FAQs Embodied Movement & Massage
Welcome to my FAQs. Find answers to common questions about logistics and my unique, nervous system-focused approach to massage and movement.
Policies & Logistics
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I am located at 105 Grand St, Brooklyn, inside the Grand Street Healing Project. Please enter through The Wild storefront.
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I ask that you arrive no more than 5 minutes before your appointment time to ensure a smooth and timely start to your session. Please enter through “The Wild” storefront.
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I am by appointment only. For sessions at 105 Grand St, book online. A valid credit card is required to reserve your appointment.
For sessions in-home, in-manhattan, or to request specific times, contact me.
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Payment is taken after your session. I accept cash, credit card, and Venmo.
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I require a minimum of 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment without a charge. Sessions canceled with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged the full session fee. You can manage your appointments online or contact me directly.
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To ensure a smooth first experience and prepare for your session, please complete the confidential, HIPPA-compliant intake and consent forms before your initial visit.
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No, I do not accept direct payment from insurance companies. However, I can provide you with a detailed receipt that you can submit to your insurance provider for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Please check with your insurance company regarding your coverage limits for massage therapy.
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Tipping is always optional and never expected, but it is greatly appreciated for excellent service. You can add a gratuity when paying with a credit card, or leave a cash or Venmo tip.
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Session Packages
3 × 1 hr Therapeutic Massage $468 (Save $27)
3 × 1 hr Massage + Movement $525 (Save $30)
Packages are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase.
Discounts & Referrals
Discount Policy: Only one discount or promotion can be used per session.
Referral Bonus: When you refer a friend who books a session, both you and your friend will receive $10 off your next massage.
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Yes, I do offer in-home sessions dependent upon location. This service is available for an additional $60. Please contact me directly to inquire about availability in your area.
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Yes, upon request, I offer sessions in Manhattan at 736 Broadway.
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If you're experiencing any symptoms of illness (like a fever, cough, or sore throat), please stay home and rest! If you notice symptoms developing, please try to notify me more than 24 hours in advance if possible. Just contact me immediately to let me know you need to reschedule. While I require 24 hours' notice, the cancellation fee may be waived in certain circumstances for sudden illness, provided you communicate with me right away.
About your session
What is the difference between Therapeutic Massage and Massage + Movement?
Therapeutic Massage is primarily focused on nervous system regulation and deep stillness, using hands-on bodywork (like gently, long nervous-system-focused holds, Swedish, and Myofascial techniques) to ease tension. Massage + Movement is an integrated session that blends hands-on massage with active, guided somatic movement (like Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and assisted stretching) to help you build functional body awareness and mobility.
Should I choose a Therapeutic Massage or a Massage + Movement Session?
The best choice depends on your goals, but here is a simple guide:
Choose a Therapeutic Massage if:
Your primary goal is deep relaxation and stress relief.
You are looking for a passive massage experience where you can rest and recharge.
You prefer work that focuses mainly on pain and muscle tension relief through calming techniques like sustained holds, Swedish, Thai, and myofascial techniques.
This session is the ideal way to downregulate your nervous system, release built-up tension, and foster deep, restorative rest.
Choose a Massage + Movement Session if:
Your goal is to improve how your body moves and functions over time.
You want to work on a specific issue like limited range of motion or chronic discomfort.
You are ready for a collaborative session where your active participation is key.
These sessions blend hands-on bodywork with active techniques to cultivate positive change:
Active & Assisted Techniques: We utilize a blend of hands-on massage with active muscle work, assisted stretching, and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) to help your body explore and expand its capabilities.
Collaborative Approach: Unlike a passive massage, you and I work together to help improve your body's awareness and movement patterns.
Targeted Focus: The work is tailored to your specific needs, addressing areas of restricted movement, tension, and discomfort.
Benefits: These sessions are designed to help your nervous system feel safer in movement, which can lead to:
increased body awareness and movement
reduced tension and pain
improved functional movement and deeper relief
A Note on Communication: Regardless of which session you choose, your input is essential. Please communicate any needs, adjustments to pressure, or sensations you notice during the session to ensure your experience is as beneficial and comfortable as possible.
To learn a bit more about how movement can be beneficial, check out my blog post The Therapeutic Power of Massage + Movement
How should I expect to feel after my massage?
You should expect to feel deeply calm, relaxed, and grounded, often a little sleepy or quiet. Because the work is nervous-system-focused, we avoid forceful techniques, meaning you should not feel the typical post-massage soreness or pain often associated with aggressive deep tissue. The goal is functional improvement, so clients often report sleeping better, having clearer thought, and moving with greater ease in the days following the session.
How should I prepare for my first session?
To ensure a smooth and personalized first visit, please take these three simple steps:
Intake Form: Complete your confidential, HIPPA-compliant intake form online before your initial visit.
Consultation: I will consult briefly at the start of your session to discuss your health history and specific goals, which allows me to develop a personalized treatment strategy.
What to Wear: For a traditional table massage, you will be professionally draped. For Massage + Movement and Strength & Flexibility sessions, please wear comfortable, athletic clothing that allows for a full range of motion
I have body acne or body hair. Can I still get a massage?
Yes, absolutely. Your comfort and privacy are my highest priorities. Body hair and skin conditions like acne are completely normal and will not affect the quality or professionalism of your session. I will ensure the treatment is tailored to your comfort level, avoiding any painful pressure on sensitive areas. We can also adjust draping if needed—please never hesitate to communicate your needs.
What should I expect regarding privacy, draping, and clothing?
Your comfort and privacy are my highest priorities. We ensure you feel safe and supported throughout the entire session.
Initial Consultation: We'll begin with a brief, in-person consultation to discuss your intake form, goals, and any concerns. This ensures your session is fully customized.
Privacy for Undressing: You will be given full privacy to undress to your comfort level before getting on the table and settling under the top sheet. I will not re-enter the room until you signal you are ready.
Professional Draping: During the session, you will be professionally draped with a top sheet, with only the area being actively worked on exposed. Sensitive areas are always respected and covered.
Remain Fully Clothed: You are always welcome to remain fully clothed if that is your preference! If so, please wear comfortable, flexible clothing (like athletic wear).
I have a history of trauma. Is this safe for me?
Yes, absolutely. Safety and comfort are the highest priorities. I utilize a trauma-informed lens, meaning you are always in charge. We rely on clear, frequent check-ins, and you have complete permission to pause, adjust, or stop the session at any time.
Do I have to talk during the session?
For Therapeutic Massage, your session is a space for deep rest and recovery, and you are welcome to remain in quiet stillness. However, for Massage + Movement Sessions, some verbal communication and active participation are required. This is necessary for the guided movement and stretching (like PNF) to be effective and safe. In all cases, check-ins on pressure and comfort are always encouraged.
What can I expect in a Strength & Flexibility training session?
Prepare for a session of learning and positive change! My training is a gentle yet powerful, sophisticated movement practice that helps improve your strength, flexibility, and overall body awareness. You'll discover movements, exercises, and stretches designed to benefit your neuro-myo-fascial tissue (aka nerve-muscle-connective tissue) by safely and effectively communicating with your nervous system.
We also incorporate brief, targeted manual therapy and hands-on cuing to help your nervous system access greater stability and range of motion during movement.
How does "gentle but powerful" work?
Gentle: The practice respects your body's current capabilities, focusing on controlled, mindful movements that feel good and reduce the nervous system's protective responses.
Powerful: By working with your nervous system, we create true neuromuscular adaptation that improves strength and expands your usable range of motion far more effectively than forceful or aggressive techniques.
What kind of movements can I expect?
The approach may feel like a blend of yoga and Pilates, but it is customized to your individual needs and goals. You'll learn and practice a variety of movements, exercises, and stretches to improve how your body moves and feels.
What should I wear?
Please wear comfortable athletic clothing that allows for a full range of motion.
What are the benefits?
These sessions can help you:
Move with greater ease and confidence
Improve overall body awareness and proprioception
Increase functional strength
Enhance flexibility
Develop a more positive relationship with your body
Why do I feel so tired after my massage?
Sometimes when your body has been stuck in "fight-or-flight" mode due to chronic stress, it never gets the chance to fully rest because it is in a hyper-vigilant state. A massage signals to your nervous system that it is finally safe to relax, and as you let go of that built-up tension, your body can feel exhausted. This is a sign that your body is shifting into "rest and digest" mode and beginning the important process of healing.
Post-Session Care & Integration
You may notice a feeling of deep relaxation and calm as your nervous system shifts toward a more balanced state. To help you integrate and prolong these benefits, consider the following tips for the rest of your day and beyond:
Get Good Sleep — Give yourself time for ample rest. If your body has been stuck in “fight-or-flight” mode, you may feel especially tired as your nervous system finally calms down—listen to that need.
Hydrate — Drink plenty of water. This supports your body's natural process of integrating the session's benefits.
Rest and Reflect — Avoid strenuous activity for the rest of the day. Instead, take time to rest. Pay attention to any new sensations or improvements in your body awareness.
Move Gently — Continue to move mindfully throughout the day. Listen to your body. Gentle, non-strenuous activity helps your body integrate and reinforce the positive changes created during your session.
Stay in Touch — Your feedback is invaluable. Notice how your body responds in the hours and days following your session. We'll discuss this at your next visit to continue building a personalized and effective treatment plan.
Approach & Pain Science
Why a nervous-system-focused approach to massage?
Our nervous system, the intricate network of our brain, spinal cord, and nerves, is our body's ultimate control center, orchestrating every sensation and emotion. It is central to how we experience pain and tension, processing all sensory input and creating sensations of tension and pain as a vital protective response. This powerhouse demands significant resources, consuming 20% of the body's oxygen and energy despite comprising just 2% of the body's mass. Much of the benefit of massage and bodywork is driven by communication with, and a positive response from, the nervous system. Knowing this, we focus our sessions on gentle, pain-free nervous system support, moving beyond outdated pain models to foster more effective relief.
Unpacking Common Pain Myths
Fascial Adhesions and Knots: Pain is not simply about 'knots' or 'adhesions': The idea that pain comes purely from knots or adhesions in fascia is a theory with little evidential support. Many people have knots but are pain free. Pain is a complex output generated by the brain, not just an input from peripheral tissues. While fascia is important, pain is not simply a matter of releasing mechanical restrictions.
Posture Doesn't Equal Pain: Research shows a weak or inconsistent link between "poor" posture and pain. We all have unique structural makeup, and our bodies are incredibly adaptable. What matters more is varied movement and positioning rather than holding a single "ideal" posture.
"Throwing Out Your Back": That sudden, sharp back pain often attributed to "throwing your back out" is more likely a protective response from the nervous system or temporary irritation of a nerve (aka a cranky nerve), not vertebrae shifted into misalignment.
Imaging Findings Don't Necessarily Equal Pain: It's common for people to have herniated discs or "bone-on-bone" arthritis visible on MRI scans and feel no pain whatsoever. Conversely, others experience significant pain with minimal tissue changes. These findings highlight that structural findings are not always directly correlated with pain intensity or the presence of pain at all. (Approximately 90% of herniated disc cases heal on their own with conservative treatment and the body’s natural healing processes.)
Pinched Nerves & Nerve Tunnels: Nerve tunnels are significantly larger than the nerves they house. While actual nerve compression (aka “pinch”) may be the cause of pain and/or other symptoms, sometimes the perceived danger of being compressed can trigger a protective pain response from the nervous system — nerves are complex and can respond to a perceived threat of compression, even without significant physical pressure.
My Approach: Working with Your Nervous System
My sessions integrate specialized movement and hands-on massage techniques that feel good and help to modulate these protective responses of the nervous system, which can lead to a deeper sense of safety, reduced sensitivity, tension, and pain, and improved function. By fostering greater body awareness and reducing the perceived danger associated with movement, we help you activate your body's potential and empower sustained well-being.
Ready to experience a nervous system approach to bodywork? Book your first session and get $10 off.
Why pain-free massage?
It is a common misconception that effective massage and bodywork has to be painful. In fact, modern pain science indicates that painful pressure can be counterproductive and even harmful. When your nervous system perceives a threat—such as deep, aggressive pressure—it activates a protective response, which can lead to increased tension and a higher sensitivity to pain over time.
My approach is different. I prioritize comfort and a sense of safety to facilitate your body's natural healing processes by downregulating the nervous system. This gentle, respectful touch is profoundly healing because it sends signals of safety to your brain. It deactivates the "fight or flight" response and shifts your body into its "rest and digest" state. This creates the ideal environment for deep, restorative relaxation, helping your body restore balance, repair, and release tension more effectively than with painful, forceful pressure. By shifting out of a protective, guarded state, your body's innate capacity for healing is activated.
What is Dermo-neuro-modulation?
Dermo-neuro-modulation (DNM) is a gentle, responsive, and intelligent approach to bodywork that focuses on the profound connection between your skin and your nervous system. By using gentle, specific contact on the skin, we can influence nerve function and help calm the entire nervous system. This approach addresses issues like nerve irritation or restricted nerve movement that can contribute to persistent pain and tightness.
How does it work?
The name itself helps explain the process:
Dermo refers to your skin, the body's largest sensory organ. Your skin and nervous system actually develop from the same embryonic tissue, giving them a powerful, direct connection.
Neuro refers to your nervous system.
Modulation means to influence or change.
By applying slow, light contact to the skin, we send signals of safety and comfort to your nervous system. This helps modulate or positively influence the way your brain interprets incoming sensory signals, reducing protective responses which can allow for profound relief.
What are the benefits of DNM?
Because DNM works with your body's innate intelligence, it can be particularly effective for:
Chronic pain and sensitivity
Nerve-related discomfort
Reducing nervous system arousal and anxiety
Promoting deep relaxation and overall well-being
Unlike traditional massage that focuses solely on muscle or deep tissue, DNM provides a unique, gentle pathway to relief by working directly with the nervous system.
How many sessions will it take to improve pain?
It is common to wonder how many massage sessions it will take to feel better when you're experiencing pain. The truth is, there's no single answer, and your journey to pain relief will be unique. Each person's nervous system responds differently, and with chronic pain, your brain can become accustomed to protective patterns. This means some individuals may feel relief after just one session, while others may require several to feel results. As a valuable piece of the puzzle, massage helps your nervous system enter a restorative "rest and digest" state. It also reduces muscle tension, promotes circulation, and boosts your overall well-being.
The Power of Daily Habits
Beyond the massage table, your daily routine is the single most important factor for lasting improvement. We will work together, but true healing is amplified by focusing on these essential daily habits:
Movement & Posture: The link between pain and a single "poor" posture is weak. What matters most is varied movement. Limiting sustained, habitual postures (like sitting for too long) is crucial for keeping your nervous system happy and resilient.
Sleep: Quality sleep is super important, as it is when your body and nervous system repair and consolidate healing.
Stress Management: Techniques to manage chronic stress are essential, as an overactive stress response directly increases muscle tension and pain sensitivity.
We will support your body's natural healing capabilities every step of the way, but consistency in these habits will help drive sustainable change.
How is Embodied Movement & Massage different?
Embodied Movement & Massage differs from many traditional massage practices. My approach is based on current pain science and an understanding of the nervous system's key role in pain and muscle tension.
Rather than "operate" on you, I aim to “interact” with you and your nervous system. We approach your session as a collaboration; you are the expert at existing in your body. I welcome open communication about any sensations or needs you feel during or after your session.
I focus on the nervous system with gentle, slow, long-holding massage and active manual therapy techniques to help you calm, reduce tension, and ease pain. This gentle approach is a clear contrast to methods that prioritize provocative techniques or concepts like 'breaking up tissue adhesions”.
In contrast to some traditional views within massage therapy that prioritize posture correction for pain relief, I am guided by a more contemporary approach that acknowledges the complexity of pain and the limited evidence linking posture directly to pain.
Instead of focusing on "bad posture" as the culprit, it's more accurate to consider the role of sustained postures and lack of movement in contributing to pain. Embodied Movement & Massage focuses on interacting with the nervous system to help ease muscle tension and improve movement, rather than trying to "fix" posture.
With over 17 years as a professional ballet dancer/athlete and 7+ years as a personal trainer specializing in assisted-stretch, I provide customized, therapeutic bodywork informed by the latest scientific understanding. My 25 years of experience in dance partnering provides a strong foundation for working with bodies. My Massage + Movement sessions offer a unique experience, using targeted movement and muscular contractions to introduce novel input and output, helping to calm, activate, and strengthen your neuro-myo-fascial tissue.
How can massage help with long Covid?
Long COVID is a complex, multi-system condition, and my approach offers holistic support for those navigating its persistent symptoms. Drawing on a modern understanding of the nervous system, I recognize that issues like chronic fatigue, pain, brain fog, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and headaches are often linked to an overactive stress response.
Your comfort is my top priority. Through gentle, supportive touch, we can help downregulate your nervous system, promoting a calm, "rest and digest" state. This not only directly addresses symptoms like muscle tension and anxiety but also helps the body conserve and redirect energy towards healing. By avoiding aggressive pressure, we prevent overstimulation and help your system find a more balanced, regulated state, fostering improved function and a greater sense of well-being.
Is my posture bad?
It's a common concern to worry about having "bad posture," but the latest scientific understanding shows that the link between specific postures and pain is weak and often inconsistent. Your body is incredibly adaptable, and pain is a protective output generated by your brain and nervous system, not necessarily a direct indicator of structural damage or issues. Many people have what might be considered "poor" posture on scans yet experience no pain at all, while others experience pain with minimal visible changes.
What truly matters for a healthy, comfortable body isn't holding one "perfect" posture, but rather incorporating regular movement and changing positions often throughout your day. Your nervous system thrives on variety and feeling safe. Constantly trying to hold a rigid "ideal" posture can actually increase tension and sensitize your system, potentially contributing to discomfort. Instead, focus on finding comfortable, varied positions that feel right for your unique body. As the saying goes, "your best posture is your next posture." We can help you explore more comfortable movement patterns and reduce any perceived threats your nervous system might be associating with certain positions.
Does massage break up tissue adhesions and change fascia?
While the idea of "breaking up" tissue was a common belief, our current understanding of the body shows that manual therapy, including massage, doesn't mechanically alter the physical structure of dense connective tissue like fascia. The forces required to physically change fascia are far greater than what a therapist's hands can produce.
Instead, the magic of massage happens via your nervous system. Massage works by sending positive, gentle signals to your brain, which then downregulates the nervous system and promotes deep muscle relaxation. This reduces protective tension and pain, helping your body feel and move better. Painful pressure isn't just unnecessary—it's counterproductive, as it can trigger a defensive response from your nervous system and increase pain sensitivity.
I focus on fostering, with you, a sense of safety within your body using slow, intentional work and sustained holds. This approach effectively calms your nervous system, leading to more profound and sustained relief than forceful methods.
Check out my blog Beyond the Fascial Fix: Embracing the Interconnected Body and the Power of Your Nervous System to go a bit more in depth.
Do you offer prenatal and postpartum massage?
Yes, I am certified in pregnancy massage, and I dedicated to providing nurturing and effective care to help you feel comfortable and supported during this transformative time.
Key aspects of prenatal/postpartum massage:
Modified Positioning: After 20 weeks, expectant mothers don't lie face down. Instead, they are positioned on their sides with the support of pillows or cushions to ensure safety and comfort.
Gentle Techniques: Prenatal massage typically uses gentle strokes and light pressure, similar to Swedish massage, to promote relaxation and relieve tension. Deep tissue techniques are generally avoided.
Focus on Pregnancy-Related Aches: It targets areas prone to discomfort during pregnancy, such as the lower back, hips, shoulders, and legs, to alleviate common aches and pains, including sciatic nerve pain.
Improved Circulation and Reduced Swelling: Gentle massage techniques help improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which can reduce swelling in the extremities.
Enhanced Relaxation and Emotional Well-being: Prenatal massage promotes relaxation, reduces stress hormones, and can improve sleep quality and mood.
Is deep tissue the most effective type of massage?
It's a common misconception that massage needs to be high pressure and painful to be effective. In fact, research shows that painful pressure can be counterproductive, potentially increasing your body's protective response and sensitizing your nervous system.
"Deep tissue" is not so much a single technique, but rather a marketing term that often implies intense pressure. True therapeutic effect is not achieved by "breaking up tissue adhesions." Instead, we focus on working with your nervous system, which controls pain, tension, and muscle tone.
By using a gentler approach with techniques like slow, sustained holds, we can calm your nervous system, leading to deeper, more effective tension relief. This method your body relax more completely, allowing for significant therapeutic change and sustained relief.
My previous massage therapist used too much pressure, and it was painful. Will that happen here?
I understand that past experiences can make you hesitant, and I want to assure you that your comfort is always a top priority in our therapeutic massage sessions. I firmly believe that effective massage and bodywork do not need to be painful.
In fact, a contemporary understanding of pain and the nervous system indicates that excessive, painful pressure can be counterproductive and even detrimental. When your nervous system perceives pain, it can activate a protective response, potentially increasing muscle tension and sensitizing your system further, rather than providing relief.
My approach is designed to be both effective and gentle, working with your body to encourage relaxation and therapeutic change without causing unnecessary discomfort. I prioritize safety and communication throughout your session. Please let me know immediately if you feel any pain or discomfort, or if you're experiencing any sensitivity. I encourage open dialogue and will always adjust my approach to ensure you feel safe and comfortable every step of the way.