Be Your Own Bodyworker

My career as a bodyworker began in the Fall of 1990 when I attended the Institute for Holistic Studies on the weekends during my sophomore year at UC Santa Barbara. Intending to pursue Massage Therapy as purely a “college job”, I discovered I found therapeutic intervention for the body even more fascinating than therapy for the mind. I completed my Psychology degree, then pivoted to a Masters in Physical Therapy at USC. Since then I’ve worked in both the medical and spa settings, continuing to study a wide range of manual therapy techniques (Craniosacral Therapy, Lymphatic Drainage, Fascial Counterstrain, Trigger Point Release, Thai Massage, Ashiatsu, Dry Needling, Cupping). I’ve been fortunate to work alongside dozens of highly skilled MTs and PTs, learning from each of them by treating each other. No one appreciates bodywork more than bodyworkers themselves, or knows how important it is to get regular treatment. Clients always ask us how often they should come. If weekly is an option, I always recommend it; but honestly, that alone often isn’t enough. Once the tone and length of our muscles and fascia have adaptively changed (due to prolonged positions, overuse, underuse, trauma, etc), best odds for correction = daily treatment. Even just a few minutes a day significantly improves our body’s ability to maintain lasting change. Thankfully, there has been a prolific influx of highly effective self-care tools over the last few years. My favorites include foam rolls (low-density), self-massage balls (rubber) and several of the mechanical percussion devices (vibration guns, rolls and balls). On days when we position or move our bodies in ways that perpetuate tightness and strain, we can easily self-treat if we have the proper tools on hand. I personally use at least one of these tools daily, and credit my self-care routine for my ability to continue working in a physically demanding job for over 3 decades. The best part about self-massage is that it feels amazing! I’m sure many of you, like me, are spa junkies. That doesn’t need to change. But once you’ve learned a few simple techniques, working on yourself can be equally fulfilling.

My parents gave new life to one of the trees that burned in the Paradise fire. Sculpted into a platform, it’s an ideal meditation seat on the edge of the canyon🌲

So grateful to live in the heart of a city and still be able to ground my feet on the earth daily🌻

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