Our bodies have an innate ability to self-heal, I facilitate this self-healing by releasing the restrictions of structure or dysfunction or emotion that prevent the natural restorative mechanisms from working. I offer a safe environment to support and enhance this process. Utilizing a wide array of skills, I help stimulate the unwinding of chronic holding patterns, trauma or stress the body carries. This work creates a calm state of mind, body and emotions. I help clients with many types of chronic pain and illnesses including:
Therapeutic Services: Integrative Manual Therapy: Precise gentle Organ Specific Osteopathic manual therapy for complex physical issues to alleviate pain, restore function, and promote health and well being. As your issues warrant, the following modalities are used with specificity and precision – Myofascial, CranioSacral, Visceral, Neural, Meningeal, Traumawork, Lymphatic Drainage, Brain Structure. The Body is a system of systems, each system needs to be balanced and have good communication with the other systems. The ability of the body, mind, emotion to get the best treatment is best achieved by following the instruction of the body wisdom. The session respects this and follows from the general area of greatest restriction to the very specific local restriction until the end of the session and the resolution of the restrictions and restoration of the communications between systems. Below you will find more specifics about the different modalities.
Visceral Manipulation: VM assists functional and structural imbalances throughout the body including musculoskeletal, vascular, nervous, urogenital, respiratory, digestive and lymphatic dysfunction. It evaluates and treats the dynamics of motion and suspension in relation to organs, membranes, fascia and ligaments. VM increases proprioceptive communication within the body, thereby revitalizing a person and relieving symptoms of pain, dysfunction, and poor posture. An integrative approach to evaluation and treatment of a patient requires assessment of the structural relationships between the viscera, and their fascial or ligamentous attachments to the musculoskeletal system. Strains in the connective tissue of the viscera can result from surgical scars, adhesions, illness, posture or injury. Tension patterns form through the fascial network deep within the body, creating a cascade of effects far from their sources for which the body will have to compensate. This creates fixed, abnormal points of tension that the body must move around, and this chronic irritation gives way to functional and structural problems.
Craniosacral Therapy: CST was pioneered and developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger following extensive scientific studies from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State University, where he served as a clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics. CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system – comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system. By complementing the body’s natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction
Concussion Work: Neuromeningeal Traumawork: Neural Manipulation developed by Jean-Pierre Barral, D.O., and Alain Croibier, D.O, examines mechanical relationships between the cranium/spine hard frame to the dura and neural elements. It provides assessment and treatment approaches to address restrictions of the dural and neural components not commonly focused on with musculoskeletal Neural Manipulation developed by Jean-Pierre Barral, D.O., and Alain Croibier, D.O, examines mechanical relationships between the cranium/spine hard frame to the dura and neural elements. It provides assessment and treatment approaches to address restrictions of the dural and neural components not commonly focused on with musculoskeletal symptoms. Generally, one thinks of a trauma as a severe injury that causes damage. This definition encompasses different gradients of external forces acting on the body. For example, not every joint trauma leads to a fracture or dislocation, which is verifiable by x-ray. From a medical standpoint, patients are often considered perfectly healthy, even though they are not at all the same as they were before sustaining a trauma. The same is generally true for the neural manipulation and the nerves. Traumatic nerve lesions typically do not result in a recognizable, well-defined clinical picture. Instead a broad spectrum of disturbances can be found. Because of their inconsistency and lack of evidence (with conventional examination methods and imaging procedures) symptoms are often overlooked. Often functional nerve lesions develop after neurotropic diseases (like herpes zoster — shingles) or a result of postural imbalances. Frequently they derive from mechanical forces and energies: friction, pressure (compression), or traction forces (stretch), all of which affect the nerves. To bring about lesions, a trauma does not have to be severe. Such as a nonphysiological movement, a harmless sprain, faulty posture, or muscle contractions. Often, it is a matter of repetitive micro-traumas. Pathological processes can can take place inside and outside the nerves.
Melt Method: The MELT Method® (MELT®) is a simple self-treatment technique that reduces chronic pain and helps you stay healthy, youthful, and active for a lifetime. Just 10 minutes of MELT three times a week is all you need to reduce the effects of accumulated tension and stress caused by daily living. New research has revealed the missing link to pain-free living: a balanced nervous system and healthy connective tissue. These two components work together to provide your body support and optimal mind-body communication. MELT directly addresses these two systems of your body in a way no other self-treatment can, including diet and exercise. You’ll see and feel results in the first session. Over time MELT heightens your body’s ability to repair and heal itself, which can create remarkable, lasting changes. MELT offers natural pain relief, addressing the true cause of pain, not just the symptoms.
Rolfing 10 series: Rolfing is a form of hands-on manipulation and movement education developed by Ida P. Rolf over 50 years ago. Rolfing® Structural Integration works on the connective tissue (fascia) to release, realign and balance the whole body. Rolfing® Structural Integration enhances your posture and freedom of movement.
Pilates/ Training: EXERCISE PROGRAMS One on One Training: Pilates based or Interval -The ‘Intense’ workout for cardio, coordination, balance, strength, stretch that includes: Lite weights, Bosu, bands, pilates mat, yoga, yoga ropes, jump rope. -The Basics Workout: Alignment, breathing, placement, rebuild the core from the ground up with state of the art training methods. I bring my compassion, mind and spirit to be with you on your healing journey.
More About Me:
A former modern ballet soloist, I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from the California Institute of the Arts. I performed and choreographed for companies in the United States and Europe since 1975 until 1989 when my injuries called me to study dance medicine rehabilitation.
My new mentors included world class Motor Learning specialists, Rolfers and Physical Therapists. Certified as a Rolfer and Rolfing Movement practitioner in 1997. In 1998 I began studying CranioSacral therapy. Starting in 2011 I began studying with the International Association of Healthcare Educators, for more specific and precise techniques of Visceral, Neural, Vascular techniques of Manual Therapy, Upledger CranioSacral Therapy, Chikly and Barral Brain Structure techniques.
In January 2015 I did my first (of currently five Instructor Trainings in the Melt Method, a remarkable way to restore fascia hydration, regain neurostrength, and prepare for performance with special foam rollers and balls. When I do Melt consistently my body feels supple, I have better balance and my digestion and sleep improve.
Dance Movement Specialist member of the Shape Magazine Advisory Board, 1992-2005. My fitness training has been seen in national and international magazines such as: ALLURE, SELF, SHAPE, and Paris VOGUE. Locally, CITY SPORTS, PARENT Magazine, and LA TIMES Health and Fitness section have featured this innovative work. LOS ANGELES magazine’s January 1998 issue chose me as one of the best Pilates teachers in Southern California.
Almost 27 years of teaching and professional performance have me convinced that the body must be balanced to achieve it’s full potential.
My California Massage Therapist license # is CAMTC#27980
Affiliations: International Association of Healthcare Practitioners, Rolf Institute of Structural Integration, Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals
