shiatsu+cupping

what is shiatsu?

If you are new to Shiatsu, it is a Japanese healing modality based in East Asian Medicine that uses acupressure along the acupuncture channels to effect change on the physical, emotional and metabolic level. Housed within these channels is Qi – the animating life force – that we experience as movement, communication, respiration, digestion, communication, thoughts and spirituality. Using the knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Western anatomy and physiology, Shiatsu offers a method of healing that sees the complex individual as a whole and works to restore imbalances. By viewing the body as one unit it can be understood that when one part of the body is not energy-efficient other parts get pulled to carry the weight of what is not working optimally so that our bodies can continue to support us. If left unaddressed, we can experience physical, psychological and emotional distress. The goal then is to create a treatment plan that works to unify and optimize the system, by amplifying the body’s innate wisdom while offering increased range of motion, pain relief and freedom within the musculoskeletal system. The work can be as deep or gentle as you require and is thus a safe and effective option for a broad range of conditions including osteoporosis and pregnancy.

my approach

I believe that health is a complex interconnected web made up of physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects. In a constant state of flux, health is then an ebb and flow of these aspects and shiatsu aims to bring them back to a state of relative balance. Each individual is different and each system has figured out a baseline to work from so the goal is not to bring you “back to normal” but rather to bring you back to what is “normal” for your system. Grounded in Chinese Medicine, I use a wide lens to see all complaints and find the connections between, in order to develop a treatment strategy. As we work towards pain relief, increased range of motion, or softer waves of emotional swings we have the opportunity to fine tune the strategy. My goal is to amplify what is disconnected so that your body’s innate wisdom can bring about the change that it already knows.

cupping/moxa

Cupping is a technique applied at the skin surface for a therapeutic effect to alleviate pain, cure illness, remove toxins, and relax the tissues and muscles. Cupping therapy has been used for centuries and is well-documented by the Egyptians, the Chinese and the Greeks as early as 1550 BC. It works by drawing skin, local muscle and connective tissue into a cup by creating a vacuum or negative pressure inside the cup. It helps to warm and promote the free flow of blood, body fluids and Qi in the channels. This, in turn, supports the nourishment and mobilization of the tissues and encourages the exit of pathogens through the opened pores.

Moxabustion has a similar effect on the system stimulating the Qi, blood and body fluids but achieves this by applying external heat therapy by burning mugwort. Depending on a person’s constitution, complaint and comfort I may recommend this instead of cupping.

benefits of cupping

Improves and regulates the metabolic processes of the circulatory, nervous and muscular systems. Temperature rises, exchange of waste gases, increased circulation purifies the blood, muscles relax)
Alleviates or diminishes pain and swelling caused by blood stasis, obstruction and stagnation of muscles.
Promotes better flow of blood and synovial fluids within the joints and the surrounding tendons, sinews and muscles.
Stimulates lymphatic circulation (*not gentle enough to be considered a lymphatic drainage technique)
Stimulates organs, peristaltic movement, secretion of digestive fluids, and strengthens power of digestion and absorption
Supports psychological, spiritual, and emotional access and processing

what to expect during a session

Each session is typically 60 minutes, with approximately 50 minutes of bodywork. Duration can vary, however, if we are addressing chronic issues, acute injury or working with children. As a receiver I will start with a palpation of your abdomen, which gives me better insight into how your body is ready to shift in order to best support you. Each session will be a fully clothed, full body treatment on a futon or table with focus on the physical areas of pain or discomfort. The acupressure channels run through the entire body and while we may be addressing a shoulder pain I will still work other areas of the body. The session ends with a short breakdown of my treatment strategy where I may offer suggestions.

do you offer in-home sessions?

Yes! An additional fee is incurred for in-home sessions.

do you accept insurance?

Not at this time

what to wear

Wear loose, soft, comfortable clothing that you can move in easily. Pants: Yoga pants, sweatpants or pajama pants and Shirts: long sleeve or short sleeve shirts are preferable. (If possible, avoid zippers, drawstrings or buttons.)

how do I know if we’re a good match?

Please feel free to call and ask any questions you may have about the work I do. I offer a free 20-minute phone consultation prior to the first session

accepted methods of payment

Cash or Check

cancellation policy

To reschedule or cancel an appointment, please allow 12 hour advance notice. Exceptions can be made only in the case of extreme emergency. Thank you for your consideration!

book a session

testimonials

caitlin

“I saw Sophie for shiatsu sessions while I was pregnant with my daughter. Late in the third trimester when I was feeling uncomfortable and anxious about the birth, Sophie always helped me feel lighter both physically and mentally. Her gentle and supportive energy, along with her massage skills, were exactly what I needed at that time.”

carianna

“Working with Sophie totally opened my eyes to a new way of understanding my body, both physically and emotionally. As my first time experiencing Shiatsu, I did not know what to expect, but everything about it exceeded my expectations. I felt totally comfortable, relaxed and taken care of. Beyond the physical practice, the insight Sophie provided me from our session really hit home. I was reminded of how much we can learn about ourselves from our bodies and how our thoughts/emotions truly affect our health. I had a wonderful experience and truly felt cleansed of negative energy that was holding me back.”

greg

“As a side effect of my chemotherapy in my fight against cancer I struggle with peripheral neuropathy. I have tried several methods to alleviate the pain but nothing has given me as powerful a result as Shiatsu. The work along the entire body and the direct pressure on the channels and nerves somehow makes more space and gives me more sensation. I have feeling in my left foot again - which makes walking much easier - and I experienced a relief from the stabbing pain along the entire length of my arms and legs.”

kerri

“I’m pretty active between teaching classes, fitting in my own workouts, extra curriculars and travel. My body is super important to me and my line of work. I was experiencing some lower/mid back pain for a while, just a nagging pain that wouldn’t go away. I was referred to Sophie, looking for a quick fix. We started with cupping, my first experience, and Sophie’s knowledge helped me trust her, as I had a lot of questions. She actually found that what I came for, the cupping, wasn’t what was going to help me, and again with her knowledge said that Shiatsu would be more helpful for my pain. I came back a week later, tried Shiatsu, left for my retreat and honestly haven’t experienced any more pain. The whole experience was super easy, relaxing, and I felt right at home.”