ABOUT

Welcome to my Practice!

I’m Apple, a Massage Therapist with a background in Oncology and Hospice Nursing.

I’m originally from Berkeley and Marin County. I returned to the area during the pandemic after years of following life pathways that led me to Humboldt County, New Mexico, and finally Oregon, where I became an RN and raised a son.

Feeling a strong need to change course even further, I became a student of Massage Therapy at the SF School of Massage & Bodywork. Since graduating from SFSM, I have pursued advanced training in several types of specialty and/or medically based massage.

Much of my work, in my private practice, is medically focused. I enjoy providing massage to special populations, which can include pregnant individuals, people recovering from acute illness or injury, as well as geriatric clients, or people living with chronic medical conditions.

I specialize in providing Touch Therapy to traditionally underserved community members, and/or folks who may think they “can’t” receive massage safely. A specific example of this would be providing supports and positioning tools to allow someone with a physical contracture to lay in positions that traditional supine and prone (“face up” and “face down”) positioning doesn’t accommodate.

I was an Oncology Nurse for many years, serving Bone Marrow Transplant, Breast Cancer, and Head & Neck Radiation patients. I bring an informed touch via my specialty Massage Therapy training to safely provide touch where risk for bruising, lymph flow blockage, and unique pain issues are always at top of mind.
I believe that an individual is much more than their disease, and there is always some part of a person that may benefit from Touch Therapy to enhance their Quality of Life.

One of my roles as a nurse was that of “Oncology Nurse Navigator.” An important aspect of that role was to assess situations, and help remove obstacles to care. Similarly, when working with my massage clients, I assess their situation at the given point and time, and do my best to remove obstacles to receiving & enjoying caring touch.

Sometimes this requires a bit more time for the intake, a bit more time adjusting table and bolsters throughout the session, to ensure the best possible outcome: a reprieve from discomfort. My hope is that my clients will leave a session relaxed and with a feeling of having been nurtured and tended to.

That said, I am of course very happy to provide nourishing therapeutic massage to anyone seeking comfort, relaxation, rejuvenation.

Why the Transition

From Nursing to Bodywork

Even under the best circumstances (prior to COVID), I never felt that I had the time to truly tend to the needs of my patients. My role was a task & time driven one, which did not allow much space for accommodating the more nuanced needs & preferences of my patients. I recognized in myself a need to expand my skill set to be able to offer a more integrative and holistic way of supporting both individuals, their families, and their caregivers.

I began studying Massage Therapy thinking that I would include it in the private work I do supporting families approaching End of Life transitions. Having cared for many of my own family members while they were receiving hospice services, I realized that caregivers are as much in need of therapeutic touch as the patient.

My professional calling in life, my “heartwork,” has simply shifted a bit. Being able to draw on my nursing background, I am now able to provide care with autonomy. I maintain my CA state nursing license, and stay up to date with research & evidence-based practices that may apply to both nursing and massage therapy.

Massage Modalities

In addition to a very robust & well rounded initial 600 hour massage therapy program, I have been fortunate enough to be able to continue with advanced training in the following areas:

  • Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy with Carole Osborne, course developer of Body Therapy Education bodytherapyeducation.com
  • Pediatric Massage Therapy Certification
    Liddle Kidz Foundation
    liddlekidz.org

     

    • Pediatric Massage Therapy
    • Touch Therapy for Pediatric Cancer
    • Pediatric Massage for Palliative & Hospice Care

Oncology Massage Therapy

Professional Association Memberships

  • S4OM: Society for Oncology Massage
    s4om.org
  • ABMP: Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals
    abmp.com
  • HPNA: Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association
    San Francisco Bay Area Chapter member
    sfbahpna.org