Introduction
Mary has been a relaxation and treatment massage professional for over 13 years. Her knowledge and experience enables her to work on a wide range of people from babies, Alzheimer patients, motor vehicle accident/L&I injuries, those with chronic pain issues, to high end athletes, and fitness enthusiasts.
Because many people are concerned about the depth of the work — either too deep or not deep enough — Mary knows that deeper isn’t always better. She adjusts pressure to suit your needs and comfort level, so you feel worked on — not worked over.
Training
Mary graduated June 1996 from the Utah College of Massage Therapy (UCMT). She was recognized for Outstanding Academic Achievement. The 712 hours of required UCMT study exceeds the minimum 500 hours provided by many massage schools in this area.
UCMT works closely with the
Intra-Oral Massage Practitioner
*** New Washington Certification***
Although Mary has been practicing intra-oral techniques in her TMJD* treatment for the relief of headaches since her initial CNMT training in 1997, the State of Washington did not recognise that type of work until July 2008. Mary is now a state certified intra-oral massage pracitioner! There are several LMPs in Everett that have this certification - but don't be fooled into thinking that they are the same. Mary has 12 years of practical experience and many hours of training at a level untouched by the current 16 hour class that the newly certified LMPs just took in the past year.
Skip the rest, jump to the best - isn't getting the relief from your headache/jaw pain worth 30-minutes of your time?
*TMJD (TemporoMandibular Joint Dysfunction) occurs when changes within the jaw's "hinge" joint due to an injury or accident causes abnormal movement of the jaw. This then can be the cause of pain reaction to radiate through out the head - nighttime tooth grinding, toothaches, earaches, tinnitus, migraines, deep headaches - symptoms that your doctor(s) are many times unable to determine the cause of.
LMP
What do these letters mean? They mean that Mary is licensed by the Washington Dept of Professional Licensing. And that she has met or exceeded the minimum requirements regarding the ethical and lawful practice of massage. She also takes continuing educations classes yearly as required by the licensing office.
CNMT
Mary is certified in Paul St. John’s method of neuromuscular therapy (NMT). This is an intensive course of study requiring over 125 hours of post-graduate classroom study, practical and theory exams, and additional portfolio information supporting a complete knowledge of this treatment program. Many say they took the classes, but few get certified.
NMT's focus is to balance the central nervous system with the structure and form of each person's body. Using an analysis of your health/injury history, posture and movement testing, and palpation, Mary determines which muscles need to be worked. What this means is - even though your main complaint is burning pain between your shoulder blades, you may actually need work done on the muscles of your chest and ribs.
It is amazing how this works (see Testimonials). Prior to coming to Mary, many of her clients had been worked in the area of pain without results - the medical practitioner never took into consideration why that area hurts. This is where the study of NMT makes that leap from ordinary treatment work to extraordinary healing/pain relief. No one treatment is the same; what works for one client may not for another. All sessions are as unique as the individual.
Mary may give you stretches and homework to do between sessions. Remember, one session a week can not fix what you do to yourself on a daily basis. The focus is to have you want to get massage, not need to get massage.
Other Areas of Study
Deep Swedish Relaxation
There are so many different styles out there that it is hard to really pin Mary down to just one or two. However, her primary influences are Russian Sports massage (lots of kneading and tissue movement) and myofascial release (releasing muscles that are stuck together giving you that stuck/tight feeling everytime you move or twist). This combination leaves you feeling relaxed and loose without feeling wiped out.
Cranial-Sacral for Headache & TMJD Pain Relief
Cranial-Sacral work is a gentle technique designed to provide relief from headache and is the primary technique that Mary uses to resolve headaches not involving TMJ caused pain. Many times these small changes are the source of acute headaches. Headache treatment sessions concentrate on all aspects of the shoulders, neck, and head. Because, if the shoulders aren't right; the head isn't either.
Acupressure and Shiatsu
Oriental medical treatment theory and practical application. The shiatsu session is focused on total body balancing. It is done while the client is fully clothed (in loose warm-ups/short and t-shirt) and is very gentle and calming. In addition to activating chi points, the session involves gentle stretching and
movement work of all joints. This is the primary session treatment that Mary uses on her Alzheimer and
AIDS patients. It is also wonderful for post-stroke rehabilitation. Mary's very first paying client was a post-stroke surviver. With Mary's use of Shiatsu, the client became able to dress herself and cook without the need of an aide.
Pregnancy Massage Sessions
Mary has taken post-graduate training in Pregnancy massage focusing on easing the discomfort of being pregnant. She is certified in Pregnancy and Postpartum massage by the nationally renowned Kate Jordan.
5 paid sessions prior to birth = one free post-partum and infant massage session.