CMJ's Natural Healing

CMJ's Natural Healing Specialized massage therapy for individuals with disabilities and sensory needs. Meditation helps fill your mind with peace and tranquility.

Supporting families and caregivers through real experience, education, and sensory-focused care. Commons West Building
11230 West Avenue, Suite 3105
San Antonio, TX 78213
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Friday:12pm-4pm
Saturday:12pm-7pm
Sunday: 10am-4pm
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By Appointment Only


A physical massage session, on its own, can leave your muscles, tendons, and joints feeling relaxed. However, supplementing your massage with Yoga Nidra

(or guided meditation) will distract the mind and redirects focus onto the work being done by the massage therapist. Together, these two therapies allow us to tackle stress and live a more well-balanced and happy life. An initial combo session of massage and guided meditation will be immediately beneficial, as well as additional treatments to compound the effects with every session. Training your body through these sessions will address the following benefits:

Reduces stress:
Effects of stress can disrupt sleep, promote depression/anxiety, increase blood pressure, and can contribute to mind fog/cloudy thinking. These are detriments to your emotional health; therefore, these sessions will improve any depression and create a more positive outlook in life. Controls anxiety:
Helps reduce anxiety and anxiety-related mental health issues such as social anxiety, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Can generate kindness:
Helps develop positive feelings towards yourself and others. May increase empathy and compassion. May help fight addictions:
Meditation develops willpower and can help aid in avoiding triggers for unwanted impulses. This can help you recover from addiction, lose weight, and redirect other unwanted habits. Improve sleep:
Helps relax your body by releasing tension and placing you in a peaceful state which most likely help promote you to fall asleep. Helps control pain:
Alleviates chronic pain. Can diminish the perception of pain in the brain. Can decrease blood pressure:
Along with reduced stress, this therapy can reduce strain on the heart and arteries; helping to prevent heart disease. In my 15 years of experience as a Massage Therapist, I've found that all of our stress and unhappiness is self-created and comes from having an untrained and unhealthy mindset; which does not need to be that way. I work with children ages 5-17 and adults 18-60 to overcome emotional or physical challenges who are inspired of seeking peace and happiness in their personal and professional lives through the art of meditation massage therapy. Book your session today, online at:
https://www.massagebook.com/biz/cmjs-natural-healing

05/02/2026

Let’s talk about it: How I use massage therapy with clients who have autism

In my experience, working with clients who have autism is not about following a routine, it’s about understanding what the body is showing me before, during, and after each session, and choosing the right approach based on that. I’ve worked with clients who are all on the spectrum, but each one presents differently, which means the techniques I use (and how I use them) are constantly adjusted in real time. Some sessions begin with visible tension through the cervical and upper thoracic regions, guarded shoulders, and limited tolerance to stillness. Others begin with movement, overstimulation, or difficulty remaining in one place. Those first few minutes determine not only how I start, but which modalities will be most appropriate.

With a verbal client, I’ve observed that even when s/he is able to communicate, their body often presents chronic tension, especially in the upper trapezius, scapular region, and neck. In those sessions, I begin with slow, predictable effleurage to introduce touch in a way that the nervous system can anticipate rather than react to. Effleurage allows me to establish rhythm and safety first. As tolerance increases, I gradually incorporate petrissage and light to moderate compression to address deeper muscle tightness and improve circulation. I also use gentle passive range of motion (PROM) when appropriate to support joint mobility and reduce stiffness. I’ve learned not to rush into deeper techniques too quickly because when the nervous system is not ready, deeper work can actually increase guarding instead of reducing it. Over time, I’ve observed that as their body becomes more regulated, their tolerance to these techniques improve, muscle tone decreases more quickly, and s/he are able to remain still for longer periods of time during the session.

With a non-verbal client, the approach is different, but the goal remains the same. Communication happens entirely through the body. Before the session, I may see pacing, avoidance, or difficulty settling. During the session, I rely on cues such as: eye contact, pulling away, changes in breathing, or allowing continued contact to guide what I do next. In these sessions, I often rely more on sustained compression, still contact, and slow effleurage rather than continuous movement. Sustained pressure can be less stimulating and more grounding for some clients, especially those who are sensitive to unpredictable touch. There are also moments when I incorporate myofascial techniques in a very controlled and limited way, allowing the tissue to respond without overwhelming the nervous system.

There have been sessions where I begin with structured work particularly the neck, shoulders, or back, and then the client becomes overstimulated or attempts to elope. In those moments, I redirect immediately. Redirection for me may mean stopping all movement-based techniques, reducing sensory input, stepping back, or shifting to brief, grounding contact if tolerated. Sometimes it means allowing full movement and pausing the session entirely. I do not force continuation. I maintain boundaries, ensure safety, and wait for the nervous system to settle before reintroducing touch in short, manageable intervals. That is still part of the therapeutic process.

I’ve also worked with clients who fall between these presentations - able to tolerate structured work in short phases, but requiring frequent adjustments. In those sessions, I may alternate between effleurage, light petrissage, compression, and periods of no contact (depending on how the body responds.)
These sessions are not linear, they move in cycles. Over time, I’ve observed that those cycles begin to stabilize, with longer periods of tolerance, less resistance, and smoother transitions between techniques.

Across all of these sessions, I consistently observe patterns before, during, and after. Before sessions, there is often muscle guarding, restlessness, or limited tolerance to touch. During sessions, my focus is on selecting and adjusting modalities based on real-time response whether that means slowing down, changing pressure, switching techniques, or pausing entirely. After sessions, I’ve observed decreased muscle tension, improved circulation, more regulated breathing, and a calmer overall presentation. Over time, progress shows up in measurable ways such as: less guarding, increased tolerance to touch, improved range of motion, and quicker transitions into a relaxed state.

The goals remain consistent even when the approach changes (reducing tension, improving mobility, supporting nervous system regulation, and increasing tolerance to touch.) But the way those goals are achieved depends entirely on the individual and their presentation that day. Some sessions allow for more hands-on work, while others focus primarily on regulation and sensory support. Both are necessary.

In my experience, massage therapy matters for autism because the body is constantly processing more than what is visible. Sensory input, environmental stress, internal tension, and communication challenges all affect the nervous system. When that system is overloaded, the body responds through tension, movement, resistance, or withdrawal. Massage, when adapted correctly, provides structured, predictable input that can help reduce that load. It supports the body by decreasing muscle tension, improving circulation, increasing body awareness, and helping the nervous system shift out of a constant state of alert.

It also supports caregivers. When clients begin to show even small changes such as: less resistance, improved tolerance, or quicker recovery, caregivers begin to recognize patterns. They start to see the same cues I see, which helps them respond earlier and more effectively outside of sessions. That understanding reduces stress not only for the individual, but for the entire environment.

What I’ve learned through this work is that success is not defined by completing a full session or using every technique. Success is defined by how the body responds. Some days the body allows more, and some days it needs less. My role is to recognize that difference, adjust accordingly, and provide support that the nervous system can actually receive.

What have you noticed helps someone with autism become more receptive, regulated, or comfortable when it comes to touch or physical care?

04/29/2026

Let’s talk about it: Not every meltdown is a tantrum.

In my experience, one of the most misunderstood behaviors I see in autism and other developmental differences is the assumption that every outburst is a tantrum. If someone is crying, yelling, dropping to the floor, refusing, hitting, shutting down, bolting, covering their ears, or becoming physically overwhelmed, many people immediately label it as bad behavior, manipulation, or “acting out.” But what I have learned through hands-on work with clients, caregiver interactions, and my educational background is that what looks the same on the outside can come from very different causes on the inside.

A tantrum and a meltdown may appear similar, but they are not always the same thing. A tantrum is often connected to frustration, wanting something, avoiding something, testing limits, or not yet having the skills to express a need appropriately. A meltdown, on the other hand, is often a nervous system response to overwhelm. The body has taken in more stress, sensory input, emotional pressure, confusion, pain, fatigue, or change than it can process in that moment. When that happens, the individual may lose access to skills they normally use when calm. Communication may decrease. Reasoning may not work. Even simple requests may feel impossible.

In my observations, meltdowns usually have a buildup. Sometimes it begins long before the visible reaction. It may start with too much noise, bright lights, hunger, fatigue, discomfort, transitions, multiple demands, unexpected changes, social pressure, lack of control, or stress from earlier in the day that never fully resolved. Some individuals may hold it together in public, at school, during appointments, or around certain people, only to release everything later when they finally feel safe enough to fall apart. By the time the outward behavior happens, the system is already overloaded. That is why reacting only to the final behavior can miss the real issue.

I have also learned that not every meltdown is loud. Some individuals cry or yell. Others go silent, freeze, withdraw, hide, avoid eye contact, or shut down completely. Some become more repetitive in movement or speech. Some need to escape the environment. Some cannot explain what is wrong until much later, if at all. Every nervous system has its own way of signaling distress, and if we only look for the loud version, we miss the quiet ones.

For caregivers, one of the most helpful things to understand is that regulation must come before teaching. In the middle of overwhelm, the goal is not winning a power struggle. The goal is helping the body feel safe enough to recover. In my experience, that may mean lowering your voice, reducing the number of words you use, removing extra stimulation, creating physical space, slowing your pace, staying present, and allowing time. Familiar routines, visual cues, comfort items, movement breaks, hydration, a quieter room, or safe sensory tools can also help depending on the person. These strategies matter because a calm nervous system can process far more than an overwhelmed one.

This is also where co-regulation matters. The person supporting the individual has to be aware of their own tone, body language, energy, and emotional response. If the caregiver becomes louder, more tense, more demanding, or more reactive, the situation can escalate quickly. That does not mean caregivers have to be perfect. It means their calm can become part of the support. Sometimes the most helpful thing in the room is a steady person who is not adding more pressure to an already overwhelmed nervous system.

From my perspective as a massage therapist, I have had to make many adjustments during sessions when I notice signs of overstimulation. My role is never to control the person. It is to control what I can within the environment, my approach, and the demands of the session. That may mean dimming stimulation, slowing the session down, reducing pressure, changing techniques, pausing touch, using still grounding contact instead of movement, shortening expectations for that day, or simply giving the client space while maintaining a calm presence. Sometimes the most therapeutic thing I can do in that moment is not more technique, but less demand.

There are also times when I have to change the goal of the session completely. A session may begin with the intention of addressing muscle tension, range of motion, or relaxation, but if the client’s nervous system is showing signs of overload, regulation becomes the priority. That is not a failed session. That is an adapted session. In this type of work, success is not always completing every technique. Sometimes success is helping the client remain safe, respected, and supported through a difficult moment without pushing them past their limit.

Over time, these responses can make a meaningful difference. When an individual feels understood instead of punished, trust grows. When caregivers recognize early cues, escalation may lessen. When the environment becomes more supportive, recovery may happen faster. When the body experiences safe and predictable interactions, tolerance often improves. Progress does not always look dramatic. Sometimes it looks like a shorter recovery time, fewer intense episodes, easier transitions, deeper breathing, improved sleep, less guarding, better communication, or a family that feels more confident and less exhausted.

What I want people to understand most is that behavior is information. The question is not always, “How do I stop this?” Sometimes the better question is, “What is this body trying to tell me right now?” Because when we slow down enough to recognize the difference between distress, communication, and goal-driven behavior, our response becomes more useful. We stop reacting only to what we see, and we start supporting what the person actually needs.

How do you recognize the difference between a meltdown and a tantrum, and how do you support the need behind the behavior?

04/26/2026

Why autism is my current focus, and why I’m breaking down each disability one at a time.

If you’ve been following my recent posts, you’ve probably noticed that autism has been the main focus lately; that’s intentional.

In my experience, real education works best when we slow down enough to understand one subject deeply instead of touching many subjects on the surface.

There is so much to learn about autism beyond the word itself. Communication, regulation, sensory processing, body language, nervous system responses, caregiver stress, physical tension, trust, routines, and how support can look different from one person to the next all deserve more than a quick mention.

That’s why I’ve been spending time breaking autism down in ways that are practical, relatable, and useful for everyday life.

Too often, people hear a diagnosis and think they understand it. But a diagnosis is only the starting point. What really matters is how it shows up in daily living, relationships, the body, behavior, learning, and emotional wellbeing.

In my observations, that is where many families still feel unseen and unsupported. They may know the name of the diagnosis, but still be asking, “What do I do now?” or “Why is this happening?” or “How can I help?”
That is the gap I want to help fill.
And autism is only the beginning.

My larger goal is to break down different disabilities one at a time with the same level of care and detail. Not to label people, but to increase understanding.
Because autism is not the same as cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is not the same as epilepsy. A non-verbal individual is not the same as another non-verbal individual.

Even within the same diagnosis, every person is still their own person.

What helps one individual may not help another. What calms one nervous system may overwhelm the next.
That is why education has to go deeper than general advice.

As this page grows, we’ll continue exploring autism while also expanding into other disabilities, mental health, caregiver wellness, nervous system health, and the connection between the mind, body, and environment.
All of it connects.

For now, autism remains the focus because it deserves that time and attention.

And if these posts have helped you understand someone you love (or even yourself), then we’re already moving in the right direction.

04/25/2026

Let’s talk about communicating with those with autism either verbal or non-verbal.

In my experience, communication is one of the most misunderstood parts of autism because many people still define communication only by speech.
If someone can speak, they are often assumed to be understood. If someone cannot speak, they are often assumed to have less to say.

Over the years, I’ve learned that communication is much broader than words. It includes body language, eye contact, movement, muscle tension, tone, pacing, avoidance, repetition, silence, and the way someone responds to their environment.

Some individuals communicate clearly with language but still struggle to express internal needs in the moment. Others may not use spoken words at all, yet communicate constantly through cues that become obvious once you know how to observe them.

With verbal clients, communication may look more familiar on the surface, but it still requires deeper listening. In my observations, some verbal clients can tell you they are frustrated, uncomfortable, overstimulated, or anxious.

Others may have language but struggle to identify what they are feeling in real time. They may say they are “fine” while their body is showing something very different such as tight shoulders, shallow breathing, rapid movement, irritability, withdrawal, or difficulty settling.

Before a session, this can look like restlessness, difficulty focusing, talking rapidly, needing control over details, or becoming upset by changes in routine.

After an effective session, I’ve seen communication become calmer and clearer. Speech may slow down, posture may soften, eye contact may improve, and the person may be better able to explain what they need because the body is no longer working as hard to manage internal stress.

With non-verbal clients, communication often requires a different kind of attention. In my experience, some of the clearest communication I’ve ever received came without a single spoken word.
I’ve learned to watch for facial expression, gaze, breathing changes, muscle guarding, repetitive movement, shifting away from touch, leaning in, stillness, hand movements, and overall energy.

A client may not say “that’s too much,” but their body will. They may not say “this feels safe,” but you can see it in how the shoulders drop, the breathing deepens, or how they remain present instead of pulling away.

Before sessions, non-verbal clients may present with visible guarding, difficulty tolerating contact, pacing, agitation, shutting down, or heightened sensitivity to transitions. Over time, with consistency and trust, I have observed longer tolerance to touch, calmer body language, reduced guarding, smoother transitions, and a more settled nervous system.

Those changes improve quality of life not only for the individual, but for caregivers who often carry the stress of trying to interpret needs without clear feedback.

Massage can play an important role in that process when it is adapted to the person. In my experience, no single technique works for everyone, and the technique matters just as much as the timing, pace, and delivery.

For clients who need predictability and grounding, slow effleurage can help calm the nervous system because it provides steady, rhythmic input.

For those carrying deeper tension or postural guarding, petrissage or soft tissue work may help reduce chronic tightness and improve circulation when tolerated.

For clients with limited mobility, range of motion and stretching can support flexibility, joint comfort, and body awareness.

For those who become overstimulated easily, simple sustained compression or still contact may be more effective than continuous movement because it gives the body input without adding more stimulation.

Myofascial techniques can also be helpful for clients holding long-term tension patterns, especially when movement has become restricted.

What works for one client may not work for another, which is why observation and adjustment are essential.

One of the biggest misunderstandings I continue to see is the difference between a “temper tantrum” and dysregulation. In my experience, these terms are often used interchangeably when they should not be. A tantrum is generally goal-directed behavior used to obtain something or avoid something, while dysregulation is the nervous system reaching a point where it can no longer manage incoming stress.

The outside behavior may look similar (crying, yelling, dropping to the floor, hitting, refusal, or shutting down), but what is happening internally can be very different.
When someone is dysregulated, the body is in defense mode.
Logic, reasoning, and demands usually become less effective because the system is overwhelmed. That is why understanding the cause matters more than reacting to the appearance of the behavior.

For non-verbal individuals especially, dysregulation may be the only visible way the body can communicate that something is wrong. In my observations, what people call “behavior” may actually be pain, fatigue, sensory overload, confusion, hunger, fear, discomfort, or an inability to process what is being asked.
The question shifts from “How do I stop this?” to “What is this person trying to communicate through their body right now?”
That shift changes everything. It creates more compassion, more effective support, and less unnecessary conflict.

My background and experience with ABA principles also shaped how I understand these moments. I learned the importance of observation, patterns, reinforcement, antecedents, consequences, and the fact that behavior usually has a function. I use that understanding every day, not to control people, but to understand what is maintaining stress or what helps create success.

In practice, that means noticing what happened before the escalation, what the environment is contributing, what the body is signaling, and what response is most likely to help rather than intensify the moment. It also means recognizing that many adults, not just children, struggle with self-regulation and communication.

Some people were never taught how to identify emotions, ask for space, set boundaries, or calm their own nervous system. That is not a character flaw. It is a skill gap.

Society often judges what it does not understand. People may see a public outburst, shutdown, repetitive behavior, or communication difference and assume poor parenting, defiance, or lack of discipline. In my experience, that kind of judgment usually comes from not understanding regulation, sensory processing, or the amount of effort some individuals use just to get through ordinary moments.

We cannot control every trigger, every environment, or every reaction. What we can do is become more informed, more patient, and more supportive.

As a massage therapist, I help by offering a space where the body does not have to perform. I slow things down. I reduce demand. I observe before I act. I adjust touch, pressure, pacing, and environment based on what the individual is showing me.
I respect boundaries, including the need for space. I support caregivers by helping them recognize cues, understand body language, and see that progress is often subtle before it becomes obvious.

Sometimes progress looks like longer tolerance to touch. Sometimes it looks like easier transitions, calmer breathing, improved sleep, less guarding, better posture, or a quicker return to baseline after stress. Sometimes it simply looks like a person feeling safe enough to let their body rest.

What I’ve learned most is that communication is always happening. Some people use words. Some use behavior. Some use silence. Some use their body.
When we learn to listen in more than one language, support becomes more effective, relationships become stronger, and the person in front of us feels more understood.

That understanding can improve quality of life in very real ways: fewer escalations, smoother daily routines, better sleep, reduced physical tension, stronger trust between caregiver and loved one, clearer ways to express needs, less frustration on both sides, and more moments where the individual feels safe, successful, and connected instead of misunderstood.

Over time, those moments build confidence, independence, emotional security, and a home environment that feels less like survival and more like support

04/24/2026

Let’s talk about regulation in autism.

Regulation is one of the most important concepts to understand when supporting someone with autism, yet it is often misunderstood because many people focus only on the behavior they can see. What is visible on the outside is often the final expression of something happening much deeper in the nervous system.

Regulation is the body’s ability to manage sensory input, emotions, movement, stress, internal sensations, and environmental demands in a way that allows the person to stay present, respond, recover, and function throughout the day.

For many autistic individuals, the world can come in at a different intensity. Sound may feel louder, lights brighter, touch sharper, transitions more abrupt, and internal sensations such as hunger, fatigue, pain, or anxiety may be harder to identify, organize, or communicate.

When the brain is processing all of that at once, the nervous system works harder just to maintain balance. That effort is not always obvious at first, but it is real.

When regulation is strong, you may notice calmer movement, better tolerance to change, improved focus, easier communication, more flexibility, smoother transitions, and quicker recovery from stress.

When regulation starts to decline, the early signs are often subtle before they become more visible.
I’ve seen it show up as pacing, repetitive movement, changes in breathing, muscle tension, irritability, shutting down, avoiding touch, difficulty transitioning, becoming stuck on one thought or activity, or needing more control over small details.
Those signs matter because they tell you the body is carrying more stress than it appears.

This is where autism is often misunderstood. Many people react to the final behavior while missing the buildup that came before it. A meltdown, shutdown, refusal, sudden anger, or what some call a tantrum usually has a history behind it.

The nervous system may have been absorbing stress for minutes, hours, or even the entire day. By the time the outward response happens, the body is already overwhelmed. That is why support is more effective than punishment, arguing, or assuming the person is simply choosing to be difficult.

Regulation is not only shaped by what is happening inside the body. It is also shaped by what is happening around the body.

Environment plays a major role in whether the nervous system feels safe or overloaded. Noise level, lighting, clutter, crowding, unpredictability, time pressure, and the emotional tone of the people nearby all matter.

Sometimes people focus on stopping the reaction, when the more helpful question is what is adding to the stress load in the first place.

I have seen clients walk into a room already carrying tension before any touch begins, simply because the environment itself required too much processing. In many cases, reducing the load is more effective than trying to manage the reaction afterward.

Space is one of the most overlooked tools for regulation. Not every individual regulates through closeness. Some need reassurance and connection, while others need distance and room to decompress.
When someone is overwhelmed, hovering over them, repeatedly talking, crowding their body, or following too closely can increase stress instead of helping.

For many individuals, space is regulation. That may mean stepping back physically, reducing how many people are in the room, allowing movement in a safe area, or giving time without constant demands. Space is not rejection. Sometimes it is exactly what the nervous system needs in order to reorganize.

Boundaries matter just as much. Boundaries are often misunderstood as discipline, but in many cases they are a form of safety. Clear, calm, predictable boundaries help the body know what to expect. That can look like consistent routines, one direction at a time, calm follow-through, fewer unnecessary words, and not forcing touch or interaction. Predictability reduces stress because the nervous system is not constantly trying to prepare for surprise. Boundaries are not punishment. They are structure the body can trust.

There are also tools and products that can support regulation when matched to the individual’s needs.

No product fixes autism, but the right support can reduce sensory load and help recovery happen faster.

For sound sensitivity: noise-canceling headphones, ear defenders, and quiet spaces can help.

For pressure needs: weighted blankets when appropriate, compression clothing, body socks, or predictable therapeutic touch may be beneficial.

For movement needs: swings, rocking chairs, mini trampolines, resistance bands, or movement breaks can help organize the body.

For hand focus and attention: fidgets, putty, textured objects, or sensory stones may be useful.

For visual regulation: softer lighting, reduced clutter, and visual schedules can lower stress.

For oral sensory needs: chew-safe tools, straws, or crunchy and cold foods when appropriate may help.

Sometimes the most powerful tool is not something purchased at all; it is routine.

Regular sleep patterns, consistent transitions, movement breaks, calming rituals, and knowing what comes next can be more effective than many products because the nervous system benefits from predictability.

One of the strongest forms of support is co-regulation. This means a regulated person helping another nervous system find stability such as: tone of voice, pace of movement, breathing, facial expression, and emotional presence all influence the space.

A calm presence does not solve everything, but it can become an anchor during difficult moments. Families and caregivers often underestimate how much their own regulation affects the situation. Sometimes the most helpful thing in the room is not a device or strategy, it is a person who is steady.

From my experience, touch can also play a powerful role when it is done with understanding. Massage and bodywork are not about forcing relaxation. They are about helping the nervous system feel safe enough to come out of defense mode. When touch is predictable, respectful, and adapted to the individual, I have seen bodies soften, breathing deepen, guarding decrease, tolerance improve, and recovery happen more quickly over time.

Some of the biggest progress is not dramatic. It may be a person staying present longer, transitioning easier, tolerating more contact, sleeping better, or needing less time to return to baseline after stress. Those changes matter because they carry into daily life.

Regulation is not about making someone appear calm for others. It is about helping them genuinely feel safe enough to function, connect, learn, and recover. It is built through repeated experiences of safety, predictability, respect, appropriate boundaries, and successful recovery after hard moments.

When we understand regulation, we stop asking, “How do I stop this behavior?” and start asking, “What is this body needing right now, and what can I change to support it?” That question changes everything, because it shifts support from control to understanding, and that is where real progress begins.

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