My name is Leslie Matheos and I'm a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), Craniosacral Therapist (CST) and Reiki Master. My perspective on bodywork is that, as the professional, my job is to be a healing facilitator. A lot of people in the healing professions seem to think that they heal their clients or patients. I firmly believe that we are individually required to be part of healing ourselves. Practitioners provide a frequently necessary framework for healing but, without our own intention and internal healing processes, their efforts will only take us so far. Whether it's an LMT releasing a hyper-contracted muscle, a CST releasing a dural tube restriction or a doctor prescribing antibiotics or chemotherapy, without the client taking an active role in his/her healing, the body can't fully recover. I tend to be a technical therapist. I am fascinated by anatomy and love the process of discovering where pain comes from (not always where you think) and finding the most efficient way to relieve it. Clients should not have to return to the same therapist weekly for years to fix the problem (although that is sometimes the case when there is a structural anomaly). The ideal is for them to get to the point where they choose regular maintenance massages while living their own lives pain/restriction free. This is my goal in all sessions and with all modalitites. Services
Reiki - a very light touch or even hands off technique which addresses the body's energetic needs. The theory behind Reiki is that a person has several different "bodies" - the physical body, the emotional body, the spiritual body and the energetic body (aura). The energetic body is the most essential part of the person but it is also the most difficult for us to relate to. So when there is a problem with the energetic body, it manifests in a manner we can see - usually a physical or emotional ill. A skilled Reiki practitioner channels universal energy, the energy that is the basis of all matter in the universe, into the client's aura. The client can then use that energy to heal their problems. Whether you believe in the healing power of Reiki or not, you will find it very relaxing. I find as many people falling asleep on my table during a Reiki session as during a Swedish massage. Craniosacral Therapy (CST) - a very light touch treatment that focuses on removing restrictions in the brain and spinal cord. The brain and spinal cord are surrounded by three layers of connective tissue/fascia which create the border of the craniosacral system. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a blood product that circulates within these borders, bathes the brain and spinal cord, providing nutrients and removing toxins and irritants. If any of the fascia in this area becomes adhered or contracted, it can reduce the efficient flow of CSF and/or put pressure on the neurons that make up the brain and spinal cord. This can cause untold problems throughout the body. Craniosacral therapy has shown positive results with conditions ranging from migraines to temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) to autism to strokes and beyond. Swedish - a lighter pressure massage utilizing various strokes (in my case, predominantly long, gliding strokes; friction; and kneading) to arms, legs, back, neck, feet, scalp and/or face (you never have to have an area worked on if you don't want it). Even though Swedish massage is very relaxing, it is still a therapeutic technique. It increases circulation of blood and lymph, which bring nutrients to the cells and take toxins and irritants away. It increases endorphin release (hence the relaxation response) and reduces cortisol (the stress hormone that wreaks havoc on the body and immune system). It boosts the immune system both mechanically (by increasing blood flow which allows the immune cells to be better distributed to find and destroy invading viruses and bacteria) and chemically (by increasing the number of Natural Killer cells which destroy the invaders). Never let anyone tell you a Swedish massage is too decadent - it is a powerhouse of self-healing! Deep Tissue - a deeper pressure massage, utilizing many of the same techniques as Swedish, but at a pressure that works on deeper structures like bone (through the periosteum). It can be quite uncomfortable but I find it very effective with more acute conditions like recent sprains/strains, muscle aches from working out and ingrained postural issues. Deep Tissue can be full body, following the same general routine as a Swedish massage for those who just like deeper work, or it can be focused on one or two body parts that are the crux of the discomfort. It's all open to negotiation. Location/Rates/Policies
All services are performed either at my location at 43rd and 3rd in Manhattan or at the client's house. My rate is $125 for an hour and $175 for an hour and a half. I accept cash and checks. Credit cards coming soon. I don't charge travel fees if you have a massage table and are on the #6 line or in Manhattan. If you don't have a table or live outside that zone, please call me to discuss how we can make it work. Cancellation Policy - Because the time I have booked for you cannot be booked by anyone else, I have a 24 hour cancellation policy. There is little chance that I will be able to book that hour if you cancel within less than 24 hours so I expect you to pay for the time you booked. If I am able to schedule someone else in that time slot, you will not be charged. Tips/Gratuities - The best tip you can give me is to refer your friends, family and co-workers who might need bodywork. As a result, I don't accept monetary tips. Referral bonus - You receive a $15 discount toward a future appointment for every paying referral you make. Use them as you earn them or save them up for a free massage - the choice is yours. Discounts –Table discount – If you have to buy an adjustable massage table for me to come to your house, I will discount each of your next 5 appointments at your house by $10. Since you can buy an adequate table on Amazon for $100 and sometimes get them for less on Craig's List, this can cut the cost of your table by over 50%. Prepaid packages – 5 treatments gives you a 5% discount. 10 treatments gives you a 10% discount. That works out to:
5 one hour treatments - $593.75 ($118.75 each)
10 one hour treatments - $1125.00 ($112.50 each)
5 one and one half hour treatments - $831.25 ($166.25 each)
10 one and a half hour treatments - $1575.00 ($157.50 each)
Package discount can be combined with referral bonus and table discount. Package discount and referral bonus good for one year.
