Health-Massage-Bodywork Tips

What is Neuromuscular Therapy?
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is also called Trigger Point Therapy (TPT). The focus of this technique is to find “trigger points” in body tissues that are overworked, contracted, and hypersensitive. Then, address these “trigger points” with concentrated finger pressure or specialized tools.

“Trigger points” typically refer pain to other areas of the body. A trigger point in the neck may cause temporary headaches, eye pain, or pain down the arm while a trigger point in the hips can cause temporary low back pain or pain down the leg. Once these triggers points are released, proper posture and more flexible, fluid body movements are achieved.

NMT/TPT is very effective for breaking the chronic pain cycles. This therapy helps clients to restore postural alignment by invigorating normal physiological functioning (like efficient blood flow, effective nerve responses) of the musculoskeletal system (the system of muscles/tendons/ligaments and bones/joints and associated tissues (i.e. nerves) that move the body and maintain its form).

Who would benefit from Neuromuscular Therapy?
If you have a history of injuries and these injuries are affecting your daily life. If you are suffering from chronic pain for long periods of time. If you require rehabilitation therapy from an injury(s). If you are weary of going to the doctors for more medications and for impending surgeries. If you want a healthier, happier, pain-free lifestyle.

Some trivia: Janet Travell was the American physician who coined “trigger point” and pioneered TPT in the United States. She was asked to be the first female Personal Physician to US President John F. Kennedy, because of her very successful treatments to his back pain using TPT.

What are the differences between massage and Neuromuscular Therapy?
Generally, a massage session involves working the entire body with some communications throughout the session between the practitioner and client.

In a NMT/TPT session, the massage practitioner works in a focused manner in a specific area, trying to reduce muscular tension and break-up adhesions and scar tissue on a deeper level. The massage practitioner and client must work together (communicate constantly throughout the session) to release the tightness, spasms and referred pain patterns from these muscles. Sometimes a NMT/TPT session can be nauseating depending on how much toxins are released in the chronically, contracted body tissue, how hydrated the person is, the health condition of the client, etc.

Looks like the Department of Veterans Affairs has joined the bandwagon in supporting other healthy alternatives to holistic health! Go to page 8 of Veterans Health Today (Winter 2010) and read the article titled, “Managing Pain Without The Pills”.

Acupuncture and chiropractic services are now provided at the San Diego military healthcare facilities and “outside” of the military healthcare system. Work within their guidelines/procedures in order to receive these services in the local community.

Be daring and ask your military healthcare provider about seeing a massage-bodywork practitioner in your area if you are experiencing chronic pain, considering or recovering from surgery, healing from injury, or wanting to add another harmonizing therapy to improve your current health situation (a great complement to yoga, talk therapy, etc.).

Currently, the military healthcare system does not recognized massage-bodywork services as a healing therapy. Share with your military healthcare providers the benefits you received from massage-bodywork therapies, and hopefully, eventually, massage-bodywork therapies will be incorporated into the healthcare system and hospitals like acupuncture and chiropractic services.

I have reasonable session rates for active duty, retired, veteran, and government personnel.

If you want to get rid of pain, improve your posture, look thinner and feel better, call me for an appointment and visit my website for more information about my practice. My website is very informative, so please visit to learn more about my services, session prices, and my schedule along with massage-bodywork benefits and tips for before, during, and after your sessions.

I would like to partner with other health practitioners (orthopedic surgeons, dentists, doctors, chiropractors, counselors/therapists, coaches), health facilities (gyms, exercise studios (karate, yoga, dance)), and small businesses in the city of San Diego. My practice does complement these services to bring about more health and well-being to people. If you have any recommendations, please connect us by sending them my e-newsletters and contact information, OR I would be happy to contact them directly!

I can provide demonstrations and classes about health and massage-bodywork to businesses and its employees. Review My Calendar for what talks I’ve completed in the past in the San Diego community.

If you have any questions about my services and would like to set up an appointment, please, call or email me. I look forward to working with you at your next appointment!

Health-Massage-Bodywork Tips

What is traditional Thai massage?
Do you like yoga? Do you like to stretch? Feeling lazy lately? Well, I have an idea for you: get a traditional Thai massage! Thai massage is like having “yoga done to you”, and it has sometimes been called “yoga for lazy people”.

Traditional Thai massage is also known as Thai yoga massage or Thai yoga therapy. This unique, powerful, healing massage modality has been practiced in Thailand for centuries. Thai massage combines acupressure, energy meridian work, and yoga-like stretching during each session.

As with most massage modalities, Thai massage is a perfect complement to all exercise programs and is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. Sessions are modified to physical need and requests of the client. The most prominent benefits I have seen in clients receiving Thai yoga therapy is energy balancing, calming of the nervous system, the ability to find natural alignment more easily, increased range of motion and muscular strength, and the lessening (and even disappearance) of pain felt before the session began.

Who would benefit from traditional Thai massages?
If you are feeling stressed out, tired, depressed, and have sore muscles. If you are suffering from chronic pain for a long period of time. If you want pain-free movements. If you want to do restorative yoga poses and gentle stretching, but you don’t feel like doing it yourself!

What are the differences between massage and a traditional Thai massage?
What makes Thai massage different from a typical massage session (i.e. a circulatory massage) is that there is no oil used, the session is completely done from the floor on a foam mat, and the client remains completely clothed throughout the entire session. To feel the benefits of a Thai massage, clients should have an hour session or longer.

Acupuncture and chiropractic services are now provided at the San Diego military healthcare facilities and “outside” of the military healthcare system. Work within their guidelines/procedures in order to receive these services in the local community.

Be daring and ask your military healthcare provider about seeing a massage-bodywork practitioner in your area if you are experiencing chronic pain, considering or recovering from surgery, healing from injury, or wanting to add another harmonizing therapy to improve your current health situation (a great complement to yoga, talk therapy, etc.).

Currently, the military healthcare system does not recognized massage-bodywork services as a healing therapy. Share with your military healthcare providers the benefits you received from massage-bodywork therapies, and hopefully, eventually, massage-bodywork therapies will be incorporated into the healthcare system and hospitals like acupuncture and chiropractic services.

I have reasonable session rates for active duty, retired, veteran, and government personnel.

I have a new testimonial! Visit my Testimonial webpage and read more about it!

If you want to get rid of pain, improve your posture, look thinner and feel better, call me for an appointment and visit my website for more information about my practice. My website is very informative, so please visit to learn more about my services, session prices, and my schedule along with massage-bodywork benefits and tips for before, during, and after your sessions.

I would like to partner with other health practitioners (orthopedic surgeons, dentists, doctors, chiropractors, counselors/therapists, coaches), health facilities (gyms, exercise studios (karate, yoga, dance)), and small businesses in the city of San Diego. My practice does complement these services to bring about more health and well-being to people. If you have any recommendations, please connect us by sending them my e-newsletters and contact information, OR I would be happy to contact them directly!

I can provide demonstrations and classes about health and massage-bodywork to businesses and its employees. Review My Calendar for what talks I’ve completed in the past in the San Diego community.

If you have any questions about my services and would like to set up an appointment, please, call or email me. I look forward to working with you at your next appointment!

Health-Massage-Bodywork Tips

What is the Rossiter System?
The Rossiter System is an intense stretching modality that loosens connective tissue by allowing the Rossiter Coach (me) to add weight on the body of the client (you). I maintain the weight I’ve added on you (usually by using my foot or my elbow), and you STRETCH HARD with different movements for up to 10-15 seconds. I release my weight and you relax. We repeat the exercise 2-3 times. Next, we do an assessment of how you feel, go on to the next exercise, or stop because the pain has gone away…

We focus on one area of pain and do several INTENSE stretches to release the pain. The stretches are so intense that it feels like you completed a workout after finishing a series of stretches. These stretches depend on “locks”. The Person-in-Charge (you) must maintain specific locks, or the stretch will not be as optimal as it could be if you do! The end result is effective pain relief and freedom of movement! Who doesn’t want that?!

Also, in my practice, I do mix-in some Rossiter stretches within the Structural Integration 10-Series to allow for maximum change in getting peoples’ natural alignment back quicker, which equates to less pain, improved well-being, and more.

Who are “candidates” for Rossiter System Stretches?
If you are in excruciating pain and you are ready to get rid of it! If you are facing surgery and don’t want to go through surgery (and probably don’t need it anyway!). If you are suffering from chronic pain for a long period of time. If you are weary of going to the doctors for more pain medications and the possibility of receiving injections. If you feel tight muscles, tingling, soreness, loss of strength, buzzing, aching, throbbing, and numbness. If you suffer from any repetitive stress injuries. If you want pain-free movements. If you are short on time and like to STRETCH hard!

What are the differences between massage and the Rossiter System?
The Rossiter System is a “Workout” of pain-busting stretches focusing on one pain area of your body for a short period of time. The Rossiter System endeavors to “tackle” the causes of pain by loosening the connective tissue through my weight and your movement. Rossiter sessions are typically ~30-45 minutes of deep, connective tissue S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G. Experiencing longer Rossiter sessions are wasteful, because you will be tired with lazy locks and stretches.

Massages typically last for 60-90 minutes addressing the entire body. If you have pain in a specific area(s), massage practitioners will directly address the specific pain area(s) longer with a variety of techniques until pain is released, and not necessarily at the area(s) that’s causing the pain.

Acupuncture and chiropractic services are now provided at the San Diego military healthcare facilities and “outside” of the military healthcare system. Work within their guidelines/procedures in order to receive these services in the local community.

Be daring and ask your military healthcare provider about seeing a massage-bodywork practitioner in your area if you are experiencing chronic pain, considering or recovering from surgery, healing from injury, or wanting to add another harmonizing therapy to improve your current health situation (a great complement to yoga, talk therapy, etc.).

Currently, the military healthcare system does not recognized massage-bodywork services as a healing therapy. Share with your military healthcare providers the benefits you received from massage-bodywork therapies, and hopefully, eventually, massage-bodywork therapies will be incorporated into the healthcare system and hospitals like acupuncture and chiropractic services.

I have reasonable session rates for active duty, retired, veteran, and government personnel.

If you want to get rid of pain, improve your posture, look thinner and feel better, call me for an appointment and visit my website. My website is very informative, so please visit to learn more about my services, session prices, and my schedule along with massage-bodywork benefits and tips for before, during, and after your sessions.

I would like to partner with other health practitioners (dentists, doctors, chiropractors, counselors/therapists, coaches), health facilities (gyms, exercise studios (karate, yoga, dance)), and small businesses in the city of San Diego. My practice does complement these services to bring about more health and well-being to people. If you have any recommendations, please connect us by sending them my e-newsletters and contact information, OR I would be happy to contact them!

I can provide demonstrations and classes about health and massage-bodywork to businesses and it employees. Review My Calendar for what talks I’ve completed in the past in the San Diego community.

If you have any questions about my services and would like to set up an appointment, please, call or email me. I look forward to working with you at your next appointment!

Health-Massage-Bodywork Tips

What is the Structural Integration (also known as Rolfing) 10-Series?
Structural Integration 10-Series is a system of 10 sessions. All sessions are about expanding and balancing the body to optimize both the structure of body (muscles and bones) and how you move throughout the day. Each session has a standardized recipe that is focused on a particular region of the body. Each session has different intentions of what to accomplish in order for the client to feel balanced and expanded and also to release chronic pain that allows the body to go back to its natural alignment.

Who are “candidates” for Structural Integration?
If you never received body work before. If you never received Structural Integration 10-Series before. If you have a history of injuries and these injuries are affecting your daily life. If you are suffering from chronic pain for a long period of time. If you are feeling tired all the time. If you are weary of going to the doctors for more medications and for impending surgeries. If you want a healthier, happier lifestyle.

What are the differences between massage and Structural Integration?
Structural Integration focuses on aligning the body from the head to the toes so that the body moves smoothly and as one fluid system. Another way, the 10-series focuses on aligning the entire body by working the connective tissue in the shoulder girdle in relationship to the neck, arms, chest, and the lower body, and it integrates the hip girdle with the legs, feet, and the upper body. All sessions include pelvic extensions, neck stretches, and back strokes to ensure you “feel” your own natural alignment with gravity when you are standing, sitting, or lying down.

The Structural Integration 10-Series reorganizes and reintegrates your body in 10 sessions so that you have an improved relationship between you, your body, how you move, and the gravitational field. Also, this modality releases stress, detoxifies the body and mind, and provides a feeling of well-being and relaxation.

What does the 10-series include?
Sessions 1-3 are about opening the body in order to loosen and balance the surface layers of connective tissue. Session 1 is a whole body session working arms, chest, shoulders, and hips. Session 2 is addressing the lower lowers legs from the knees to the feet. Session 3 is an upper body session addressing upper arms, shoulders, and back.

After Session 3, the client would have to decide if (s)he would like to continue with the remaining six sessions of the 10-series. Once we start with Session 4, it is recommended that clients continue to the end of the 10-series in order to keep the body balanced, expanded, and integrated.

Sessions 4-7 are the core sessions of the 10-series. Session 4 addresses the mid-leg of the body from the feet to the pelvis. Session 5 focuses on the front of the spine, specifically the upper leg, hips, lower abdomen, and chest. Session 6 is the only session that is face-down on the table in order to address the back of the legs from the feet to the lower back. Session 7 is dedicated primarily to the neck and head areas.

Sessions 8-10 are the integration sessions that involve advanced techniques to allow for more opening, balancing, and integration of the body that encourages smooth movement and natural coordination by the client.

Gift certificates make wonderful gifts for holidays, birthdays, and celebrations. I have them available for pickup at my studio, or I can mail them to you!

Acupuncture and chiropractic services are now provided at the San Diego military healthcare facilities and “outside” of the military healthcare system. Work within their guidelines/procedures in order to receive these services in the local community.

Be daring and ask your military healthcare provider about seeing a massage-bodywork practitioner in your area if you are experiencing chronic pain, considering or recovering from surgery, healing from injury, or wanting to add another harmonizing therapy to improve your current health situation (a great complement to yoga, talk therapy, etc.).

Currently, the military healthcare system does not recognized massage-bodywork services as a healing therapy. Share with your military healthcare providers the benefits you received from massage-bodywork therapies, and hopefully, eventually, massage-bodywork therapies will be incorporated into the healthcare system and hospitals like acupuncture and chiropractic services.

I have reasonable session rates for active duty, retired, veteran, and government personnel.

If you need to release stress, change/improve your posture, look thinner and feel better, call me for an appointment and visit my website. My website is very informative, so please visit to learn more about my services, session prices, and my schedule along with massage-bodywork benefits and tips for before, during, and after your sessions.

If you have recommendations of dentists, doctors, chiropractors, counselors/therapists/coaches, gyms, exercise studios (like karate, yoga, dance, etc.), small businesses, etc. in the city of San Diego, where my therapeutic services could complement their services to help facilitate the health and well-being of their clients and/or employees, please, let me know and I would be happy to contact them!

If you have any questions about my services and would like to set up an appointment, please, call or email me. I look forward to working with you at your next appointment!

Health-Massage-Bodywork Tips

Do you feel (physical, emotional) pain right now? How do you take care of it? Do you mask the pain by ignoring it and carrying on like nothing hurts? Drug yourself with over the counter remedies? Go to your doctor for (more) pain medication? After the pain gets so bad (years later), you’re at the doctor’s office and they are telling you need surgery or some other radical “procedure”. Why do you do this to yourselves?

The human body is a very powerful system that notifies you when something is wrong (pain, swelling, a constant dull ache, etc.). Your body does everything possible to get you back to “homeostasis” through your body’s own, natural pharmaceuticals (white blood cells, endorphins, and other chemical reactions) to alleviate pain and other discomforts. So if you feel pain or anything else that is abnormal, wouldn’t it be smarter to deal with it NOW rather than later and before it’s “too late”?

A similar scenario would be if your car didn’t start. Immediately you would “deal with it” and get it fixed so that it doesn’t happen again. Why wouldn’t you use this similar approach with yourself? If you feel pain or discomfort now, stop what you are doing and figure out how to alleviate it, naturally, without drugs, surgeries, over-consumption of food-alcohol-drugs, etc.

For instance, in the mid-1990’s I received a severe stress-fracture in my right hip. It was then I decided to pay attention to my body and began to figure out why I was suffering with so much pain – not just my hips and lower back were hurting, but I had constant headaches, my jaws were constantly popping, lots of stomach drama, and plantar fasciitis. Next, I stopped what was giving me the most pain (running) and through lots of research, paying attention to my body, and referrals from friends, I found that I was severely dehydrated; my body mechanics and alignment were horrendous; I was not resting enough; I didn’t consume healthy, nutritious foods; and I was not handling the stress in my life very well. Here’s what I did to get healthy again:

First, I went through the Structural Integration 10-Series. Afterwards, I was an inch and half taller; the series corrected my running/walking gaits; and I completely got rid of the popping noise in my jaws and most of the plantar fasciitis at the bottoms of my feet. Next, I went through a series of Rossiter System workouts and additional bodywork therapies to completely get rid of the pain in my hips and lower back.

Second, I began drinking LOTS of water daily. By drinking ~100 ounces a day (for my body weight, daily activities, and diet), I completely got rid of my headaches, most of my stomach drama, and the rest of the plantar fasciitis.

Third, I completed a 3-week raw food cleanse at the Optimum Health Institute, which also included a colon hydrotherapy program and drinking lots wheatgrass. This cleanse helped me change my diet and has kept me pretty much away from CRAP – candy, refined food, alcohol, and processed food, i.e. the Standard American Diet (with the acronym of SAD!). Also, it finally resolved all my stomach issues. Today, I live mostly on a plant-based diet with minimal consumption of CRAP.

Forth, I continued to exercise. Instead of continuously doing the same exercise everyday, I started to “cross train” and now I do all kinds of activities to keep me moving everyday, i.e. rebounding, stretching, yoga, running, swimming, hiking, walking, etc.

Fifth, I minimized or got rid of the stresses in my life. Through self-reflection, several, intense communication classes, and many self-healing resources and activities that are positive, natural, and readily available, I was able reconstruct my life to live joyfully everyday with hardly any stress and pain. Remember, all pain you feel, no matter the type of pain, it’s all related and has an effect in all areas of your life: body, mind, and spirit. Address one area of you life (like posture), it will magically start affecting other areas in your life (possibly releasing emotions, addressing issues, etc. – it’s different for everyone).

Notice I didn’t have to rely on drugs and revert to surgeries and other radical procedures to feel better? These natural ways of healing took time and effort to do. Most importantly, I’m not dependent on pharmaceuticals and supplements for the rest of my life nor do I have other conditions which I need to heal from. Lastly, these alternative ways of healing are not standard protocols you will receive from your standard American doctor (another acronym of SAD?), and probably not covered under your health insurance either.

With all the technology, industrialization, and the feeling about the lack of time to take care of yourself, most people generally choose to ignore what their bodies are telling them and follow the herd mentality of having something or someone else take care of them or do nothing at all. Find out what’s out there to help you verses just only your doctor’s recommendations. Start listening to your body, your intuition, and start taking responsibility of yourself, your health and well-being. With access to the internet and the abundance of natural healing books and websites that are available, I believe in the future, more doctors (and YOU!) will have to include natural alternatives for (your) health and well being, especially if YOU ask for them!

Acupuncture and chiropractic services are now provided at the San Diego military healthcare facilities and “outside” of the military healthcare system. Work within their guidelines/procedures in order to receive these services in the local community.

Be innovative and ask your military healthcare provider about seeing a massage-bodywork practitioner (that would be me!) if you are experiencing chronic pain, considering or recovering from surgery, been injured from the war, or wanting to add another harmonizing therapy to improve your current health situation (a great complement to yoga, talk therapy, etc.).

Currently, the military healthcare system does not recognized massage-bodywork services as a healing therapy. Share with your military healthcare providers the benefits you received from massage-bodywork therapies, and hopefully, eventually, massage-bodywork therapies will be incorporated into the military healthcare system and hospitals like acupuncture and chiropractic services.

I have reasonable session rates for active duty, retired, veteran, and government personnel.

Thank you University of Oklahoma College of Nursing Program for giving me the opportunity to speak to your nursing students through 3 workshops this month! I was able to provide demonstrations and information about specific, therapeutic-medicinal massage-bodywork therapies and how these therapies can help stimulate the body’s natural healing process, provide pain relief, improve body posture, and improve quality of life to our future nurses and their patients! A very interactive, fun experience! Thanks again!

If you need to release stress, change/improve your posture, look thinner and feel better, call me for an appointment and visit my website. My website is very informative, so please visit to learn more about my services, session prices, and my schedule along with massage-bodywork benefits and tips for before, during, and after your sessions.

If you have recommendations of dentists, doctors, chiropractors, counselors/therapists/coaches, gyms, exercise studios (like karate, yoga, dance, etc.), small businesses, etc. in the city of San Diego, where my therapeutic services could complement their services to help facilitate the health and well-being of their clients and/or employees, please, let me know and I would be happy to contact them!

If you have any questions about my services and would like to set up an appointment, please, call or email me. I look forward to working with you at your next appointment!

 Health-Massage-Bodywork Tips

Using massage-bodywork for healing and preventive health has been around for centuries. However, it is unfortunate that western medicine hasn’t fully opened its doors to acknowledge the benefits massage-bodywork therapies. Also, many people haven’t realized or experienced how massage-bodywork can be an integral part of their healthcare program to curb daily stress, aches, and pains and help them practice a healthy diet and continuous exercise program, which all could help avoid chronic disease, naturally.

More importantly, if people kept track of how much money they spend at the doctors (visits, medications, tests, etc.) and compare it to monies spent towards natural healing appointments (like massage, acupuncture, going to the gym), classes (like yoga, breathing, mediation), and foods (water, fruits, vegetables), more than likely it will show that natural health is way more economical in the long run. It’s like taking your car in every 5,000 miles for a check-up, oil change, and tires rotated, except you are taking care of yourself instead.

For instance, I was with a client last week, who experienced extreme pain in his right hip down his leg to his knee. In late 2008 and through Medicare, he received 13 hours (1 hour sessions for 13 days) of physical therapy for almost $1,800. Initially he felt better, but later he was dependent on a cane when he did his walks. Last week, I worked on him for 4.5 hours (3 sessions for ~1.5 hours) for less than $300. Later we went on a hike and finally he realized that he forgotten his cane, because he didn’t need it! We did the first 3 sessions of Structural Integration mixed with Rossiter System techniques. After working with me and for the first time since last year, he could walk with no pain and get in and out of the car with no difficulties. Not only did he save money, but he saved lots of time, too, AND he feels much better, without drugs or surgeries.

Instead of me (constantly) telling you how GREAT massage-bodywork is your life I thought I would share a new resource with you, Body Sense. There is a variety of writers/practitioners sharing more tidbits about massage-bodywork therapies and how these therapies can help you physically, emotionally, and financially!

Body Sense publication with some terrific, short-read articles!

In the autumn/winter 2009 issue of Body Sense I recommend reading articles “More Than A Luxury, The Lifelong Value of Massage” and “Massage Multiplied”.

However, there are more articles about taking care of your skin during the winter and what to talk about with your massage-bodywork practitioner, too! Happy reading!

Acupuncture and chiropractic services are now provided at the San Diego military healthcare facilities and “outside” of the military healthcare system. Work within their guidelines/procedures in order to receive these services in the local community.

Be innovative and ask your military healthcare provider about seeing a massage-bodywork practitioner (that would be me!) if you are experiencing chronic pain, considering or recovering from surgery, or wanting to add another harmonizing therapy to improve your current health situation (a great complement to yoga, talk therapy, etc.).

Currently, the military healthcare system does not recognized massage-bodywork services as a healing therapy. Share with your military healthcare providers the benefits you received from massage-bodywork therapies, and hopefully, eventually, massage-bodywork therapies will be incorporated into the military healthcare system and hospitals like acupuncture and chiropractic services.

I have reasonable session rates for active duty, retired, veteran, and government personnel.

If you need to release stress, change/improve your posture, look thinner and feel better, call me for an appointment and visit my website. My website is very informative, so please visit to learn more about my services, session prices, and my schedule along with massage-bodywork benefits and tips for before, during, and after your sessions.

If you have recommendations of dentists, doctors, chiropractors, counselors/therapists/coaches, gyms, exercise studios (like karate, yoga, dance, etc.), small businesses, etc. in the city of San Diego, where my therapeutic services could complement their services to help facilitate the health and well-being of their clients and/or employees, please, let me know and I would be happy to contact them!

If you have any questions about my services and would like to set up an appointment, please, call or email me. I look forward to working with you at your next appointment!

Health-Massage-Bodywork Tips

Have you thought about all the chemicals your skin, hair, and nails are absorbing and how your body has to process all these chemicals every time you apply products to all your “2000 body parts” to clean, protect, heal, soothe, etc.? Visit your bathroom and read the labels of all the “toiletries” that you are dousing your body with for beautification and personal hygiene!

In one day, you may use shampoos, conditioners, hair gels, hairsprays, cosmetics/makeup, face soaps/toners/moisturizers, perfumes, colognes, antiperspirants/deodorants, body lotions, sunscreens, lip moisturizers, nail polish, toothpastes, mouthwashes, shaving cream, body soaps/moisturizers/splashes, and the list goes on!

If you really want to “go crazy”, go through your kitchen, laundry room, and garage, too, and read the ingredients of the other cleaning products that you use for your dishes, clothes, cars, floors, etc. that are being absorbed and processed in/by your body.

If you get a massage using oils or lotions, what are the practitioners applying to your skin?! In my practice, I primarily use water. If I need to use an oil or lotion, I use fragrance-free hydrasperse oil and Biotone / Biofreeze products. Clients can bring in their own massage therapy products if they prefer them over mine.

Consider using and buying less body care and cleaning products. Try not to buy any more toiletries and cleaning products until you use all the products you already have at home. If/when you buy new products, consider buying natural, organic, vegan products that are good for you AND easy on the environment and on animals, too.

Acupuncture and chiropractic services are now provided at the San Diego military healthcare facilities and “outside” of the military healthcare system. Work within their guidelines/procedures in order to receive these services in the local community.

Be innovative and ask your military healthcare provider about seeing a massage-bodywork practitioner (that would be me!) if you are experiencing chronic pain, considering or recovering from surgery, or wanting to add another harmonizing therapy to improve your current health situation (a great complement to yoga, talk therapy, etc.).

Currently, the military healthcare system does not recognized massage-bodywork services as a healing therapy. Share with your military healthcare providers the benefits you received from massage-bodywork therapies, and hopefully, eventually, massage-bodywork therapies will be incorporated into the military healthcare system and hospitals like acupuncture and chiropractic services.

I have reasonable session rates for active duty, retired, veteran, and government personnel.

If you need to release stress, change/improve your posture, look thinner and feel better, call me for an appointment and visit my website. My website is very informative, so please visit to learn more about my services, session prices, and my schedule along with massage-bodywork benefits and tips for before, during, and after your sessions.

If you have recommendations of dentists, doctors, chiropractors, counselors/therapists/coaches, gyms, exercise studios (like karate, yoga, dance, etc.), small businesses, etc. in the city of San Diego, where my therapeutic services could complement their services to help facilitate the health and well-being of their clients and/or employees, please, let me know and I would be happy to contact them!

If you have any questions about my services and would like to set up an appointment, please, call or email me. I look forward to working with you at your next appointment!

Health-Massage-Bodywork Tips

All my life, I’ve been “tweaking” my diet. In the late 80’s, I stopped drinking sodas, because I realized sodas were upsetting my stomach, and I felt more tired and dehydrated. In the 90’s, I stopped eating/drinking most all dairy products, because I didn’t feel good after drinking milk and any food made with milk. How can you not live without cheese these days?! In the “2000’s”, I stopped eating meat and processed/refined foods, because I realized that all of that “CRAP” (candy, refined food, alcohol, processed food) was making me sick, too. Why should I eat foods that make me sick and not feel good? Well, I no longer eat the Standard American Diet (SAD – how ironic!), and I feel so much better now!

Changing my diet was based on how I felt after I ate food. I started to do more research about the U.S. Food Industry. Yikes. I’m so glad I listened to my body telling me to shape-up or suffer the consequences of disease, unhappiness, and more. SOOOOO, have you thought about what you are eating and what’s “in” what you are eating and how it got there on your plate, in the grocery store, how it makes you feel when you are digesting your meal, etc.? You might want to start considering these questions, especially if you aren’t feeling so well these days…

I’m STILL fine-tuning my diet, and trust me, you will constantly attend to your diet throughout the day, your life. For instance, cheese and alcohol are out of my diet now as of this year, but coffee with some half-and-half is a ritual in the morning, and I’m working to it replace with warm cacao (raw chocolate) or hot tea.

What do I eat, you ask? Lots of unprocessed, earth foods. Huh? Primarily water, fruits, and vegetables. It’s a mindset and lifestyle change. Trust me, it didn’t happen overnight and the change to a healthier way of eating was not easy, but it happened and I don’t regret it and feel much better for it!

What can you do to start feeling better starting NOW? Drink lots of water every day, beginning with half you body weight in ounces. Next, start educating yourself about the U.S. Food Industry. Finally, focus on one thing in your diet and make that change. Once it’s a natural part of your lifestyle, start with something else and make it a part of your life, and keep going until you get to where you want to be.

Below are some resources to help you begin your new life of health!

I could “flood” you with MANY references, but these recommendations will get you started and have you think-twice about what you eat and drink!

Here some thought-provoking, must-see movies:
Food, Inc.
Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock
Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser, also a book!

Here are two provocative reads that provide “different angle” perspectives to the movies:

The China Study, T. Colin Campbell
Molecules of Emotion, Candace Pert

People’s Organic Foods Market is a perfect store to help you with your changing, new dietary, lifestyle requests and needs. Visit them soon and check-out their deli upstairs!

Acupuncture and chiropractic services are now provided at the San Diego military healthcare facilities and “outside” of the military healthcare system. Work within their guidelines/procedures in order to receive these services in the local community.

Be innovative and ask your military healthcare provider about seeing a massage-bodywork practitioner (that would be me) if you are experiencing chronic pain, considering surgery, recovering from pain, or wanting to add another harmonizing therapy to improve your current health situation (a great complement to yoga, “talk” therapy, etc.).

Currently, the military healthcare system does not recognized massage-bodywork services as a healing therapy. Share with your military healthcare providers the benefits you received from massage-bodywork therapies, and hopefully, eventually, massage-bodywork therapies will be incorporated into the military healthcare system like acupuncture and chiropractic services.

I have reasonable session rates for active duty, retired, veteran, and government personnel.

THANK YOU People’s Organic Foods Market, for sending me your employees to help them feel better, happier, and more productive!

I would like to partner with other “health specialists” and more small businesses/companies, just like People’s Coop, to assist them with pain prevention and wellness programs. If you have recommendations of dentists, doctors, chiropractors, other “talk” therapists, small businesses, gyms, etc. in the city of San Diego, where my therapeutic services could complement their services to help facilitate the health and well-being of their clients and/or employees, please, let me know and I would be happy to contact them!

If you need to release stress, change/improve your posture, look thinner and feel better, call me for an appointment and visit my website. My website is very informative, so please visit to learn more about my services, session prices, and my schedule along with massage-bodywork benefits and tips for before, during, and after your sessions.

If you have any questions about my services and would like to set up an appointment, please, call or email me. I look forward to working with you at your next appointment!

Health-Massage-Bodywork Tips

According to Reed Davis, http://sdnhfc.com/, he notes that of all the forms of stress in today’s world, computer stress is the one that is on the rise the fastest. Is the time you are with your computer competing with the time you are in front of the television set? Hmmm, something to think about!

A type of computer stress is computers being constantly “there”. They never go away. You feel obligated to reading and responding to emails, staying currently on blog updates and other social networks, constantly researching the internet for things that interest you throughout the day, and more. Before you know it, hours have gone by with you sitting in front of your computer. Also, sometimes computers have confusing error messages that you don’t know how to fix, and sometimes they just don’t work the way you want them to work! Those little buggers!

Computers can create havoc on your body, mind, and spirit, if you let them! For instance, you might notice that your eyesight getting worse the more you do computer work. Your shoulders might be starting to round forward along with your head and neck jutting forward to where you are collapsing on/over your chest, and you are feeling like the letter C. Possibly your arms, hands, and fingers might be going numb. Maybe your butt feels sore, because you are sitting on it way too much! In general, you are feeling blah even though it’s summer time and with all kinds of fun activities to do!

Here are some ideas to lessen your computer stress (and TV time):

– Take a break when you are working “for hours” at the computer. Go outside and walk, breathe, meditate, exercise, eat a nice meal, drink water, etc. and do this periodically throughout the day.

– Do the Bates Method daily to improve your eyesight. Google “Bates Method”.

– Establish one day a week where you don’t touch the computer!

– Schedule a daily appointment for “computer hours” and make the rest of the day everything else.

– Consider a new hobby so you can be away from your computer longer.

– If you can’t get away from the computer, then consider a rebounder to help get the blood and lymph flowing and your cells bouncing! See Resource of the Month for more details!

– Making an appointment with your favorite massage-bodywork practitioner (that would be me, I hope!) to release stress, improve your posture, get rid of pain and numbness, and more!

Just know, no matter what you do, your computer will always be there for you! But maybe your perspective about computers and your “need” for them will change to where computers don’t “rule” your life!

The rebounder! Tired of exercising, but know you need to move and get some exercise, consider buying (the best) rebounder! YES, these are “pricey”, but you are paying for quality! Review these websites for all the details, benefits, and more!

High quality rebounders are:

1.The Needak rebounder, http://www.needakrebounders.com/. This is the one I have and I love it! They have a lifetime warranty on the frame.

2.The Cellercise rebounder, http://www.cellercise.com/. This rebounder was recommended to me by one of my friends.

To all the people who have been sending me comments about My Community Project, thank you! Keep exploring all the natural, healing possibilities “out there” and tell your military healthcare provider! In the future, we will have holistic, healing therapies/services as integral part of the military healthcare system. In the meantime, here are these alternatives:

Acupuncture and chiropractic services are now provided at the San Diego military healthcare facilities. Also, you can ask your military healthcare provider about seeing an acupuncturist/a chiropractor “outside” of the military healthcare system. Work within their guidelines/procedures in order to receive these services in the local community.

Currently, the military healthcare system does not recognized massage-bodywork services as a healing therapy. Share with your military healthcare providers the benefits you received from massage-bodywork therapies, and hopefully, eventually, massage-bodywork therapies will be incorporated into the military healthcare system like acupuncture and chiropractic services.

I have reasonable session rates for active duty, retired, veteran, and government personnel.

I will be speaking at the San Diego State University Research Foundation Lunch and Learn program at the end of July – so I am available to speak to your company or organization about general health and the benefits of massage-bodywork therapy. Also, I am working other opportunities to partner with local small businesses in providing pain and stress prevention with massage-bodywork sessions to its employees for improved work performance.

I am “greening my studio” by NOT providing water in plastic bottles. Don’t worry, I still have water – just bring your water bottle instead! The water I’ll provide will either be water I distill at home or water from the People’s Coop or the Ocean Beach Water Store.

If you need to release your “computer stress”, straighten your posture, want to look thinner and feel better, call me for an appointment and visit my website. My website is very informative, so please visit to learn more about my services, session prices, and my schedule along with massage-bodywork benefits and tips for before, during, and after your sessions.

Thank you to all my clients! When you get the chance, please email your testimonial, so I can post on my website and share with future clients? Your comments could convince others to try a massage-bodywork session for a healthier America! Also for referrals that you send to me, I will give you a $10 discount (for each referral who completes a session) off your next session.

Also, if you have recommendations of dentists, doctors, chiropractors, other physical/verbal therapists, small businesses, etc. in the city of San Diego, where my therapeutic services could complement their services to help facilitate the health and well-being of their clients and/or employees, please, let me know and I would be happy to contact them!

If you have any questions about my services and would like to set up an appointment, please, call or email me. I look forward to working with you at your next appointment!

Health-Massage-Bodywork Tips

Cell phone elbow and blackberry (and cell phone) thumb? Yep, that’s right. You’ve heard it all now. These conditions are caused by spending too much time on the phone and typing on those tiny keyboards, respectively. For cell phone elbow, typically it starts with a periodic pain in the forearm until the pain is unbearable (hands going numb, fingers throbbing). For sending lots of text messages via your blackberry and cell phone, pain may develop in the wrist or at the base of the thumb and steadily get worse when pain is ignored. Doctors will note that you have repetitive stress injury or (gasp) arthritis. Keep ignoring this type of pain for awhile, you may experience nerve damage. Not pleasant when you need your hands and arms to eat, dress, drive, etc.  How to keep these conditions away:

Use your cell phone/blackberry less. (Fat chance, huh?)

Take breaks and stretch your fingers, arms, shoulders, and neck.

Switch and use your other hand/arm.

Use a headset.

Drink lots of water, eat well, exercise.

Consider taking yoga or stretching class.

Scheduling and receiving a massage-bodywork session from me, of course, will help expand and lengthen your connective tissue to where you feel taller and less stressed out!

Bob Anderson books on stretching are awesome. Visit his website at http://www.stretching.com/. His book, Stretching in the Office, offers routines that you can do throughout your (work) day!

To all the people who have been sending me comments about My Community Project, thank you! Keep exploring all the natural, healing possibilities “out there” and tell your military healthcare provider! In the future, we will have holistic, healing therapies/services as integral part of the military healthcare system. In the meantime, here are these alternatives:

Acupuncture and chiropractic services are now provided at the San Diego military healthcare facilities. Also, you can ask your military healthcare provider about seeing an acupuncturist/a chiropractor “outside” of the military healthcare system. Work within their guidelines/procedures in order to receive these services in the local community.

Currently, the military healthcare system does not recognized massage-bodywork services as a healing therapy. Share with your military healthcare providers the benefits you received from massage-bodywork therapies, and hopefully, eventually, massage-bodywork therapies will be incorporated into the military healthcare system like acupuncture and chiropractic services.

I have reasonable session rates for active duty, retired, veteran, and government personnel.

My practice focuses on stretching contracted connective tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc.) and deactivating trigger points (hyper-irritable pain spots), which allows your body to release pain and to find its natural alignment so that you can move with freedom. I specialize in several modalities from gentle to intense, but the Structural Integration 10-series will change your body to where you could potentially look trimmer, shapely and have more freedom and fulfillment within your day, your life! If you are avoiding/considering surgery, recovering from surgery, and thinking about how lessen your pain medication, call/email me for a session!

My website is very informative, so please visit to learn more about my services, session prices, and my schedule along with massage-bodywork benefits and tips for before, during, and after your sessions.

My practice is growing because of your personal referrals! Thank you for sharing the benefits you received from my services with your community of people. For referrals that you send to me, I will give you a $10 discount (for each referral who completes a session) off your next session.

Also, if you have recommendations of dentists, doctors, chiropractors, other physical/verbal therapists, small businesses, etc. in the city of San Diego, where my therapeutic services could complement their services to help facilitate the health and well-being of their clients and/or employees, please, let me know and I would be happy to contact them!

If your company is interested in establishing or maintaining a wellness department to provide pain and stress prevention to its employees for improved work performance, please, contact me. I am available to speak to your company or organization about general health and the benefits of massage-bodywork therapy.

If you have any questions about my services and would like to set up an appointment, please, call or email me. I look forward to working with you at your next appointment!