Sara works with you to identify your goals for each session and creates a personal treatment plan using a dynamic blend of Eastern and Western techniques. She specializes in deep tissue massage to focus on specific complaints, with the goal of guiding you toward your own innate ability to heal.

Deep Tissue and Medical Massage
Sara’s work blends traditional Swedish massage with techniques from Shiatsu, Reflexology and Lymphatic Drainage to promote deep relaxation and wellness, and to treat specific conditions. Pressure varies throughout the session and is adjusted for each individual. To achieve maximum effect, sessions may include stretching, range of motion and active or passive exercises.

Conditions that may benefit from deep tissue and medical massage:

• TMJ
• headaches/migrains
• rotator cuff injuries
• tendonitis
• whiplash
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• sciatica
• frozen shoulder
• chronic and/or acute back or neck pain
• depression/anxiety
• insomnia
• Prenatal and Postpartum Massage

Sara was blessed with two very different pregnancies and births. Each experience deepened her profound appreciation and sense of awe for this amazing transition in a woman’s life. Sara has extensive knowledge in the dramatic changes a woman’s body goes through during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and knows how to support expectant and new mothers physically and emotionally. From swollen ankles, to tender breasts, to aching backs and necks, Sara’s expert hands will help you relax and enjoy this special time. During the second and third trimesters, pregnant woman are comfortably and safely supported in a sidelying position with custom designed bolsters.

Reflexology

Reflexology is a method of applying skillful pressure and techniques to parts of the feet, or sometimes the hands and ears, with the goal of encouraging a beneficial effect on specific organs, areas and systems throughout the body.

Lymphatic Drainage Technique

LDT is a very light touch, rhythmic massage that gently moves the skin in the direction of natural lymph flow to help the body flush toxins, reduce edema (swelling) and boost immunity.

Five element Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a Japanese form of bodywork that treats the mind, body and spirit as one. It is traditionally done on a mat on the floor with the recipient in loose, comfortable clothes, but easily adapts to the use of a massage table. The practitioner applies compressions and sustained finger pressure along meridians and pressure points to encourage harmony in the body and mind. Passive range of motion and stretching are included.

Doula Services

As a labor support doula and mother, Sara believes in honoring the labor and birth experience as a transformative life event. Sara understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor and provides continuous physical and emotional support and an objective viewpoint throughout the labor and birth. She helps women and birth partners get the information they need to make informed decisions. Sara is available for home and hospital births and offers free consultations for prospective clients.
Studies show that a doula’s continuous support, practical knowledge, and labor enhancing techniques help to reduce pain and anxiety in laboring women. When a laboring woman is less frightened and feels less pain, her labor is more likely to progress without the need for interventions.

Research conducted by Klaus, Kennell, & Klaus (1993, 2002) shows that a doula’s presence during labor and birth results in the following positive outcomes:

• 50% reduction in the rate of cesareans
• 60% reduction in epidural requests
• 40% reduction in the use of pitocin (a contraction induction method)
• 40% reduction in vacuum assisted deliveries
• 25% shorter labors
• an increase in successful breastfeeding and bonding
• a reduction in “baby blues” and postpartum depression

Doula Services include:

At least one prenatal visit to assess your needs and desires for birth, define and understand our expectations of one another, and provide you with useful tools for labor and birth
Unlimited phone and e-mail support to answer your questions and offer suggestions and support throughout pregnancy and early labor
Continuous physical, emotional, and informational support for you and your partner for the duration of labor and birth
Immediate postpartum support for up to two hours after the birth, including help initiating breast-feeding
One postpartum follow-up visit to celebrate and review the birth of your baby and answer any questions you have during the early postpartum period