Massage Therapy

Reiki hand placement near temples of a relaxed receiver.

The benefits of massage therapy are endless. From allowing our body to relax to the therapeutic relief of muscle ailments, to emotional release within our body, everyone can benefit from regular massage therapy.

Brain Based Bodywork: 

Research on massage therapy has suggested it is a great tool for supporting the body into the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the relaxed and ideal state for the body.

Whatever the reason for stress in your life massage therapy can be an effective tool for management and relief. Brain-Based care utilizes some of the research on how somatic processing can help support the brain and body through stress. It is customized to the individual needs of each person Carrie works with but follows the tools and training Carrie has received from the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute and a bachelor of science in psychology.

Often people say that they immediately see the results of this relaxation through clearer thinking, better rest, resolved digestive issues, and a happier and more patient demeanor overall.

Therapeutic relief of physical ailments:

Therapeutic relief of physical ailments

Massage therapy while very effective at relaxation also goes far beyond that. It is therapeutic in pain relief and healing from many physical ailments.

Some of the common issues that can be addressed with massage therapy are:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Tendonitis
  • Sports injuries (ie. Tennis elbow/shoulder)
  • Sciatica
  • Tension headaches
  • Whiplash (not acute)
  • Scoliosis
  • Kyphosis
  • Torticollis
  • Tendon and muscle tears
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Varicose veins
  • Pregnancy-related back pain and other discomforts
  • Myofascial pain
  • Sore or overused muscles (prevents and treats)
  • Muscle injury (offers rehabilitation)
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension and congestive heart failure

And so much more!

Trauma Educated Care: 

With their training in Somatic Experiencing, and academic research experience focused on cognitive neuroscience and trauma, Carrie has come up with a framework of practice that focuses on making massage accessible to those who have past trauma or for those who struggle with PTSD.

These things include clothed modalities, special focus on informed consent, and specific style of touch called compassionate touch.

All services are done 100% within the comfort zone of the client and the diversity of techniques allows Carrie to offer excellent services however the client feels comfortable!

Clothed services include chair massage, some myofascial techniques, stretching, compressions, pressure points and so much more! The quality of the massage should never be compromised!

Training:

Carrie completed the 600-hour The Healing Arts Center and graduated with honors. Additionally, completed 2 years of Somatic Experiencing training through the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute’s program. Carrie is also finishing a Ph.D in cognitive neuroscience studying the relationship between the body and mind when individuals face chronic stress and trauma.

They are currently trained in Myofascial Release, Swedish massage, dermonueralmodulation, stretching, chair massage, and deep touch.

Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing is a therapeutic modality for anyone who has experienced trauma or for someone who has a chronic pain or sensation that is otherwise unexplainable. It supports improved communication between the body and mind and helping to address stress responses or sensation in the body that may be lacking clear context or connection to psychological experiences.  

What is it?

Somatic Experiencing is the science and technique behind a process of rewiring the brain where there is dis-regulation. It is unique to any kind of body work, energy work or emotional/psychological therapy. Each session will present itself differently and if we stay open and curious the body will show us the way to its own healing power. The somatic experience is a facilitator of our bodies innate ability and desire to heal.

In an SE session, we will gently connect the mind and body and will utilize this approach to build new neuro-pathways that will facilitate healing. We will spend lots of time identifying the experiences in our body and I will utilize my training to encourage curious exploration through the process.

Who can it help?

Somatic experiencing is perfect for anyone who has experienced trauma or for someone who has a chronic pain or sensation that is otherwise unexplainable.

The term trauma is a very complex and the research on the topic is growing every day. When we talk about persons who have experienced trauma we are talking about a very broad spectrum. There is the emotional element, the physical element, the mental or perceptive part and the implicit or non-conscious part.

It could be a person who has vivid memories of their traumatic event, it can be someone who has no memory. It can be someone who has had a physical trauma such as falling down during a sporting event to someone who has an unexplainable twitch or tingling sensation.

When a person experiences trauma the brain has processes in place to help the body to protect itself and when the traumatic experience is done our body releases the hormones responsible for this. Dis-regulation happens when our body can not experience this biological release either due to a perpetual or long-term perceived threat or situational circumstances that prohibit it. When this release is blocked our bodies often do not know what to do with these hormones and they can cause dis-regulation in the normal function of the body. This may present itself in the form of depression, anxiety, chronic illness, unexplained feelings or pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), etc.

What will sessions look like?

With somatic experiencing each session will present itself uniquely and there are no set protocols. It is all very gentle and client led. There is a big focus on creating a safe environment for the client and thoroughly and slowly establishing the client-therapist relationship.

We may spend some time talking or doing gentle bodywork work to establish resources and connection and as the client feels comfortable we will add in bodywork modalities such as stretching, active resistance therapy, myofascial release, trigger point work, and Swedish massage.

Through this process, we will be gently exploring your trauma or sensations through focusing on right here, right now. During periods of talk, I may interrupt you at times which can be new to those who are familiar with talk therapy but the methods and tools in this practice are very different and very effective.

During the massage, I will be utilizing the time to guide you into your body and help you make connections.