About My Work

I practice an intuitive art form rooted in scientific knowledge. Traditional medicine does not specialize in treating the myofascial restrictions that may be involved in chronic pain conditions or structural dysfunction. The tried and true techniques of deep tissue massage and myofascial release aim to restore the normal functioning of fascia by breaking up the glue that binds these adhesions. I do this by applying slow, sustained pressure, gradually working up to the threshold of what you can tolerate. While the style of my work may be considered to be slow, I do practice “faster” cross-friction methods over fascial restrictions—especially the stubborn ones. I really put in the time to help break up the glue that binds these adhesions. I have endured much somatic suffering, so you can rest well in knowing that you’ll be receiving bodywork from someone who has been there. People always say, “you sure know how to find the spots.” I say it’s because I’ve had nearly all the spots! It's no wonder that all of my life people have told me I have good hands for massage.

Having been buried in the study of sociology at University of Oregon, I know that much of my passion had been enlivened through the inspiration of my dedicated professors. I have always sought out the "knowers," all the while have guzzled the words of their books, feeding my own intuition about the social and physical bodies that make or break our world. After a health awakening, the path to my destiny as a massage therapist led me to study at the Harbin School of Healing Arts, a small, private bodywork school in Middletown, CA., home to the world famous hot springs resort. There, I learned from the naturally gifted Ed Lark, CMT, a popular neuromuscular therapist and deep tissue extraordinaire. Receiving bodywork from him led me to realize that I was there to discover more about my own body and it’s response to deep myofascial bodywork, and since then I haven’t stopped looking for all of the most effective manual therapists in my quest to become tension-less. My experience and education has never stopped with this work.

Please read below to find out more details about my bodywork training.

The Nitty-Gritty

Deep fascia is the subterranean membranous web-like structure that intertwines with our innards. It is woven throughout the entirety of our meat-sacks such that seemingly distant parts are united by this structural fabric. For instance, low-back pain is no longer merely a local problem, as the myofascial adhesions throughout the length of the legs may be involved in creating low-back pain. Pain in the knee might not always mean a dysfunctional knee joint. It could mean that the fascia in the vastus lateralis has a bad case of densifications that create pain and dysfunction along a line of tension. My techniques work to alleviate pain originating from the fascia. It's worth mentioning that the foundation of myofascial release is not using a lot of lotion. I always use just a bit of Shea butter warmed in my hands, and avoid slimy lotions and creams altogether. As the experienced deep tissue therapist, Art Riggs put it, “Probably the most obvious difference that clients first notice between conventional massage and myofascial release techniques is that the therapist uses less or even no lubrication. Because the emphasis is upon lengthening fascia rather than kneading muscle tissue, it is necessary to ‘grab’ the tissue rather than sliding over it.”

My work is influenced by the experienced Bill Musser, M.S., LMT. I remembered that I had actually met Bill as a child after another massage therapist mentioned his name. He was my aunt and uncle's massage therapist for many years! I just had to take attend his workshop. He was once a prominent "brute" massage therapist in both Bend and Eugene, Oregon. He has worked with Olympic gold medalists and was the National Teacher of the Year (2000) by the American Massage Therapy Association Council of Schools. He was also the former chairman of the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists. He’s got great advice for managing pain in athletic bodies, and certainly has a strong armed approach to ironing out the “rigor” in muscles.

I also give credit to trigger point master, Fascial manipulator, and instructor Walter Libby, LMT who lives in my hometown, Eugene. Being one of the most heavy handed and specific massage therapists I know, his 40 years of experience hacks my back like no other. Learning his techniques and expert anatomy knowledge has not only informed my intuition, but has been instrumental in helping me help others.

I look forward to lending you an elbow!

A NOTE: For clarity purposes, I will note that people often associate "myofascial release" with the with work of John Barnes, PT. Please note, my work is NOT based in the work of John Barnes. My work is much more specific and deep. I have experienced practitioners who practice his brand of MFR and it is not effective for my body. It is a very gentle approach and works more superficially (for the entirely of the session). Also, having tried numerous massage therapists in the Portland area who claim to do "deep tissue," "myofascial release" and "trigger point" work, I can say that however well-meaning many of them may be, I often feel like I am being sold a gimmick. Massage schools churn out a lot of massage therapists, and as a person with myofascial pain syndrome, I can say that only a small minority can deliver great work in the field of therapeutic massage and pain management. This is partly because talent and personal experience with pain matters in this profession. It's also worth noting that many bodywork seekers do not understand how therapeutic bodywork is supposed to feel, and are therefore led astray. When you feel the real thing, you realize that everything else doesn't even compare.