A Matter Of Muscles

For first time clients, I like to take some time to learn about your health history.  Why are you seeking massage?  What are the physical requirements of your job (construction v. office admin), hobbies (gardening v. painting), daily routines (exercise v. watching TV)?  Any past injuries, surgeries, or accidents that might be related to your current request for massage?  What I try to impress upon my clients is that, it's not about what you did yesterday or last week (i.e. helping a friend move, sleeping "wrong"), it's about what you do daily.  How you sleep, how you sit, how you stand, how you move. How you physically move through your day can greatly effect your structure.  For example, a small shift in foot positioning (out v. parallel to other foot) can have a significant impact on your gait, creating pressure on your knees or torque through your hip joint.  After a brief discussion on health history and completion of intake forms, I will then ask what it is you wish to achieve with that day's session.  If you just want to focus on your challenge area (low-back, shoulder tension, calf strain), then that is what I will do.  If you just want to relax with a full-body session, then that is what I will do.  It's your massage. 

I am a licensed massage therapist in Phoenix, Arizona and have been providing therapeutic massage since 2008. I graduated from the Arizona School of Massage Therapy (ASMT) in October of 2007.  I completed the Master Bodyworker Program offered at the Utah College of Massage Therapy in December of 2007.  Upon graduation, I was hired as a teaching assistant at ASMT.  I also began working as a therapist in a busy chiropractic office where I gained experience working with sports- and accident-related injuries, spinal fusions, torn rotator cuffs, herniated and degenerative disc pain, and general muscle pain caused by stress and tension.

Prices are based on length of session.  Each massage is unique, tailored to specific needs at the time of session and often incorporating several techniques in order to achieve desired goals.  There is no additional charge for modality-specific requests such as Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Cranial Sacral Therapy, etc.  Also included in the price are the use of special oils or lotions for sensitive skin; topical analgesics for muscle strains, joint pain, or bruising; and, aromatherapy oils for added relaxation.  All are available upon request or as needed at no extra charge. For more information, visit www.matterofmuscles.com

Athletes, fire fighters, and police officers, who lead highly active lifestyles and often seek relief from sports-, training- or job-related injuries--sprains, tears, overuse.  Others have high-stress jobs, who spend a majority of their day staring at a computer or traveling for work--tension headaches, low-back pain, carpal tunnel.  I also work with people suffering from injuries sustained during car accidents--whiplash, muscle strains, joint pain.  I provide pain management to those suffering chronic pain from old injuries and arthritis, as well as chronic muscle tension caused by surgical pins, plates and fusions. Of course, I also have clients who just want to relax, unwind, and take a breather from their busy day, too.  There's not much I haven't worked with...