I practice Hendrickson Method® Orthopedic Massage, which is a gentle and highly effective therapy for acute and chronic pain. The focus is to identify and work directly with the underlying causes of pain resulting from injury, degeneration and cumulative stress. It could also be described as a form of Gentle Structural Bodywork. 

I work directly with the muscles and fascia, the joints and nervous system, deeply and gently. The work not only provides the long-term rehabilitative benefits of clinical manual therapy, but is profoundly relaxing to receive. 

This healing touch is based on the internal energy healing system of Tai Chi. Rounded scooping strokes mimic ocean waves, gently sinking into muscle fibers at the rhythm of a resting heartbeat.

The massage is often done side-lying and includes propping with pillows; clients often comment that this is the position they sleep in. 

Neuromuscular Therapy (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) is frequently added to help muscles let go of habitual tension patterns and reset the body-mind connection. 

This rehabilitative manual therapy reduces pain and improves function by:

• Spreading muscle fibers and fascia to dissolve adhesions and restore the natural glide and alignment of the soft tissue
• Helping the nervous system and muscles work more efficiently by rebalancing the body’s unconscious holding patterns, relaxing chronically tight muscles and strengthening weak ones
• Gently increasing range of motion to decrease pain and restore functional movement

In contrast to relaxation-focused massage, Orthopedic Massage offers long-term benefit for pain and chronic stiffness. It helps create more fluid and pain-free movement, and helps speed a more complete recovery from injury.

I work with these issues:

• Repetitive stress injuries
• Issues of joint degeneration and arthritis
• Muscle strains, tendon & ligament sprains, tendinitis
• Neck pain, whiplash
• Post-surgical recovery
• Joint replacement rehabilitation
• Sports injuries
• TMJ
• Low back and hip pain, sciatica
• Hip and groin pain
• Shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries 
• Tennis and golfer's elbow, forearm pain
• Wrist and hand pain, carpal tunnel
• Knee injuries and pain
• Calf, ankle and foot pain
• Entrapments of peripheral nerves

If requested, I add gentle CranioSacral Therapy to further integrate the benefits of a session. For inflammation and swelling, Lymphatic Therapy can be added, further decreasing pain and speeding healing.

This style of bodywork is done either through comfortable clothing (as in a craniosacral or PT session), or directly on the skin, with the client undressed to their level of comfort and draped with a sheet. Massage oil is generally not used.

For more about The Hendrickson Method® technique and its clinical results, visit www.hendricksonmethod.com. Scroll down for more description and short videos demonstrating various aspects of this method of bodywork.