Happenstance often brings change. For me, it was the breaking of an ankle. I was a long-term competitive dancer and extremely active as a person. That was now on hold, if I was lucky.

Healing this type of injury can be complex and painful.

Massage Therapy seemed to be the one treatment that helped. It didn’t just make me feel better. The sessions relaxed me and the swelling decreased. More mobility and flexibility in the joint and surrounding tissues was created by the treatment.

I found my calling!

I enrolled at the Ashland Institute of Massage and trained under incredible and experienced LMTs.

Upon graduating my journey took me to work at a wellness clinic for several years. There, I advanced my knowledge and honed my skills.

On a personal level I enjoy a simple life with an emphasis on reading, hiking and travel.

The most important things in my life are my family, friends and my pet.

Someday, I wish to be a published author and hopefully raise my own family.

I look forward to working with you on ‘your’ recovery & wellness journey!

Swedish massage and deep tissue massage are two popular, yet distinct therapeutic approaches designed to address different needs and preferences.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is often characterized as a gentle, overall relaxation technique. It involves a series of flowing strokes and light to medium pressure applied across most of the body. Key techniques include:

Effleurage: Long, gliding strokes that help warm up the muscles and improve circulation.

Petrissage: Gentle kneading and rolling that can alleviate muscle tension.

Tapotement: Rhythmic tapping or percussive movements that energize the muscles.

Vibration: Shaking or trembling movements intended to relax muscles further.

This style is ideal for those seeking stress relief, improved blood circulation, or simply a relaxing experience. It’s particularly suited to individuals new to massage or those who prefer a lighter touch.

Deep Tissue Massage

By contrast, deep tissue massage targets the underlying layers of muscles and connective tissue using slower, more focused strokes. Its techniques are designed to:

Break down muscle adhesions: The therapist uses concentrated pressure to release chronic muscle knots or “trigger points.”

Enhance mobility: By working deeply into tension areas, it may help restore movement and alleviate chronic pain.

Address specific issues: It’s often recommended for conditions such as chronic back or neck pain, sports injuries, or postural strains.

Deep tissue massage sessions may feel more intense and, at times, slightly uncomfortable due to the deeper pressure applied. However, many find it beneficial for long-term relief from persistent muscle tightness and discomfort.

Choosing the Right Approach

Swedish massage is excellent for overall relaxation, stress management, and gentle muscle stimulation.

Deep tissue massage is better suited for targeting chronic muscle tension, pain, and postural issues, especially if specific problem areas require focused attention.

Both massage types are highly adaptable to individual needs. It’s important to communicate with Savannah about your pressure preferences and any areas of concern so the session can be tailored appropriately.

Neuromuscular Deep Tissue (NDT) therapy is a hands-on treatment designed to target deeper layers of muscle and associated fascial tissues.

This approach uses slow, firm pressure as well as friction and cross-fiber massage techniques to release chronic tension, break down adhesions, and improve overall neuromuscular function.

I often assess posture and movement patterns, aiming not only to reduce pain but also to restore balanced muscle activation and improve mobility.

While this approach is broad—addressing overall muscle structure along with the interplay between muscles and nerves—it is especially beneficial for those suffering from chronic muscular pain, sports injuries, or repetitive strain that has led to long-term tissue stiffness or misalignment.

In practice, neuromuscular deep tissue work may incorporate elements of myofascial release, helping to re-establish proper tissue alignment and promote an enduring improvement in movement patterns.

Trigger Point Therapy (TPT)

Trigger point therapy focuses on resolving localized hyperirritable spots within muscle tissue—commonly known as trigger points or “knots.” These small nodules within tense bands of muscle fibers can cause not only local pain but often refer discomfort to other areas of the body.

In TPT, we identify these specific points through palpation and applied, focused, sustained pressure until a local twitch response is observed. This twitch often signals a release of tension, easing spasms and reducing pain.

Trigger point therapy is widely used to treat chronic issues such as tension headaches, neck and shoulder pain, low back pain, and conditions related to muscle overuse.

By addressing both the symptom (the pain) and, ideally, the underlying causes (such as poor posture or repetitive strain), TPT can help restore a more balanced muscle function and improve overall range of motion.

Techniques from trigger point therapy are often incorporated into a broader deep tissue treatment session to support long-term relief.

How They Complement Each Other

Both neuromuscular deep tissue therapy and trigger point therapy share the common goal of alleviating chronic muscular tension and improving neuromuscular coordination.

However, whereas neuromuscular therapy typically takes the more comprehensive approach of evaluating overall muscular balance, posture, and movement patterns; trigger point therapy zeroes in on specific, localized areas of muscle overactivity.

Many skilled practitioners blend these techniques into a single session, tailoring the treatment to address both the widespread tension and the pinpointed trigger points that contribute to pain.

With a customized combination of methods, these therapies can offer both immediate relief and lasting improvements in muscle function, thereby reducing the likelihood of recurring issues.

MR is a hands-on therapeutic technique that targets fascia; a wide web of connective tissue enveloping your muscles, bones, nerves, and organs. It works to release tension, improve mobility, and alleviate pain.

At its core, this method recognizes that fascia can become tight or restricted due to injury, repetitive stress, poor posture, or accumulated trauma, potentially leading to discomfort and reduced range of motion.

Fascia is a continuous, fibrous network that supports and stabilizes your entire body. When this tissue becomes stiff or stuck, it can create knots or trigger points thereby compounding pain and impairing movement. Myofascial release techniques aim to gently warm up and stretch the fascia, encouraging it to return to a more pliable, natural state. Think of it as un-wrinkling a tightly crumpled piece of fabric. The process can restore both function and comfort.

During a myofascial release session, Savannah uses slow, sustained pressure (often with hands, elbows, or specialized tools) to identify and ease areas of tightness.

Unlike deep tissue massages that use short, intense bursts of pressure, myofascial release typically involves gentle, steady holds that allow the fascia to ‘melt’ into a more relaxed state over time.

This method is not about causing pain. Rather, it is centered on a subtle, exploratory touch that invites the tissues to fully let go of built-up restrictions.

Active cupping is a dynamic twist on traditional cupping therapy that harnesses not only the suction from the cups but also the benefits of active movement during the session.

For the traditional method, cups are applied to the skin to create negative pressure that draws the tissues upward; this process aims to boost blood flow, relieve muscle tension, and promote healing.

Active cupping goes further by having you engage in movement while the cups are on, which actively mobilizes the underlying fascia and muscles. This dynamic element helps to further break down any adhesions between the fascia and muscle tissue, potentially leading to improved mobility and reduced stiffness.

Savannah will guide you through specific movements that target your areas of limited mobility. These movements not only enhance the separation of the fascia from the underlying muscles but also help the body to “remember” the new, improved range of motion.

Treatment often leaves minor visible circular marks or bruises that fade relatively quickly. I am more than happy to discuss it with you.

From a Western medicine perspective, active cupping is based on the idea that the human body is a layered structure: Skin first, followed by subcutaneous fat, fascia, and then muscle.

Over time, due to inactivity, inflammation, or repetitive strain, the fascia (connective tissue that wraps your muscles) can become “stuck” to the muscles, limiting the range of motion.

When the cups are applied, their suction lifts the combined layers of skin, fat, and fascia.

By then moving actively, you encourage the fascia to glide over the muscle tissue, releasing the adhesions that are often responsible for tightness or restricted motion.

The result is frequently a sensation of looseness and improved movement shortly after a session, with effects that can last for days or even longer.

In practice, active cupping sessions should be guided by a trained therapist who will first apply the cups to target areas.

Active cupping is particularly popular among athletes, people recovering from injuries, and those who simply want to improve their everyday mobility.

Some people find that integrating active cupping into their broader self-care routine, along with other techniques like massage, stretching, or strength training, provides a compounded benefit that supports overall musculoskeletal health.

If you’re curious about how this technique could specifically help you, consider discussing it with me, as I can tailor the session to your individual needs and movement patterns.

We can explore how active cupping can work in tandem with other movement-based therapies or perhaps discuss protocols for post-cupping exercises to maintain the gains in mobility!

– Savannah