Testimonials~
To write a review or read the most recent testimonials, please go to my online booking page:

Testimonials

January, 2015 Jason G. Santa Cruz, CA 
'It has been my pleasure and good fortune have been one of Kristine's clients in Santa Cruz for the past 10 years and I recommend her most highly.
Due to injuries I sustained to my neck and I have unfortunately had to seek physical therapy for pain and stiffness on a number of occasions.  And it was during one of these rounds of physical therapy, that I was referred to Kristine. Up until then, with a few rare exceptions, I had not been very impressed by massage treatments. Though they sometimes felt good they didn't really address the underlying muscular-skeletal issues I was dealing with and their effects were extremely short lived. Simply put, I had reached a point where I really didn't expect too much from a massage. However, the massage treatments I have received from Kristine changed that assumption. Simply put, Kristine's  massages have been a great & lasting help in my healing. This is why I have seen her on a regular basis for the last decade.  Specifically:
-  Kristine always asks about how I am feeling, really listens to what I have to say and makes sure to address those issues.  So too, she both welcomes & acts upon any feedback I might give her during the massage.
-  She never rushes the massage or leaves it "unfinished." Something which is quite important, for in a good massage there is often a point where parts of the body are more relaxed or flexible than others resulting in an "unbalanced" state.  And Kristine has always made sure that a proper balance has been restored before allowing me to leave the table.
-  She uses her whole body rather than just pure strength while giving a massage, which I believe allows for a much finer degree of control. She can go quite deep, but can also have the lightest of touches, a skill I found very important when my injuries are causing a lot of pain.
- So too, through extensive training Kristine has developed a very solid understanding of her profession. Indeed, during the whole time I have known her she has always been studying, deepening her knowledge & learning new techniques. 
- Her acupuncture skill and sound nutritional advice have also been of a great benefit to me.
- Kristine is always focused during the massage. From early on we developed a wonderful rapport as she constantly refined her understanding of what was going on in my body from one session to the next.
- Finally, she has a wonderful "table side" manner being both attentive & pleasant. We'll chat if that is my desire, but should I wish to be quiet, she does not intrude.  
I truly believe that Kristine Shaw Southern, L.Ac. is a outstanding medical massage practitioner.'


1-12-15 - Judy H. Mt. Hermon, CA
'Sore muscles in Ithaca alert!
Your gain is the loss of many devoted clients in Santa Cruz CA
Due to Kristine’s husband doing graduate work at Cornell she has moved away from us to you.
I wish I could explain how gifted she is.  I’ve gone 2 times a month for many years for deep tissue massage and acupuncture and am sick that she’s gone so far away.  Kristine went to Five Branches where she received a Masters Degree in Acupuncture but truly she learned and then taught us so much more, such as nutrition, body movement, exercises.  She always lets the client take the lead in what they want, be it gentle conversation or quiet or (for me) both.
I can promise you will be delighted if you choose to have Kristine make your body fell so much better.'

12-22-14 - Jo Ann M. Santa Cruz, CA 
'I have gone to Kristine for many years...like 9!!
She is the best massage therapist I have ever had.
I  have probably gone to 10- or so in different places and 
NOONE  even comes close to Kristine.  She is very intuitive and can be gentle or firm but I got amazing results from telling her my problesm.  I miss her terribly as it 's like having a good Dr. and losing them.
After she finished acupuncture school, I then received acupuncture every time I went for a massage.
Massage is not a good term as her work was most often painful to receive but eliminated my problem after a few visits or with one visit depending.  I strongly recommend a  once a month appointment to keep you in shape and your problems more quickly resolved, especially if you are over 50!   :
You are very blessed to find her and I envy your treatment care with her.'

12/01/14 - John T.  Santa Cruz, CA 
'I was Kristine's client for over eight years. During that time she was always attentive and listened to where I had pain so she could address those problem areas. She was constantly taking classes to increase her knowledge an improve her technique. She was very aware that many of her clients were older and on fixed incomes, and did all she could to keep her rates affordable. I actually raised my own rates twice during the eight years I was her client because I felt what she was charging me was not keeping up with her costs. I believe that you will not be sorry if you become Kristine's client.'

 

well·ness   [wel-nis]
 
noun 

1. the quality of existence or being that is made possible by a state of
balanced life force or Qi, thus being healthy in both body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort.

2. an approach to healthcare that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life through holism, as opposed to merely the treatment of disease.

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