaxation are actually vitally important. Not only can happiness and relaxation help to reduce circulating stress hormones that affect the overall health and comfort of your body, they can allow you to operate more efficiently and effectively–on both a mental and a physical level. I aspire to inspire you to take very good care of you. You are worth it! Whether you need to just relax or want to go deep with a therapeutic massage, I've got tools and skills to ensure your treatment goals are met.

​

Here's a list of just some of the issues we can work on together.

• Reducing stress and increasing relaxation

• Reducing pain and muscle soreness and tension

• Improving circulation, energy and alertness

• Lowering heart rate and blood pressure

• Improving immune function

• Improving symptoms of anxiety and depression

 

We can also work on improving: 

• Digestive disorders

• Fibromyalgia

• Headaches

• Insomnia 

• Low back pain

• Myofascial pain syndrome

• Nerve pain or numbness/tingling

• Soft tissue strains or injuries

• Sports injuries

• Temporomandibular joint pain

• Upper back and neck pain

• Sciatica

• Support during cancer treatment

• Recovering from surgery

​

Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often produces feelings of caring, comfort and connection. Please be informed that massage isn't meant as a replacement for regular medical care. If you struggle with health conditions, let your doctor know you're trying massage and be sure to follow any standard treatment plans you have. I am here to support your journey towards improved health. Let's discover your best wellness together! 
 

​

​