Motor Vehicle Accident

Being involved in an auto accident is only scary, but it’s also painful. I offer massage therapy for motor vehicle accident patients in Portland, Oregon and bill their insurance directly. If left untreated, car accidents can have wide-ranging effects on your body and can create problems for years to come. In Oregon, car insurance companies are required to pay for massage therapy for an auto accident.

 

Common treatments for pain or injuries from a car accident include prescription painkillers, which are not only highly addictive, but they also create many unpleasant symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, constipation, weight gain, and other gastrointestinal issues. Massage therapy is a great alternative treatment to release the tension in muscles and to help the body naturally realign after a motor vehicle accident. Issues with the neck, such as whiplash, and muscular strains along the spine are very common in motor vehicle accidents and can cause limited range of motion along with pain and discomfort.

 

When you book an Accident or Injury treatment with me, there will be some paperwork to fill out prior to your first session. We will do an in-depth intake so that I can understand how your body was impacted, and to create a customized treatment for the injuries you sustained. We will assess your current range of motion and pain through tests and a survey. Your massage will be tailored to address the areas where the accident caused muscular trauma. During your session, we will work to improve range of motion, decrease swelling, pain and stress, and improve circulation in the affected areas. I create a calm and inviting, stress-free place where we focus on you and your injuries and getting you back to optimal health. Talk with your doctor today about getting a prescription for massage therapy.

​

​

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is the traditional massage we think of when referring to massage. It helps to reduce tension in the musculature, decrease stress and induce a state of deep relaxation by calming down the central nervous system, increase immune function, detoxify the body through stimulating the lymphatic system, and so much more. Many clients love to have a Swedish massage monthly, or incorporate one into their massage routine if they receive massage more than once per month.

 

In the 1820's a Swedish doctor, Dr. Per Henrik Ling, developed the first modern method of massage through his study of physiology, gymnastics, and the massage techniques borrowed from China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Swedish massage includes long gliding strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, and shaking motions. It is effective for most ailments, because massaging the skin, the body's largest organ, sets up a chain reaction that produces a positive effect on all layers and systems of the body. It affects the nerves, muscles, glands, and circulation, and promotes health and well-being.

​

I offer customized Swedish massage in Portland, Oregon, tailored to your specific needs and wants. Hot towels are used to help get deeper into the muscle and facial tissues, as well as providing comfort. The level of pressure is customized to your body, but often a light to firm pressure is used. Aromatherapy can be added to the session for additional therapeutic benefits, and is based on your preferences, aversions, and goals of the session. I offer Swedish massages for 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes in length, with the most popular time being 90 minutes.

​

​

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. The term "deep tissue” is often misused to identify a massage that is performed with sustained deep pressure. Deep tissue massage is a separate category of massage therapy, used to treat musculoskeletal disorders and complaints and employs a dedicated set of techniques and strokes to achieve a measure of relief. It is applied to both the superficial and deep layers of muscles, fascia, and other structures. With this style of massage, the therapist may not even use deep pressure at all, but instead allow their pressure to sink deep below the superficial muscle tissues, giving them access to muscles located deeper into the body’s structure.

 

Deep tissue massage should not be confused with "deep pressure” massage, which is one that is performed with sustained strong, occasionally intense pressure throughout an entire full-body session. With deep pressure massage, sometimes the body’s natural response is to tense up to protect itself and is therefore not a great massage technique for all individuals or those who are sensitive to deeper pressure.

​​

I offer customized deep tissue massage sessions in Portland, Oregon to address a variety of common complaints, including neck pain, back pain, general muscle tension, restricted range of motion, plantar fasciitis, injuries sustained from a motor vehicle accident, piriformis syndrome, and repetitive strain injuries, hip pain, and much more. During your initial session we will go over any current or past injuries, current and common areas of concern and we will decide if this is a good treatment option for you. 

​

​

Cupping Therapy

Cupping is part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine used to treat a variety of conditions. Although it's not a traditional deep tissue massage, it achieves similar results through a negative pressure using glass cups and a flame to create suction. Cupping helps to move stagnant blood and lymph and get it back into the circulatory system so that your body may naturally flush it out.  It also helps to release adhesions in the connective tissue, loosen scar tissue, reduce inflammation and allows for better blood flow.

​

I offer customized fire cupping during massage therapy sessions in Portland, Oregon as an add-on. During the treatment, I use Burt’s baby balm to aid in the movement of the cups after placement, and to also mat down any body hair that may be present. Whether or not the cups are placed or moved depends on the patient’s goals and areas of concern. Generally, I move the cups as both my patients and I feel that it allows for greater fascial and muscle tissue release along a larger surface and may help to release areas that were not originally thought to be contributing to the main problem areas.

 

Common places to receive cupping are the back, pectoral, and thigh area. So long as there is a large enough surface, cups should be able to be placed with ease. Smaller areas such as the forearms, fronts of the lower legs, or neck are more challenging to cup and may not be able to be cupped depending on the size of the patient. This is not a suitable add-on for anyone who fears fire. Those with large amounts of body hair may also want to consider alternative treatment options, as the hair may be difficult to mat down and may burn slightly.

 

After the session, make sure to drink plenty of water and to keep the areas warm and dry for at least 24 hours, but preferably 36 hours. If you typically sleep with a fan on, make sure to wear a shirt. A warm shower or Epsom salt bath is okay to do, but make sure to towel off afterwards and cover all cupped areas, as these are portals to illness according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

 

This treatment will also leave marks on the surface of the skin – this is due to stagnated blood flow. The marks are not bruises and will not respond to any alternative treatments for the appearance of bruises.   If you’re looking to receive deep fascial work or are looking for relief from chronic issues potentially caused from restricted facia, a motor vehicle accident, or chronically tense muscles, cupping may be the right choice for you.

​

​

Hot Stone Massage

Developed in the Mideast for use in health spas, hot stone massage uses stones that have been heated. These stones are positioned on the body and some are gently moved about with light pressure being exerted on the warm stones.

​

I offer customized hot stone massage sessions to patients in Portland, Oregon that are 90 or 120 minutes in length. These warm stones have been heated to anywhere between 120 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit and are massaged across the entire area being worked on. I may place the stones on top of a towel and leave in place while I work on other areas of the body as well.

​

​

Indian Head Massage

Indian Head Massage is based on an ancient Indian healing system called Ayurveda, which means "knowledge of life."  The modern Indian Head Massage combines shiroabhyanga (the original family head massage), champi (more commonly found in barber shops in India) and acupressure points.  The method is not meant to be curative, but rather preventative and to reduce the progress of prevailing conditions of illness.  Indian mothers for over 4000 years have given weekly Indian Head Massage to their children.  The points balance and clear energy blockages.  Indian Head Massage supports the nervous system by alleviating stress, encouraging the elimination of toxins, increasing oxygen uptake in tissues and improving concentration.  

​

I offer Indian Head Massage in Portland, Oregon, which lasts anywhere between 15 and 25 minutes, depending on the amount of tension in a patient’s scalp and face, as well as their concerns. Many of my patients who had never experienced Indian Head Massage before rave about it and add it onto their service each time due to its relaxing and tension reducing capabilities.

​

​

Paraffin Hand & Foot Treatments

Paraffin treatments for the hands and feet are typically seen as a luxury add-on service, but what most people don’t know is that paraffin has therapeutic benefits as well. If essential oils are added into the paraffin, then that increases the therapeutic benefits the patient will receive.

Paraffin is used quite frequently in spas and nail salons because it helps to soften the skin and cuticles on the hands and feet.

 

In its natural form, it’s colorless and odorless, making it a perfect addition to anyone with scent sensitivities. Because it’s a natural emollient, it makes the skin soft and supple and continues to add moisture long after the treatment has finished. It also helps to removed dead skin and open pores, making it a fantastic post-sugar foot scrub add-on! All of this combined makes the skin refreshed and feel smoother.

​

Paraffin also helps to provide pain relief to the sore and overused joints and muscles of the hands and feet. It’s warm – heated to 125 degrees Fahrenheit (51.7 degrees Celsius) – which is comforting in and of itself. Many of my patients with arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis have loved this add-on service because their pain decreased, and they had more mobility and range of motion after the session. It increases blood flow, relaxes the muscles in the hands and feet, decreases joint stiffness, and helps to minimize muscle spasms and inflammation, and can be used to treat sprains.

​

Paraffin hand and foot treatments may not be suitable for those who are sensitive to heat as it may cause a heat rash, or for those who are sensitive to petroleum products. You should also not receive this treatment if you have numbness in your hands and feet, diabetes, rashes or open sores, or have poor blood circulation.

​

At my practice in Portland, Oregon, this is an add-on service, so you must already be receiving a massage in order to add this treatment. I use the highest quality paraffin available, and for only $10 you can add a hand or foot treatment – $20 for both – to any massage. The paraffin is left on for at least 10 minutes to allow the product to soak into the deeper layers of tissue. Once removed, I follow up with a lotion for extra skin softening.

​

​

Sugar Foot Scrub

A sugar foot scrub is the perfect addition to any massage service because it helps to sluff off dead skin from the feet, giving you brighter and more refreshed looking skin. Sugar is a natural humectant, which means that it retains moisture and will help the skin to stay hydrated longer. Sugar is also the best exfoliant for those with sensitive or mature skin and it melts away upon being rinsed with water. Sugar contains glycolic acid, which further helps to break down dead and flaky skin and aid in cell turnover. With any exfoliation practice, you should make sure that you’re exfoliating at least once or twice a week to aid the skin’s regeneration process. Most of my patients enjoy doing a combination of the sugar foot scrub followed by a paraffin foot treatment because it makes their feet extra soft.

​

The organic sugar foot scrub I use at my practice in Portland, Oregon is not only healthier for you, but also for the environment, as many mainstream scrubs contain harsh chemicals and ingredients that damage the environment and marine life. This is an add-on service, so you must already be receiving a 60-minute service or longer. When receiving a sugar foot scrub at my business, I will wrap your feet in hot towels to soften the skin. Afterwards, I will scrub each foot for approximately 5-7 minutes, depending on the amount of dead skin. I then wrap each foot in another hot towel and perform gentle compressions on each foot to help absorb the sugar. Finally, I slowly remove each towel individually from the foot in order to remove any excess sugar.

​

​