Question 1

What is your response to COVID-19?

Accepted Answer

Per Washington state guidelines, masks are required at healthcare providers.  I will continue to practice with increased PPE protocols, including wearing a mask through our appointment.

Question 2

How long is an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Appointments are approximately one hour long, to an hour and fifteen minutes long.  Please plan accordingly, especially for parking.

Question 3

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Bodywork hourly rate is $150, full payment due at time of service.  Sessions that run over one hour may have additional cost.

Question 4

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

Cash and credit cards.  FSA and HSA cards are accepted too.

Question 5

What are your current hours?

Accepted Answer

Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM until 3:30 PM.

Question 6

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

4500 9th Ave NE, Suite 300, Seattle WA 98105   My office is in the same building as the AMC 10 movie theater.  The theater was previously the Sundance theater, and before that it was Metro Cinemas.   If you need instructions to find my office from the street, they are located on the Client Info page.

Question 7

What techniques do you use?

Accepted Answer

These days I am using techniques related to releasing fascia, with focus on correcting the body as a system in gravity as well as problematic issues.  This process is known as Structural Integration.   My background contains many different techniques (known as modalities in the bodywork field) which have informed my skills over time, and continue to do so.  A full list can be found on the About Us page.

Question 8

Where have you studied?

Accepted Answer

My original massage training was at Seattle Massage School (1998-1999), before it became Ashmead College, which is now Everest Institute.   I have studied a lot more than my original training, and a full list of the continuing education courses I have taken can be found on my About Us page.  In addition, I continue to research on my own, and am constantly striving to broaden my medical knowledge, as well as increasing the efficiency of my techniques.

Question 9

How long have you been in practice?

Accepted Answer

Professionally since 1999, but I have been doing hands-on work since 1986.

Question 10

What do I need to bring with me?

Accepted Answer

Money for payment, medical history (if extensive), and clothing as appropriate (see next question).

Question 11

Do I have to get nude/naked for the massage?

Accepted Answer

No.  The goal is to have visual access to assess the tissue and provide the manual work, while keeping you comfortable.  This kind of work is not only done with you laying on the table, but also sitting up, standing, and sometimes moving around.  Traditional draping with sheets makes some of that very difficult.   Men and women are worked in underwear.  Bras are optional for women.

Question 12

You do a visual assessment... what does that entail?

Accepted Answer

Each session does begin with a quick visual assessment which helps me determine what tissues are short, restricted, or holding.  I am looking at how your muscles and tissue orients itself on your skeleton as well as the relationships of the bones and larger segments of the body.   For the visual assessment I do need to be able to see the skin, which necessitates the wearing of minimal clothing during the session (see previous question).

Question 13

Do you provide relaxation massage?

Accepted Answer

No, I focus only on structural integration and treatment work.  My feeling is that I can be a jack-of-trades and do many things decent, or I can focus on one thing and do it excellent.  So I choose to focus and be as good as I can be at treating soft tissue imbalances in the body.   I will be happy to refer you to a colleague that does relaxation work if you are seeking that kind of work.

Question 14

I know you only do treatment work, but will it be relaxing at all?"

Accepted Answer

That depends on many factors.  Many of my clients find the work relaxing, and some even fall asleep.  Others say that it feels good, but would not describe it as relaxing.  I believe it depends on what is being worked, the current state of the tissue, and how body aware you are.  The body often recognizes this kind of work as being good for it even if it doesn't understand why.   During your session, you are in control of how deep, how fast, and how much area we work.

Question 15

What is the difference between massage and structural integration?

Accepted Answer

Structural Integration is focused on improving and aligning the whole system (i.e. the whole body) in gravity. It is not directly focused on symptoms or relaxation.  As the system improves, symptoms reduce.  Think of aiming a fire extinguisher at a fire.  In this instance (using structural integration), the fire extinguisher is not being aimed at the flames (i.e. the symptoms), but rather is aimed at the base of the fire (i.e. the source of the issue).  When the source is addressed, the symptoms reduce or disappear entirely.   Massage that is treatment oriented is usually focused on correcting an existing "problem", where symptoms are the focus.  Let's go back to our analogy of the fire extinguisher and the flames.  In this instance the fire extinguisher is being aimed at the flames (i.e. the symptoms), so the fire continues to burn (since the source has not been addressed).   Massage also is provided to people for relaxation.  Structural integration is not concerned with relaxation, though some of my clients do find it to be relaxing.   Both Structural Integration and massage that is treatment oriented can utilize release techniques for the fascial layers of the body.  The biggest difference is the perspective, the knowledge base, skills and techniques, as well as the way the therapist approaches the body and interacts with it.   My experience shows me that the perspective and techniques of Structural Integration are far more effective than massage at creating powerful positive change in the body, and in a shorter period of time.  I utilize Structural Integration, while keeping your symptoms in mind, to create the best possible session for you.

Question 16

Can I download the intake form and fill it out before I come?

Accepted Answer

Certainly!  Click here to download the intake form (PDF).

Question 17

What benefits would an athlete get?

Accepted Answer

Stretching out and lengthening your short/contracted muscles and connective tissue. Correcting muscle imbalances. Increasing the flow of nutrients to your muscles. Increasing the flow of waste products from your muscles. Increasing the rate at which you recover from injury, as well as decreasing your chances of injury. Aligning your body to optimally oppose gravity, and move with ease. Decreasing recovery time between workouts. Reducing physical restrictions that hold you back from your goals, or cause you to plateau. Your body is meant to move, easily and gracefully.  Doesn't that sound good to you?

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