Your Appointment.
Every appointment begins with conversation and assessment, allowing us to create a treatment plan based on what you are experiencing, your preferences, and what can be appropriately addressed within our time together. You do not need to choose a specific treatment style before booking.
My treatments are generally slow, intentional, and whole-body in their approach. The following are areas of particular interest within my practice and may be incorporated where appropriate.
Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic massage may help address muscular tension, pain, stiffness, and restricted movement. It may be appropriate if you experience persistent tension, head, neck, or shoulder discomfort, or areas that feel overworked from posture, work, or daily activity.
Treatment may focus on one concern or take a more general, full-body approach. Following assessment, I combine focused therapeutic techniques with slower Swedish massage to create treatment that is both purposeful and restorative.
TMJ & Intra-Oral Massage
Jaw tension can involve more than the jaw itself. TMJ-focused massage may address related muscles and soft tissues of the face, temples, scalp, neck, shoulders, and upper chest.
This treatment may be appropriate if you experience jaw or facial tension, clenching or grinding, fatigue around the jaw, or tension that extends into the head, neck, and shoulders.
Treatment may include extra-oral techniques as well as intra-oral (sometimes called buccal) massage, using gloved hands inside the mouth.
Facial Massage
Facial massage involves the manual treatment of muscles and soft tissues of the face, scalp, jaw, neck, and upper shoulders.
An entire appointment may be devoted to facial massage, or it can be incorporated into a TMJ massage, or broader full-body treatment.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle technique that uses light, rhythmic movements directed toward superficial tissues. Its pressure and pacing differ from deeper forms of massage.
It may be considered for certain types of soft-tissue swelling, including sensations of heaviness, fullness, or tightness associated with inflammation, or swelling following an injury or surgery when medically appropriate.
For a comprehensive treatment, I generally recommend 60 minutes for Full-Body Lymphatic Drainage, or 90 minutes for a Full-Body treatment with additional Face and Neck work.
Abdominal Massage
Abdominal massage uses gentle techniques to treat the muscles and soft tissues of the abdomen. It may be considered for tension, discomfort, or restricted movement in this area following assessment.
Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy massage is therapeutic care adapted to your changing body. Positioning, pressure, and techniques are adjusted for comfort and may help address muscular tension, discomfort, or restricted movement, particularly through the back, hips, neck, and shoulders.
Please share any complications or healthcare-provider recommendations before treatment.
Ready to work together?
Appointments are booked by duration rather than treatment type. Visit the Appointment Guide for help choosing your time, or book directly through Kitsilano Massage Therapy.