In 1990, a combination of long-term stress and some spinal oddities - and more importantly, my ignorance about how to take care of myself - had led to chronic pain in my neck, shoulders and low back. I went first to MDs, then to a chiropractor, and the chiropractor recommended massage.
Massage made the most difference for me; it relieved the pain and helped me begin to recognize and respect my own physical needs and limits. Once my muscles were relaxed, I was better able to recognize the things I had been habitually doing that misused and re-tightened them. I guess you could say I became a “massage convert” first. Then I became a massage therapist in 1991, to continue my learning and share the benefits of massage.
I’m a 1991 graduate of Atlanta School of Massage. I’ve also taken a wide variety of continuing education courses over the years - in Neuromuscular Therapy, Sports Massage, TouchPro Chair Massage, Fibromyalgia Massage, Geriatric Massage, and others.
I’ve taught massage at both Atlanta School of Massage, at Rising Spirit Institute of Natural Health, and as a continuing education instructor for the TouchPro Institute of Chair Massage.
From 1991-1994 I focused on clinical massage, working at Georgia Baptist Medical Center, the National Pain Institute, and GRD Chiropractic Clinic and Brauchler Chiropractic.
In 1995 I shifted my focus toward wellness massage, recognizing most people need good preventive maintenance. I still do some “treatment massage”, but my emphasis since 1995 has been on wellness or “tune-up massage”.
Generally, about half of my practice is table massage, the other half is chair massage at businesses and events all over Atlanta. I specialize in TouchPro™ Chair Massage, a form of seated acupressure massage which is done through clients’ clothing. It is still my favorite chair massage technique because tends to boost people’s energy rather than sedating them - which is important during the workday!
I’ve done volunteer massage in settings such as St. Joseph’s Medical Center, the Georgia State Games, and Paralympics. During the ‘96 Olympic Games I had the honor of working with Olympic officials. I've also worked for diverse groups like the Mike Ferry Organization, Enrique Iglesias' Production Company, Prevent Child Abuse America, and AtlantaFest.
I’m a member of the American Massage Therapy Association. I’m the first massage therapist in Gwinnett County to be granted a special use permit for a residential practice.
Besides all that, I’ve been married to my best friend since 1980, and we are blessed with two energetic and creative daughters.
In “classic” table massage, I combine deep tissue, Swedish massage and neuromuscular therapy. As the session proceeds, I try to keep focused on any areas of special importance to the client, and to use appropriate pressure that feels right to the client - not wimpy, not brutal.
And I do chair massage - click here for details on chair massage.
It helps to compare this to restaurants. Some restaurants are in high-cost locations and are expensively decorated so they have high overhead costs and set high prices. They may or may not have dependably good food, depending on who’s in the kitchen when you go. Other restaurants have great food but are more affordable due to lower overhead. So when you’re choosing a restaurant, it’s helpful to figure out how consistent the food quality is, and how important “atmosphere” is for your occasion.
The greatest advantage to coming to me is that my work is consistently good - I’ve had many years of experience with all kinds of people, conditions and situations - and yet, since my overhead is low, I’m able to keep my price lower than any spa, chiropractor or health club I’m aware of. My office is clean and pleasant, though not fancy - and I’ve also got the best sound system I know of among massage therapists. (Click here for more info on my music).
Nice spas, like nice restaurants, have high overhead and they charge more. The biggest complaint I hear from clients about spa massage, aside from price, is that it’s difficult to get consistently good work.
I hope this doesn’t sound like I’m spa-bashing; spas aren’t “evil”, I’m not against them, and I’ve personally had good experiences receiving spa massage. Just hoping to provide a little overall perspective since the above question is one I am frequently asked.
It depends on what you mean by “sensual”.
If you mean, does it feel good to the senses, then yes, it does. Two of my favorite memories are a former drug addict who said my table massage was better than drugs, and the nurse who coordinated medical services for the International Olympic Committee in Atlanta in 1996, who jumped up out of my massage chair saying, “I never knew massage could feel so good! I never knew I could feel so good!”
But sometimes when prospective clients ask about “sensual” massage, it becomes evident that they're looking for sexual massage. And if, on any level, you’re looking for any kind of sexual massage, please do us both a favor and don’t call me. I don’t do that kind of massage.
You’re the best judge of what helps your body and mind function best, so I don’t think anyone can tell another person how often they “should” get massage.
However, if you’re not used to getting massage regularly, you may not be aware of how great you would feel, how much better you would function, when you get massage on a regular basis.
Most of my clients find that once or twice a month helps them feel their best under normal, uninjured circumstances. Other clients come once or twice a year as they are able. If they’re in periods of higher stress or have had an injury, more often is better.
Try getting four massages at monthly or twice-monthly intervals, and then decide for yourself what works for you.
Some clients come because they are stressed out or in pain, and therapeutic massage brings relief. Others come who have no major problems but who have a strong sense of purpose--and when they feel better, they function better.
Everyone benefits from good preventive maintenance; everyone functions better with reduced muscular tension and enhanced circulation.
Not all massage is “relaxing”; many athletes get massage before competition because it enhances human performance.
The best massage is a combination of good hands and good two-way communication. Any time, if you have any discomfort during the session, please tell me: if the pressure isn’t right, or the room is too hot or too cold, or you don’t like the music that’s playing, or I have a rough edge on a fingernail I didn’t notice, or anything else.
It takes me time to learn what works best for each person--and less time if you communicate. You may have unique tender spots requiring gentleness, and other areas which need heavy pressure. Also, a massage technique that most people love may not work well for you. Please tell me any time what you find especially beneficial, and anything that’s uncomfortable. That helps me make optimal use of your time.
However, when it’s all done, if you don’t like the massage--if it doesn’t make you feel better--then don’t pay. While lots of experienced massage recipients tell me I gave them the best massage they ever had, the old saying applies: “Different strokes for different folks”. I hope the recourse policy makes it easier to give my style a try.
Please don’t treat appointment times casually. Your session begins at the scheduled time. If we start late because you arrived late, I can do a lot of good with the remaining time, but we’ll still finish at the scheduled time.
A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required to cancel an appointment. If you cancel with less notice--or simply don’t show up--you’ll be expected to pay for the session anyway.
There are exceptions to this 24-hour cancellation policy for sudden illness, severe weather, etc. which would also make you miss an important meeting or cancel a trip. In that case simply give me as much notice as you can.
The only kind of talk “required” is feedback. I do need you to tell me any time, if you want more pressure, less pressure, a blanket, etc.
Other than that, whether we talk is up to you, because it’s your massage. Some clients like quiet sessions because they already have enough words in their life. Others seem to de-pressurize better during the massage by talking out whatever is on their minds. I’m comfortable, either way, and I try to take my cues from each client, each session. So do whatever you feel gives you the most benefit from each time.
If you do talk about personal info, please be assured that I keep this confidential.
To the session, wear whatever is convenient for you. Some people come from work, and bring comfortable clothes along to put on after the massage instead of their business suit.
Most people undress completely before getting on the massage table; some are more comfortable wearing their underwear. I’ve worked occasionally with people who were uncomfortable with the idea of disrobing, and in that case I can simply work through clothing.
Clients are warmly covered at all times during the massage. Only the specific area being worked on is undraped, worked on, then covered up again and I move to another area. And I never uncover or work on “private parts”.
Table Massage:
Chair massage:
An upper body acupressure massage, done thru the clothes with the client on
a special chair:
Outcalls to home or office:
(reasonable driving distance, one hour minimum)
I accept cash or checks, no credit cards.
Probably not, depending on the condition.
There are a variety of medical conditions I can work with, simply as an experienced massage therapist - most, requiring prior approval by that person's primary care provider.
However, if someone is not able to walk, get on the massage table without assistance, and turn themselves over, then due to practical limitations I am not able to work with them.
I run my music from a Mac computer using iTunes, so I can compile playlists as needed and avoid music pieces that just don’t work for massage.
I pick music carefully for massage, because musical tastes vary. For example, a few of my clients like Gregorian Chant, but that definitely isn’t for everybody! So I try to keep track of who likes classical, contemporary, Celtic, Leo Kottke’s mellower instrumental music, and so on.
Three of my favorite guitarists whose quieter instrumental works seem to be nearly universally appreciated are John Michael Talbot, Phil Keaggy and Billy McLaughlin. (To see their websites, click on their names.)
For those who like classical music, I try to pick the mellower and happier stuff; some classical music seems to me to be too “brooding” for massage, or so powerful it might knock the client off the table!
If there is a particular CD that you’d like me to use for your session, please bring it with you and I’m happy to play it.