09/02/2026
"I'm not a doctor. I don't diagnose. But I'm a pretty good guesser."
I find myself saying this in the treatment room all the time. 😊
What I really mean is that after years of working with people experiencing pain and mobility issues, my hands have learned to notice when tissue feels different.
Sometimes I encounter an area that may feel:
✅Swollen or warmer than the surrounding tissue
✅Tender or painful to the touch
✅Tight, guarded, ticklish, or unusually sensitive
✅Different in texture from the tissue around it
These can be signs that an area is irritated or inflamed, but they aren't a diagnosis. If I notice something, I'll often mention it to my client - and I'm surprised by how often I hear, "How did you know?"
It's also information that helps guide how I work.
When tissue is particularly sensitive or irritated, deeper isn't necessarily better. I may adjust my pressure, change techniques, work with the surrounding areas, or avoid an area altogether when appropriate.
Therapeutic massage isn't about applying the same pressure and techniques to every body. It's about listening to what the tissue is telling me and adjusting the session accordingly.
