Balance your
Nervous System
with Bodywork
Book a therapeutic massage to:
Reduce tension
Get better sleep
Ease chronic pain
Improve mobility
Navigate transition and loss
Celebrate achievements and milestones
How Can I Help?
Each massage session is customized to addresses the unique needs of YOUR nervous system. While I most often treat the common neuromuscular issues listed below, I am always thrilled to investigate and problem-solve an unusual or perplexing symptom.
Based on our pre-session consultation, I will draw from my full (and always expanding) toolkit of techniques and modalities to craft a deeply therapeutic session.
Expand each row to learn more.
Common Neuromuscular Issues
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When our nervous systems are constantly activated by our daily lives, we experience imbalance in the neurotransmitters (such as serotonin, adrenaline, dopamine) that produce feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, numbness, and irritability. Receiving compassionate touch can help restore the balance of these neurotransmitters.
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Did you know there are more than 50 muscles in your head and face? Tension headaches can form when these muscles have been strained or chronically overused (such as squinting in the sun, clenching your jaw, or furrowing your brow.) Deep massage of the face and scalp can help provide relief.
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TOS is a collection of symptoms ranging from numbness and tingling to loss of function in the arms and hands. The source of the issue is often compression of nerves and arteries at the thoracic outlet (the area where your arm attaches to your torso.) Stretching and softening the surrounding muscles can relieve this compression and reduce symptoms.
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Whether your back goes into spasms after sitting all day at work or you threw it out while picking up something heavy, back pain can feel immobilizing. Our spinal column (and surrounding nerves) are protective and can get caught in contraction long after the threat of injury has passed. Gentle massage and stretching can re-train your back to relax and allow more freedom of movement.
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Sciatica is a general term for pain in the leg associated with the sciatic nerve, which branches from the spinal column to travel down both legs. The source of the pain may be compression of the nerve in the lumber region or hips. Deep tissue massage can be very effective at relieving this compression.
Techniques & Modalities
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Probably what you think of when you visualize a massage. You will be undressed under a sheet on a raised table. I will apply oil and use long gliding strokes, rhythmic kneading, and gentle tapping to relieve tension and improve blood flow.
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A slow, deliberate approach used to access muscles deeper in the body. I will use less oil and more sustained, targeted pressure in order to slowly sink through the superficial layers.
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Sometimes a small subunit of muscle fiber gets caught in contraction when the rest of the muscle is relaxed. I will provide pinpointed pressure in order to cut off blood flow to just that subunit, which forces the fibers to release.
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Fascia is the vast web of connective tissue holding our bodies together. When the fascia within and around muscles (myofascia) gets dehydrated or irritated, restrictive adhesions can form. I will break up these adhesions using techniques like skin rolling, cross-fiber friction or pin-and-stretch.
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Proprioception is a person’s ability to sense their body’s position and movement through space. Sometimes this sensory feedback loop is compromised due to injury, trauma, or underuse. I will guide you through gentle muscle activation-relaxation cycles, training the affected muscles and nerves to find a better balance.
Session Pricing
45 min / $100
Full body relaxation OR deep tissue for 1-2 muscle groups
60 min / $120
Full body relaxation OR deep tissue for 2-3 muscle groups
75 min / $140
Full body relaxation WITH deep tissue for 1-2 muscle groups
90 min / $160
Full body relaxation WITH deep tissue for 2-3 muscle groups
Payment accepted in cash, Venmo, or tap-to-pay.
About Me
My path to becoming a massage therapist began in my fascination with the human brain. While pursuing my undergraduate degree in bioengineering, I found myself most interested in the way our brains and bodies work together to produce our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
This curiosity about the mind-body connection continued throughout my 10-year career as a teacher in East Oakland, during which I observed and experienced the effects of chronic and traumatic stress on my students and colleagues.
Continuing my curiosity as a doctoral student at UC Berkeley, I honed my understanding of the nervous system and researched evidence-based strategies for preventing and managing the negative effects of stress.
Three years into my (stressful) studies, I experienced a lightning-bolt moment of clarity and decided to put theory into practice… by dropping out of Cal and enrolling in a program for massage therapy.
Now, equipped with deep research knowledge from Cal and hands-on techniques from the San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork, I am delighted to provide a valuable service that also meets my own nervous system needs.
With every session, I hope to create a gentle ripple of calm in an otherwise turbulent world.
Let’s Get in ~Touch~
My serene treatment space is conveniently located at
between Grand Lake, Piedmont, and Pill Hill.
Off-street parking is available behind the building, with the entrance on Oakland Ave.
