Timothy Oaks

Timothy first studied health and healing in India during a four-month internship at an Ayurvedic doctor's clinic. This experience changed a number of his concepts of the role of practitioner and client, and of health and healing in general. Afterwards, he studied Reiki, then went into the field of massage therapy, graduating from the Brian Utting School of Massage in Seattle in 2002. Since then, he's taken numerous continuing education classes, primarily focusing on different clinical treatment techniques.

Timothy is certified in orthopedic (i.e. joint-focused) injury treatment, intra-oral treatment (treating the TMJ and upper neck from both within and outside of the mouth), and has taken workshops in various other movement and bodywork modalities, most notably craniosacral therapy. He has a wide range of approaches to offer, and between specific injury and full-body postural treatments, he is often able to get some traction on long-standing, resistant symptoms.

How I Work

I really enjoy awakening in my clients new freedoms, understandings, and ability. My sessions begin with a conversation regarding and your goals for treatment. In later sessions, we'll note what has changed in your life and perceptions, mark our progress, and reset our course as needed.

Next, if our focus is on injury, pain, lack of mobility, or posture, we'll assess your posture, and do various orthopedic tests (passive and resisted movements) and palpate to locate specific structures causing your symptoms. I'll treat the injured spot to speed full healing, and loosen any fascia and muscle tissue holding your body in the current posture, causing strain.

If your goals are deep rest or an experience of peace, I am happy to help you with techniques like craniosacral therapy, or more general massage techniques which increase circulation, loosen muscles, and relax the nervous system. (Oh, and they feel really, really good.)

All in all, I'm pleased and excited by the incredible depth which manual medicine—as I like to call hands-on techniques—has to offer both individuals and society as a whole.

I look forward to meeting you, and working with you. I am confident that we'll be able to pursue the goals you want, and in a way which feels appropriate to you.

Hobbies

I've been an athlete much of my life, playing soccer, ultimate Frisbee, and running. Most recently, my wife and I caught the hiking bug. Each summer we take a longer trip—last May we hiked the first 300 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, and are itching to do the whole thing some day in the future. Other interests include permaculture, music, Irish culture, and communication.

More about Timothy's services can be found on the massage page.