Hi, I’m karen nickols.
Thank you for your interest in massage. I am grateful to do what I do and for the opportunity to serve you!
Through all of the many life events that my clients celebrate: marriage, the birth of a child or grandchild, a new job, finishing a marathon or an epic climb up Half Dome, I get to share that with them. Through many of the trials that my clients face: being the sole caregiver for a dying spouse or parent, the loss of a loved one, the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease, or stress from work, I also get to share that with them.
Our bodies tell a story of all that we experience and have been through throughout our lives. All of the joys and pains that we face, all of the work we do to put food on the table and care for those we love, all of our athletic endeavors, hobbies and interests, what we eat and, yes, our genetics, all of these show up in our bodies.
For those whose everyday pains cause them to feel as though their bodies have failed them, it can seem as though the end of the story has already been written. Yet, small changes we make today can impact our lives going forward. Not every situation is in our control, but we do have the power to write new chapters in our life story, to make changes that improve the quality of our lives! In my own life, this gives me hope. Every person’s story is unique, but in more ways than we realize, our bodies do so much for us! I believe in the body’s ability to heal. I believe that massage can play an integral role in restoring balance and well-being to one’s life.
My Approach
Solutions Massage Therapy reflects my personal approach to doing massage. “Solutions” is not meant to convey that I have all the answers or can fix every pain in your body. I am humbled, on a daily basis, by the life situations people face and the pain they endure. Trust me, I wish I had a magic wand to wave it all away. Solutions Massage Therapy is my commitment to work with clients to find ways to alleviate or reduce pain, to counter the stress in their lives, and to help them relax. Massage is not one-size-fits-all. For this reason, it is important to me to tailor every massage to meet each person’s unique needs, even as those needs change over time. My approach is intuitive, takes into account each person’s experiences, activities and health background, and is based on an understanding of anatomy and a curiosity about how the body works.
My background
I earned my Bachelor of Science Degree in Botany from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. After graduation, I served in the Peace Corps for three years. It was during this time that I first fully realized the potential that the power of touch has when I received treatment from a neurologist, massage therapist, and a local healer who, together, were able to alleviate my chronic sciatica.
In 2011, I completed my requirements for the California State Massage Certification in Stockton, California. I have been serving clients with an office in historic downtown Sonora since 2014. In addition to serving clients at my location at 19 Snell Street, I have also worked with a number of individuals in their home post-surgery or who are in Hospice Care, or with those whose physical capabilities limit their ability to travel to me.