How do I get to Tree House Bodywork?

Tree House Bodywork is in the Mission/Bernal neighborhood of SF, close to the 24th St and Mission BART Station. You'll be given the exact address in your calendar invite upon booking.

What modalities of bodywork are offered?

I have deep experience in energy work, but I am also a certified massage therapist able to offer swedish, deep tissue, Esalen, and other massage types. I am also certified as a manual lymphatic drainage therapist.

What types of massage are offered?

I offer Swedish, deep tissue, and Esalen massage, and often blend them depending on what your body needs that day. Swedish is the classic relaxation massage, with long, smooth strokes that ease tension and calm the nervous system. Deep tissue uses slower, firmer pressure to work into chronic tightness and stubborn knots, especially in the back, neck, and shoulders. Esalen massage was developed at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur and uses long, flowing strokes that connect the whole body. It’s slow, intuitive, and deeply nurturing, and it’s one of my favorite ways to work.

What is manual lymphatic drainage?

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a gentle, rhythmic form of bodywork developed in Europe in the 1930s. It’s designed to support the lymphatic system, the body’s network of vessels and nodes that carries fluid, clears waste, and plays a key role in immune function. Unlike the heart, the lymphatic system has no pump of its own. It relies on movement, breath, and muscle contraction to keep fluid flowing, which is why it can easily become sluggish when we’re stressed, sedentary, or healing.

In an MLD session, I use very light, slow, stretching strokes on the skin to encourage lymph to move toward the nodes where it can be filtered. The pressure is much lighter than a typical massage, about the weight of a nickel. It’s often used to reduce swelling and puffiness, support recovery after surgery or injury, and ease the heavy, congested feeling that can come with travel, illness, or hormonal shifts. Clients usually find it deeply calming, and many drift into the same restful state they experience with Reiki.

If you have an active infection, a blood clot, heart or kidney conditions, or are being treated for cancer, please check with your doctor before booking. MLD can be very supportive in many of these situations, but it’s best done with your care team’s blessing.

How do I know which session to book?

If you’re not sure, that’s completely normal. Here’s a simple way to think about it:

• If you want to relax and reset, try Swedish or Esalen massage.

• If you have specific areas of pain or tightness, try deep tissue.

• If you’re feeling puffy, swollen, or recovering from surgery or illness, try manual lymphatic drainage.

• If you’re feeling depleted, anxious, or in a big life transition and want deep rest without much pressure, try Reiki.

You’re also welcome to book a massage and tell me what’s going on when you arrive. I’ll tailor the session to you.

Can I combine Reiki with massage?

Yes, and many clients love this. Because I’m trained in both, I often weave a little energy work into a massage session, especially at the beginning and end. If you’d like a more intentional blend, mention it when you book and I’ll plan the session around both.

What should I wear, and how much do I undress for massage?

For Reiki, you stay fully clothed. For massage and lymphatic work, most people undress to their comfort level and lie under a sheet and blanket, and you’re always draped so only the area I’m working on is uncovered. Many people undress fully, and many keep underwear on. Either is completely fine.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a therapy that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. It involves the use of touch or non-touch techniques to channel energy into the body, with the aim of promoting physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.

In a typical Reiki session, the recipient lies down fully clothed while the practitioner uses a series of hand positions to channel energy into the body. The energy is believed to flow through the practitioner's hands and into the recipient's body, helping to balance the body's energy and promote healing.

Reiki is based on the idea that energy flows through the body and that blockages or imbalances in this energy can lead to physical or emotional problems. By channeling energy into the body, Reiki practitioners aim to remove these blockages and restore balance, which is thought to promote healing and well-being.

Reiki is often used as a complementary therapy, meaning that it is used in conjunction with conventional medical treatments to support the body's natural healing processes. It is also used as a form of self-care, with individuals learning to perform Reiki on themselves as a way to promote relaxation and reduce stress.

Overall, Reiki is a gentle and non-invasive therapy that is believed to have a wide range of benefits for the body and mind. While it is not a substitute for medical treatment, many people find it to be a helpful complement to conventional medicine.

What does a Reiki session entail?

Once you arrive, I'll buzz you into the gate and meet you in an outdoor breezeway. Then we have a quick walk up an indoor stairway on our way to the outdoor Reiki Patio. On the patio there will be a stool for you to set your items on. Then you can take your shoes off and lie down on your back on the heated massage table. Reiki is performed fully clothed, and sheets and blankets on top add to an extra cozy experience.

‍My lineage of Reiki has taught us to place hands directly on the body to transfer Reiki energy. I cover the torso, hips, knees, ankles, heart, head, and neck in that order (and have the client flip onto their stomach for a 90 minute session). People generally feel Reiki as either hot, cold, or vibration. Clients frequently mention that they “go somewhere else” which I take to mean that the body has gone into a deep relaxation state (parasympathetic system engaged) which is very nourishing to all body systems.​ By the end of the session, my clients are usually deeply relaxed or feeling a little altered.

What should I know about taking care of myself after the session?

‍I recommend drinking lots of water, eating nourishing food, and avoiding intoxicants for the rest of the day. Most people tend to sleep well and eliminate often after a session, and some people feel “sparkly” for up to a few days after. People sometimes notice transformations in their lives as well. I can’t explain this but it’s something I’ve seen over and over again!

How often should I come for Reiki?

‍Like any therapy, more benefit can be derived from more visits. My teacher recommends at least 4 visits, as the body "first session hears, second listens, third integrates, and fourth comes to homeostasis." Some people, especially those in the caring professions or on the brink of a big life transition, choose to invest in Reiki as a longer term support in their lives and come weekly or bi-weekly for a period.