Registered Massage Therapy

1. Assessment:

Every massage appointment begins with a conversation. We will discuss what brought you in for treatment that day, how you move (or don’t move) on a daily basis, and what stressors you encounter and how you respond to them. We then discuss and agree on what areas of your body you would like to be treated that day and then we prepare to move onto the actual massage portion of the treatment.

2. The treatment:

Many RMTs will list the techniques they offer on their websites, you will not find that here. Through continued research we have come to understand that during a massage we are mostly engaging with your skin and nervous system. My intention is to provide an appropriate amount of pressure that is not painful so that we are always working towards soothing your nervous systems response to daily life stressors that can lead to increased sensitivity to body pain. For this reason, I do not provide deep tissue massage that you have to breathe or sweat through. In treatment I use a combination of deep (non-painful) and superficial techniques combined with active and passive stretching to provide your system with alternative feedback in hopes of nudging it towards a new, less tensioned, state of being.

3. Movement Optimism:

I almost always encourage some type of movement practice. A movement practice can be as simple as walking 10 minutes a day, or spending a few minutes exploring what stretches feel the best for your body. It can also be as intense as a Crossfit class or strenuous hike. Movement preference is as unique as you are, so we will work together to find what works the best for you and your body. Because the best stretch/movement practice is the one you’re going to do consistently.

Please feel free to connect with me through email at tarahawkin@gmail.com if you would like to discuss if I’m the right RMT for you.