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About

Kristen
Michelle Nale.

Certified Massage Therapist, Advanced Neuromuscular Therapist, and Healthcare Provider working out of a single quiet room in Placerville.

Placerville, CA · By appointment

Hi, welcome. My mission as a massage therapist is to treat every individual according to their specific needs. Each session is customized by integrating various modalities of massage, energy work, and stretches.

After attending two wonderful massage schools in California and specializing in trigger point therapy, I immediately went into medical massage — working with doctors to treat soft-tissue dysfunction.

Trigger point therapy is a unique technique that breaks soft-tissue holding patterns that develop from years of imbalance and injury. I reprogram muscles and connective tissue from postural habits that keep them out of balance and prone to re-injury.

I use a combination of long slow trigger point pressure, myofascial therapy, range of motion, and rehabilitation plans for specific goals. The approach gets immediate results and lasts longer.

I am committed to my personal growth, to continuing my education, and to working alongside my clients so they participate in their own self-healing.

The letters behind the practice

CMT and NMT, decoded.

Two acronyms that quietly show up after a lot of massage therapists' names. Here's what they actually mean — and what they mean for what happens on the table.

CMT

Certified Massage Therapist

California Massage Therapy Council#72502

California's statewide certification — proof of trained hands and an accountable record.

  • A voluntary statewide certification — held in good standing
  • 500+ hours of accredited training before issuance
  • Continuing-education requirements and a clean professional record

NMT

Advanced Neuromuscular Massage Therapist

National Holistic InstituteDiploma No. 1120-751

A 1,350-hour advanced diploma in neuromuscular work — the deep-clinical side of massage.

  • 1,350-hour advanced diploma program (the deep-end of bodywork training)
  • Specialization in trigger point, myofascial release, and orthopedic protocols
  • Also licensed as a Health Educator — every session teaches what the body is doing

Massage in California is regulated by the California Massage Therapy Council — you can verify any CMT's certification by name and number on its public registry.

My approach

Result-oriented. Slowly. Together.

  • CMT · NMT

    Trained in the fundamentals

    California-certified (CMTC #72502) and credentialed through the National Holistic Institute as an Advanced Neuromuscular Therapist (1,350-hour diploma). The curriculum: kinesiology, physiology, postural assessment, short- and long-term treatment planning, contraindicated and prescribed daily activities, and home therapy — stretching, exercising, posture-cises.

  • Integrative, not routine

    Trigger point and myofascial as the spine — woven with energy work, breath work, or stretching where each fits the body in front of me. I do not use routines. Each person is treated individually.

  • No "no pain, no gain"

    Adding trauma to soft tissue does not help it heal. If a body is in pain during the work, the tissue resists. I go only as fast as the body allows, not forcing.

  • Focused on 1–2 areas

    A full-body relaxation session has its place. Most sessions here are focused on one to two problem areas — long enough to make a real physiological change, not just relax around the issue.

Credentials

Certified. Verified.

  • California Massage Therapy Council

    Certified Massage Therapist

    Issued to Kristen Michelle Nale. State-recognized CMT designation.

  • National Holistic Institute

    Advanced Neuromuscular Massage Therapist & Health Educator

    1350-hour Advanced Neuromuscular program. Diploma No. 1120-751.

Continuing-education forward

Book

Schedule a first session.

We will customize the work — trigger point, myofascial, breath, stretching — to the body you bring in.

Call to book · (530) 788-2257 Gift Certificates Available

Placerville, CA · By appointment