The backstory
I thought I was going to save sea turtles.
Instead, I fell into the fast-paced field of environmental consulting. A typical day saw me furiously typing away while staring at multiple monitors and wondering why my shoulders and jaw were always achy.
Sound familiar?
Have you tried working out to reduce your pain and stress? Were you told by your dentist to avoid apples, crusty bread, and gum? Yep. Me, too.
I tried seeking salvation in the gym, where I'd sweat out my stress for two hours every day after work. Or, if it was nice out, I'd escape on my bike for a few hours. But I was still achy, tired, stressed, and in pain... and food avoidance wasn't solving the problem.
Cue in: massage therapy.
I began receiving monthly massage sessions where I could literally disconnect for an hour. No demands. No calls. No texts. I started to understand how my body was holding onto stress and pain.
During those routine massages I realized my “do more” approach was not working. What my body truly needed was space to rest and recalibrate so that it could heal.
As you can guess, I was so inspired by the change massage therapy had on my life, I enrolled in school and started East River Massage. Now I can help you reduce pain and stress, too. Let me pay it forward. Let's hold space for YOU to disconnect from the world so your body can work on feeling better.
About my practice
You’re active, healthy, and yet still feel overwhelmed... oh, and you have this spot in your jaw that flares up and drives you crazy.
Hello! I'm Jan, the owner of East River Massage, and I might be able to help!
In my women's wellness practice, I work best with busy professionals and retirees who are looking to commit to routine massage as part of their self-care plan.
My massage style is gentle and effective by working with your nervous system and muscle tone. I use slow, broad strokes with moderate pressure to ease tension and reduce pain. Sinking in and moving slowly melts away muscle tension. You'll feel as if you're being ironed out! My focus is getting to the root cause of your discomfort and helping you manage those spots that flare up. Bonus: Because the simple act of dedicating time to disconnect helps combat everyday anxiety and stress, we’ll be simultaneously addressing mental health.
Your path to wellness starts with feeling heard. I take the time to listen to your concerns and tailor every session to your specific needs. My cozy, bright studio feels more like a relaxing living room, where you can truly unwind.
A little more about me:
- I enjoy getting lost in the woods on my mountain bike.
- I maintain my health through weight lifting and hiking.
- I love traveling! In 2023, I went on an epic backpacking trip to Havasupai, deep in the western Grand Canyon, and had a blast! In 2024, I was deep in the Swiss Alps hiking alongside cows wearing giant bells.
- I volunteer regularly at CT Foodshare.
- I enjoy cooking vegan meals. Check out this recipe for Vegan Spicy Thai Peanut Ramen.
- I've struggled with TMD (clicking and deflection) my whole life.
The nerdy stuff
Education
B.S. in Marine Biology, minor in Geology -- College of Charleston (2004)
M.S. in Environmental Science -- University of New Haven (2015)
Diploma in Massage Therapy -- Cortiva Institute (2020)
Licenses & Certifications
Certified Hazardous Materials Manager #16804 (2015 - present)
CT Licensed Massage Therapist #10802 (2020 - present)
MA Licensed Massage Therapist #16853 (2021 - present)
Massage Therapy Continuing Education
First Aid, CPR, and AED -- American Red Cross (Exp. 5/11/2026)
Sports Massage -- AMTA, 30 hrs (2/2/2022 - 8/24/2022)
Approaching the Body from All Angles -- David Lobenstine, 8 hrs (8/25/2022)
Myofascial Swedish -- Ian Harvey, 16 hrs (3/25/2023 - 3/26/2023)
TMJ Intensive -- PNMT, 14 hrs (11/2/2024 - 11/3/2024)
Volunteering
CT Foodshare, weekly sorter (2019 - present)
Special Olympics, Healthy Athletes massage therapist (6/4/2022, 6/3/2023, and 6/1/2024)