Inviting you to do something or nothing.

When we choose respite, whether by acting or by pausing, we defy the notion that we must endure pain and “earn” our rest. Be it anxiety & stress, chronic pain & fatigue, headaches & insomnia, or emotional dis-ease—relief is attainable. At Stillness Moved, my goal is to help you feel better physically and emotionally, using a trauma-informed holistic approach to manual therapy to find moments of stillness in a restless world and bring movement into spaces of restriction and stagnancy.

 

Scheduling

 

 

Mission

  • My vision for my practice emerged in 2020, after I began to recognize the adverse effects of our frenzied world on physical, mental and emotional well-being. I also witnessed first-hand some cultural barriers and pressures that routinely prevent men/masculine-identifying folks from pursuing bodywork and other mental-health services. Because massage had always allowed me to care for loved ones, I decided to respond by developing an outcome-based approach that merges trauma-aware manual therapy with an interest in mental and emotional wellness, somatics, men’s health, and holistic wellness.

    I felt led to Portland, Oregon, where as a Licensed Massage Therapist I support clients around pain management, nervous system regulation, and body awareness. My work is informed by Swedish Massage, Myofascial Release Therapy, Tui Na, Craniosacral Therapy, and other massage and bodywork modalities, and I use these tools to address persistent pain, overuse injuries, stress and anxiety, headaches, as well as physical pain related to emotional unease. While I specialize in men’s health, I work with all gender identities.

    As a member of multiple marginalized groups, I have known discomfort personally. Manual therapy allows me to meet others navigating challenging physical and emotional states that are familiar to me on various levels. I believe that we deserve relief from pain and rest from life’s pressures, and that through localized manual treatment with the intention of facilitating whole-body change, we can experience it. My goal is to help you do just that.

 

Maco Monthervil, M.S., LMT # 27066

Maco Monthervil
M.S., LMT # 27066

I am of Haitian-American heritage and grew up in Florida. I completed my training in manual therapy at East West College of the Healing Arts, and I hold a B.A. in Psychology, a Master’s in Communications and Media Studies & Practice, and a Massage Therapist License issued by the Oregon State Board of Massage Therapists (LMT# 27066).

I have a background in mental health, education, and the performance arts. In addition to my private practice, I see patients at Hey Doc Clinic and Mandala Medicine & Wellness, in Portland, and teach Therapeutic Relationships at East West College of the Healing Arts. My interests include music, singing, writing, laughter, history, culture, traveling, emotional health, somatics, the human condition, supporting others, and working through (or defying) restrictive or harmful cultural norms and standards around “masculinity” and what it means to be a man, and I spend time engaging in these as much as I can.

 

 

Modalities

I draw from Eastern and Western traditions and modalities using a clinical, outcome-based approach to facilitate Central Nervous System regulation, persistent pain relief, anxiety & stress management, ease of movement, body awareness, and emotional health in my clients. These modalities include: Swedish Massage, Myofascial Release Therapy, Tui Na, and Craniosacral Therapy.

Treatment sessions begin with an intake interview and end with a check-in. Treatment plans are attentively tailored for you with your input and may employ a wide range of techniques to help us reach our goals.

This work can range from very subtle approaches to more engaging and interactive interventions.

  • Considered the baseline of Western massage, Swedish Massage is the most common modality for those seeking relaxation. It incorporates long, fluid strokes (typically aided by topical liniments such as oils, lotions, creams, gels, and powders), at pressures ranging from light, to moderate, to deep, over muscles and tissues. Its benefits can include: stress reduction, improvement in quality of sleep, pain relief, improved posture and range of motion, and improvement in circulation and blood flow.

  • Myofascial Release Therapy is a gentle yet powerful modality that aims to slowly stretch and release the fascia of the musculoskeletal, visceral, and nervous systems through sustained pressure and a finely tuned touch. Those who navigate misalignment, pain, tension, and restricted movement in the body can benefit from this modality. Additional benefits include stress and trauma release, bodily awareness, and groundedness.

  • Tui Na (pronounced “twee nah”, meaning “push grasp”) is a movement-based modality with its origin in Classical Chinese Medicine. It blends rhythm and pressure to clear the fluid-energetic pathways of the body to promote healing. People seek this Eastern modality for support around pain, arthritis, sciatica, muscle spasms, emotional health, headaches, insomnia, constipation, and disorders related to the digestive, respiratory and reproductive systems. Among the greatest advantages of Tui Na is that it addresses both physical and mental health, promoting overall balance.

  • Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle hands-on technique that uses light touch to observe and interact with the membranes and movement of the fluids in and around the central nervous system (specifically, the bones of the skull, the spinal column, and the sacrum). It is thought that the gentle manipulation of the bones in the skull, spine, and pelvis can normalize the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which then enhances the body’s ability to heal. CST is thought to relieve compression in the head, neck and back, which can soothe pain and release emotional and physical stress and tension. CST can be supportive for those who are navigating migraines and headaches, neck pain, TMJ disorders, anxiety and depression, insomnia, and sinus infections.

 

Testimonials

 “I have received massage from Maco many times. Several of our sessions together were focused on addressing trauma related anxiety I had been experiencing for the past year. Maco's calm, gentle presence easily created a solid sense of safety for me, and I was able to relax and work through a lot of stored energy in my body. Maco holds a compassionate emotional space that feels very supportive and accepting. I find him professional, intuitive, and welcoming, as well as effective in achieving our session goals. Highly recommended.”

- Christopher C. (not pictured)

more cranial work

 

Health & Safety

I remain vigilant with regards to helping keep our community safe. While recommendations around masking in healthcare settings have changed in the state of Oregon, here at Stillness Moved, I am happy to accommodate your needs for your session. I am asking that anyone with flu-like symptoms reschedule their appointment. I will have surgical masks available should you need one, and will wear one if you need me to. I welcome inquiries about additional accommodations.

 

 

 

Connect

 
 

© Stillness Moved