Gretchen Kloeppel trained in massage therapy at East West College in Portland, Oregon, studying Swedish and Sports Massage and Myofascial Release. Since receiving her Oregon State license in 1998, she has continued her education with further studies in pre-natal massage, massage for birthing, chair massage, massage for the face, deep tissue, Hawaiian lomilomi, as well as more in-depth training in sports massage and stretching.
When she began her career as a massage therapist, Gretchen worked in bed & breakfasts, which enabled her to work on many different people with many different body issues. Since starting her own practice in 2000, she has worked quite extensively with a quadriplegic client and with an ultra-distance bicycle racer, and has specialized in assisting yoga students to facilitate the changes that are happening in their bodies as a result of their yoga practice.
Gretchen loves working with people as individuals. She tailors the massage session to meet the specific needs of her client on that particular day. Whether they are seeking pain relief, injury recovery, or pure relaxation, she tries her best to ensure that they leave her office feeling happy and content.
Gretchen offers the following types of bodywork:
Swedish Massage One of the most common forms of massage used in the United States, “Swedish massage” utilizes five basic strokes all flowing toward the heart. Therapists use a combination of kneading, rolling, vibration, percussive and tapping movements, with the application of oil or lotion to reduce friction on the skin. A sheet covers the disrobed client, with only the area being worked on exposed. The many benefits of Swedish massage may include generalized relaxation, improved circulation, and breaking up adhesions.
Deep Tissue Based on the principles of Swedish massage, deep tissue techniques are administered to affect the sub-layer of musculature and fascia. It helps with chronic muscular pain and injury rehabilitation and reduces inflammation-related pain caused by arthritis, tendonitis, etc.
Myofascial Release Fascia is the tissue covering and connecting the muscles of the body. Myofascial Release is the application of sustained pressure and movement into the fascial system in order to eliminate restrictions. It is an effective therapeutic approach in the relief of cervical and back pain, fibromyalgia, restrictions of movement, chronic pain and headaches.
Sports Massage Sports massage consists of different techniques, from movement to stretching. The therapist helps to reduce injuries, alleviate inflammation, and provide warm-up, etc. for amateur as well as professional athletes before, during, and/or after their sports event and within their training regimens.
Prenatal Massage Many methods of massage are used to reduce pregnancy discomforts and concerns and enhance the physiological and emotional wellbeing of both mother and fetus. Therapists trained in pregnancy massage are aware of areas of precaution and contraindications.