Therapeutic Massage

Massage for Ease and Restoration

The thread that runs through all massage and bodywork at Estuary is the intention of cultivating ease and restoration.

Every one of us experiences the world through a unique lens of sensation colored by stresses, trauma, joy, injury, connection, pain, fitness, disease, and many other factors.

It is my mission to create safe space where you can speak honestly about your physical challenges, your needs, expectations, and desires.

Understand what your care will entail and trust that you are safe to speak up when you need something.

Reflect that you are a one-of-a-kind ecosystem. No one understands what it is like to live in your body better than you.

Treatment, Relaxation and Restoration Massage Services can include:

Swedish
Massage Cupping
Guasha
Myofascial release
Stretching
Vibration
Manual Lymph Drainage
MSTR
Deep Tissue that is slow and specific

*Full body deep tissue massage is not offered at Estuary.

Abdominal Massage

Treating yourself to a good belly massage or incorporating belly work into your session has so many health benefits. Not only does it feel good, it can help ease muscle tension, improve digestion and stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, helping you relax.

What is addressed in abdominal massage?

* Abdominal muscle layers and fascia, which are often contracted and stuck together in holding patterns and can contribute to back and hip pain, as well as neck and shoulder tension.

*Intercostal muscles (the little muscles between the ribs) which can get stuck in a contracted state making it hard to relax the rib cage or draw a full breath because there is never a complete exhale. I've seen this pattern again and again in every lifestyle, body type and activity level.

*The Diaphragm (the big balloon-like breathing muscle under the ribs), which should be doing the bulk of the work when we breathe, but for many of us, the diaphragm has atrophied a bit from lack of use. Have you heard of the benefits of belly breathing? This is the muscle we need to recruit to get some good strong breathwork going.

*The Viscera aka, your organs and guts. The liver, kidneys, bladder, stomach, intestines, colon, pancreas, gall bladder, etc. So many squishy parts with unique jobs that are vital to the health and well being of the body. The viscera need to be pushed around a lot to maintain good circulation and function, which is one of the jobs of the diaphragm (belly breathing!). Alas, most of us western, stationary job working humans are not belly breathing rockstars so we become susceptible to our parts getting stuck, devoloping adhesions and having impaired circulation, all of which makes digestion challenging. You know the symptoms. Heaviness, bloating, gas, crampiness, constipation, GERD, the list goes on.

Abdominal massage is also great for addressing surgical scar tissue, easing pressure in the pelvic bowl, and stimulating a sense of calmness, relaxation, softening/vulnerability, and emotional release. It helps to clear out stagnant lymph and, it feels good.

Here are some things people say after a session:

"I feel like a sack of rocks has been removed from my middle!"
"I can't believe how much lighter I feel!"
"My stomach looks smaller!"
"I feel like there is space to breathe."
"I feel like I can stand up straighter."

Breast Massage

PHAST

Breast Self-Massage demonstration

with Aubrey Lesicki, BS, LMT

When it comes to breast care, many of us have only been told to keep a vigilant watch for suspicious lumps and wear a properly fitting bra. There is little to no information offered by the medical establishment about actually caring for breasts and breast tissue. Our breasts deserve more attention and tender loving care then they receive, and for some very important reasons.

Did you know breast massage can:

promote healthy circulation in the breast tissue
clear waste and improve lymphatic function
alleviate feelings of heaviness in the breasts
address chronic compression from daily bra wearing
reduce lumpiness and areas with fibrocystic tissue
ease/eliminate intermittent or chronic breast pain
address pain and scar tissue from biopsy or exploratory procedures
help with tracking changes in breast tissue
reduce the stigma associated with touching this part of your body

A Note for those who Bind, this type of massage is especially valuable and helpful with restrictions and adhesions that can develop in the chest and breast area which can lead to painful trigger points and impact lymphatic drainage. If you are experiencing discomfort related to your binding practice, massage can be a useful ally to keep your tissue healthy. We can also discuss self care practices to do at home.

There is a lot more to breathing than taking air into the lungs and letting it go again. Most of us have no conscious relationship with our breath. It happens just as naturally as the heart beats. We only notice when breathing becomes challenging or painful.

In reality, knowing how to breath properly is like holding a key.

You are better at taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. When you can breathe well, you have direct access to your parasympathetic nervous system, the one that helps you achieve a sense of calm in stressfull situations.

During a Breath bodywork session at Estuary, we will address areas holding chronic tension which hamper your ability to breath naturally, as well as practice belly breathing techniques to help you move your breath from your neck, shoulders and chest into your abdomen. This will help:

Stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system via the the Vagas nerve to reduce tension and anxiety
Improve lymph flow deep in the abdomen, which in turn improves lymph flow away from the legs.
Massage the viscera and improve digestion
Support better posture
Assist with cultivating presence
Ease chronic muscle tension in the neck and shoulders
Assist the ribcage with relaxing on the exhale
Facilitate belly breathing awareness

Breath Work