The O-town Scene

Hands-on experience Karen Miritello talked with three Oneonta massage therapists about the joys of rubbing people the right way. Kristin Sloth, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Rolfer PRACTICE: “Intelligent. Intuitive. Perceptive. Theraputic. Hands.” _ Sloth BACKGROUND: Certification from the Florida School of Massage Therapy in Swedish massage, sports massage, reflexology, trigger point therapy and shiatsu. Additional cer- tification in Rolfing®. Named after its founder, Dr. Ida P. Rolf, Rolfing Structural Integration is a form of bodywork that reorganizes the con- nective tissues of the body, accord- ing to the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration. Sloth has more than 20 years experience, including a stint on a cruise ship. LOCATION: Sloth works inde- pendently within the office setting of Photo by Tiffany Doris Integrated Chiropractic, at 454 Main St., 433-2536. Photo by Karen Miritello COST: Rates for massages range from $25/15 minute to $90/1.5 hours. Rolfing® rates are $90/hour. With extensive training and years of experience, Kristin Sloth has a good eye for reading the behavioral patterns of people who might be in need of a massage. This time of year brings the gloomy prospect of Seasonal Affective Disorder. But there is also the physical aspect of functioning in the cold temperatures. “People tend to tense up in the colder weather,” Sloth said. “Look at people as they walk outside in the cold; their chin is toward their chest, their shoulders are up towards their ears, their back is curved forward.” Feeling better might just be an appointment away, and Sloth has sound reasoning behind her approach. “Massage therapy helps relieve the tension patterns created by the cold, and during a massage endorphins are released in the body. Endorphins make us feel more happy, less anxious and will significantly lessen the perception of pain.” As for her technique, Sloth sometimes likes to use heated stones as part of her massage technique, but may also use her training as a Rolfer®, and manipulate con- nective tissues to bring better alignment in relation to gravitational forces. Among her grateful clients is Chanda Misevis, who related the experience of hob- 18 O-Town Scene Jan. 6, 2011 Photo by Tiffany Doris bling around in pain for months after taking a fall. “Kristin worked and honed in on these deep muscles that I didn’t even realize were the problem. After an hour and a half of working on me, I walked out of there completely pain free.”

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