Custom Therapeutic Massage in Longmont, CO
Therapeutic massage that makes room for both pain relief and relaxation.
You shouldn't have to choose between a massage that addresses the pain and tension in your body and one that helps you deeply relax.
My approach to therapeutic massage brings the two together.
Each session combines focused therapeutic techniques with slow, grounding bodywork to address areas of pain and restriction while giving your nervous system an opportunity to settle.
There is no predetermined routine and no need to decide which massage technique you need before you arrive. We begin with a conversation about what you're experiencing, what has been feeling good in your body, what hasn't, and what would be most beneficial for our time together.
What Is Custom Therapeutic Massage?
Custom therapeutic massage is an individualized approach to bodywork that draws from multiple massage techniques rather than following a single modality or routine.
Depending on what you're experiencing, your session may incorporate:
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Deep tissue massage
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Neuromuscular therapy
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Trigger point therapy
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Myofascial techniques
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Swedish massage
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Focused work for specific areas of pain or restriction
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Slow, grounding techniques intended to support relaxation and nervous system regulation
These techniques aren't separate upgrades or services you need to choose between. They're simply different tools I can draw from throughout your massage.
Some sessions may involve more focused therapeutic work. Others may call for slowing everything down. Most contain some combination of the two.
Massage for Pain, Tension & Stress
People seek therapeutic massage for many different reasons. You may have a specific area that's been bothering you, or you may simply recognize that your body has been carrying too much for too long.
Therapeutic massage may be helpful for people experiencing:
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Chronic muscle tension and pain
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Neck and shoulder tension
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Back and hip discomfort
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Headaches associated with muscular tension
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Jaw tension and TMJ-related discomfort
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Repetitive strain from work or daily activities
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Exercise and athletic soreness
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Stress and difficulty slowing down
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General stiffness or restriction
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The physical effects of spending long hours sitting or working at a computer
You also don't need to be in pain to benefit from therapeutic massage.
Sometimes the reason for coming in is simply that you're tired, stressed, disconnected from your body, or in need of intentional time to slow down.
Your Nervous System is Part of the Conversation
Muscles don't exist separately from the rest of you.
Stress, sleep, movement, injury, work, emotions, and the ways we've learned to hold ourselves can all influence how tension shows up in the body. That's why I don't believe effective therapeutic massage always means applying more pressure.
Sometimes deeper pressure is useful. Sometimes slowing down and allowing the body time to respond creates a more meaningful change.
My work tends to move at a deliberate pace, giving me time to listen to what I'm feeling beneath my hands and giving your body time to respond to the work.
The goal isn't to force your body into letting go.
It's to create the conditions where it has an opportunity to.
What to Expect From Your Massage
1. We start with a conversation.
Before getting on the table, we'll take a few minutes to talk about how you've been feeling, any areas of pain or tension you've noticed, and what you'd like from the session.
You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what you need. Figuring that out is part of the process.
2. We decide where to focus.
Together, we'll establish a general direction for the session. That might mean spending focused time on one problem area, providing full-body therapeutic work, prioritizing relaxation, or combining these approaches.
3. Your massage adapts as we go.
I'll draw from different therapeutic and relaxing techniques based on what we're working with and how your body responds.
Communication remains welcome throughout the entire session. You can always ask for a change in pressure, positioning, temperature, draping, music, or anything else that would help you feel more comfortable.
4. You leave with time to integrate.
My intention isn't to rush you off the table the moment the massage ends. You'll have a moment to come back into the room, get dressed, and transition back into your day.
A Trauma-Informed Approach to Massage
All of my massage sessions are informed by principles of consent, communication, choice, and respect.
Receiving massage involves allowing another person into your physical space, often while you're in a vulnerable position. I don't take that trust lightly.
You are always in control of what happens during your session.
You can change your mind about an area being worked on, request more or less pressure, ask questions, adjust your level of clothing or draping within professional boundaries, or stop the session at any time.
My role is not to decide what your body needs without you. My role is to bring my training and experience into a collaborative relationship with you and your body.
Do I Need to Choose a Type of Massage?
No. When booking, simply choose the length of your Custom Therapeutic Massage. You don't need to decide whether you need deep tissue, pain relief, relaxation, myofascial work, trigger point therapy, or nervous-system-focused massage beforehand.
We'll have that conversation when you arrive. This allows the session to respond to what is actually happening in your body that day rather than locking you into a particular type of massage when you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is therapeutic massage the same as deep tissue massage?
Not necessarily. Deep tissue massage is one technique that may be incorporated into a therapeutic massage session.
Therapeutic massage is broader and focuses on your particular goals, which may involve deep pressure, lighter techniques, focused neuromuscular work, myofascial techniques, relaxation massage, or a combination of approaches.
Does therapeutic massage need to hurt to be effective?
No. More pressure isn't automatically more therapeutic.
There may occasionally be intensity when working with sensitive or restricted tissue, but I don't believe massage needs to become an exercise in tolerating pain.
We'll communicate about pressure and adjust the work based on your comfort and how your body responds.
Can we focus on one specific problem area?
Absolutely. If your neck, jaw, shoulder, hip, back, or another area is your primary concern, we can spend more of the session working with that area and related structures.
For certain concerns, you may also want to learn more about my TMJ Massage, Massage for Headaches & Migraines, or Massage for Pain Relief.
Can I still get a full-body massage?
Yes. Therapeutic doesn't have to mean spending the entire appointment working on one painful area.
We can combine focused work with a relaxing full-body massage depending on your goals and the amount of time available.
What if I mainly want to relax?
That's completely welcome.
Relaxation isn't separate from therapeutic work in my practice. Stress affects the body, and allowing the nervous system an opportunity to settle can be an important part of a therapeutic session.
You don't need to have an injury or chronic pain to book.
How often should I get a massage?
There isn't one schedule that's right for everyone. Frequency depends on why you're receiving massage, how your body responds, your schedule, and your budget.
Some people benefit from more frequent sessions while working with a particular issue and then gradually space appointments farther apart. Others simply return monthly or whenever they notice their body asking for support.
We can talk about what makes sense for you without pressure to commit to a treatment plan.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
The price you see is the price you pay.
My rates are set to reflect the full value of your session, so gratuity is neither required nor expected. There are also no upgrades or add-ons required to receive the techniques that would be most beneficial for your massage.
Simply choose your session length and we'll take it from there.
Ready to Slow Down?
Whether you're looking for relief from persistent tension, support with a specific area of pain, or simply a place to slow down and reconnect with your body, you're welcome here.
Custom Therapeutic Massage is available in Longmont, Colorado, serving clients from Berthoud, Longmont, and surrounding Northern Colorado communities.