About Me and How I Practice

I specialize in working with people in acute or unresolved pain and restricted movement; from overuse, trauma, whiplash, work injuries, demands of sport, repetitive use or degenerative processes or anyone wanting to move freer in their body.

Working with all ages and health care issues, I bring a continued interest and investigative intention to each session.

Every person is unique in their need for care, tolerance for pressure, technique readiness and movement. I provide pain reducing positioning, use highly tuned palpation skills, applied principles of anatomy and kinesiology and bring decades of advanced studies and experience to every session. I always encourage and respond to your feedback and work at a level of pressure that is right for you.  

History.  

I began working as a massage therapist in 1989 still in school, but certified to begin practice. After graduating I worked in a local chiropractic office and this sparked my interest for working with complex muscular and health issues.  

In 1990 I moved from the east bay to Sonoma County where I began working with Merri Harris DC. at the Healing Arts Clinic in Sebastopol CA; Sonoma Counties first Multidisciplinary Clinic.

Working with Dr. Harris is where I gained experience and skill in working with people in pain from injury and trauma. There I was able to develop and realize my aptitude for specific muscle therapy and clinical massage work. Working in partnership for fourteen years we developed a specialized Chiropractic Assisting Program (CSA) and an Advanced Clinical Massage (ACM) training program.

As “Healing Arts” grew so did the need for a strong team of massage therapists so  I developed and ran the company “Clinical Massage Therapies”, (CMT), from 1994-2002. I employed, trained and managed a team of seven massage therapists. We provided services for the entire clinic, including services to five chiropractors as assistants, and all massage services to the patient base of thirteen practitioners including MDs, Acupuncturists, Marriage Family Therapists, and a Homoeopath MD.

Some of CMT’s focus was in Personal Injury and Workers Compensation. I managed all cases, writing progress reports, produced billing and provided highly skilled massage care. I sold CMT in 2002, took a year sabbatical and came back to private practice.

Since 2003 I have maintained a private practice in Santa Rosa CA. In 2004, I joined the Integrative Medical Clinic of Santa Rosa , as an adjunct practitioner. There I practiced for eleven years. The team services consisted of Family Practice MDs, ENT, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Psychotherapy, Naturopathy, Nutrition, Massage, Bodywork, and Movement Therapy. The unique team element at IMCSR was the weekly Patient Care Conferences, PCCs. At PCC we presented challenging cases and collaborated to suggest and implement an integrated path of care that best may help a patient meet their health care goals.

Currently I continue in a solo private practice, but work closely with other health care professionals to better meet the goals of clients and patients.

“I still love working with the complexities of the human embodiment.” ~Deanna Straub

EDUCATION AND TRAINING I am a graduate of The National Holistic Institute - San Francisco Bay Area with a certificate of Massage Therapist and Health Educator.

My course work and training includes, Anatomy, Kinesiology, Meridian Anatomy, Massage, Nutrition, Ethics, Business and Marketing, and running all  aspects of a massage clinic. Technique training includes Neuromuscular Therapy, Trigger Point Therapy, Deep Tissue, Swedish Esalen, Lymphatic Massage, Shiatsu, Pregnancy Massage, Sports Massage and PNF stretch technique.

ADVANCED TRAINING

Ongoing study of Human Anatomy and Kinesiology.

Myofascial Release and Chiropractic Assisting Certification with Merri Harris DC 1991-1992.·       

Body Mind Medicine intensive with Deepak Chopra MD, David Simon MD and Candace Pert PhD. , Boston, Ma, 1995.

Chronic Pain and Trauma; and Integrative Approaches with Leon Chaitow DO ND., Berkley CA 1996.

Oncology Massage Contraindications Tracy Walton MA, 2011 certified AMTA.

Oncology Massage and treatment Tracy Walton MA, 2011 certified AMTA.

Fibromyalgia, Evidence Based Treatment with Leon Chaitow ND DO, 2011 certified AMTA.

Healing, Mindfulness and Compassion; a Sutter Medical Center three day retreat with Ellen Barnett MD, Ph.D. , Bob Dozer MD