Peter Black's Listening Hands Massage Of SE Portland, Oregon

My approach towards massage has always been client-centered – what are the client’s goals, and what kind of massage will help them achieve their goals?

My mind and massage work is always geared towards being therapeutic. Sometimes that can mean working out a stiff, sore muscle, improving Range of Motion with Deep Tissue, or helping someone to relax, calm their nervous system, and reduce their tension with a relaxing massage style.

In the Deep Tissue/Sports Massage modality, I have found it most effective to go slowly with deep pressure, and never go beyond the pressure that is tolerable and preferred by the client on the table. Much of my training was from people trained by Ida Rolf, the founder of Rolfing bodywork (originally called Structural Integration). I am not a certified Rolfer, but the style of bodywork taught to me by Rolfers when teaching advanced Deep Tissue or Sports Massage has always made the most sense to me and helped my body and my clients the most.

I also love to get In the Zone, when someone just wants to relax, and slow down even more, and do long, relaxing Lomilomi strokes, Swedish strokes etc. I avoid any massage techniques which feel repetitive, robotic, or automatic. I am always feeling the quality of your tissue wherever I am working.

I always want the pressure to be perfect for you, as that is everyone’s main concern. So I ask you how the pressure is first thing, and if I have any doubt, I will ask again, and check in now and then, if I sense perhaps it’s too deep or not deep enough.

Plus, I always ask the person on the table to please tell me if the pressure is ever too strong or too light, and also if they are too hot or too cold.

The more information you give me the better massage I can provide for you, and that is my goal - to give you the best massage possible.

I am somewhat of a Health Nerd – I have always loved the incredible miracle of this body we live in! And never miss a chance to read or research ways to help us all feel better in every possible way – be it massage therapy, stretching, exercise, or simple things like taking a few deep breaths now and then.

I want YOU to feel as good as you possibly can!