Merey Kate Grearson, MA English, LMT

I came to massage therapy after a successful thirteen year career as an English teacher and soccer, ice hockey, lacrosse, and recreational sailing coach at Tabor Academy in Marion, MA, and Berwick Academy in South Berwick, ME.

After moving to the Northwest, I attended Bodymechanics School of Myotherapy and Massage in Olympia, WA, where I graduated with distinction in May of 2008. The program I followed was 900 hours over 13 months. Since then, I have completed hundreds of hours of study in the following areas:

• Anatomy, including multiple cadaver dissections
• Swedish massage and relaxation massage
• Deep Tissue Massage
• Injury Treatment
• Myofascial Release
• Trigger Point Therapy
• Sports Massage
• Special populations: seniors, cancer, pregnancy, HIV/AIDS
• Intraoral work for TMJD and other mouth and jaw issues
• Visceral Manipulation
• Orthopedic Massage
• Myokinesthetics
• Craniosacral Therapy (Upledger)
• Breast Massage*

I am constantly reading and studying to find more information which can expand the breadth of my understanding and allow me to better treat those people with whom I have the honor of working.

*I have specific training, required by the state of Washington, to perform breast massage. Breast massage can be essential for those coping with the aftereffects of breast cancer treatment or breast surgeries. It can help reroute lymphatic drainage, increase scar functionality, and provide pain relief. However, even healthy breasts can benefit from massage. Massage increases circulation and moves fluid, transporting toxins associated with cancer risks, into the lymphatic system where it is filtered. Breast massage is non-sexual, but I would never incorporate it into a massage without a specific request from a client, without discussing it first, and without getting written consent from a client. Massage that includes specific work on the nipple or areola requires a referral from a doctor and additional written consent from the client. Even if you are not comfortable having breast massage incorporated into your massage, you can learn more about it in Debra Curties’ book Breast Massage. If you have questions, please feel free to ask me.

I am a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), the Washington State Massage Therapy Association, and I am certified in CPR.