For MASSAGE THERAPY appointments, please know that I moved September 2022 and joined forces with www.lamour-massage.com. We are on the corner of Weir Drive and Upper Afton Road, approximately 1.25 miles north of my last office (watch for Dr. Wilhelm's sign - we are in that office complex, middle suite).
To get to a description of Gigi's massage bio and background, scroll down.🤲 There wasn't enough room on Lamour's website for my credentials, so they are listed here at my old URL.
To get to Gigi's extra helpful massage related resources (instructional videos, websites, etc), click HERE.
To download a generic referral form to have your healthcare provider sign, click HERE. (Note: this will take you to a PDF stored in google drive)
To download an ONCOLOGY MASSAGE referral form to have your doctor/provider sign, click HERE. (Note: this will take you to a PDF stored in a google drive)
To get to Gigi's old massage related newsletters, click HERE.
It's a customized term to describe that I will take your various medical conditions, procedures, devices and be as informed as possible before working with you. It means I am informed of anatomy and physiology, will use the least amount of pressure needed to elicit a change, and will work around any areas where there would be medical cautions and contraindications. Many of my clients have complex medical conditions that they manage, including chronic pain, cancer diagnoses, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, etc. Medically-oriented massage is very goal oriented to get you THROUGH an injury, surgery, or to manage chronic condition. Most of my new clients see me 3 to 4 sessions spaced 1 to 2 weeks apart, which is generally enough for most acute issues. Then you graduate to a nice regular massage with one of my co-workers (or back to your own favorite massage therapist). For those with a more chronic condition, we'll get you to a more "stable" situation and then either figure out how to do a more long term management, or help you get to a better practitioner. Due to high demand, if you are a new client to me, please know that you will need a referral from a licensed healthcare provider (i.e. an MD, DO, DC, DPT, psychologist, speech therapist, dentist, etc.) to see me.
Gigi J. Decker, NCTMB, BA was the owner and founder of A Sensitive Touch, 1999-2022. She has been performing Professional Massage Therapy since 1986 and is trained in a variety of techniques including Connective Tissue Massage, Visceral Manipulation, Neural Manipulation, CranioSacral Therapy, KinesioTaping, Oncology Massage, Lymphatic techniques (D'Ambrogio & Vodder style Manual Lymphatic Drainage), Esalen, Swedish, Deep Tissue techniques, Pre-Natal massage, and techniques specifically for headaches, neckaches, and backaches. She combines these techniques with her background as a student athletic trainer, a physical therapy aide, and her BA in Holistic Health Studies in order to create a truly unique massage experience that focuses on the body's tissues. Gigi has been an instructor for two different massage therapy schools in the Twin Cities. She is Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, and is an Active, Professional Member of the American Massage Therapy Association, International Association of Healthcare Practitioners, and the S4OM (Society for Oncology Massage). For a curriculum vitae (including CEU hours), click here.
Gigi works primarily with lymph and fascia, the connective tissue of the body which has very unique properties. It is both fibrous and semi-liquid, and both very strong yet very responsive. To see a short video of what live fascia under magnification looks like, click HERE (note: whereas you will see live tissue, there is no blood or other queasy-making body parts visible).
Fascial work / Connective Tissue
Connective tissue massage works the fascia to release tension in the body, usually chronic tension. To make this relatively non-painful, it is done with slow, gentle strokes and concentrated pressure on the tense area to passively stretch and loosen tissues. This type of tissue massage can result in soreness for a day or two following the massage, although Gigi strives to make it non-painful. For more information about fascia and Connective Tissue Massage, please see www.johnlatz.com
Manual Lymphatic Drainage/Lymphatic Massage
This is a very gentle and light technique with big impact! The lymphatic system is highly intertwined with your fascial health and your immune system, and therefore is so important that just about everyone on my table gets a little lymphatic work of some sort. Most of the lymphatic "vessels" are very superficial, meaning most of the pressure is super light. This technique is tolerable and helpful for people with fibromyalgia, chronic pain, many cancers, post-injury, pre-/post-surgical and more. Gigi uses a combination of Vodder and D'Ambrogio techniques, along with effleurage to get good results.
Visceral Manipulation
Visceral Manipulation is organ specific fascial release. Whereas this sounds deep, it is very gentle work and can be done through clothing, but has profound effects. This technique releases adhesions between layers of fascia in and around organs of the abdomen, thorax and pelvis. These adhesions, which can be from infection, injury, gravity, or surgery, can often lead to biomechanical restrictions which affect movement and function in the body. Releasing the biomechanical restrictions can improve posture, flexibility, and function. To read a brief article on this technique, click here.
CranioSacral Therapy
This very gentle technique addresses the fascia and restrictions that can surround the brain and spinal cord, thereby affecting the entire central nervous system. It is a wonderful complement to the Visceral Manipulation and the other fascial work I do. It is especially helpful for headaches, migraines, back pain, disc pain. I think it is also very helpful for when you just feel run-down or frantic, as all my clients who have tried it leave with an overwhelming sense of relaxed calm. For more information about CranioSacral, you can click here.
Neural Manipulation
Although this may sound like Chiropractic, it is VERY different. This is another gentle, manual technique developed by Dr. Jean Pierre Barral (like the Visceral Manipulation) which uses gentle palpation to feel for irritated individual nerves. Irritated nerves often send signals to muscles, skin, and blood vessels to contract and immobilize an area; they also send a pain signal to force you to rest an area. Gentle movements of the soft-tissues around the nerves can help them "slide and glide" better, and often relieve swelling, which can turn off pain and spasming relatively quickly. For more information about Neural Manipulation, click here.
Concussion Protocol
This protocol is based on a recent study by the Upledger Institute that found helpful results with a combination of CranioSacral techniques, Visceral Manipulation, and Neural Manipulation techniques. In addition to doing these techniques on you, I will also teach you several things you can do at home to help yourself. Recommended frequency is 10 sessions done as close together as can be scheduled. My personal preference is to wait at least 6 weeks post-injury. For more information, click here.
Oncology Massage
Gigi was trained in 2016 (but has been studying the research since 2008); this massage is safe for patients who are either undergoing or who have had radiation, chemotherapy, surgery. TIMING IS KEY if active chemotherapy and radiation is being received (Gigi will call you to discuss this). A more thorough medical history is taken at the beginning of each session. Lighter pressures, alternate positioning, and more pillows are generally incorporated, making the client feel like they're floating on a fluffy cloud.... The protocols created by Tracy Walton & Associates are safe for other "medically fragile" patients as well.
Swedish/Esalen Massage
This is your rather "standard" massage with nice, relaxing benefits. Swedish massage relaxes muscles through pressure applied to the muscles and joints with soothing strokes returning blood to the heart. This increases oxygen flow and releases toxins built up in the muscles. Gigi's is different in that her version is done "dry" with no lotion (until the backrub at the end).
Trigger Point & Acupressure
Trigger Point massage works the different muscles layers individually. The therapist works surface muscles, connective tissues and deeper ligaments. This type of massage is similar to acupressure, where pressure is placed on certain points of the body. Gigi uses these techniques sparingly.
KinesioTaping
KinesioTape is a special elasticized tape that is especially good a reducing inflammation in an area, and also triggering a neuroreflexive effect (by decompressing pressure sensors in the skin) that "tricks" the brain into softening muscle spasms and decreasing pain. For more information about the technique in general, please see www.kinesiotaping.com. Also, if you've been KinesioTaped and I forgot to give you the care instructions, click here for a copy. I became a Certified KinesioTaping Practitioner in March of 2010 but am no longer considered "certified", although I have taught casual classes for the lay-person through surrounding community education programs.
Here's some of what's been said about my work:
"Worth a million bucks!" J.H.
"Regularly educational!" C.T.
"For the first time in probably 2 years I don't have a knot in my back. THANKS! I feel 5 years younger". T.D.
"It is unbelievable how much better I actually feel - like a Godsend really". K.R.
"Just want to let you know that I experienced a lot of pain relief to right lower back and hip after yesterday's session. So grateful!" - J.S.
"Thanks for the CS [CranioSacral] session! My neck is feeling better and moving with less restriction. My mind is not as muddled. I hope you continue taking CS training!" - J.M.
"You found spots that hurt I didn't know I had". W.D., C.T., B.R., S.D., D.G., S.K., etc.
"Gigi, I wanted to let you know that the massage techniques you've shown me have really helped my son. He's complaining less of his neck hurting, along with severity. We're finally working out those knots in his neck. He actually went to bed tonight without ice on his neck- first time in over a year. He also went to a friend's cabin that had very stiff beds. My son came home "crying out" for a massage. I gave him a full back, neck, and arm and he was so relieved. He's already asked when can he come back to see you :). Thank you so much and I've told several people about his positive turn-around. Not too mention a mom who knows she can help her child feel better. -J.E."
"Worth the price of admission. -B.M."