Colleen Shea, LMT
I was intuitively drawn to the healing arts from a young age. Empathetic and with a desire to nurture, I wanted to help people improve the way their bodies functioned on a physical, emotional, and energetic level. I first discovered herbalism and was amazed at the abundance of plant medicine that grows literally at our feet. I have continued studying herbalism with an array of teachers for the past 10 years. Massage seemed to be a natural way to incorporate my love of plants and my fascination with the human body to create a holistic healing experience. I became a licensed massage therapist in 2009 after graduating from Portland’s East West College. Specializing in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Table Thai (yoga-like stretching), Pregnancy Massage, Hot Stones, Aromatherapy, Hydrotherapy, and Reiki.
Nourishing the body with massage and herbs restores balance and allows the body to heal itself naturally. I enjoy learning new techniques and modalities and am honored to be able to share my knowledge with you on your healing journey.
When I’m not massaging, I love hiking and exploring our lovely pacific northwest forests, bike riding, and playing guitar.
- Questions? email me to learn more
Colleen Shea, LMT
I was intuitively drawn to the healing arts from a young age. Empathetic and with a desire to nurture, I wanted to help people improve the way their bodies functioned on a physical, emotional, and energetic level. I first discovered herbalism and was amazed at the abundance of plant medicine that grows literally at our feet. I have continued studying herbalism with an array of teachers for the past 10 years. Massage seemed to be a natural way to incorporate my love of plants and my fascination with the human body to create a holistic healing experience. I became a licensed massage therapist in 2009 after graduating from Portland’s East West College. Specializing in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Table Thai (yoga-like stretching), Pregnancy Massage, Hot Stones, Aromatherapy, Hydrotherapy, and Reiki.
Nourishing the body with massage and herbs restores balance and allows the body to heal itself naturally. I enjoy learning new techniques and modalities and am honored to be able to share my knowledge with you on your healing journey.
When I’m not massaging, I love hiking and exploring our lovely pacific northwest forests, bike riding, and playing guitar.
- Questions? email me to learn more
Benefits of Massage Therapy
The human body is an impressive vessel and its capacity to heal itself never ceases to amaze me. So many individual body systems work together to keep us moving and thinking and whole. Though massage is usually appreciated for it’s relaxing qualities and muscle tension release, it also effects the physiology of every body system. By activating the relaxing parasympathetic nervous system, massage allows the body to rest, digest, and replenish itself.
The following is a list of benefits of massage therapy:
- Warms and softens tight muscles which increase pliability, suppleness, and flexibility
- Increases circulation bringing oxygen and nutrients to every body system and flushing out metabolic wastes
- Supports digestion by activating the parasympathetic nervous system
- Supports the respiratory system by encouraging deep restorative breathing
- Helps reduce stress by turning off the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight)
- Helps relieve pain by increasing endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin
- Supports immunity by increasing lymph circulation
- Enhances tissue repair and scar formation
- Reduces anxiety
- Increases joint mobility and connective tissue health
- Reduces muscle fatigue and soreness after exercising by releasing lactic acid from tissues
Benefits of Massage Therapy
The human body is an impressive vessel and its capacity to heal itself never ceases to amaze me. So many individual body systems work together to keep us moving and thinking and whole. Though massage is usually appreciated for it’s relaxing qualities and muscle tension release, it also effects the physiology of every body system. By activating the relaxing parasympathetic nervous system, massage allows the body to rest, digest, and replenish itself.
The following is a list of benefits of massage therapy:
- Warms and softens tight muscles which increase pliability, suppleness, and flexibility
- Increases circulation bringing oxygen and nutrients to every body system and flushing out metabolic wastes
- Supports digestion by activating the parasympathetic nervous system
- Supports the respiratory system by encouraging deep restorative breathing
- Helps reduce stress by turning off the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight)
- Helps relieve pain by increasing endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin
- Supports immunity by increasing lymph circulation
- Enhances tissue repair and scar formation
- Reduces anxiety
- Increases joint mobility and connective tissue health
- Reduces muscle fatigue and soreness after exercising by releasing lactic acid from tissues
My Specialties
I use a combination of the following techniques to customize each treatment. And stay tuned, because I am always taking classes and looking to add more modalities to my repertoire!!
Thai Massage
Thai Massage is an ancient technique based on Buddhist, Ayurvedic, and Yogic traditions. It is a beautiful dance between therapist and client in which the (clothed) client is stretched into yoga positions and pressed and massaged. It is surprisingly extremely relaxing and because the therapist is using their own body weight, pressure can be pretty deeply applied if necessary. Thai massage is done on a mat on the floor for more flexibility in movement, though it is also easily incorporated into a table massage.
Swedish Massage
Gentle and relaxing with long flowing strokes and kneading techniques. It increases circulation to nourish tissues while releasing metabolic wastes like lactic acid. Swedish massage warms and softens the tissues making them soft and supple.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue addresses the deep, hard to palpate muscles. The techniques are slow and specific, often with prolonged applied pressure. It can also include fascial release. Though working on these deep muscles and fascia can be a little uncomfortable, it should NEVER be painful. Pain causes the muscles to tighten up in protection (which is the opposite of what we are trying to achieve). It’s better to work slowly and gradually get deeper for longer lasting results.
Thai Massage
Thai Massage is an ancient technique based on Buddhist, Ayurvedic, and Yogic traditions. It is a beautiful dance between therapist and client in which the (clothed) client is stretched into yoga positions and pressed and massaged. It is surprisingly extremely relaxing and because the therapist is using their own body weight, pressure can be pretty deeply applied if necessary. Thai massage is done on a mat on the floor for more flexibility in movement, though it is also easily incorporated into a table massage.
Swedish Massage
Gentle and relaxing with long flowing strokes and kneading techniques. It increases circulation to nourish tissues while releasing metabolic wastes like lactic acid. Swedish massage warms and softens the tissues making them soft and supple.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue addresses the deep, hard to palpate muscles. The techniques are slow and specific, often with prolonged applied pressure. It can also include fascial release. Though working on these deep muscles and fascia can be a little uncomfortable, it should NEVER be painful. Pain causes the muscles to tighten up in protection (which is the opposite of what we are trying to achieve). It’s better to work slowly and gradually get deeper for longer lasting results.