HEALING BODYWORK
Serving your highest intention of well-being, I blend a variety of styles of massage and bodywork with nurturing and sensitivity, while empowering you with self care to continue at home. If you’re looking to unwind and release what no longer serves, while reconnecting with your breath and finding balance, and are ready to experience gentle transformation, let’s work together. Some of the techniques and influences in my work are: myofascial release, deep tissue, Swedish, trigger point therapy, CranioSacral therapy, Reiki and my specialty, the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy®.
I also comfortably provide optional full chest and breast massage with written informed consent, along with breast self care instruction for clients who wish it, having completed the specific required training hours in compliance with the laws of the state of Washington.
Each session is customized to meet your desired intention, focusing on specific treatment areas or overall peace and healing. I’m often told that my solid wood table is one of the most comfortable around, topped with a wool pad over a heated pad and soft warm sheets with a blanket to ensure warmth and preserve modesty at all times.
Soft colorful sarongs are used for chest draping during abdominal massage. It is all about your comfort, and even dressing down for massage is completely optional as I can also work over clothing, if you prefer. No two sessions are exactly alike, as I focus on treating the areas which are most beneficial for you that day. There are numerous health benefits to receiving massage.
Nearly every system in the body (including cardiovascular, lymphatic, endocrine, and digestive) are positively affected and massage has no harmful side effects. Everyone can benefit from bodywork!
CRANIOSACRAL
Craniosacral is a unique form of bodywork developed by osteopathic physicians, which is both gentle and powerful. The touch is very light, seldom using more than 5 grams of pressure (the weight of a nickel) and sometimes less. Many health conditions that can contraindicate other massage forms can benefit from Craniosacral. It has successfully been used to treat such diverse conditions as headaches, TMJ dysfunction, chronic middle ear infections, vertigo, depression, back pain, joint immobility, neck pain, sinus congestion, migraines, learning disabilities, and trauma.
BREAST MASSAGE
Whether you wish to have an integrative experience of full body massage that feels more complete, or to specifically enjoy the health benefits of massaging the full chest and breasts, this is available as part of your treatment according to your level of comfort and draping preferences.
Conditions such as breast pain, congestion, pre-menstrual swelling, and fibrocystic breasts may all respond to massage treatment. Massaging the chest can also reduce tension, and improve breathing, while improving movement and posture in the neck, shoulders and upper back. Women with larger breasts and those with scar tissue from surgeries may notice particular benefits.
DYNAMIC CUPPING
With your consent, silicone cups can provide suction to increase circulation and help release stubborn tissue. It’s like having an extra set of hands massaging because the cups can continue working on an area while I work elsewhere and circle back again later.
Moving the cups around in gliding motions creates a more dynamic effect. The additional relief from these tools is provided at no extra charge.
AROMATHERAPY & WELLNESS
As part of caring for the whole person, I enjoying integrating pure-grade essential oils into bodywork and healing treatments.
When beginning a session, I often ask, “how would you like to feel going into your week, or do you have an intention word?” Whether you are seeking to release what no longer serves you including tension held in your muscles, feel more at peace, feel energized and uplifted, or something else, I can find or create a blend for you.
There are additional health benefits that essential oils support. These include:
- Reducing inflammation
- Nervous system regulation
- Headache ease
- Lymphatic support
- Muscle relaxation
- And much more!
“I had forgotten how it feels to BE relaxed. After just a few minutes, I was speechless and grateful for the release of my belly and breath, muscle tightness and chronic tension. Karen is a caring professional clinician who is inspired and skilled in many practices which will improve your health and wellbeing immediately. Today, Reiki and craniosacral were exactly what I needed. I am so grateful to be in her care!”
~ Susan G.
SELF CARE
In order to support your goals between visits, I will generally offer you a particular stretch or self care technique at the end of your appointment, unique to your body’s needs.
It might be something you can do with what you already have at home such as a doorway or a chair, or may include an investment in a tool. Some of my favorites are pictured, but don’t worry, you wont be expected to collect them all nor do elaborate exercise routines to benefit.
