If you think you have to
live in pain, think again.
Services
Massage Therapy
Bodywork
Movement Training
Online Sessions
The pain you’re experiencing is unique to you.
Figuring it out is up to me.
Hi, I’m Toni.
For nearly 40 years I've unraveled people's stubborn pain and limitation patterns to get them feeling better, moving better, and doing more with their bodies.
My approach marries a graduate degree in counseling and social work (MSW), and studies in neuroscience and the effects of trauma, with direct hands-on bodywork. I’m a licensed massage therapist (LMT), and use an array of osteopathic , hydrotherapy, massage and manual therapy techniques.
From the time I was 10 yrs old, I’ve been fascinated with the elegance and resilience of the body and mind, and how they work together. Equally bedeviled by the pain that comes when things go awry, I was determined to effect positive change in people. All these years later, I love having the experience and skills to help people do more than they think is possible. It's a profoundly rewarding practice.
Current Patient
“After a fall while pregnant, and later following a car accident, Toni was a lifesaver. She understood how scary and demoralizing my injuries were for me personally, as a former dancer and someone who loves to care for other people. It wasn’t just individual parts of me that needed treatment but all of me that needed to work together again. For over 16 years, she’s empowered me to support myself and build back confidence in my ability to get shit done, without fear of injury. She sees the whole body and the whole person.”
— RACHEL
You’re in the right place.
Sessions
Whether we work together in-person or online, we start with a 15–30-minute phone conversation (at no cost). You’ll describe your situation, and I’ll ask questions about your history of movement and injury, previous treatment, and overall concerns and hopes. If I don’t think I can be of help to you, I’ll tell you in this conversation.
Bodywork
(60 minutes; 90 for the initial session)
In this first session, I begin with 30 minutes of assessment to get a baseline picture of your patterns: how you move… or don’t; how your body supports you in movement… or doesn’t. I’ve already been generating ideas since we spoke on the phone. Whether you feel pain or restriction, debilitating anxiety and/or depression, I use this time to look at the whole landscape of You. I’ll give you recommendations for post-session self-care. Your remaining time flows like subsequent sessions.
In a 60-minute session I reassess how you’re moving — as you walk, sit, stand, and lie down, within your comfort. Some assessment is visual, most is hands-on. I’ll tell and show you what I find. We’ll be working on and off the table: we work; reassess; and return to the work. I apply an array of hands-on techniques, incorporating focused breathing, and, crucially, your feedback. You will see and, usually, feel changes in real-time; others will show up over time. Both your brain and body will be working. You may feel mentally tired! It's a process that takes both of us.
After your first session, I’ll follow-up in two days to see how your body has responded, how you’re feeling, answer any questions you have, and refine or make new recommendations. Ongoing communication is a key part of my approach. It’s how we keep your progress on track.
Training
(60 minutes; 90 for the initial session)
Just like bodywork sessions, assessment comes first. Most of the people I work with have lost confidence in how to move without flaring up pain—let alone exercise.
In the initial session, I take you through basic movements to see how your body has learned to compensate for the dings of life, work, and hobbies. For subsequent sessions, I design a custom, doable series of pain-free movements. I adjust that on the fly, if necessary. Heck, I’ll do bodywork if it makes sense. The goal is to build a foundation of stability, mobility, strength, and endurance for doing real-life activities (unloading groceries, picking up grandchildren), the things you love (coaching sports, yoga), or activities you dream of doing (cross-country skiing, running) and progress with confidence. Over time, you’ll learn to assess your own body, become aware of how to safely move for routine or high-intensity events, navigate unaccustomed activities (long flights) and when to back off. I’m a phone call away.
Do you have goals or activities that you want to do again? I’ll help you get there and I’ll develop a personal tool kit for handling your flare-ups, soreness, and fatigue with less fear and panic.