what can massage do?

We can help you recover from injury, reduce chronic pain, untangle muscle spasms, alleviate symptoms of disease, reduce stress, and just plain feel better. Put simply, bodywork heals. We’re here to support your journey towards health and wellness. So make an appointment today – and feel better soon. First massage ever? Read about your session, and our policies.

Before making an appointment, check out our therapists and be sure to see who does what, especially if you're pregnant, scheduling for a kid, or looking for a specific treatment.

more intense

therapeutic massage

This is our catch-all phrase to describe the majority of the work we do: sometimes intense, always focused, deeply healing. Read why we avoid the term "deep tissue." This form of massage is traditionally performed on a draped client; however, your level of undress is up to you.

myofascial bodywork

This work gently breaks down fascial adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement. Unlike the gliding movements of a relaxation massage, myofascial work is slow and focused; we sink into the fascia and wait with the tissue until it releases. Effective with specific pain, chronic pain, old and new injuries, work-related pain, overuse, and athletic issues. Contrary to belief, myofascial work doesn't have to hurt to be effective. Advanced structural bodywork uses myofascial techniques and body reading.
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neuromuscular therapy

​Including but not limited to trigger point work, NMT is a step-by-step process to evaluate and treat soft tissue pain. The therapist may use effleurage, petrissage, friction, muscle energy, or strain/counter-strain massage techniques. Helpful for pain, posture, injury, sports, and post surgery.
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thai yoga massage

A Thai tradition, this modality combines dynamic assisted stretching and movement with physical pressure along the meridians (the energy channels also utilized by acupuncture) to balance energy in the body and work out restrictions. The practitioner may use their hands, elbows, forearms, feet, or use their whole body as leverage. It's like they're doing yoga to you... it's both relaxing and energizing. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

acupressure

Shiatsu is the Japanese form of acupressure, the the manual application of pressure to points along the body's meridians. Often performed on a clothed client, acupressure sessions can also include stretching and body movement. This modality promotes harmony and wellness by releasing and dispersing blocked energy throughout the body. It restores balance, improves circulation, and can relieve pain. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

less intense

relaxation massage

This is what many people think of when they hear the word “massage.” Often people’s first introduction to bodywork, relaxation massage benefits the entire body by calming the nervous system and improving blood and lymph circulation. Chronic stress is detrimental to health, and many folks find relaxation massage to be a pleasant way to manage stress and maintain healthy muscle tissue. It’s hypnotic, and sometimes it’s “just what the doctor ordered.” Or, should have ordered! ​This form of massage is traditionally performed on a draped client; however, your level of undress is up to you.
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the Trager approach

From trager.com: a Trager® session combines gentle touch and movement to create an experience that releases and relaxes emotional states and body tensions and pains. Our therapist Ellen is training in this modality, and says, "the practitioner goes slow and takes their cues from the client’s body – rather than forcing change, I kind of think of it as waiting for consent from the tissue and nervous system to initiate movement and soften at their own pace." This approach strengthens the mind/body connection, and aims to give the nervous system an opportunity to relearn what it's like to feel sensations other than pain. Great for everyday pain relief, but also effective for clients with conditions like fibromyalgia, where regular massage may trigger pain flare ups if the tissue becomes too activated.

reflexology

Many people are familiar with reflexology diagrams showing areas of the foot that correspond to organs in the body. Pressure applied to the point on the foot is said to bring balance to the corresponding organ. The Mayo Clinic says this about it: "Several studies indicate that reflexology may reduce pain and psychological symptoms, such as stress and anxiety, and enhance relaxation and sleep." Believe us, it's good stuff!

reiki

Reiki is a gentle, calming, hands-on energy modality that reduces stress and promotes healing. Its benefits may include relaxation, easing muscle tension and stress reduction. It is becoming widely used in hospitals, veterinarian's offices, nursing homes and hospice care centers worldwide. The practitioner lays hands on the clothed client, while focusing on the client's energetic body. Clients report a sensation of warmth and calmness. Clothed.
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manual lymph drainage

This is a very gentle massage modality that lessens the swelling resulting from a medical procedure or blocked lymphatic system. This type of treatment is often utilized by breast and other cancer patients suffering from lymphedema. It can also be helpful for people with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic venous insufficiency. 

craniosacral therapy

​Craniosacral therapy is a quiet skill. Your experience of the work will be subtle, but its results are profound. While the client lies clothed, the therapist gently holds the skull, sacrum, or limb and waits for the sensation of movement in stillness before treatment begins. Treatment consists of gentle touch, usually to the skull and sacrum. Helpful for a wide range of issues, from headaches and pain to trauma and stress. Clothed.

add-ons

therapeutic cupping

​Cupping helps circulation, revitalizes tissue, promotes relaxation, and stretches the superficial fascia. Cupping is great for pain, sore muscles, congestion, and areas of tissue adhesion. We integrate cupping into your scheduled massage time.

hot stones

Warm basalt stones are used to massage the body and melt tension away. Heat brings circulation to the area and softens muscle tissue. It's super relaxing. We integrate hot stone work into your scheduled massage time.

short sessions

sometimes 15 is all you need

Short sessions (15 minutes) can be done on a massage chair, a massage table, or anywhere we find a spot in the office. The point is that many of our modalities can be done effectively in a short amount of time on a clothed client, with no draping. This makes it easy to schedule, and easy on your wallet. Sometimes you just need your neck and shoulders worked after a hard day. Sometimes treatment for a specific issue is more effective if you come frequently, for short sessions, for a few weeks. Whatever the reason, short sessions can be a way to get into our office as often as you need for the best treatment outcome at a more affordable price. Keep this in mind when you have an unexpected injury or back spasm – call us; the sooner you get treatment, the sooner you'll feel better. Read about one client's experience with short sessions.
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"My job is very physically demanding, and I have had several strains, spasms, and lingering aches that have necessitated massage over the past couple years. I have received treatments from several of the therapists, so I feel qualified and confident in stating that one simply cannot go wrong at WSW."

"I can't even begin to explain how awesome that massage session was! May back has felt SO much better, just from that one session!"
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"At my current age (52), and with my current medical challenges, regular massage is no longer a mere indulgence; it's keeping me active and mobile."