The foundation of Shannon's approach is attentive and intentional touch. Utilizing Swedish massage as a framework she employs slow connecting myofascial holds and strokes while incorporating a variety of techniques and modalities to address your patterns of pain + tissue restriction, enhance quality of life + performance. Her practice is evidence-based, viewed through a trauma-informed, biopsychosocial lens. It is inextricably informed by her 30 years of receiving massage and bodywork for both stress reduction and pain relief, adding a depth of understanding and compassion to her sessions. A session may include moist heat, cupping, assisted stretching, passive body techniques, Positional Release, Myosketetal Alignment Techniques (MAT), Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT), Myofascial Release (MFR), amongst others. Each session is tailored to your unique goals+preferences.

What to expect

Our session begins by reviewing your health history, discussing your goals+preferences, and how you live and move in your body. Then together we'll create a framework for your session to best suit you. This process can take 5-15 minutes depending on the intake and the detailed attention this may require, when scheduling, please allow for an additional 15 minute at end of your appointment.

Services

Swedish/Deep Tissue- choose this if you want

a relaxation massage with no specific areas of concern
relaxation massage with 1 or 2 areas of detailed focus work
region specific focus work (Feet, ankles, lower leg; Head, neck, shoulders; Hips/back, etc..)

Discuss at intake your session preference. Generally unclothed/partially clothed, always securely draped.

Orthopedic Manual Therapy-choose this if you

have pesky chronic pain or
recovering from an injury or surgery, and/or
improve + maintain joint mobility and musculoskeletal function

This is an outcome based session with a longer and more detailed intake + assessment process. A treatment plan will be developed, incorporating evidence-supported techniques with benchmarks to measure efficacy throughout treatment plan. Single or multiple sessions. Generally clothed, shorts and loose top. Call to schedule 15 minute phone session to determine if this work is appropriate for you.

Decompress + Expand- choose this if you

have high stress, are in a hypervigilant state or
aren't sleeping well and need deep rest or
need touch but Swedish/deep tissue massage isn't tolerable and/or
wish to have a deeper sense of your body's parts and connectedness

This session is designed primarily around passive body techniques such as rhythmic body rocking, gentle range of motion, oscillations, compressions, traction, and static holds; all of which conspire to down regulating the hyper-vigilant nervous system, thereby inducing a deep state of relaxation. These sessions are fully clothed.

Cupping

Static or Neuromuscular dynamic cupping. Stand alone session or used as a tool in Swedish/Deep tissue

Reflexology- choose this if you

carry a lot of tension in your feet and legs or
aren't sleeping well and need deep rest or
have high stress or are hypervigilant,
need touch, but Swedish/deep tissue massage isn't tolerable and/or
wish to have a deeper sense of your body's parts and connectedness

Education

In 2003, Shannon trained at the Muscular Therapy Institute in Cambridge and 15 years later, at SpaTech Institute-Ipswich. In between her massage trainings, she completed a 300+ hour professional Reflexology certificate program from The New England Institute of Reflexology. In the spring of 2022, she completed a six month,100 hr, Orthopedic Massage certificate program with Tom Karis. In 2023, she completed coursework in Table Thai Yoga and Somatic/ Passive Body bodywork. In 2024 she attended classes with Whitney Lowe and Ian Harvey. For more details see Licences & Education

Willow and Oak Wellness

Signature Relaxation Massage