Your Davis Massage Specialists
All our therapists are mission driven to work in a community-style massage clinic oriented around intersectionality and disability justice, within a sliding scale system. Whether you are looking for support through a stressful time in your life, a medical condition, or experiencing pain, Davis Massage and Body Therapy aims to meet you where you are and focus on your concern.
We look to set a new standard for bodywork to be as effective, efficient, and accessible as possible, while improving the work conditions of massage therapists in an industry that is highly exploited.
Staff
Chris Thiel
Education Certification/Title- Massage Therapist
Languages Spoken- English
Pronouns- He/Him
Hello, my name is Chris (he/him). My goal here at Davis Massage and Body Therapy is to facilitate relaxation and the possibility for healing in the world and in my work. To this end I employ a combination of massage modalities with clothed Thai massage as the base. Thai massage combines rhythmic compressions and stretches with the Buddhist concept of metta (friendliness, loving-kindness, compassion). It physically relaxes the body and creates space in the joints and muscles, which allows the energetic body to release blockages and flow freely. I also incorporate a mix of acupressure, myofascial, and positional release techniques, as well as PNF stretches.
Prior to becoming a massage therapist, I worked as an arborist in the Sierra Foothills, where I commute from to work here in Davis. Body positioning, technical proficiency with complicated equipment, knowledge of botany, and the thrill of being in the top of a ponderosa pine on top of a mountain are all core components of tree work that attracted me to it. I find tending and treating the health and well being of massive, complex living organisms with my own head, heart, and hands incredibly satisfying. Every tree can be a combination of a forensic mystery to discover the cause of ailment, art project to prune aesthetically, and negotiation to compromise on what is best for the health of the tree and pleasing to the property owner. Many of the aspects that I enjoyed in arboriculture are mirrored in aspects of massage therapy.
Like many massage therapists, I am on the path of the healed healer. A long time ago I was plagued by a chronic ankle injury. After seeking and failing to find relief in allopathic practices, Thai massage and acupressure were able to get me from hobbling, to limping, to walking again. I was so enamored by the artful movement and nurturing dance of Thai massage, I eventually made space in my life to take a few classes and after that I have devoted myself to the learning journey in the world of therapeutic touch. Helping people facilitate relaxation, relief, and healing in their own bodies through touch and presence is a beautiful art and calling I have found myself drawn to and suited for. I invite you to come take part in this practice with me here at Davis Massage and Body Therapy.
Alyx Volzer
Education Certification/Title- Massage Therapist, Bodyworker, Life Coach
Advanced/Special Education and Certifications- Holistic Health Practitioner, Trauma Informed, Acupuncture/Pre-med school prerequisites, current Ph.D. student in Community Health Development
Registration- CAMTC#22235
Research- Biochemistry sol-gel material sciences and fascia/connective tissue properties; Somatic Psychology and Somatic Sociology; Social Determinants of Health/Mental Health
Languages Spoken- English
Pronouns- They/He
Alyx enjoys working with the disabled community, especially neurodivergent folks, EDS and other connective tissue conditions, muscle coordination challenges which impact the ability to walk and breathe, post-spinal or pelvic surgical recovery, post-viral syndrome and other autoimmune conditions (including multiple chemical sensitivities), proprioceptive and interoceptive challenges and/or sensory challenges, and emotional trauma recovery. They take a scientific approach to stress management, looking at how the nervous system and muscles work to deal with high intensity emotions and pain. As a trans person, Alyx has experience working with the full spectrum of the transmale medical transition from hormones to surgeries to feeling more embodied and connected to oneself. Athletes and musicians especially benefit from Alyx's embodiment approach because it helps the motor and sensory nervous system to be more responsive (important for injury prevention and recovery!) while increasing stability, balance, range of motion, and flexibility of the muscles, joints, and connective tissue.
Alyx's 1250 hour massage training at the world famous Mueller College between 2010-2011, and subsequent full pre-medical and pre-acupuncture school training at Butte College, has allowed them to specialize in Somatic Psychology, traumatology, autonomic dysfunction, and outpatient medical massage as a massage therapist, with a special interest in intersectional justice, disability justice, and environmental justice. Their approach to massage draws on the radical traditions of the People's Organization of Community Acupuncture, anti-eugenics praxis, queer liberation, and the civil rights Black Panther community health clinics and barbershop politics space.
There is nothing more radical than authentically being in your own body.
Alyx uses a combination of orthopedic massage approaches (both western and eastern), myofascial interventions, and somatic psychology which looks at how emotions and psychological states are reflected in the body and change muscle tension patterns and joint restrictions. They practice integrative medicine by doing research and working in collaboration with Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, Psychotherapists, other Massage Therapists, and with Plastic Surgeons.
Alyx has two primary approaches:
- A therapy-oriented, clothed massage for quick results. It is an intense blend of western deep tissue, orthopedic massage, myofascial release, and Asian physio-therapy techniques derived from TuiNa and Thai massage which includes whole palm pressure, acupressure points, manipulation of joints, deep breathing, gentle rocking, and stretching. For long-term bodywork and body therapy, they will provide a full body assessment, "homework" (if you desire it), and wellness coaching to help you achieve your specific goals. This can be done on a traditional massage table with hands and elbow work, or under our ashiatsu bar system allowing Alyx to walk on you.
- A proprietary trauma-informed, and research backed approach to working with bodies that have experienced emotionally traumatic stress, both recently or in the far past. Trauma-informed professional massage calms the nervous system in the days and weeks after a traumatic event or injury, which can sometimes mean the difference between moving through the stress or later developing symptoms of PTSD. It can help free up the body's emotional flexibility, establishing safety and embodied awareness, so that the brain can process trauma without dissociation and thus build a greater capacity for managing stress.
Interns/Massage Therapists in Training
Interested in an internship? We prioritize neurodivergent therapists and those interested in learning emotional anatomy and trauma informed practice.
To schedule your appointment:
Every BODY deserves a safe massage they enjoy, no matter your race, gender orientation, sexual orientation, medical condition, "disorder", diagnosis, history, or previous experience with touch or massage.
