Master Orthopedic Massage Therapist
Kym has been practicing Orthopedic and Neuromuscular massage therapy for 22 years. She graduated from the Northwest School of Massage in Seattle, Washington in 1996 and immediately went into medical massage therapy, treating auto accident injuries and working with physicians treating soft tissue dysfunctions. In Washington state massage therapists are more involved in the medical industry which allowed many health insurances to cover treatment. (Sadly California is not there yet!) This allowed Kym the privilege to work very closely with many types of health care providers and learn extensively from them. She was then able to apply that knowledge to enhance her own practice to the benefit of her patients.
She extensively utilizes different assessment techniques to determine what is causing the dysfunctions in each client so as to prepare the most effective treatment program. In addition, she has developed a unique neuromuscular therapy technique called SEAR (Sustained Engagement Activating Release) that breaks the soft tissue holding patterns that develop from years of imbalance and cumulative minor injuries in a significant yet non-aggressive manner. She works to “reprogram” the muscles and connective tissue from the positions and habits that keep them out of balance and makes them prone to injury. She uses a combination of long, slow trigger point pressure, myofascial release, and range of motion techniques to retrain the body. This approach has both immediate and long term, long lasting effects. While her style is definitely therapeutic more people fall asleep during these sessions than during a Swedish massage.
Kym is a very strong opponent to the idea that “it has to hurt to work” and believes that if a patient is guarding they are not getting the full benefit of the treatment. This is especially critical with very acute patients such as victims of an auto accident. Her philosophy is that it is all about the right amount of the right treatment at the right time.
She likes to have as many tools in her tool belt as possible so she can offer the right one at the right time for each patient. This by NO means connotes that she does not do deep work when its needed, however she believes in coaxing as opposed to forcing her way deeper. In fact, because the patient does less , if any, guarding or resisting she often reaches deeper areas that many deep tissue providers cannot get to in one session.
In addition, Kym believes that it is always best to work to determine the root cause of a dysfunction as opposed to simply addressing the symptom. She applies her over 20 years of experience and knowledge gained from constant research and excellent collaboration with complimentary health care providers to take a more big picture approach.
There are often multiple components contributing to a patients pain or lack of health, including nutrition, environment, stress, underlying physiological disorders , etc. and determining and addressing these is key in patients not only getting out of pain but living healthier, happier and more productive lives. Some can be addressed at Body Fix and some she refers out to her network of preferred skilled providers however Kym believes in a team approach and maintains regular communication with the patient and other providers in order for the patient to see the maximum results.
Kym only takes Orthopedic patients at this time. Most sessions include up to 60 minutes of hands on time and up to 30 minutes of assessing and consulting. Many patients choose to see her at first and for regular follow ups and see one of her very skilled apprentices in between(who Kym sees herself for her own wellbeing!).
An initial session with Kym is typically $130 with follow up sessions at $85 per hour of her time prorated and will vary in the amount of hands on and assessment time.
If you have had any imaging done related to what you are seeing her for such as MRI or X-Rays please bring copies of the MRI report (not the films as she does not have the skillset to read them) and the X-Ray films. These can be on a CD disc. Any physicians reports are helpful as well.
Hours available: Monday-Friday 10:00 am-3:00 pm (occasional 3:30 appointments available.)
Massage Modalities/Specialties: Orthopedic Massage, Neuro-Muscular Re-Education, Emotional Release, Fibromyalgia, Auto Accident Treatment, Postural Assessment, ROM Assessment, Myo-skeletal balancing, Headaches, TMJ, Repetitive Strain Injuries
CAMTC#72938