"I am in private practice as a Massage Therapist in Forest Park IL. My office space is located at 7405 Madison Street, on the second floor, above Moss Modern Flowers. It is very quiet and very restful. The ceiling is high, the walls are a pale blue, and the temperature is toasty enough so that you can relax completely.
"I can give you a thoroughly relaxing full-body classical Swedishmassage for stress relief and rejuvenation.
"I am also skilled at working with pain and discomfort in specific areas of the body. Using trigger point therapy, I apply pressure to the muscles, ligaments and tendons to gently but firmly encourage concentrated points of pain to release. This technique is especially effective in addressing the chronic pain and muscle contraction that accompanies fibromyalgia.
"The gentle, light-touch method of craniosacral therapy encourages the body's natural healing mechanisms to improve the operation of the central nervous systems. It also strengthens the immune system's resistance to disease.
"With Myofascial Release Therapy I can apply sustained pressure at areas of fascial restrictions in order to eliminate pain and restore range and freedom of motion. I use it to treat problems as diverse as headaches, post-surgical and traumatic scarring, sports injuries and chronic fatigue.
"I have worked extensively with many, many individuals who had previously resigned themselves to living with chronic pain. I am committed to working with you to overcome your physical constrictions and restrictions and to lower your pain and discomfort levels over time.
"If you are interested, I will help you with what I like to refer to as 'body re-education': proper breathing techniques on and off the table; suggestions for physical activity to enhance the benefits of the massage session and overall well-being; and simple, gentle stretches that can be done at home to increase strength and flexibility. These are all individually tailored tools which will enable you to make consistent progress in improving your physical well-being and empower you to facilitate your own healing."
Tom is a 1993 graduate of the nationally recognized Chicago School of Massage Therapy (now Cortiva). He has completed additional extensive training in several massage modalities, including neuromuscular therapy (St. John's), Craniosacral therapy (Upledger), and Myofascial Release (John Barnes). He has also studied reiki, shiatsu, and Feldenkrais.
Tom was on staff as a massage therapist at Loyola Center for Health and Fitness in Maywood, IL, from 2006 - 2011. From 1993 - 2000 he worked as a lead practitioner at Alternative Health Partners (AHP) in Chicago, a renowned agency which combined alternative health modalities with traditional medicine in a holistic treatment program. He was one of a team of dedicated alternative health practitioners offering low- or no-cost care to clients throughout the Chicago area. He worked in the same capacity from 1994 -1999 at Community Response in Oak Park, where he contributed to the development of the program as well as working as a massage therapist. From 1995 - 1997 he was also part of a team of massage therapists working at Cook County Hospital's Alternative Medicine Center.
He was the lead instructor in the Massage Therapy Program at the Illinois School of Health Careers in Chicago for the 1998-99 school year. During that time he was also responsible for program and curriculum development.
Tom has had the opportunity to serve as a member of a support services team offering massage therapy to participants in several charitable fund-raising long distance biking events in various parts of the country.
Since his graduation from CSMT Tom has continuously maintained both a professional membership in the American Massage Therapy Association and a vibrant private practice in the Oak Park/Forest Park area.
He is a Licensed Massage Therapist in the state of Illinois: License #227-004982.
"Thai massage (also called Thai yoga therapy) will give you an experience of your total body. You can think of it as acupressure and shiatsu combined with stretches and yoga asanas. It will strengthen you physically and harmonize your energy, allowing you to open to new life experiences.
"Thai massage works on the major meridians, also called energy lines or nadis, which run throughout the human body. It reconciles the body to and within itself, loosens energy blockages, and re-vitalizes deficiencies along the energy lines. Thai massage stimulates the acupuncture points of traditional Chinese medicine with healing touch. Pain and stress are reduced, and life energy, or prana, can freely and joyfully circulate.
"During the session I will move, loosen and stretch your body: feet, legs, hands, arms, torso, head; all at once and one section at a time. You can relax completely into the experience and allow your body to be moved.
"I will also practice metta meditation throughout the session, sending you the gentle and calm energy of lovingkindness, which you may draw into your body and your Self. You can be nourished on many levels.
"To receive a Thai massage you will lie fully dressed on a pad on the floor. (I recommend that you wear loose, non-binding clothing.) Every technique of Thai massage is designed to support me as well as you, so that my movements flow without effort and you are carried in that flow."
Tom has completed Level I and Level II of Thai Yoga Massage Intensive Training with Kam Thye Chow of Lotus Palm School in Montreal. He has also completed Level I and Level II of Ayurveda and Thai Yoga Therapy, also at Lotus Palm, learning the applications of ayurveda to Thai massage.
He continues to study in the Chicago area with Chuck Duff at the Thai Massage School in Evanston.
$40 for one half-hour $70 for one hour $100 for one and one-half hours
These rates apply to massage sessions in Tom's treatment space in Forest Park. House calls can be arranged for a higher fee which is determined by the length of his travel time to your location.
To schedule a massage therapy session with Tom, please call him direct at 708.366.8915 or call or text at 708.369.8864 (cell). You can also email at tomdancingcranes@comcast.net.
Gift certificates are available for one hour, half-hour and 90 minute massage sessions. If you live in Oak Park, Forest Park or River Forest, a gift certificate can be delivered to your door! Outside of this area: call Tom! Put your check in the mail and he will mail a gift certificate to you.
"It is not those who judge and condemn us, but rather those who bless and forgive us, who awaken us from our lower nature and return us to our better selves."
