Therapeutic Services
Every service offered at Estuary is informed by in depth training, education and 20 years experience practicing in the medical massage field. My work is trusted by local plastic surgeons, doctors, nurse practitioners, physical therapists and my fellow massage therapists.
My goal is to help you feel better and give you tools to better understand your body and keep the momentum going.
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Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a gentle technique that moves excess fluid, toxins and cellular waste from the tissue through the body's natural filtering system. A gentle, painless technique, Vodder style MLD is suitable for a variety of conditions and complaints, especially when the body is struggling with sluggish, achy tissue, digestion and joints.
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Typically, best results are achieved with 4-5 successive sessions and supportive self-care at home. All first time patients should expect to spend the first 15 minutes of the session going over lymphatic system basics, self care and at home practices to support the work.
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Full Body MLD is best achieved in 90 minute sessions.
Hour appointments are appropriate for more specific work.
Post Operative Recovery
Recovering from cosmetic, orthopedic or reconstructive procedures seems like a long process when you're in it, but it goes by remarkably fast. Helping people navigate the healing process requires an ongoing evolution of techniques and attention to stages of tissue recovery, beyond "lymphatic massage."
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Post-op bodywork sessions can vary widely depending on the combination of procedures, stage of recovery, overall patient health and commitment to post op instructions and self-care.
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During your care, we will discuss your particular recovery pathway, realistic expectations and timelines, proper self-care techniques, navigate any confusion or situations that might need medical attention, and make sure your garments are giving you proper compression.
Oncology Massage
Cancer can be overwhelming and unpredictable. Bodywork needs to adapt as you progress through each treatment, procedure, surgery and phase of recovery.
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​We can work to safely and gently mitigate treatment side effects and muscle tension build up, alleviate stress, and tend post operative areas bound by scarring, cording, tissue restriction and impacted by lymphatic system alterations.
​I'll work with you and your care team to help you feel better and manage each challenge you encounter.
Scar Therapy
Scars form when tissue has been damaged and it's integrity is compromised. The body's natural response is to create the strongest possible repair which often results in unnecessary quantities of collagen binding layers of tissue together permanently. This can often create dysfunctional patterns in the myo facia, lymphatic watersheds, and lead to other chronic musculoskeletal problems.
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​While it's a myth that scars can be "broken down" by vigorous techniques, scars can be managed, adhesions reduced and function normalized. Scar therapy is excellent for addressing multi-layer scarring which occurs with cesarian birth surgeries (often manifesting in chronic low back pain), deep abdominal procedures, and other surgical procedures impacting multiple layers of tissue. It's also great for less complex, more superficial scars and can help lymphatic vessels and nerves regrow through the area.
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Therapeutic Massage
What makes a good massage? Ultimately, it's your ability to relax and trust the hands you're in.
Do you feel comfortable saying no, or I need.. (fill in the blank) or would you..?
Every session is unique and after many thousands of them, I can tell you there are endless possibilities for our time together.
Our session can include any combination of MLD, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, intraoral work, medicupping, cupping, gua sha, refloxology, scar work, fascilitated stretching, relaxation, Swedish techniques, deep tissue, etc.
Let's talk about what is going on in your body, what your patterns are, your life and work. Let's tend your nervous system, work on your specific complaints and discover how we can cultivate ease and restoration in your body.
My toolkit is abundant, my table is soft and warm. Your body, whatever shape it is in, is welcome.
Abdominal Massage
Your belly is the epicenter of your body, and in my opinion, the most underserved area in bodywork.
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Abdominal massage may sound strange or induce feelings of self-consciousness, but it could be one of the most profoundly impactful sessions you ever have. Under the skin, you have a world of muscle layers, organs, viscera, lymphatics, breath and nerves. These are often bound up and dense, functioning sub optimally due to chronic lack of activity, poor diet, and life in the modern world.
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Abdominal work often eases low back and hip dysfunction, improves digestion and elimination, flushes the deep belly lymphatics, reorients the stomach, improves breathing and brings lightness to the pelvic bowl (my favorite!) well as soothes the Vagus nerve inviting a sense of deep calm and stress relief.
Breast Massage
Our breasts deserve more attention and tender loving care then they receive, and for some very important reasons.
Did you know breast massage can:
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promote healthy circulation in the breast tissue
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clear waste and improve lymphatic function
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alleviate feelings of heaviness in the breasts
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address chronic compression from daily bra wearing
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reduce lumpiness and areas with fibrocystic tissue
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ease/eliminate intermittent or chronic breast pain
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address pain and scar tissue from biopsy or exploratory procedures
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help with tracking changes in breast tissue
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reduce the stigma associated with touching this part of your body