Testimonials

I have received some amazing compliments over the years. I wish I could remember all of them. Thank you for always giving me your feedback, positive and negative. Feedback helps anyone grow.
Here are some lovely testimonials from a few clients. If you have more that you would like to add, just send me and email. I always appreciate them.

Sara an elite cross-country skier and two-time winner of the Pole Pedal Paddle says:
"Christine truly knows how to adapt her technique for the client's needs on any given day and even during the massage. My usual request: A deep, therapeutic massage topped off with a twist of zone-out zen."

Katherine says:
Christine Szufnarowski is in a league all her own. If you’ve never had one of her massage treatments, you haven’t experienced the pinnacle of body work. Her touch is amazingly strong and sensitive at the same time. Never have I had a massage therapist work on my body with the high level of intuition that Christine brings to her work. Even though she encourages clients to communicate their needs as clearly as possible, she still has a direct line of communication with muscles and fascia that augments that dialogue. For me, this has resulted in immediate and dramatic relief from body pain.

Marci says:
"Christine is adept with understanding clearly what needs to be done, my first experience was after a car accident, I left my first appointment feeling muscle strain relief and deeply relaxed. I continue to be blown away with the increased flexibility, increased energy and over all well being I gain after an hour with Christine. I am an Ashi addict!"

Virginia says:
" there aren’t proper words to describe the massage you give. You truly are a person who “gives 120%”. You put your heart, soul, and “whole body” into every massage as a gift to your clients. Thank you, Christine. My special time with you heals me in so many ways."

Heidi says:
"I can honestly say that the massage I received from you two weeks ago, was the BEST massage I have EVER received! I felt so amazing and healthy as I left the appointment. What was even more amazing was how I felt the next few days on my runs and out mtn. biking. I now see why elite athletes get massages! I definitely looking forward to my next massage! I have been recommending you to everyone I know! Thanks again for such an amazing experience. "

Valeta Bruce a Transpersonal Psychotherapist says:

"Last summer's injury resulted in the need to shift the emphasis from Ashiatsu to massage 'treatments' with Christine.

Her technical strengths and mindful inquiry, coupled with an innate understanding regarding consistent communication between client and therapist regarding the relaying of specific information from the team of practitioners

assisting my recovery, really impacted the gradual healing process.

I cannot speak more highly of Christine's heartfelt approach, skill and thoughtful philosophy regarding wellness."

Self help for muscle problems

There are a few very basic ways you can help yourself.
Muscles need water and oxygen to have enough energy to contract and relax. If you have a lot of tight muscles, your body may have had enough energy to contract, but not relax.
Water expands the volume of blood. Blood carries oxygen. Drinking more water is so important.
A proper warm up before increased activity is also vital. At rest, only about 15% of our total blood volume is in our muscles, the rest is in out gut. So we want to slowly increase our heartrate, so that when we ask our muscles to perform at higher levels, there will be plenty of oxygen rich blood in our muscles.....or else, they will fatigue....rigor....yuck, ouch, injury, I'm tired.
Light cardio benefits your whole body. So if you are dealing with a lot of tightness or rigor in your body, get moving. Remember, general increased circulation brings new fresh oxygen rich blood to your muscles and my help them relax.
Heat is very helpful....increase blood circulation to the local area. An epsom salt bath is great, the epsom salts draw out toxins.
Get some tennis or baseballs to roll around on. I like tennis balls to work along my spine. If my low back is sore, I like baseballs in my glutes. Just find the sore spots and hang out for a while and breath. The muscles will soften around the balls.
I hope these tips bring you some relief.

Rigor, do you mean rigamortis??!

So technique number two is all about rigor. Think of what muscles do at death. They contract and don't let go. It is called rigamortis. Rigor is what happens in a living person. A muscle contracts, but for a variety of reasons fatigues and doesn't relax.
The treatment of rigor is very specific and slow. It is also very deep. The goal is to meet the resistance and then some to force the chemical bonds, that are holding muscle fibers in a contracted state, to let go. I have found this technique very effective.
This form of treatment is not like traditional massage. The goal is not to have a nice relaxing experience where you drift to la la land. It is to treat a problem. So when you want this kind of work, please say you want "treatment". Then I will better understand what your goal is.
I am sure that every single person who reads this blog has rigor somewhere. If you don't treat it, it could cause more muscles to fatigue. It could also cause joint problems or inflammatory responses. Chronic pain may result or reduced function of certain muscles.
Since this work is very intense, you may not enjoy receiving it. That is fine. Just remember, if you develop pain or a problem somewhere or you want to improve performance in some activity, this is a highly effective option. Then return and enjoy your maintenance massage.

New Techniques!

This spring I have taken two interesting and exciting courses on advanced massage techniques. I have enjoyed incorporating them into my practice.
The first course was on Myofascial techniques for the legs. It is hard to explain this quickly, so I will do my best.
Fascia surrounds everything in our bodies, like muscles and organs. It can shorten or get stuck or gluey to the tissue it surrounds, preventing muscles from functioning at its best. Or with stress or injury, fascia can thicken. All of these are problems because it restricts movement. Fascia responds to slow pressure and this is done without oil generally. The goal is to loosen and separate, so muscles function more in individual units rather than in big globs.
Who would benefit: Anyone who has had trama or overuse injuries. If your muscles no longer function at there best or an area feels like there is restriction, you would benefit from loosening and separating fascia. Athletes would benefit. Those who have ankle problems or plantar fascitis would improve.
Because this technique needs to be done slowly, it is best to work on just one or two areas per treatment.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.