Massage Therapists

Karen Kerin Karen Kerin has been a massage therapist since 1990. She started her own practice in Eau Claire, Wiscosin. A graduate of the Atlanta School of massage, Karen specializes in deep tissue therapy and has additional certification in prenatal massage. Having given birth to her first child, Summyr, last July, Karen is having the time of her life exploring the joys and challenges of motherhood!


P.J. RockwellP.J. Rockwell has worked as a massage therapist for 15 years. He received his education from Blue Sky Educational Foundation, and specializes in deep tissue therapy. P.J. worked for 8 years at Actaea in Shorewood, and in 2003 he was voted Milwaukee's Best Massage Therapist in the Shepherd Express.


Dawnmarie Frank
Dawn Marie Frank has been a massage therapist since 1999. Dawn specializes in relaxation, NMT, and has an additional certification in prenatal massage. Dawn is a doula and a member of C.A.R.E. network, an organization of birth professionals serving the Milwaukee area.

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy, often referred to as bodywork or somatic therapy, refers to the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the body that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, vibration, rocking, friction, kneading and compression.

Massage therapy is designed to stretch and loosen muscles, improve blood flow and the movement of lymph throughout the body, facilitate the removal of metabolic wastes resulting from exercise or inactivity, and increase the flow of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissue. In addition, massage stimulates the release of endorphins — the body’s natural painkiller — into the brain and nervous system. Massage therapy provides a relaxed state of alertness, reduces mental stress and enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity. It also satisfies the need for caring and nurturing touch, creates a feeling of well-being and reduces anxiety levels.

Pregnancy and Massage Therapy

Benefits of Pre Natal Massage
  • Eases stress on weight-bearing joints and muscles.
  • Alleviates sciatic pain.
  • Stabilizes the rotation of the pelvis.
  • Assists with decreasing edema (swelling in the body, especially the legs and feet).
  • Reduces pain caused by compromised posture and muscle imbalances through therapist assisted stretches and take home exercises.
  • Eases the discomfort of the baby pushing up into the ribs through breathing techniques that expand the diaphragm.
  • Provides the laboring mother with focus and increased relaxation.
  • Addresses posture shifts in the gravity balance and changes in the musculoskeletal structures through postural education and movement awareness exercises.
Benefits of Post Natal Massage
  • Alleviates the birth trauma in the tissues.
  • Alleviates muscle spasms.
  • Alleviates tension in the neck, shoulders, lower back and hips.
  • Therapist assisted stretches and take home exercises stretch and strengthen muscles affected by the new body patterns of holding and caring for an infant.
  • Facilitates the physiological healing and postural realignment of spine & pelvis.
  • Facilitates the reawakening and rehabilitation of the abdominal musculature after birth through postural education and movement awareness exercises.
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