Therapeutic Massage
What is Therapeutic Massage? It is a targeted, clinical bodywork treatment designed to alleviate chronic pain and completely reset your nervous system. As an expert therapist in Portland, Oregon, my integrated approach blends the best of Swedish massage, targeted deep tissue work, and Thai yoga-inspired stretching to help you achieve profound, lasting relief.
Free cancellation up to 24h.
Hi, I’m Colleen LMT OR16847
Bodywork is highly personal. My core philosophy is that chronic pain isn’t just physical—it’s neurological. Every session we do is custom-built, blending deep structural integration with advanced soothing techniques to finally break your pain cycles.
Integrated Modalities
I build custom treatments using a deeply integrated combination of the following techniques. I am always expanding my education to bring new, profound healing modalities into your sessions.
Swedish Massage
Designed to be profoundly gentle and relaxing. This approach uses long, flowing strokes and targeted kneading techniques to dramatically increase circulation, nourishing your tissues with oxygen while releasing metabolic wastes like lactic acid. Swedish massage thoroughly warms the muscular system, leaving your tissues uniquely soft, pliant, and deeply supple.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue addresses the deepest, hardest to reach muscular structures and fascial restrictions. The techniques are slow, highly specific, and rely on prolonged, sinking pressure. While we work to release these deeply anchored knots, the focus is therapeutic relief—it should never feel ‘painful.’ Experiencing pain only causes your body to brace andmprotect. Working slowly and gradually achieves much deeper, longer-lasting restorative results.
Massage Enhancements
Elevate your therapeutic experience. Customize your session with these deeply restorative add-ons
designed to accelerate healing and deepen relaxation.
Hot Stones
Smooth, heated basalt stones are deeply integrated into your massage. The deeply penetrating heat
melts away stubborn muscle rigidity and soothes the central nervous system.
Cupping Therapy
An ancient technique using suction to decompress tissues, drastically increasing blood flow to promote healing, relieve severe muscle tension, and gently detoxify.
By utilizing soft silicone cups in a continuous, dynamic gliding motion rather than leaving them stationary, you experience profound therapeutic benefits while significantly reducing the likelihood of the circular marks often seen on athletes.
Aromatherapy
Harness the potent properties of pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils. Custom blended to match
your intention—whether it’s profound relaxation, invigoration, or deep breathing.
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 its 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.
Muscular & Joint Health
- Warms and softens tight muscles which increase pliability, suppleness, and flexibility.
- Increases joint mobility and connective tissue health.
- Enhances tissue repair and scar formation.
Systemic Vitality
- Increases circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to flush out metabolic wastes.
- Supports digestion by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
- Supports the respiratory system by encouraging deep restorative breathing.
- Supports immunity by increasing lymph circulation.
Pain Relief & Mental Support
- Reduces muscle fatigue and soreness after exercising by releasing lactic acid from tissues.
- Helps relieve pain by increasing soothing endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin.
- Helps reduce stress by turning off the active sympathetic nervous system.
- Significantly reduces anxiety, allowing the body back into a deep rest state.
Prenatal Massage
Can I receive massage while pregnant? Yes!!
It is safe to receive massage during pregnancy with a few modifications. Massage will usually be done side-lying with the support of bolsters and pillows. But if appropriate and safe to do so, I also have a body cushion system with cutouts for your baby bump to allow you to lay face down.
We can figure out what is best and most comfortable for you at the time of service. I use a gentle jojoba and aloe massage oil that is generally safe for everyone.
Scheduling Note: This would just be scheduled as a therapeutic massage with a mention that you are pregnant.
Client Love
Don’t just take my word for it. Here is what my incredible clients have to say about their healing
journeys.
“After many, many years of massage, I have been exposed to numerous talented hands and great skill.
Colleen Shea is one of the most outstanding! I highly recommend her competence and intuitive talent in
massage.”
“Just enjoyed my first treatment with Colleen. She was attuned to my body and did not simply go through
a standard routine. She communicated well and adjusted based on feedback. I will return and suggest
you enjoy a treatment from Colleen too!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know to prepare for your customized restorative experience.
What should I expect during my first visit?
Your first session will begin with a brief consultation to discuss your specific needs,
health history, and goals. We will deeply customize your ambient space, oil blends, and
structural pressure to guarantee ultimate relaxation and therapeutic value.
Do I need to undress completely?
You undress only to your level of comfort. You will be securely draped with warm, plush
sheets at all times during your session, and only the specific area being worked on will be
exposed to ensure your total peace of mind.
How often should I get a massage?
For acute pain or injury recovery, I often recommend weekly or bi-weekly visits. For general
stress maintenance and systemic vitality, receiving therapeutic bodywork once every 4 to 6
weeks is ideal.
Is it normal to feel sore after deep tissue work?
Yes, mild soreness lasting 24-48 hours is entirely normal after deep structural work as
metabolic wastes are released. Drinking plenty of water and taking a warm Epsom salt bath
will dramatically speed up your recovery.
Your Body Deserves True Relief.
From melting away chronic tension to completely resetting your nervous system. Reserve your deeply
customized therapeutic session in Portland today.