Kathleen Devney, LMP

When the body, the mind, and the spirit are balanced and working in harmony, good health results. When all are not functioning in a healthy manner, we have discomfort, disease, pain, and other symptoms. Using massage therapy techniques and acupressure, Kathleen Devney works to reduce pain and discomfort, and to help the body, mind, and spirit to restore balance and harmony.

Using her hands and arms Kathleen uses Swedish and Deep Tissue massage techniques to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. The soft tissues include the skin, muscles, tendons, associated fascia, ligaments, and joint capsules. In addition to the deeply relaxing effects massage therapy can have on the sympathetic nervous system, it also works to increase circulation, stimulate proprioceptors in muscles and tendons, reduce fibrosis in muscle tissue that develops after injury, immobilization or degeneration, and in most cases, her informed and compassionate touch helps create a sense of well being for the client.

In addition to these massage techniques Kathleen practices acupressure. This is a clothes-on technique that blends traditional Chinese acupuncture theory, Taoist philosophy, Japanese acupressure technique, Qi Gong breathing, and some Western psychological tools to shift and balance the body's energies. Kathleen uses gentle finger pressure, instead of needles, on acupuncture points, to reduce pain, reduce anxiety, and to increase the mind-body connection and sense of well-being of the client. These treatments are very relaxing, and quite effective for treating traumatic injuries as well as chronic conditions, and can sometimes help clients realize emotional sources of physical symptoms. The results can be very profound and enlightening, as well as effective.

American culture tends to encourage people to over-think, over-work, and over-do. We lose touch with what is going on in our bodies because we spend so much time in our heads. Receiving body-work on a regular basis puts us back in touch with our bodies. It can help to improve our posture, often reminding us of the full range of motion our joints are designed to move in. Very importantly, by being in touch with how our bodies are feeling, we are more likely to recognize early on if there are signs of trouble, thereby allowing for early interventions.

Kathleen began her massage practice in 2000 after graduation from Ashmead College in Seattle. She is a professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association. In addition to her massage license, Kathleen also has a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and a Bachelor of Science in Gerontology from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington.